Dechristo

This is an awesome slice of "Soul" music from the early '70's. Iffen a person has any funk in their trunk, they're gonna like this CD. ScottP identified the baddest bit of funk: "Use Me". The signature hook riff is inimitable with it's inclusion of a major sixth in a minor dominant figure; a local multi-racial music group tears it up on this tune. Dig it.

Oh... I saw the thread title and thought Gary would be telling of his penis enhancement and getting laid.

This question is worthy if only to prompt debate, but, the fact of the matter is no one will be confronted by this prophetic voice. For although climbing will be involved in the deaths of some who read this thread, none of us can have certainty. It seems it boils down to acceptable death based on personal bounds of "Good" and "Bad" categorization. For some, it is more acceptable if a climber dies while involved in an activity that supports his family directly than while climbing. For me, there is no distinction. All activities (Good or Bad) of the climber with family is a facet of who they are. It is a personal choice to be made by that person only whether to climb. Congratulations or condemnations of others' activities are extraneous impingements to another's life. The maintenance of ethical bounds of unacceptability is self-imposed acceptable bondage. For me, the enjoyment of life requires the acceptance of all that comes my way without getting stuck (for long) in the quagmires of judgment of acceptability. While you can, take deep breaths, enjoy life.

Sorry 'bout the tardiness of posting this: * * * * * * Dear Club Members, Thank you for the astounding and heartwarming answer to our call to help the high mountain villages in Pakistan devastated by a magnitude 7.6 earthquake. The lobby of the American Alpine Club filled with boxes of tents, sleeping bags and winter clothing. They spilled down the hall and surrounded the climbing wall. On November 21 and 22, the AAC staff and dozens of volunteers spent two full days packing the gear and clothing for shipment, sorting carefully to make sure that everything that goes over is of adequate winter quality. Inappropriate items were donated to Goodwill in the Denver area. In addition to individuals' contributions, we received or facilitated the following generous corporate gifts: * Wild Things: 100 sleeping bags * Climb Axe: 110 pairs OneSport boots and 100 overboots * Indigo Equipment: 100 pairs of gloves * International Mountain Guides: 20 tents * Jackson Hole Mountain Guides: 10 tents * American Alpine Institute: 20 tents * Patagonia: Three large boxes of new clothing, plus 21,000 items being shipped directly from Paris * Everestgear.com: Matched purchases made for this effort * DHL: Shipped collected clothing and gear for free from Golden to Pakistan * Pakistan International Airlines: Free shipping from New York to Islamabad * Trango: Donated boxes for shipping Thanks also are due to the New York Section's Todd Fairbairn, Holley Edelson and Phil Erard, who collected gear in Manhattan, saving time and shipping dollars. Greg Mortenson of the Central Asia Institute will be checking in with the Alpine Club of Pakistan to help ensure that mountain-ready tents, sleeping bags and winter clothing go directly to the mountain valleys where it is needed. We also have raised more than $15,000 in cash from generous members, which the Alpine Club of Pakistan will spend on medicines and food to send along with the clothing and shelter. Currently the plan is to take the equipment by truck, jeep and then donkey up the Kagham Valley (above Balakot toward Nanga Parbat) and the Neelum Valley (east of Muzzafarabad). Separately, I want to applaud some other efforts that we are aware of. I communicated with Tex Bossier of Patagonia Europe, which is sending 21,000 items to the Alpine Club of Pakistan for distribution. The North Face has launched a program very similar to ours. If you missed the opportunity to donate to this effort, you can drop off gear at a North Face store near you until November 23. Check locations at http://www.thenorthface.com/na/news/news-20051111.html. Pakistan's citizens will face many long-term needs as a result of this devastating earthquake. Once people get through this winter, there will still be 1.2 million children without schools. We are working with Greg Mortenson of the Central Asia Institute to determine how to help with this problem as the snows melt in the spring. Again, I want to thank all of you. Your prompt response and generosity have been extremely gratifying. Phil Powers Executive Director ppowers@americanalpineclub.org EXCITING SPEAKERS SET FOR '06 MOUNTAIN FEST The 2006 AAC Annual Meeting and Mountain Fest, February 10-12, in Attitash, New Hampshire, will feature a superb line-up of speakers. Headlining the Saturday-night dinner will be a rare talk by George Lowe, one of the key figures in North American mountaineering history. On Friday night, the great Indian climber and author Harish Kapadia will introduce us to some fantastic climbing opportunities in the Indian Himalaya. Saturday-afternoon speakers include Vince Anderson on an alpine-style first ascent on the Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat, Sue Nott on alpine climbs from Alaska to Europe and Asia, Joe Terravecchia on the huge but little-known rock and ice climbs of Newfoundland, and Alexander Ruchkin on the punishing first ascent of the North Face of Jannu and the Russian approach to alpinism. Add to this the usual camaraderie of AAC meetings and two days of climbing clinics on the short but stout ice cliffs of New Hampshire, and the 2006 Mountain Fest will be one to remember. Registration materials and lodging information are now available at http://www.americanalpineclub.org/community/events-annual.asp Important note: Mid-February is peak ski season in the White Mountains. Please book your lodging and make travel arrangements as soon as possible! AAC GRANT FUNDS HOT SEASON IN PERU Andy Wellman, a 24-year-old from Colorado, enjoyed a superb season in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru, thanks in part to a Mountaineering Fellowship Fund award from the AAC. Wellman and James Woods completed the second ascent of Karma de los Condores (IV 5.11d) on Hatun Ulloc and then continued up the unclimbed upper reaches of the tower to within 60 meters of the top, where filthy cracks halted their one-day attempt. Wellman and Woods repeated the 1972 Czech ice route on Pisco Oeste's South Face in 10 hours, and then, with Tyler Anderson, made the second ascent of the direct South Face of Mururaju (aka Nevado Pongos). Along with numerous other ascents, Wellman completed a creative goal on his third attempt: a one-day round trip from Huaraz to a Cordillera Blanca summit. He and Anderson took a taxi at 4 a.m. to Jancu and climbed the Northeast Face and North Ridge of 5,434-meter Huamashraju to the summit, descended to the base at dusk, and then rode mountain bikes in the dark for two hours back to Huaraz. Mountaineering Fellowship Fund grants assist climbers 25 or younger with exploration and cutting-edge climbs. Get more info at http://www.americanalpineclub.org/knowledge/grants.asp. MEANWHILE IN HUASCARAN NATIONAL PARK... Action is still needed to help reverse new regulations that would dramatically alter the climbing experience in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru. The UIAA recently approved a motion introduced by AAC President Mark Richey: "The UIAA strongly encourages that the PNH [Huascaran National Park] and INRENA [Peru's interior department] work cooperatively with their Peruvian Mountaineering Federations and those of other countries with an interest in the park to establish and adopt policies and use regulations regarding climbing and trekking within the PNH that are fair and beneficial to both local and visiting climbers, environmental concerns and the local guiding agencies as well." If the new regulations are implemented as written, climbers will