Blake

Don't forget daylight savings is coming soon, then maybe there'll be some light for post-work playtime.

This tree at Index, and the tree at Beacon have gotten argued over ridiculous amounts. Look at the bigger picture. It's like you can't see the forest for the trees.

only got out once, nothing really nice to show for it. I'm going back out into the countryside this weekend, rod will be along again. Spring temps and long days got you itchin to get some more time on the water Will?

Bill, where would #2 be found in between Hood and Beacon?

If flipping leas, use the rope to make a bunny ears figure 8, add an additional pieces on clove hitch if you must. If you aren't flipping leads, get a new climbing partner.

Eric and I decided that getting together people from the B-ham scene is like 'herding cats.' Great place to live, but you got to drive 45mins-2hrs to get to all the sweet climb/mountain areas. Therefore locals don't know each other and don't really get together anywhere that is Bham specific.

took me a minute to recognize the guy in the picture.

Climb: Wanaka - New Zealand- Date of Climb: 3/19/2006 Trip Report: Last weekend myself and a few buddies, including a Tacoma Mountain Rescue guy who posts on here and is studying at my university, headed out to central part of the South Island for some cragging and to get info on alpine conditions for upclimbing climbs. Most of the area climbing is single-pitch sport, but a few really quality crack climbs can be found as well. The area around Queenstown and Wanaka is a lot like central Oregon. Dry hills leading up to large peaks, and all kinds of outdoor activities (ski/hike/climb/bike/flyfish) within a short drive of town. We managed to get in about 22 or 23 routes in a day + a morning of climbing before our hands were raw and our arms started to fail us. I've been introducing some friends to climbing, but forgot the course on 'rope management.' And choice free camping! Gear Notes: standard rack. Sharp stick to keep angry sheep and Keas at bay. Approach Notes: watch out for the electric fences!

Even if you can't ski or board, I think a snow-covered St. Helens is a nicer trip than a dusty and scree-covered one.

Mother's Day dress skiing!

Josh, knowing the cc.com crowd, there'd be about 6 people left!

I was really just hoping for the kiwi convesion of 5.9+ A2- because that's pretty much been the rating of every route i've seen down here.

wasn't angel crack originally a 5.7? Isn't there some famous photo of Fred climbing it in boots?

Drew, thanks for clearing things all up.

maybe it's the lembas bread? I did find this one little ring in my cracker jack box on the flight over. It's precious.....

This is from the AAC NZ is really nice, going to try Mt. Aspiring soon (I hope) I've put a few pics up in the 'everywhere else' forum. I honestly haven't lead enough 5.10 routes in the states to know how accurate teh grades are, but I'm leading 20 Aussie. Cheers!

I'm not trying to say that grades are the important part about climbing, but why is there so much dispute in determining what Aussie/NZ grade = what North American grade = European, etc. I guess its all subjective and whatnot, but for example I've seen charts listing Aussie '20' as everything from 5.10b to 5.11a. seems kinda strange... http://www.chockstone.org/TechTips/GradeConversion.htm http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/rankingguide.php http://www.catsclimbingshop.com/ctable.html

I'm back to the 10yo model for now. I'm looking into the HB Dyneema, they are hard to track down, but score high on the impact tests and are uber-light. Anyone have any experience with this helmet? Yeah, they are outstanding, the lightest and strongest. Good luck finding one now though...

how does it affect foot jams where the top of the shoe touches rock?

There is a glacial erratic within a few blocks of UW (I thought north?)

Have not yet been to the west coast. I'd love to get to the Darran Range, but I am at the whim on weather/cars/partners so I make the best of what I get.

Chriss, the thing inside the must end in ".jpg"

I'm actually consistently climbing rock (ie, NOT every few weekends) for the first time since i started climbing 18 months ago. I've seen myself improve a few grades too!

If you run your laces on the Mythos under the "side-heel wraparound" laces (see the shoes) and then tie the knot, your heel fit is a lot more snug. Maybe this is supposed to be done, but I just stumbled across it. (run the ends beneath the exposed lace, above the logo.)

Ivan, it bothers me to no end to think you teach high-schoolers all day long.