Couloir

I've had quite a bit of success dealing with Pragdesh...or is that Pradeep?

Sure the Aztar is shorter, but only by 3cm. You can make that up by where you hold your hand. And yes, it is a little bit lighter...good for many conditions, not good for others. I like the Quarks a lot. But I think the question was "Best all-around..." So, I took all kinds of criteria into consideration. Cost as well. For me, steep alpine, some mixed, etc. and at $150 bones (which is how much I paid for mine), I love 'em!

I appreciate that undermind. Thanks!

1 vote for Aztar

I'm having a hell of a time finding Verticals anywhere. I called Koflach...kind of a joke. And their website is no help: Dealer Locater "Coming Soon." No one in Portland has any. Anyone know of a shop in or around Seattle? Or Bend? I reluctant to buy them mail order, but I have even looked at MGEAR and others. No one seems to have any, or any in my size (10).

Stuart sounds tasty. But it too may be a bit soon.

You know, I'm not sure. I know I don't. But I bet either my dad or a couple of the other guys that were with us do. There were quite a few people climbing that day. The people that were coming down off the summit as we almost got there said that it looked like a pretty good eruption (compared to what had been going on in the months prior). I remember looking in that direction and expecting to see a cloud over St. Helens and then realizing how huge it really was. You just saw a dark mound in the distance, then this massive wall of black that went straight up, and then drifted to the east. It really was an awesome sight. But none of us truly knew the magnitude of what we saw until we got back to Portland.

1974 - Mt. Hood. I was 10 and tossed my cookies going around Crater Rock. Nice stench! Been up almost 50 times since. A friend and I were trying to complete the Mazamas 16 Peaks patch by age 16. He did it. I fell short by a couple of years. Climbed St. Helens twice before it blew (Sugar Bowl? Dog's Head? Great glissade of the Dog's head! ). Was on the summit of Hood about 8:45am on May 18, 1980. That was something!

I tend to like the BEKVÄM orange spiced UDDEN with the lemon spritz FÖRHÖJA on the side...

I heard this story on the news tonight and I was thinking, I'm sure there is some sort of a reasonable explanation for this. Now that I've read the article, I can totally see it happening. And frankly, there is no issue. This blood-pathogens bullshit discussion is irrelevant. People bleed all the time. In sports especially. Think of the crap people mop up with their lacerated...whatever. The coach licked it under very specific understandable circumstances. BFD

Yeah, the station I was watching, predictably, dry-humped the event endlessly. Barker? Thoughts?

Maybe it's just me, but I like Ad-Aware and Spybot. It's bad enough that the hackers of the world target Microsoft OS. This is just one more thing they can focus on to corrupt. Maybe Lynux or a Mac is really the way to go.

That was truly motivational and inspiring in this pathetic "winter" we're having. Thank you!

Hell, after you solo the NF, I would turn right around and ski down it! There are a couple of rock bands that if you hit just right will give you some seriously sweet air...1500-2000 feet easy!

I agree. Those cats are awesome. Enthusiastic and always into showing you stuff and swapping ideas. Great place!

Yeah. Exactly. I have one and I really like it. This things fits and goes on and off over anything fast and easy. I recommend it!

Lewis and Clark State Park on the Sandy isn't bad either. Comparatively.

Awesome!

Nice read Cluck. Great pics too. Good job!

Mike: I may be in. Trying to juggle a few things that day. I'll PM you and let you know.

Exactly! Something like 39,000 people died last year as a result of drunk drivers. Where's the outrage??

Hey Mike...any update on whether Chris lost any fingers or toes? Hopefully he's good to go.

Nice!!

Good Lord... Ok, look, I have been going to / buying from REI since I was a kid when they had ONE store in Seattle. It used to be referred to simply as "the Co-op." We'd drive from Portland just to go there. It was a blast! My family spent tons of time in the wilderness and that where we bought our stuff. They have always been a great company. Sure you can argue about the BOD and the notion of the "co-op" as it is now, but it's a pleasure to do business with and a great place that has a solid history. Please don't misconstrue my remarks as being disrespectful to any employees or the organization as a whole. Some of my jabs on this thread simply reflect a knee-jerk reaction to what others have posted---and to what I have experienced lately. I literally have had people over and over again ask me, "how's it going?" over and over again, as though they they aren't keeping track of who they are talking to. But frankly, I'd take that over zero contact at all. How about a simple, "Hi." Or, "Hey, thanks for coming in today." It's simple and non-commital. Just remember who you say it to and it won't be obnoxious. I also completely understand retail. You can't have the best of the best when you're aren't paying them very much. Fine. I think we can all live with underpaid people not always giving the best advise. This is almost a separate discussion. FTR: I have NEVER returned or exchanged anything at REI. Nothing has ever failed or prematurely worn out. If something I've bought wears out, it's because I wore it out and it gets tossed. And I go buy another. My son still uses a sleeping bag my dad bought in ~1972! I don't look for sales because traditionally REI isn't known for their sales. The vast majority of their clothing and hard goods are at retail. Although that seems to be changing, I don't think of REI as a place to get a great deal on something. This topic has gone on long enough...sorry I've made it even longer. As for the Tualatin store remark; they are remodeling. What they plan to do with the new space I have no idea. Finally, re: The Sybian machines for the MILFs from Club Sport, it seemed to blend nicely with some of the spray on the Local Gym thread. Sorry if it seemed disingenuous.

I second kaskadskyjkozak on the whiteout deal...know your shit. Also, think about hauling your skis up there. Saves time and it's an incredible descent.