Dr_Crash

Are they available here, and how do they ski? I saw a pair yesterday in Tokyo. 980 grams (per ski I assume) in a a 170 cm maybe. Looked interesting, and I have always liked Dynastar. It's on Dynastar's US site, but I don't see many dealers for it though... I'll try to ask the Dynastar rep at Snoqualmie when the season starts, but it'd be nice to have reviews (will also ask on skipass.com). Same for the wide (75 mm waist instead of 65 for the plume) and the regular one (68 mm). And the 2003-2004 wide, which apparently was only 70 mm. If the 2003 wide has a weight comparable with the Volkl Norber Joos that coluld be sweet (it's only EUR 230). 75 mm is nice though All skis have a wood core except the Plume drC

Forget about what's cool - just keep your ass safe. He's asking about helmets for his *head* not his ass. Please don't hijack the discussion. drC

The Canon A95 and S70 are my two prime contenders now... Both have great image qualities. Good reviews at dpreview.com. A95: + 5 Mp + Uses regular AA batteries (x4). + Swivel LCD screen - A bit more weight (might be a plus for stability) - Less MP S70: + 7 MP (can crop heavily and still have good prints) + True wide angle (eq. 28mm-100mm) - No swivel LCD - Proprietaty battery (though clones are cheap and it's lightweight) drC drC

Girl, I forwarded you Rafael_H's opinion already... If he wants to repost it here, he'll do it. drC

One thing is certain, we *DO* need the bottle opener and the corkscrew. Why hasn't anybody made a combo nut tool + knife (to spread the cheese ) + corkscrew? We can open beer bottles with carabiners, duh. drC

Petzl has two models. I have the large (non-serrated blade) and it's a nice sharp knife. I am going to replace my knife and BD nut tool with Trango's shark. This way I save some weight and can lose two things at once when I'll drop it (thanks CBS for the dropping idea ). drC

Duh, of course it's staged. Still funny. Thanks for the name. drC

I went to Patagonia's Seattle store yesterday. In their dressing room, there is a big poster of a guy who is hanging off a pretty steep face, with a beer in his hand and flip flops on his feet. Do you know that picture? Is it available in print somewhere? Thanks, drC

The polars are so new it's going to be tough to find out much info. Assuming they have the same altimeter they put in their bike watches, look for a post I made on the Polar 720/725. I posted a reply from Polar USA about the precision of their altimeter. drC

I'll look up routes. Ingraham Direct is the most obvious. Which days would you go? I may have something on the 27-28. RE: the 20th, I can't. I am flying back from Japan that day and need to be at Snoqualmie the 21th. drC

Great job! drC

Dude, if the service wasn't that slow, how could the French have 2 hours lunch breaks from work every day? drC

As long as it is working I don't know why I'd stop Oh, and don't you love the tree cutting to protect drunk (and bad) drivers? That is so funny. It was on the roads, mostly, not the streets (because then they're on curbs and speed limits are lower); many many deaths against a platane (too lazy to look for the English name). Maybe it's to help social security not pay for so many long-term disabilities drC

In down flip-flops. drC

Because I can't deal with seeing all these hotties in miniskirts. I need to focus drC

The French do everything wrong: they have lots of vacation, climb and ski in the Alps, their women do not dress in baggy clothes, and they have good food. Damn. I don't know how we could survive there. drC

I don't know about tools and weight but the BCA packs are really nice for backcountry skiing. Their alpine packs are real heavy though (I have an Alp 55 and at 5.5 lbs for 55 liters it's 2 lbs heavier than others). But they're very tough. drC

Just posting a question in the Newbies forum makes you a newbie drC

I sew some colored thread on mine (since they don't have a free floating tag). It works for all soft gear and can easily be cut and removed. drC

My BD half-dome is ligher than the Ecrin. Its downside is that its adjustment system is not nearly as good as the Ecrin Roc (or the Elios for that matter). The BD uses a velcro which 1/ will wear out, and 2/ has to be a pain in the butt to adjust when you switch from wearing a warm hat to not, especially with gloves. With Petzl's system, you justfind the dials, turn them until the helmet fits snug, and voila. This said the BD has been great for rock,it ventilates well, and it's lightweight, which was what I cared about (the Elios doesn't fit me or I'd have a Petzl). drC

NOLSe, that's why shops have return policies FF says I can return them during a month as long as I don't use them outside, and they also know that I might if Distel32's Trango Extreme fit me (though I may keep the Freney for pure ice anyway). A few boots only at under $200 instead of MSRP $375 (online $320), maybe one pair in my size; they fit; I *did* some research; I am just asking for more since I know a few of you have them. RE: crampons, it's going to be interesting. They're very asymetrical on the sole. I know that at least Grivel makes a curved adjustment bar for their crampons for that kind of boots. Maybe Petzl and BD do too. I need new crampons since the owner of the ones I've been using wants hers back, and I'll shop with the Freney in hand... drC

The dreaded double post...

I might be interested. I have recently summited Hood, Adams, and Rainier through the easy routes (DC for Rainier). I have recently practiced crevasse rescue, though fortunately I haven't needed it yet. I am younger than Long and climb a bit slower. drC

Snow tires, *non* studded. drC

Picked a pair at FF yesterday. What do you hate / like about them? drC