mccallboater

More pics of Myrtle's Turtle, for those interested. From on top Close up of the exfoliation on the 4th class side

Laird forgot the approach shot.

Can't wait to get mine, but I'm in Connecticutt this week. Cudos to Chris Bessler at Keokee for supporting the project.

None worth mentioning here. But the new book http://www.keokeebooks.com/ClimbersGuide.html should have something. My wanderings up there have been without climbing partners, unfortunately. Nice stone though.

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Not a spring trip. Best right now, since Two Mouth Lakes is known as the epicenter of all bugdom. It's so dry right now that there are just a few bugs to deal with. I came up from the lake behind the Turtle. I must stress the top is a very neat place to be. All granite polish and alpine fir fairy rings. There is a possible line right up the center as you inferred. Dan Krumpotich put up a line there years ago I believe. The pro looks marginal, with all downsloping holds, but not too steep. It might be quicker to hike the 6 miles to the lake and go up to the top from the lake, then downclimb the 4th class on the left, than to force your way up the slide alder in the avalanche chute from the road. Of course, you will pass other temptations on the way there.

Crusty's pizza in McCall; elk sausage & cranberries...the best.

"Damnit, Steins should never be considerd a sport climbing destination. This is a sacred Ochoco Indian site, leave the power drills at home." What he said. It's too cool to put bolts in it. I hope it still looks that way it did for me in 1984.

When are you going? I want to go too. Problem right now is that most of the approaches are closed do to fires.

I have memories of fending off monster porcupines with ice axes all night long. Straight out of a Stephen King novel. It was ugly. Do not underestimate their ferocity while attempting to get their brake line fix.

Hard to get to. Worth it. Looking forward to your TR.

PM isn't working. Interesting in #37 fleece. I'll try later.

I really like my Jansport Endeavor 8000 pack. It's not being made anymore, but I noticed a Jansport Helios http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,85186_.html is similar in contruction and on sale. My pack at 65 L is a little big for your needs, but the Helios looks about 45 L.

Send some our way please. Valley County is sort of on fire.

Not yet, But I discovered the fuel bottle works best pointing UPHILL, IE the nozzle at the top. I was surprised. I guess I don't understand the physics. The good news is my setup is flexible enough to put the fuel bottle anywhere I want. I've got to find a digital camera... I also replaced the old guitar strings with 1/16" steel cable and crimps. Much easier to fine tune the size of the cable loops, plus much more bomber for maybe an extra ounce of weight. The top carabiner absolutely requires insulation. I used a cut up dish rag and athletic (cloth, not plastic) tape. It only takes one mistake to remember everything gets real hot. The good news is I can boil a quart of 72 degree water in less than 3 minutes. That should make up for the extra weight of the rig in about a day of use in the winter.

Keep it coming! So I'm hearing dogs with poodle-type hair have problems in snow? We get 150 inches of snow a year in McCall. Generally it runs 2-4 feet deep outside the door, mostly dry and light, from December through March, with November less snow but still cold and April and May the melt months. This past year might be the rule to come though, with all snow gone by May 1. So snow performance is a big deal. In Boise in the summer, we get quite a few 100+ days. Like today for instance. I hate to see the huskies and malmutes and sammys around here roast. I was thinking a dog with a coat that one can shear or let grow as needed might be a good compromise.

Whoa, way too much shedding. Plus lots of grooming pine needles and fur dingles out of their hair after a trip. Or am I mistaken?

Ok, this is not spray, so no rants about "don't take dogs climbing" or "they kill all the wildlife" etc. My wife and I are about to get another dog, after a few years without one. My last dog accompanied me on many adventures for most of her 14 years, besides being nanny for the kids. Kids are grown now. We are looking for a 30-40 lb, snow loving, hypoallergenic, trainable breed that won't have snow balling up on the belly. The dog will get a fair amount of exersize on weekdays and a good amount of skiing/climbing/river time on weekends. Must love water and winter camping. What does the collective wisdom of the forum recommend? I'm leaning towards a Spanish water dog, a Brittney Spaniel, or an Italian water dog (Lagotto Romagnolo). We prefer raising a puppy, but would consider adopting a younger suitable dog if anyone knows of one. We live in Boise and McCall.

Worked just fine, but no digital camera available for pics...sorry. No Xtreme fans out there? I found this mod to be pretty simple, cheap and much more useable than the other hanging stoves I have tried.

The best in the business...http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/

kayaking. Skiing.

Where? Idaho maybe?

I put one together last night. The parts include a thrift shop aluminum $1.50 steamer pot (built in air holes), guitar strings, my beloved Xtreme stove, and a hose clamp to grap the "Powermax" fuel canister to hold it next to the cook pot to keep that baby purring when the temp drops. I don't have to change anything to use the stove on the ground either. This weekend I'll try cooking with it. If it works ok, I'll post some pictures. Any other Xtreme fans out there? I think all the extra hanging stuff weighs about 6 oz, if that.

I just got my new Sierra Designs Chockstone belay parka via UPS and Boulder Mountaineering today. It has everything I was looking for to replace my totally worn out close to 20 year old prototype Integral Designs Dolomitti. I wanted something with a shorter length. $99! Helmet sized attached hood; thumb holes; big water bottle mesh pocket inside; built in stuff sac; semi-waterproof; Black inside and out to speed drying; seems really warm. I can't wait to use it on some nasty epic. I looked at the website a few minutes ago to see they have already sold out. Maybe I got the last men's medium. http://www.bouldermountaineering.com/thebomo/pr/3819/pg/1/

What kind of camera/film/digital unit are you using to make those great pics? Lots of post processing? How do you getthat deep blue sky? A filter? My pics look lame, comparably.