Chad_A

Can't believe no one's responded to this yet, Dan. Maybe I'll have to come up with a "work injury" so I can take a month off from work this spring. What does it take to get a medical leave of absence r/t insanity, these days? Maybe I can get that due to "cabin fever" with all this crappy weather these days...

Man, that guy takes a lot of shite.

Anywhere in Portland? I imagine that Dave's cobble shop in Seattle does it, but I could be wrong. I need to have the heel of my climbing boots stretched to fit a bit better (and cause less pain!)

Thanks for the info, all. The weather for the next two days sucks everywhere (the days I have off to escape...) Looks like Stewart and I might brave the elements, and see if anything is in around Lake Angeles in the Olympics, in his neck of the woods.

Well, after some research, this is what I have. I visited a podiatrist a year ago, and he noted that I had spurs on the back of my heelbones a year ago; he didn't mention a particular name for them, but said that it's a difficult thing to have removed (read: achilles tendon detached, the bone spur sawed off, and the achilles tendon reattached), followed by up to 6 months of difficult physical therapy. So, I've ruled that out. I'm going to try light doses of aspirin to help out (can't do Ibu/Aleve, due to nasty reactions I have to it), and I'm going to try to ice them at least semi-religiously to help with the inflammation. I was wondering if anyone else has or had this problem, and what they did about it. Also, I was thinking of finding someone to stretch my climbing boots away from the affected area, to decrease the inflammation, and prevent further damage. If anyone has some good input on any of this, speak up.

Sounds great! Ama Dablam...

I'll be damned, always wanted to do that one. Wonder what the avy danger is there...hmmm.

Looking to possibly do some car camping, and ice climbing in Washington this week; need info on Leavenworth, or other areas. Please advise. Thanks!

I keep a spray-can of penetrating oil (WD40, whatever) in a box, with a bastard file, a cleaning brush, and a rag. A snow-and-ice tool cleaning kit, if you will... Whenever I see rust after a trip (usually, if I'm descending a route on a sunny day, I have them off and on the back of the pack long enough for the sun to dry them out, so they don't rust, but not always) I'll saturate the rag with the oil, and then wipe them down. Problem solved- rust gone.

Yeah, sure did...wish you could've been there, Dan. Now that I'm back to work, and walking on flat concrete here in town, I want to do it again...I think I'm starting to have alpine DTs already

Thanks to everyone for the responses. Kurt, Seth, Jeff, and Justin, hope you had a great holiday season...I thought we were going to miss out on ours. Or, at least spend it unplanned with each other on the road (at least we would've had a stellar view )

I was at Climb Max here in Portland last week; I could swear I saw them there. Could be wrong, though.

A note from the editor: Donn has NOT drank that much beer this fall...it's simply the nalgene lurking beneath his jacket

Awesome! Great pics and great TR.

Right on, Kurt. Nice pics...fun moderate route

Things to consider: with the low snowpack (and with it being early, too) this year, Ingraham Direct might be a bit tricky. Also, with short daylight, and 6200 feet to climb from the proposed high camp, will probably be stretching it a bit. Neat idea, though. It's cool to see people coming up with climbing ideas that are off the beaten path a bit.

Hint: Winter, provide a keg, and they will come. Regardless of the day of the week. Guaranteed.

Is the Raven still available? And, what area are you in? You can respond here, or PM me. Thanks.

I know that New Seasons Markets and Whole Foods Markets are carrying it; I don't know of one directly near I-5, though. What areas of Portland are you familiar with? Any at all?

Shit, as soon as I have a clue as to where that is, I just might!

Full Sail in Hood River, or the Eliot Glacier Public House in Parkdale. Better beer at FS, but better views at the Public House. You stare right at the Coe Icefall, and the Sunshine Route. Oh, and Full Sail has free oyster crackers and pretzels to snack on.

Hiked up to the cabin on Tuesday; the snow on the trail was meager, at best. I'd be surprised if someone with some fortitude, a 4WD, and chains couldn't make it up there right now.

Nobody's laughin; 'dem's good goals. Mine: 1.Lead more WI 2.Lead more Trad (hell, climb more rock in general.) 3.Something hard on Rainier 4.Something(s) hard in the North Cascades 5.Something(s) hard in British Columbia. Oh, and I want to get some mixed/dry tooling experience. SLC, here I come