OlympicMtnBoy

There are probably others who know more, but sometimes you can find industrial machines on Craigslist, just make sure you can find parts and probably pay someone to clean and tune it. Those really old Singers can also do the job and can still sometimes be found at Goodwill and the like. Most industrial machines do one very fast straight stitch and not much else, look for one made for strength instead of speed. If you find something heavy duty but portable let me know, I need something that fits in my apartment without room for a whole table setup. For cam slings you'll need a bartacker, but really I'd just pay the $3-4 each to get them reslung by someone with a computer controlled machine for consistency and reliable stitches. Some home machines and a few others will do a zig-zag stitch which is very handy for repairs and can also be used to make a sort-of bartack which works well for repairing gear, chalk bag belts, etc, but i wouldn't use it for life support.

Provided it's not raining, I have to be back in town around 5 or 6 at the latest and my usual partners are heading out for two days elsewhere. Anyone wanna take off reasonably early in the AM and come back in the late afternoon? I'd like to check out the stuff over by Rattletale since I haven't climbed there for some reason, but am flexible if you've got a goal in mind. I'd like to get on some good 5.10 cracks. I am happy to lead but would prefer that you lead some as well, had a lot of trips as ropegun lately. More than happy to follow harder also. I have rope and rack and can drive, drop e a PM if you're interested.

Nice job, sounds like a lot of fun (minus the lightning). Sounds like you're having a great trip there!

Looks like fun guys, great time of year to get up there. And nice tent, I got one of those off ebay a while ago and it's great. Maybe I should do a spring climb this long weekend out there?

Probably too late for ya, but the Dungeness is nice this time of year, hike up to Camp Handy for a mellow trip, or farther to Boulder Shelter. I went up to Goat Lake with my girl a couple weeks ago, got up there without putting the snowshoes on at all (but the lake was still totally frozen). Have fun, should be a great weekend to be out here!

Nice, great winter project, thanks!

Hehe, yeah, my pile is bigger than that. My go-to boot for snowy things in the Cascades has been my old Nepal Extremes (pictured above). Anything I might want a step in crampon for, or anything in winter (including Rainier in winter with stellar weather). I've had no problems with drying (or wetting) with trips up to 5 days or so. I have a pair of Vasque Ice 9000s that I used for higher stuff in Peru that I liked, and can dry, but I've never been out here in anything cold enough for em. Then I've got my backpacking boots, a new pair of Garmont Vetta Pluses for longer alpine trips, some approach shoes for shorter trips, several pairs of rock shoes, ski boots, sandals . . .

If anybody has a broken cam or other broken hardware you don't need please bring it, I'm looking for something for an art project. I'll trade you a beer (or a broken #4 camalot which is too big for my needs). :-) I'll have the cc.com shirt on with my name on it (or look for the red beard and glasses).

Allright, you guys are leaving the Olympics out (and you can stay out, I don't like crowds). Mt. Cruiser - 5.0 route [img:center]http://gallery.photo.net/photo/1275548-lg.jpg[/img] Mt. Olympus - Standard Route [img:center]http://www.cs.cmu.edu/%7Emcmahan/brendan_mt_olympus.jpg[/img] Mt. Constance - West Arete - 5.4 (sorry I can't find a pic, my buddy's pic site is down right now)

Nice job, wish I were there!

Nice, I scoped that descent last time I was up there thinking it has got to be easier, but didn't risk forging on unknown ground with my tired/less experienced partner. Thanks for checking it out!

Welcome to the fun! Why don't you tell us what you climbed in your course and what type of climbing you want to do (rock, ice, glaciers, day trip, week trip, etc). What routes are you thinking of that might be over your head?

Looks like more fun with Fred, wish I could have made it!

I'm pretty sure your eyes will melt, but you will look funky doin it. I'd love to see those up on a big mountain!

We hiked past the mob at Alphabet rock (which in the morning was all over the 30 ft 5.2 routes leaving the good stuff open), and up to Giveler's. We were surprised to see no one lined up for the classic 5.7+ namesake. We climbed it (2 teams of 2), and walked down, still no one else in sight. So I led Bo Derek and everyone TR'd it and finally as we were packing up four more folks arrived (1:00 PM?). That was it. Super classic moderate climb, 45 min approach. Have at it!

I'm pretty sure there are worse shit piles. I climbed "The Center of the Earth" at zigzag earlier this year.

Maybe it's cause everyone and their brother was in Nevada last month and the cheap casinos/whorehouses don't offer free internet? I mean I love you guys, but I ain't paying $13/day just to spray here and check my work email. ;-)

Cool, I'll show up again! I liked the gear swap, whoever brought that big bin of old nuts should bring it again! I need a really big nut, and I forgot cash last year. Hopefully our weather will be better.

Nice Job! I like the plane in your first pic, that is always cool to be up above them!

Woohoo, I didn't even notice that Matt posted up a TR of our trip!

The gates are still closed (although you can drive to a couple sites at Bridge Creek), but you can carry your stuff to a site and camp for free for the moment (so sayeth the official sign). Make sure you park all the way off the road and carry your trash out.

Bump for a good cause! You know you want cheap beer on this ugly rainy day!

Woohoo, I'm there! How much are raffle tickets and do I need to be there to win? Is there one drawing at the end or several?

Damnit Lisa, quit following me! ;-) Were you on Frogland on Friday? I thought the person I talked to in the parking lot for Black Velvet Canyon was familiar, just wasn't expecting to see you there! Matt and I were headed in to Dream of Wild Turkeys. First Rainier in winter and now Red Rocks!

That looks cool, I've always like tarptents, I wonder how much it weighs with the different options (freestanding poles or fabric vs. mesh inner tent.