Dr_Crash

What's the advantage of a ladder style vs regular style with triangular steps on the sides? Stay open better? drC

Alpinfox, what they mean is that if you use the rabbit runner from end to end as a line (irregardless of whether that line bends or not), for example to extend an anchor etc. it's single strength (because you have a single strand being loaded). If you turn it into a loop, then that loop becomes full strength. drC

I don't get it: a rabbit runner is not better than a 48" (double) sling, and probably weighs as much when one looks at the Mammut. You can wear the double sling exactly the way you wear the rabbit runner (two biners, clipped into each other after looping the sling on you) and get it off the same wayl, pack or not... If anything it's shorter than the double length sling. drC

How much do they weigh? A 48" Mammut Dyneema sling is full strength and weighs 29 grams. drC

Rafael, if they look better than everything else and you get one on the way back from WA Pass, pick one up for me. I trust your judgment. Second Ascent sells black pads made in Switzerland by I-Don't-Remember-Who. Heard them tell a customer they're awesome. Anybody's checked those out? drC

They better not disappear after I subscribed for 3 years to support them (despite the fact that the USPS trashes many of my issues and that I should buy at retail). My favorite sailing magazine did that to me already years ago... The cover pic is disappointing, especially after the one on Alpinist 9, which I loved. And it does look like Steve House is blaming Bruce, yes... A climbing mag I like: Gripped. Too bad they look a little disorganized: I paid for 2 years in December 2004 and am still waiting for an issue drC

In addition to CBS's advice if it applies (i.e. you didn't even bother to read the B-52 manual or Trango's B-52 FAQ), practice the autoblock rig at home, and also practice unblocking with the rope loaded. drC

Also, your Summit pass is valid for free riding at Northstar and Sierra at Tahoe. They've got snow, and it might still be time for a spring trip drC

What I like about some of these Renault "keys" (my sister has a Mégane with that system) is the remote activation. Walk to your car and when you're close to it, it unlocks. Keep the key in your pocket and hit the Start button, it knows you've got the key. Walk away after driving and the car locks itself when you're about 10 ft away. Sweet. I believe Italy stepped up their speed limit on highways from 130 km/h to 150 km/h a couple years ago, to reflect local usage. At 140 km/h everybody will pass you (in the more mellower France, 160 km/h is the average cruising speed on highway, and many will drive 180 km/h). drC

I've got that Sandisk player. Great price when I got it (1 Gb for $119) but it crashes all the time when playing my music in random mode. So every 3 or 4 songs I need to remove the battery, put it back, restart the thing... And it starts at the same song it was the last time you started it (apparently it only saves where it is on shut off, not every time it changes songs). A pain... I need to file a bug report on Sandisk's site and hope they will release a firmware updated. You can transfer music any way you want (I used WMP 10). drC PS: just got firmware 1.02 and the damn thing still freezes.

I've got that Sandisk player. Great price when I got it (1 Gb for $119) but it crashes all the time when playing my music in random mode. So every 3 or 4 songs I need to remove the battery, put it back, restart the thing... And it starts at the same song it was the last time you started it (apparently it only saves where it is on shut off, not every time it changes songs). A pain... I need to file a bug report on Sandisk's site and hope they will release a firmware updated. drC

OK, will go with the Franklin then. Next time I'll think before placing two orders two days in a row at STP and save some shipping drC

Anybody used the Franklin Drop Zone? I've read good reviews (only downsides apparently: no carpet on top and slow to pack), and now that Franklin has a redesigned Drop Zone II the original can be found <$120. drC

Aztar better than Quark for all around? It's a bit lighter, sure. drC

Those Mad Rock shoes? http://www.acmeclimbing.com/browseproducts/Mad-Rock-Fanatic.HTML (on sale at mgear.com for those of you with small or very big feet). Much better than a $45 Superfly? And is the Garmont the "Sticky spin" ($99) and the Teva that one? http://www.teva.com/Apparel_Detail.asp?dept_id=1&sku=6628&sc=sale&g=men&s=1 drC drC

Are the superfly good approach shoes too? Can't see them on the La Sportiva site to find info. drC

Still no backlight on the Avocet, and need to send it off to change battery. Otherwise a great watch according to friends who own one. I'd personally check the combos alti + HRM. drC

I like them fatter anyway (j/k)

B*tch.

Less than marriage sometimes. Pick your poison drC

Post pictures first drC

"Trente cinq" is 25, right? Thank you YA

Oops. Found address one post above. drC

Why don't the Quarks seem very suited to alpine? Would you prefer the Aztar (looking at Petzl's line here) if you had only one pair of ice tools for both alpine and WI? drC

Twight's book was instrumental in helping me pick the rght windshirt. Thanks Mark! drC