only be able to access the most popular peaks and routes (an estimated 80 of the 600 or so known routes within the park), must climb with a local mountain guide (at a ratio of one guide per two clients), and will not be able to visit the park between December and March. To voice your concerns, email Leoncio Alvarez Vasquez (Mr. Alvarez) at lalvarez@inrena.gob.pe . Please copy any emails to Mr. Alvarez's assistant at jbarrios@inrena.gob.pe and to the head of protected areas, Carlos Salinas, at csalinas@inrena.gob.pe . Though communication in Spanish is ideal, any language will work. See a copy of Mark Richey's letter to the Peruvian authorities at http://www.americanalpineclub.org/docs/R...ez--9-2005.doc. A background article on Huascaran National Park regulations by AAC member Jim Bartle is posted at www.americanalpineclub.org/docs/2004_Winter_AAN.pdf. NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR SOWLES AWARD The David A. Sowles Memorial Award is given to mountaineers who have distinguished themselves-with unselfish devotion, at personal risk or sacrifice of a major objective-in going to the assistance of fellow climbers imperiled in the mountains. The award was established in 1981 and is dedicated to the memory of David A. Sowles, who was killed at the age of 29 during a lightning storm in the Alps on August 4, 1963. Letters of recommendation are currently being accepted for this prestigious award. Nominations should be forwarded to committee chairman Charley Mace at charleymace@comcast.net . JAPANESE ALPINE CLUB CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL In October, the Japanese Alpine Club celebrated its 100th birthday, and AAC President Mark Richey, along with Teresa Richey and past Vice President Linda McMillan, joined the party at a gala dinner in Tokyo attended by nearly 1,000 people. Richey delivered an address celebrating Japanese accomplishments in world mountaineering and chatted with His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince of Japan about their shared passion for wild places. He also made a brief, rainy visit to the granite crags of Ogawayama. You can read Richey's address to the Japanese Alpine Club at www.americanalpineclub.org/JAC_address.html. LUMPY RIDGE TRAILS DAY For the fifth consecutive year, the AAC hosted the Lumpy Ridge Trails Day in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park. This year, 63 volunteers collaborated to improve climber access trails to one of the most popular and photogenic rock features at Lumpy Ridge: the Twin Owls. The NPS provided six trail-crew employees who worked with the volunteers to complete a facelift over 500 vertical feet of extremely rugged trail. More than 130 wood and rock steps and seven drains were installed to help check storm runoff and act as stairs. For more information on this event please visit http://www.americanalpineclub.org/community/section_central_rockies.asp. ARTIST NEEDED FOR POSTER DESIGN The AAC is looking for a skilled artist or designer to volunteer his or her talents and create a poster for the 2006 Annual Meeting and Mountain Fest. If you're interested in lending a hand, contact Lloyd Athearn at lathearn@americanalpineclub.org . GREAT GEAR AT GREAT PRICES! Just in time for holiday shopping, the AAC soon will launch its annual online auction with dozens of great items to bid on, including clothing and gear from sponsors such as Patagonia, LEKI, Montrail, Mountain Hardwear, JetBoil, Asolo, Lowe Alpine and The North Face, along with beautiful photography, guided trips and more! All proceeds support core member services like the American Alpine Journal, the AAC Library, rescue insurance, and mountain conservation. Please stay tuned for details; we will be sending you an email with all you need to know. CLUB SEEKS MARKETING INTERN Interested in marketing and nonprofit development? Like to hang out with climbers? The AAC is seeking an intern to assist with marketing and fund-raising projects. Contact Nigel Gregory at 303-384-0110, ext. 15, or ngregory@americanalpineclub.org. MAKE YOUR ANNUAL GIFT ONLINE Considering a year-end gift to the AAC? It is now easier than ever with the introduction of an online giving program. To make a contribution, please visit this link: www.blacktie-colorado.com/online_sales/nonprofit_donation.cfm?id=1392. Or go to the AAC website at www.americanalpineclub.org. COMING EVENTS November 30-December 1 Colorado Susan E.B. Schwartz presents a slideshow based on her new book Into the Unknown: The Remarkable Life of Hans Kraus, about the pioneering Gunks climber and physician. Nov. 30: 7 p.m. at the Denver REI, 303-756-3100; Dec. 1: 8 p.m. at Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder, 303-499-8866. November 30-December 1 Washington Andy Selters presents a multimedia show on the history of mountaineering in North America, based on his award-winning, AAC-published Ways to the Sky. Nov. 30: 7:30 p.m. at the HUB West Ballroom, University of Washington, $10; 206-522-1677. Dec. 1: 7 p.m., Western Washington University, Bellingham; trepanc@cc.wwu.edu or 360-650-7533. December 2 Massachusetts Come to the Boston-area climbers' annual holiday bash, sponsored by the Appalachian Mountain Club's Boston Chapter Mountaineering Committee and the AAC New England Section. Info at www.atkinsopht.com/mtn/aacnesct.htm. December 2 Colorado The Backcountry Bash, a fund-raiser for the Backcountry Snowsports Alliance with music, slides and gear auctions, will start at 6:30 p.m. at the downtown Denver REI store. Call 303-494-5266 to purchase tickets. December 4 California Nick Clinch will regale the Sierra Nevada Section with tales from the 1960 first ascent of K1 (Masherbrum) at the section's annual holiday dinner and party in Berkeley. Cost is $48. To sign up, send a check to Ellen Lapham/SNS, 15215 Monte Vista Drive, Nevada City, CA 95959. Tel.: 530-265-9117. December 4 Colorado A memorial service will be held for longtime mountain guide Mike Donahue, who passed away in November. The service will be at 2:30 p.m. at the Aspen Lodge, seven miles south of Estes Park on Hwy. 7. December 16-17 Nevada The 3rd annual Tahoe Adventure Film Festival, with films, guest speakers and a giant action-photography display. Info at www.laketahoefilmfestival.com. January 21 Colorado The Central Rockies Section will host the premiere of "Skiing the High Himalaya," a film by Mike Marolt. The evening will include food, drink, a "Lost Images" show in which climbers will try to identify historic photos from the AAC archives, and the new film of ski descents on Shishapangma and Everest. $20 for the full evening at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden. Info at http://www.americanalpineclub.org/community/section_central_rockies.asp. January 21-22 New York The New York Section's annual Adirondack Winter Outing, with ice climbing, skiing and hiking. A formal invitation will be mailed to regional members around year-end. Or, contact philiperard@nysalpineclub.org . February 10-12 New Hampshire The 2006 AAC Mountain Fest and annual meeting will be based at the Attitash Grand Summit Hotel, smack in the middle of the White Mountains. Climbing clinics, camaraderie and slideshows. Make your travel and lodging arrangements now. See all the details at http://www.americanalpineclub.org/community/events-annual.asp E-NEWS POLICIES In order to protect the interests of our subscribers, we have established the following E-News policies. The AAC office in Golden is the only source of outgoing messages to subscribers; recipients cannot respond to or initiate messages to the list. The AAC will not sell member e-mail addresses to anyone for any purpose and will have no commercial advertising of any kind in E-News. Send comments, suggestions or news items to dougald5@comcast.net . If you know an AAC member who isn't receiving the E-News, it's probably because the AAC does not have his or her email address. New addresses or address changes should be sent to getinfo@americanalpineclub.org .

