snugtop

That sounds pretty snarky, Matt. Since you mention Pilchuck, wasn't it two women who were murdered there last year? I'd venture to guess that women are assauted 100% more than men outdoors, particularly women alone. I'm just reading a book, Strange Piece of Paradise, about two girls cycling across the US in '77 who were attacked by an axe-weilding maniac in their tent as they slept (miraculously, they survived) in a state park near Bend, OR. The author actually does some research and, sadly, her attack--while sensational--is not that unusual for women in parks and secluded areas.

OK I haven't read the whole thread but no one's stated the obvious: The idea of "Christian climbing" is just goofy. This dude sees like a well meaning dork. Which leads me to ask...can Christians have a good sense of humor?

Stop the presses! The Royal Council of InGxothia has inauguarated Annabelle Bond as First Honorary Princess! http://www.annabellebond.com/royalcouncil.pdf

Taken from my house yesterday morning...

This is all over the news here. A truly bizarre story.

So the bloke likes sashimi! What is the point of climbing mountains?

Bear's a major hottie. Love that British accent.

I'd like to meet Mrs. Alden. But not in her bathtub.

OK I lied. I'm married to TheJiggler so I don't need to meet him. I'd like to meet Dru.

The Jiggler!!!!

Btw, Marlou, you should apply if you want to. I came within .25 points of getting in (out of a 7-point scale) and I did not go to an elite school. They are changing the criteria to place more emphasis on foreign languages and job experience abroad, but it's not as elitist as you may think.

My husband is on the registry so I think this is good news! Opens up more spots for the newbies (luckily they only want experienced diplomats) And I'd be happy to go to the Congo with my husband. Tell that dude he's lucky he got such an interesting post!

(Sometimes the best response is no response...but I just can't help myself...) Timmy T, it sounds like you need to get laid. Try PM'ing KaskadskyjKozak. (Mods feel free to move this to spray)

There's a "hiking" drop-down in the trip report section. So email jon or timmy if you want it removed. As you can see from the post there are plenty of folks in the pacific nw who have hiked/climbed and skied in the Indian Peaks. I don't really think it's degrading the site to post some pictures from a 13,000' hike. Sorry if you do. Maybe you're just so badass that you don't have time to read it. Have you check out ascensionist.com?

Thanks everyone for the excellent suggestions. I've only begun to explore the area. However, I can't really rave about Backcountry Pizza (though ANY pizza is good after a workout) If you are back in Ned, I highly recomment the Wild Mountain Smokehouse and Brewery, which just opened and has an awesome deck. Get the Nedeque (Memphis Style) and the Hop Diggity IPA followed by the $1 brownie dessert. Yum yum yum!

Thanks Jay! I will definitely check those out. I've been meaning to visit the sand dunes too...

So what'd YOU do this weekend?

Trip: South Arapahoe, Colorado - south side Date: 10/7/2007 Trip Report: Late & Fast Left Friday night for Moab, found a crappy camp site at midnight (Skinny Tire event going on as we found out the next morning), woke up to heavy rain, drove back, and slept late the next morning. Got to trailhead around 11 AM. It was much cooler today (in the 40s) than it has been here for a while, saw a few hikers going to the lake but no one on the peak. The clock on my husband's altimeter watch wasn't working but we got to Nederland Backcountry Pizza by 4. The easiest 13,300 I've ever done (short of driving up Pike's Peak) Some photos: Gear Notes: just a hike--but trekking poles probably would have been nice.

I do too but my job allows me to wear stilletos in my car while honking my horn and eating a burger...what could be better?

4 inch heels. Eating meat every once in a while. Honking.

I recently finished volume I of The Man Without Qualities, (phew!) by Robert Musil. It's a ridiculous challenge to read when you pick it up but from page one I was hooked. It is set in Austria just before the WWI, and follows Ulrich, a bored would-be mathematician from a declining upper-middle class family as he is pulled into an influential political circle whose aim is to plan an ambiguos "Patriotic Campign". Musil is an astute social critic and tackles Big Themes--war, morality--as well as small themes--how people interact, their inner dialogues and the contradictions between how they see themselves and how others do.

80 degrees and sunny today here.

In Chinese the word pronounced "tah" refers to both man and woman. My tones leave something to be desired. I think I will have to move to China to make real progress. I'm thinking Kunming. Anyone been?

In fact, there is a "Chinese" -- at least according to the Chinese government--Mandarin is the official language. Cantonese is a dialect soken by a very small portion of the country.