Chad_A

I own a set of Beal Ice Line 8.1mm ropes, 70m...probably one of my most appreciated ropes that I own.

Thanks, Dan. I'll give you a holler one of these days- we need to reconnect. Cheers, Chad

Must say, I love your avatar. I'd forgotten all about Opus. I miss Bloom County...

Just curious as to if anyone has any recent pics of it- I saw the pic on the recent TR on the 26th, but it doesn't get very close in. Anyone have any good closeups? Feel free to respond here, PM me, or send an email to anderson7149ATcomcastDOTnet Thanks in advance

Someone missed their Ativan dose today. It's a climbing board.

Ray Pettibon's stuff was always pretty cool. He did lots of punk artwork in the 70s and 80s, including the Black Flag album cover of my avatar pic.

What radion station? Might see if I can find it streaming online...

George Lowe would probably be at the top of my list. I've always been impressed with what I've read about him doing in Alaska (let alone the CDN Rockies, or anywhere else for that matter). Anyone that can get his cousin down off a route with a broken ankle, and get right back on to finish the FA, is certainly tenacious. Not to mention he went and did a new route on Foraker right after that. But, my true climbing heroes are the ones that I spend time with regularly (or, as regularly as possible) in the mountains, at the crags, or even pulling on plastic at the gym. Here's to you guys (and gals).

James, Shoulda taken a picture of the top. It was impressive...even with the hot temps, there was still a six foot wall of snow by some of the sheds. Crazy!

Here's a photo update for you- should give some idea. Took a slog up Defiance in the warm temps on this past Sunday- pretty views, but kinda hazy.

The impression that I get is that it's mainly focused towards the alpine climbers/guides of the Tetons. Could be wrong about that one.

FWIW, I bought a set of Kayland M11+s, and they have a really big toe box. Might want to check them out. Upon looking at them, they look mostly sythetic, but they have more panels of real leather on them than I thought upon closer inspection.

If you don't already have it, you should check out the chapter in "The Challenge of Rainier" by Dee Molenaar that covers this. It's more historical than beta-spewing, but it could give you a good idea of what to expect. They traversed above 7000 feet, I believe, for the duration of the outing, and started/finished at White River. http://books.google.com/books?id=V_9jjg7-VY8C&pg=PA197&dq=Dee+Molenaar&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=0_0&sig=oGZCUa8mg_Za17j9fputaE6jH38

Another person with interesting view of CrossFit. http://moynihaninstitute.com/

You can call it that if you like, but he's not simply using the CrossFit program. Maybe the basics, but if you read into the daily workouts, and the comments, he's definitely left that mentality.

Bump for a good deal!

Clean out the garage and organize to make room for the weight equipment I plan to harvest off of craigslist. Boulder at the Rock Gym. Check out Belmont Station to see if they have any new IPAs/Imperial IPAs. Tomorrow, training hike in the Gorge, then help friends move in the afternoon. Get ready for work the next day, and call my Mom. Wish I had the time to go alpine climbing w/ DPS.

Here you go, man NUPTSE State-of-the-art high-tech double boot for high altitude mountaineering in Nepal, winter volcano trips in the southern hemisphere, and backcountry split-board descents Half sized shells and inner boots provide a comfortable warm performance fit Deep lugged Skywalk MPE outsole gives excellent traction on snow, ice and rock Insulated, abrasion resistant upper combines to give ultimate performance in winter conditions COLOR: Ice OUTER BOOT: Transparent PU-coated embossed Benecke CeraCom® PUR leatherette/3mm Idro-Perwanger (over the ankle and upper tongue)/Stretch Lorica bellows tongue/Molded TPU ankle and backstay reinforcement/ Giugiaro Design lacing hardware/PE micro-cellular thermal insulating closed cell foam lined with a thermo-reflective aluminum facing coated with an anti-abrasion flocking/Vibram® XSV Rand INNER BOOT: High density closed cell PE foam micro perforated for breathability CONSTRUCTION: Inner: Slip Lasted, Outer: Board Lasted LAST: Nuptse SOLE: Skywalk MPE MIDSOLE: SBR Aircushion INSOLE: 5mm Carbon Fiber + 2.5mm PE micro-cellular thermal insulating closed cell foam topped with a thermo reflective aluminum layer reinforced with perforated hydrophobic non-woven facing WEIGHT: 45.01 oz/1276 gm

Glad you made it down okay. EPIC!

Heh, that's probably true, and then again, I've heard that the left side of the Weeping Wall is the WI4 to do, so go figure.

I would say that, IMHO, the cheapest reasonably modern tools would suit you just fine. I own new Cobras, and love them, but there's people that climb much harder than I with straight shafted Charlet Pulsars in the alpine. One thing that I will say about the Black Diamond tools is that their griprest is a bit lower profile than the Quarks, making it that much easier to plunge with them, but it's such a minor point, probably not worth mentioning. I'd suggest putting together a list of features that really speak to you, and going for the best deal that fits that list. And if you're like some of us, you'll find a reason to get a new tool in the next year to satiate your gear habit. Have fun!

You can probably stop into Zarela's Hostel in Huaraz and pick up anything you could want there. She's really nice, and has Brad Johnson's book, as well as the topo maps that you don't see here in the states (I think they're Austrian). I couldn't tell you how to get there exactly, but I know it's one street over, to the right, from the Iglesia La Soledad, if you're going up the hill. That should point you in the right direction. As you walk up the hill, it will be on the left hand side. Ring the buzzer on the metal gate, and one of her employees will come and let you in. Good luck and have fun down there;) PS- Just found her address- La Casa de Zarela Julio Arguedas 1263, Soledad Tel: 721694 zarelazAThotmailDOTcom

Thanks for posting us up, James. Fun times!

It was a fun climb, but I am not sure it falls under the ultimate classic category. Too much walking inbetween pitches. Yeah, probably an overstatement. I let my mind bend the response due to the fact that people really talk about Guiness Gully as "the WI4 to do if you're in the area". The view from the top pitch is nice, though, if the weather is good.