Giving thanks for you Dear Supporter Here at The Mountain Fund, we're giving thanks for your loyalty and support as well as the kind words we received from so many of you this year. Please have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving and take a moment this weekend to reflect on all we have to be thankful for. Consider too, the lives of the people around the world that your support has made such a difference for this year. I have just returned two days ago from Nepal where I was able to witness first hand what your support is making possible. First I attended part of a refresher course given to traditional birth attendants (volunteer village midwives), hosted by Karing for Kids. Seventeen women from three villages took part in this training, some having to walk nearly three hours to get there. They were happy to be there and very thankful for the opportunity to receive the training that they know will help them to save the lives of mothers and children. Next I visited the group home for children started by our member Himalayan Outreach Project. The children I met there are also very thankful for your help and support. Four members of the Boulder Colorado Chapter of Engineers Without Borders were with me in Nepal and together we visited three remote villages to conduct an assessment of needs in the villages. The water is contaminated in all three villages and only a handful of people in each have access to a toilet. With the help of EWB that will change. At the meetings we had with villagers, they expressed their sincere thanks for our help. None of this would be possible without you, our members and supporters. Our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to you on this Thanksgiving Holiday. The Board and Staff of The Mountain Fund Scott MacLennan The Mountain Fund email: mtnfund@mountainfund.org voice: 800-743-1929 web: http://www.mountainfund.org

