hohm

For those of us who cant afford niceties such as the N70, I am liking this chemical hand warmer idea for cold weather shots. Ketch, I would like to hear how your remote battery pack experiment works out, and what the components of it are.

I am looking for a good quality, good condition digital camera for use in sub-zero temp conditions. If you have one for sale, or can recommend one that works well in high mountain conditions, let me know!

I am also in the market for a lightweight camera....and need it to perform well in sub-zero conditions. What is the best option for a cold weather digital camera?

The Moonstone Cirrus is a similar jacket, but lighter, cheaper, and packs smaller than the Micro Puff. My Cirrus is my favorite layer, as it fits me like a glove, and can be either an outer layer or an inner layer. It is surprisingly warm, and gives a little extra padding for sleeping in on cold nights. http://www.moonstone.com/d_ins.asp?id=084629

OK...I just padded the evil empires pockets.....purchased an Element from REI-outlet.com.....reduced from $360 to $199.....Thanks for all the salient and linguistic advice.....Chimbaroza here I come!

Damned clever that was...

How about just "To Hell and back"?

How about from Belltown to the Beckey Route, from Lexus to Liberty Ridge, or from Downtown to Denali? Will it do all that?

Ummm.....Iain, are you speaking from personal experience about the Element, or does your comment sound suspiciously like a Patagonia Catalog blurb?

I am just about to pull the trigger on a Patagonia Element Jacket....sort of a hybrid between a bomber Goretex Expedition Jacket and a soft-shell. Does anyone have experience with the Element?

Heres another vote for Anasazi Lace-ups. After many different shoes over the years, these little pink devils are the best all-around shoes I have ever owned, bar none. Friction, cracks, sport, thin edge, and they fit my feet like a glove.

Clivus.....check your PMs

I stopped at the Pumphouse crag once on the way to Baker, and it was worth the trip. The routes are short, but steep and surprisingly solid. Give it a try....

Any thoughts on the Marmot Alpinist Ascent?

Do you really think the Precip or the Alpha SL are durable enough for an expedition shell? I have a Precip as a cragging shell, but have found that it does get wet after a spell of rain, and I would question whether it would hold up for a 3 week trip into the mountains. Any suggestions for a stouter jacket?

I am heading to Ecuador this winter, and am looking for recommendations for a hardshell to replace my relic of a jacket. Looking for a durable shell, reasonably light, good for high-altitude glacier slogs, also suitable for occasional back-country XC ventures. Whats your favorite expedition shell?

Blanchard gave an excellent slide show. Very engaging speaker, funny as hell, and my god has he climbed some unbelievable lines in the Rockies, Alps, and Himalayas. Great photographer as well. In the end he gave a moving tribute to his buddies Dave Cheesemond and Alex Lowe.

Cool...looks worth going to....

The debate was revealing for me in the sense that I feel much better about voting for Kerry now than I did before. Instead of voting for him as simply an "anti-bush" choice, I was actually impressed by his presence, his accumen, and his understanding of the questions and issues that are so critical for a world leader.

Route development at Erie....some cool new pitches to play on there.

Thanks Scott for you work in organizing this, and thanks to the Access Fund and Cascade Crags for providing the swag at the barbeque. Having been an Erie climber for many years, I was pleased to see some much needed work go into the trail system, and it was great to have a lot of the trash picked up around the upper walls (damned tourists). It was a good thing to do.....

Dallas Kloke and compatriots have put up at least 15 new routes on the snag buttress/main wall area, most of which range from 5.8-10B. Highly recommended alternative to the overcrowded upper walls, and easier than most of the climbs on the Orange Wall (which is in itself an excellent objective).

On Sunday, you guys will enjoy the fruits of our labors at the Adopt-a-Crag Day on Saturday. Have fun!

Dave, I might be up for it also. I am comfortable leading up to 5.10 slab.....

Hey Bug, We were one of the wimps who bailed due to the forecast last weekend (combined with a general lack of enthusiasm on the part of my teenager), but we said we would participate so I am happy to pay my share. PM me with the address, and I will get you $20. John