John Frieh

gonna see if I can sneak in from over N. ridge

Nunatak! Made in Washington! Custom!

Actually I am attempting a route and wanted to see if anyone wouldn't mind keeping their eyes open for photos ops; I will gladly return the favor for them if they let me know which route they will be on. Thrutch: whats the deal? why the need to jump to conclusions?

If you plan to be on the N. side of Stuart this weekend please drop me a pm: I need a photo favor of sorts.

MUTANTIZE!!!

Good work! The two best tools you can take into the back country are knowledge and judgment (which was exactly what you were obtaining at HT). One with one the other is useless but together they are invaluable. Word to the wise: avoid getting into aid climbing unless you have large amounts of disposable income for future rack expansions. And cam hooks are your friend. Personally I have no beef with any of the outdoor groups (Mounties, etc) that are commonly the butt of many jokes on this page (unless they don’t let me pass on route); any group that promotes leave no trace ethics is alright in my book.

Not that weekend, but back in late March I had two weekends in a row where it was first Boalps (or whatever the acronym is) and the next mazamas... I can't help but laugh when I highball/boulder stuff they are top roping...

Yup.

Mini haul bag... bouldering pad...11' boulder (And a V negative 2 at that). I hang my head in shame. I am a gaper. I have gaped. Feel free to repent your personal violations here.

This site has more fat turds than all of the plugged-up Chevron station toilets in Enumclaw combined... Flush!

One person I know reported a ranger told them open (Tuesday of this week) and another person said a ranger told them closed. Hmmm...? Just hike over elmo's... it ain't that far...

TURD alert. Somebody flush it...

facon = aphrodisiac D00d: where's the Adams TR? If it's half as good as n. sister it'll be another classic... more classic quotes this time?

Eats on a portaledge...? Game on B!

Justin: what are you waiting for? NF of Nooksack is hot! I would grab that shit in a second if I could weasel out of 2 more days at work...

Friday/Sat.: alpine lakes Sunday/Monday: pickets (or something) Right? I'm not trying to ditch you... however Hannah is currently gunning for your picket time slot...

What about this guy?

sportclimbers pack frames are aid

Bertulis revival! Jesus saves brother!

3rd round knockout: good work B and definitely good work B's papa!

Depends on if you are an old fart or not... I think they carry fine; but I also think the andinista carries fine. I would say they have a built in audit system: if it hurts you just need to rethink what you are bringing...

DPS: Ahh... trick question... First and foremost; if you have crampons on you should not be able to kick your feet (not crampon points…feet) in as (we all know) the only time you put your crampons on is when you can't kick steps. So a slip with crampons on means you are on very firm snow/icy conditions. With a slip wearing crampons use your knees and once (if) you slow down then use your crampons once you have reached a speed that will not result in a bum ankle or getting flipped over. The key in a good self arrest is prevention: the sooner you react the more likely you are to stop... One should remember that the main stopping power to a slip is the arm on the lower shaft of the tool; specfically levering it across one's chest while at the same time putting as much force with one's shoulder onto the shaft to engage/drive the pick of the tool into the medium. Practice Practive Practive... with a pack without a pack in a rope team not in a rope team upside down right side up ice axe in different hand positions no ice axe with green eggs and ham

At least one particular outdoor education group I know (I'm not going to name any names) has students practice literally hours in just about every slide position possible both with and without a pack as well as in glacier rigs and not in glacier rigs. And you are right; its a beeyotch to roll with a pack (especially if you end up sliding up side down). That's why: Practice Practice Practice.

In regards to Wild Things quality issues; I can't say I've seen any evidence of poor workmanship, but the most recent pack I have from them is from 2000 (or 2001?). I own 2 andinistas and an ice sac; climbing partners of mine also have these models around the same year… none of us have had problems with quality. As far as it carrying crappy well it doesn't have a frame; what do you expect? If it feels/handles crappy; lighten the load. I think they handle up to 35 lbs fine (but I'm still young ). I have noticed that the packs have gained over a pound in weight since my purchase (my ice sac weighs in at 2 lbs 14 oz. for comparison) which makes me wonder what is driving the company now; especially with all these quality concerns. And remember: you get what you pay for. Cold Cold: Yeah... Randy just sent me a valdez... absolutely love it. Beautiful pack.