He's been taking a bath in the polls and press for some time, now.

"Most reports" may suggest this, but my neighbor (he lives two canyons over, one mile as the nazgul flies, but six miles by road) got over 50miles/gallon on a recent trip to the midwest and back in his Honda Insight. I'd opt for a TDI diesel.

Back in the day, being the macho-little-retard-of-a-kid that I was, I'd pluck leaves of poison ivy, chew, and swallow to the horror of neighborhood kids... and my delight. I've never had a pathological reaction to the stuff. ML, if you're serious, you gotta know this is coming from you. You've listed the primary attributes of good spray. And, of course, this thread deserves some lyrics from a great oldie: You're gonna need an ocean (bump, bump-bump, bump-bump) Of calamine lotion (bump, bump-bump, bump-bump) She'll put you in dutch (bump, bump-bump) You can look butchew better not touch Poison Ivy-eee-ee-ee-eee Poison Ivy-eee-ee-ee-eee late at night when you're sleepin' Poison Ivy comes a creepin' a-arou-ow-ow ound

suckular

"Faith shattering" is a good thing. Stop living in a dream world of penisless Hobbits.

Would that be "know" in a biblical sense?

Other people

In the southern part of the state, Nebraska has the largest zoo in the world. It's called Kansas.

:bottom-o-pit-o-hell:

Dru spotted a refrigerated truck of it en route to you.

Influenza and in flew Enya?

Influenza and out flew mensa.

alpinists seek suffering

Miss Turkeys

There is also a burg in MI named "Paradise". In the 1960's, whenever climatological conditions permitted, a popular weatherman of a local tv station, Sonny Eliot, would proclaim, "it's hotter than Hell in Paradise".

Blue hair for the impending fortieth birthday:

hire a drunken Santa to expose himself to neighbors' families.

I'm living a dream job.