John Frieh

Anybody know either 1) Washington Climber's Coalition Tax ID # or 2) Where I can look it up? I need it if I am going to raise them some money this weekend

Both are great tools (assuming you are talking about the new vipers... between quarks and the old vipers I'd say quarks). I'd say which one you can find cheaper...

high school gym class teacher I just hope everyone makes a point to introduce him or herself

I was thinking the same thing... Fools on Tools Festival... Dear internet tough guys I know the concept of climbing plastic holds in a gym and calling it ice climbing seems silly if not "foolish" however if you check out Extreme Alpinism by Twight or Ice and Mixed Climbing by Gadd or Mixed Climbing by Isaac you will find multiple chapters devoted to ice climbing training which in fact suggest and recommend practicing tool placement and usage on indoor routes. Then again… if your idea of climbing ice is the south side of hood then chances are your legs will pump out well before your forearms do so no worries and by all means heckle away. But I digress... the primary motivation of holding this event each year is to simultaneously raise awareness and funds for deserving non profit climbing organization(s) as well as getting the climbing community together for some :brew:. It’s why people like Gary and the PRG and Marcus and I actually don’t mind funding the event on our own dime... because in the end we all have a great time. I hope you all come even if you dont enter the comp... Mr Wayne Wallace will be putting on an excellent slide show about ice climbing in the gorge... who wouldn't want to know more about the ice routes in our back yard?

If you plan on just demoing gear all you will need to do is sign a waiver. I would suggest bring your own harness/rock shoes but it isnt a requirement as the PRG rents them. If you plan on entering the comp you need to do all of the above plus either bring your own tools (or use some of the demo tools) as well as be on time! We ran out of comp slots last year and it will not surprise me if the same thing happens this year. We will have belayers on hand so dont worry about having your belay card with you Hope to see you all there!

duck down

For once I would have to agree with Kev. Kev will be joining us... hope you all will do the same

I pulled out what little I had with them yesterday.

Ever ordered from these guys? Feedback? http://www.mammothgear.com/shop/

More foreclosures followed by the rise of a new slumlord/real estate speculator class? Yay? RMLS announced PDX real estate down 7.3%... biggest decline on record.

Yet another one from the true masters of understatement and humility. Thanks for keeping the quality up around here

no stealing thunder John!

Sometimes you gotta learn to love what you hate Good times indeed! Great to finally meet you and Crackers and of course see the inFERNo If you get a chance and have some feedback/insight/comments/etc for Rob on the seminar take a sec or two and send him an email... I know he would really appreciate it as he is always trying to improve his content! It was surprising to me how much the seminar had changed since earlier this summer. Get some athlete!

Werd. Dont forget ice... I've seen some WI4+/5s that would be 3+ in Cody

Hey dont get me wrong... I think all the TRs and threads on here are great. If anything we need more of them (nudge nudge PP). I just cant help but wonder WTF when some truly proud stuff that has been done around here doesnt end up on the newswire/climbing/etc but something, though still cool, but as nearly as impressive does get selected. Makes me wonder what the difference was... all I'm saying...

Yeah... I got a 10 over in lworth once. By personal best (worst?) was the trifecta: 1 in twisp, 1 in wenatchee and 1 somewhere in between the two... all in 12 hours. umm... yeah, John. I've seen you driving during the wee hours in route to local coffee shop. Not pretty. Just sayin' Considering how often you make the "walk of shame" about that time of the morning it doesnt surprise me you've seen me driving crazy before I've had my first cup of coffee :grlaf:

Absolutely. It's when people make their climb out to be something it isnt... when they actively convince/solicit some editor so that they can be seen amongst the true big names/numbers/climbs... that's what I'm talking about

The stuff that turns me off is the "marketing" of an FA to all the new medias... Sure if they contact you awesome and congrats but I get the lurking suspicion that isnt always the case...

Klenke: your points are valid. Ridges are great example where one can stray from the crest to make it easier. Same could be said about face routes... WRT DT though it doesnt appear so in the photo taking the easiest line up the ridge without straying to far from the ridge crest will still require 5.10 climbing... one of the last bumps in the ridge overhangs on all sides but one. On another one of the bumps I could have bumped the grade to hard 10 but the right side of the crest offered easier (though looser) climbing. Craig and I had one goal: on top before dark. The fact that we didnt free it all should reiterate that. I will add I always try to sand bag anything I put up. I would hate for the NW to get the reputation of "fluffy ratings" Related to that though I havent seen too many "fluffy rating" FAs I do believe I've seen some FAs bumped up to a grade IV such that they can sneak into the AAJ. I think the underlying message here is grades are a best guess and highly suspect in any venue: aid, alpine, ice, rock, etc. I guess that's why I describe myself as a consistent 5.8 leader. Any thing harder than that? No guarantees

Just show up and liquid carb load with the rest of us! Bring some other WA kids with you... we are in fact this year donating all proceeds to the Washington climbers coalition!

Just confirmed beer order. :brew: :brew: Any of the WA crew interested in making the trek down is welcome at mi casa

Yeah... I got a 10 over in lworth once. By personal best (worst?) was the trifecta: 1 in twisp, 1 in wenatchee and 1 somewhere in between the two... all in 12 hours.

that's for a US mortgage - can't get one in Argentina True true... but get something here that you will actually use more often! Think surf house dude!

What are you guys complaining about? 30 year fixed dropped to 5.5% today! Hello 10.31 exchange