SemoreJugs

Wow! Thanks for all of your guys thoughtful input!

I am looking for some auto suggestions to get me to the mountains and for road-tripping (not road-living in a gypsy wagon). I want to spend less than $13,000. I want something that is: -Passable on washed out, rough forest service roads / able to handle snow, but don't really want an SUV. -Room for extended road-trips, ease to add roof boxes, bike racks, kayaks, etc. -Decent gas milage -Ability to sleep in the car horizontally (I am 6' tall), and decent comfort would be nice. All of these requirements seem to point toward a Subaru Outback, but maybe not. This would also be my only car. IF you own an Outback, what is your model year/trim and experience? Especially, what are the repair issues to look out for? Is it a money pit? I've heard head gaskets are a problem in the pre 2005 model years. I have also heard that the standard H4 engine is underpowered without the turbo. Is this car just a trap for REI-going yuppies, or does it get the job done well? It seems like I see more of these in Seattle than any other car. Maybe because I am looking for it. Is there another car anyone else might suggest? Thanks for your time!

Exit 38 is really where it is at. There are all of these shiny chicken-head features on the rock with these holes in them. I find I am able to take a quick draw and just clip it through. Its a lot easier than trying to figure out those camming device things. I can never find a place to stick them. And I never get my quick draws stuck!

Why are you carrying ice axes on the approach? I dont think its all that steep. Just curious.

We Americans cheer for a tie, while the Brits hang their head for the tie. Funny.

Great! You need a bumper sticker that reads: "Proud parent of a 5.13 climber"

I enjoyed the black and white atmosphere / light interplays on the mountain shots... What also stands out on this TR is that there are no "Oh Shit!" moments on the entire trip. Excellent!

How about an update on your knee?

Blowing your money! HAH!

How well did the duct tape work out, by the way? Were your feet warmer? Any chance you can work 10hrs a week to save up some money for some boots without holes? It might be worth it in the long run. I grew up poor, but was able to work after school and buy things like boots, bike, car, etc. On another note, you are a fascinating human being. Based on reading other TRs I get a sense that you face many demons. Keep listening to your heart. BUT make decisions (in the mountains) with your head! For some people, the heart makes decisions, but the mountains don't care about how you feel. Obviously, we all care about you and sense your big heart. There is a very fine line between pursuing freedom and accelerating towards self-destruction. Sorry for being another advice giver among the 100s. I hope we cross paths some day!

For an attorney, you are not as elegant with words as one would expect.

So you can send txt directly to 911 then I take it?

MATT P! Congrats on your 11111th post! That is awesome. If you reply to this congrats it will, of course, be ruined at 11112. Please return to your normal climbing related comments everyone.

You ice guys are weird but fascinating to watch. Why is the BD Chick sporting Petzyl tools?

Way to call BS, Choda Boy! Aside from disqualifying himself and then continuing anyway, the above statement is just a collection of technical words that he read elsewhere and is trying to cut and paste it into this topic.

Very well composed photos! "La Conte Glacer" and "High on the Dana" are bigtime winners. The first looks to be Alpinist mag quality. And you are lucky husbands indeed!

Man, that ice step looks friggin sinister in the late season.

Kick ass Jeremy!

WOW!

Gee, dinomyte, thanks for clearing that one up. I was really afraid that the next time I walked into REI that I would be forced to become a member. After that, down pasties wouldn't sound so bad!

you should have come in a month ago!

Everything in the store is now 40% off!!!

How did they get those wide shots of her climbing the crux section without getting the two camera guys on the fixed lines in the shot??? Did they make her climb it twice? Did they wear camo? Or did they have some high end video production skillz? SS, you called it, man. But, she is still beautiful despite the hot air effusing from her pores. Hopefully they paid her well enough (so she can climb more and work less) to offset the gags and giggles from the peanut gallery over her commentary. She may have said these things, but they are just sound-bites from what is probably a much longer discussion. Bold statements like that accompanied by melodramatic camera work and cheesy background music (Crimson in Clover??) contrasted with her doing something truly awesome is bound to make us climbers throw up. It would have been better to have little to no sound during the climbing and longer shot duration to appeal to my tastes. But then again, I'm not going to buy this video to begin with, so who gives a flying f_

Just stopped by the store and found out they are closing up for good. Very sad. The entire second floor is wiped clean. They will be done in September. Everything is 25% off the lowest price in the store. I'm sure the firesale will happen in a few weeks. They still have some decent stoves, sleeping bags, packs, boots, jackets left in limited sizes. Tents are almost gone. Of course they mostly have clothing left. Climbing gear is pretty spotty. Mostly biners and cord. vasak crampons, 2 mammut helmuts, and some belay devices. Good luck getting the last one (s)!

Asking to check your bag is understandable when a store has many items worth 100s of dollars that you can stuff in there when using the dressing room. Its a lot better than them asking to search your bag before you leave. The fact is, there are people who jack merchandise, and they dont wear "thief" uniforms. If you want to forego the demeaning bag-check, you could always champion the idea of a theft-offset-collection-jar. You put a couple of bucks into it when you enter the store so you can enjoy the convenience of being able to carry your bag around. This way , the dont lose any money from the thefts that will indeed occur. nhluhr, get over yourself and stop expecting the entire world to treat you like your shit is made of brown gold.