Dr_Crash

How do you like the Sarkens? I was going to buy some but am hesitating because after two redesigns of the anti bott plates people are still complaining about snow getting in between the boot and the plates. They look sweet though, and if I can find the old anti botts I'd buy them immediately. Can you also compare them to G14s? Thanks! drC

Could you weigh it, both with and without the removable back pad? I am very interested in this pack and would like to know the real weight. MEC lists both 390 g and 720 g for the Std pack, could it be that? If so, it'd be a sweet Genie replacement w/o the back pad. drC

I assume you're talking about the Alpinelite 30. I have been looking at it a few times online. There is something weird on the MEC page for the pack. It reads: So, does it weigh the amazing 400g or less, or does it weigh a more expectable 720 g (given the removable padding, patch, etc.)? drC

All right. That sounds awesome. Note to the real alpine climbers: don't forget to leave strings of ropes and crap on the mountain to be a viable candidate for next year's Piolet d'Or ( to them!). drC

Ingalls Peak. Easy, and spectacular scenery. It's a one-day thing but camping close to the lake and relaxing is not one of the worst things you could do. drC

Thanks. I did find salary.com, but it's nice to hear that it's "spot on." BCJ, I sent you a PM. Thanks. She actually filed papers saying she could make $1917 a month. I have no idea where she got that figure, but looking at the people I hire with just a BS CS and no experience, she could make at least $7000 / month. Of course, she'd have to try to find a job. She was too busy spending the temporary maintenance I gave her to look for a job on vacation in Florida, France, and California to have time looking for a job. Ugh. Time to go do some serious climbing to dissipate all that stress drC

That is definitely way below minimum wage. Hey, it's the perfect job if you can stay and work in a home that you just upgraded before filing for divorce, while someone else is sending you half his salary to supplement your lack of income I'll look at the salary reviews online, thanks. Legal forums on Craigs list. I would never have thought of that. I have an attorney anyway because my ex is so litigious she will only speak to me through attorneys. slothrop, email is on the way. Thanks! drC

OK, I have a favor to ask. I am looking for a high-tech recruiter in the Seattle area who could look at someone's resume and give a professional opinion as far as how much that person could earn in the area. Because of the latter, someone you know professionally may be the best thing. Or maybe one of you is a recruiter. I need the favor because I once married someone with a Ph D. in Computer Science who is asking for indefinite support to the tune of half my salary on the grounds that she cannot make more than $400 / month here (cough, cough). A professional opinion re: potential would greatly help me. I know it may be a strange request. It would help me immensely though. Thanks in advance guys and girls. drC

Yes, this doesn't look good. Time for plan B, and a 5th night of partying then drC

Ouch! Where is da snow?! Any idea what the top of the climb (from the schrund up) looks like? Crossable by a solo gumby, or should I just add a 5th consecutive night of partying and drinkig to my week? drC

What is the shape of the route now? I'd like to solo it maybe this Friday night / Sat morning. It'd be my first solo, so much snow = goodness. If not soloing, I'll try to get someone willing to do the roundtrip from Seattle to Hood in 24 hours like that (being on Rainier on Sun). drC

Last Duck Dodge, can't miss that Another PC next week? drC

Get your very own portable hypoxia system: http://www.go2altitude.com/ or http://www.hypoxictent.com/science.html or I am sure others. drC

Speaking of books, a decent one is "Training for peak performance" (ha ha, thanks for the pun) published by the Mountaineers and focused on climbing only (unlike the previous one). Some good info and no nonsense. Warning: reading has not been evaluated by the FDA as a way to make you fit. drC

Oops.

Copy at a much cheaper price apparently. I'd like the Quark to get a little adjustable high pinky rest. Anybody knows if the Quark is changing for this season? drC

Fontainebleau, not fontainbleu . Some sites with topos: - [French] http://www.grimporama.com/francais/bleau/bl_circ.htm - [French] http://www.xavier-langlois.com/ - [English] http://www.coronn.com/TOPOS/readersTOPOS_download.html The IGN topographic map (Foret de Fontainebleau, ref. Top 25 / 2417OT) can also be found, along with every other IGN product, at the IGN store (Espace IGN) off the Champs Elysees. I like paper maps so I bought a few when I was there in February (Alps, not Fontainebleau), but if you like computer maps, they sell CD-ROMs pretty cheaply compared to the price of the maps they cover. drC Edited to point to English IGN page.

More like an answer to Grivel Air Tech Evo (which now also comes with a hammer), with the added twist of the replaceable pick. So many axes to pick from these days... And now Petzl had added the Cosmi'tec. Argh. So many choices. Which reminds me I need to get these Quarks for alpine and everything else drC

Thanks for the ideas all. Catbird, I had dismissed Darrington, I wanted a climb not just rock climbing. My partner ended up not even having time, so road biking was my day's program. But I'll keep those in mind for future use. drC

Hi, My friend has only a short day Saturday to climb, and we'd like to do better than cragging. I am looking for ideas of something we can summit around the area in a short amount of time besides obvious candidates like the Tooth and Ingalls Peak. No tough rock climbing please: I tore muscles in my left arm and forearm and am supposed to give them a rest. drC

(Not NW.) I like Mirror Pond and Full Sail beers a lot. drC

Happy bday. Best thing to do is fly away from DC and party here. drC

Wasn't an American plane (or rather debris from a ...) that provoked the demise of the Concorde? Talk about anti-competitive practices from Boeing... drC

If the AlpineLite 30 is indeed the same size and weight, my question is how well will it compress when you remove the back padding? If it compresses as well as the Genie, then it looks like a great small pack to get. drC

As jmckay said, there is a Tacoma branch of the Mountaineers (www.mountaineers.org and www.tacomamountaineers.org). They apparently have a sport climbing course in addition to the traditional mountaineering courses (you'd have to wait for next year as all these courses start at the end of winter). The gym is a great place to find people too, and most gyms have a "partners wanted" board you can put your contact info on. I found that a combination of learning with friends and formal training worked best for me; my time with my friends is too valuable to impose on them the learning of the basics, but as with many things, the more people you climb with, the more you'll be exposed to different experiences and perspectives. drC