Dima

"Glucosamine Sulfate plays a role in other body structures besides joints. It is involved in the formation of nails, tendons, skin, eyes, synovial fluid, bone, ligaments, heart valves and in mucous secretions of the digestive, respiratory and urinary tracts. " - http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/arsupp.html Maybe it is another quack medicine, but it seemed to have helped. Somebody else suggested it to me. Does not hurt to try. There are too many of these "studies" with "conclusions". I take it on days after hard training. I may try to stop as my skin is sufficiently adjusted to climbing demands of weekly routine. Besides skin, climbing does stress tendons and joints! That is very true. I may have overdone it with 4. But this is all personal.

There was no sudden pain. It just felt over-fatigued. 6 months sounds right, but then I would develop a mental trauma

I must have overtrained my fingers one week. My fingers hurt quite a bit then and I could not climb well. So, I started weight training, taping fingers together, limiting load on them. I have done it for about 5-6 weeks slowly introducing easy climbing towards the end. My fingers feel ok now, but there is some residual pain in the joints of some fingers which refuses to go away. Once I start climbing back it becomes a little worth every time. On the left hand, the bad-language finger audibly cracks when I bend it towards my palm. Any ideas?

Some people recommend Glucosamine Sulfate. It's pricy and may not totally work, but worth checking out. I use it all the time. Helped at the start, not sure now.

out of the box, never used, latest model size 8, selling for $150.

Come on you! Give me an offer at least!

Out of the box - new. size 8 latest model (black color) want $200 or best offer. email dlitva1@uic.edu

I had it for 4-5 years but used it 2-3 times. Bought due to inexperience on sale at about $450. It has -40F rating, weighs 3.2 lbs. It's in really good condition. I want $200 o.b.o. If you won't like it, you could return it to me within reasonable time limit. Interested => dlitva1@uic.edu Similar product at NF: http://northface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?productId=59

Hi I am new to winter climbing, so need input. Skis seem to be fun and fast, but bulky.

Pluses: it is extra durable, large Minuses: heavy! may not be an issue in an expedition Well, it is heavy for me anyway. I will try to take all the metal out this week. But, big pack => you always manage to make it fool

Thanks to ALL I got more info then I have time to checkout, especially with that thread that some nice fella sent me.

Thanks! It was good

Can someone recommend the best, but not expensive way to do it, please?

I bought this pack about 5 yrs ago. It is in good conditions. http://www.mchalepacks.com Volume - 8K - 9K cub. in. It is a big expedition pack while I mostly do Alpine stuff. It's very durable and comfy. Paid ~$650 Want ~200 obo Will make pics for interested dlitva1@uic.edu

Ross, You rock! We tried the same route on Thanksgiving in 2003. It was a torture without skiis so we did not get further than the trailhead. Sounds as you had the same snow conditions, because we also got stuck at mile 16 and had to walk in. It took us a whole day to trailhead (8 miles). So, I must learn to take skiis on winter trips. Any advice as to inexpensive brand to fit to my climbing boots?

Sure, please suggest something. Are you going to be there for the ice fest? Can I somehow join you guys? I agree to be your belay slave for 1 day. O/w I will be Thanks

Driving Climbing It's the closest real thing to Chicago. West - 1300 to Ouray or Cody East - 1000 to Whites How long are the approaches to climbs once there?

I want to go to Ontario Bay in mid-end March for 5-7 days. If you wanna join email dlitva1@uic.edu More at http://www.climbingcentral.com/ice/ob/ob.html

I looked into it. Your locations are a bit remote for my midwestern taste. Could you change to Orient Bay in Canada? Then I could do mid-end March 5-7 day trip. We have a spring break in 20th.

avied? What's that? Did you punch through on the route as well. That would suck.

Is this the North Ridge? Looks short. When did ya climb it Thanks

O.k. dumb me. But you could have Wi4-5 on rock when it gets thin Yes, June is a bit yearly this year. But I need to get some in before heading to Peru in July. We will wait and see. Overall, it will be good for me as I do not have a ton of expreience on AI. As long as I won't need the skis on the trail and a showel on the route.

Need a partner for NOrth Ridge and Coleman Headwall on Baker in June. Needs to have all gear and follow or lead WI4-5 on ice. Serious replies to dlitva1@uic.edu

Ok, we are back. Well, We found out everything ourselves! The Cascade River road is closed by Dept. of Transportation around mile 6 with a sign. The road becomes impassable to street cars and maybe 4wd after mile 17-18. So we walked in ~8 miles. It is close to a disaster over there: ruined bridge and rock-slide block after mile 20. Gosh, it was too warm and too much snow. We got to the trailhead on the 2nd day's early morning swimming in snow to our waists. It was too miserable to continue. On our way back, it has become even warmer and we struggled to pull our car (slipping on dirt) out of the park. Fortunately the road got somehow plowed just about 1/3 mile back of the place where we abandoned our car (mile 16). Getting there was fun, but getting out was even more so! We did not waste our trip completely though. We skied 2 days on Mt. Baker in fresh powder and climbed Smith Rock for 2 days. Happy thanksgiving, ya all! Dmitriy

Wow. Did you stash some beer there. Give us UTMs in case it is going to get hot. We are leaving tomorrow. Peace Di