mccallboater

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What ever happened to the question? I've narrowed down my long previous list to 3: McCall: Good arts scene, plenty of work (mostly seasonal) and lots of places to rent, though buying is getting difficult. The PERFECT climate. Nice lake too. Invermere: Canada's McCall, though colder and darker in the winter. Bigger mtns Stanley: The Rod and Gun Club gives me all the culture I need. Really cold in the winter though.

I've had the privilage to be born and raised in Bonners Ferry (great climbing and skiing nearby, plus cheap) and have lived in Sandpoint, Anchorage, Winthrop, Twisp, Priest Lake, Seattle, Spokane, Boise, several other non-climbing destinations around the globe, and lastly McCall. For the skier/climber/kayaker/sailor I strive to be, McCall has them all beat. But each has its merits. I would add to the above list of possibilities these other worthy locations; Nelson BC, Red Lodge MT, Bigfork MT, Libby MT, Invermere BC, Rossland BC, Stanley ID, and Wenatchee.

I've got a pair at the cabin. I'll check this evening and PM you if I find them.

Any takers? I've cross posted this on the Idaho list too. The snow is melting very, very quickly.

Any takers? Or maybe I should put this in "climbing partners"? The snow is melting very, very quickly.

Looks like about the same as my Lowa Civettas in terms of height and stiffness. I ski with mine, with the addition of a power strap stolen from some old alpine ski boots strapped around the upper cuff, only on the downhill. A few ounces that add a significant skiing capability to otherwise marginal ski boots. The only AT bindings I can think of that the Koflachs would work with would be SIlveretta 500's. Search this site for other discussions of that binding. I like my 500's. Just don't expect the power of a dedicated AT boot for your turns. Its more like skiing with leather alpine boots and long thongs from the 1950's. Yet people skied big lines then too.

Ditto the Scarpa mantas. Found at the thrift shop, practically new for $6 (not a typo). Great boot. One piece of leather except for the rear heel strip. Practically indestructable but not too heavy. Way lighter than the old Norweigen welt Raichle boots they replaced.

Gear notes from Ketchum: 2/3 tank of gas, clean shirt, dusted off manners.

It was Mothers' day, after all. Don't you people have mothers? Mine's 83, nice, and I took her and my wife (mother of my children of course) to a very posh M. Day breakfast, courtesy of my sister and bother-in-law, at the valley club in Ketchum. Good eats! Great weather too.

I can't go, but I highly recommend more than a rest day in the Needles. I was there two weeks ago. So much to do! so little time!

Earlier on someone mentioned Mike Adams, aka "Griz Adams" from his kick-boxing days. Anyone know where he is? He taught me how to climb in the summer of 1984 when we were both broke and living in the Methow valley. Mike was the only guy I ever knew with Popeye forearms: bigger than his upper arms, which wearn't small. The drill was; out the door at 6am after working the night office shift at a Winthop hotel, pick up Mike and motor up to some Sawtooth trailhead, run up something until we got to a summit, glissade and run back to the car, then catch my day job that started at 1pm. Repeat. I got in good shape that year. The weekends we spent at Omak, up at Washington Pass, and other local attractions. The highlight of that summer was a free ascent of Steins Piller in Oregon, a pretty stiff 5.10 for a first year climber in not so sticky shoes. Mike was a great teacher and friend. I'll dig though thte old photo albums to find some pictures.

having trouble sending a pm. email me ok?

In Boise, the local Gym owner (Boise Peak Fitness) has made a good faith effort to introduce gym climbers to the outdoors, sponsoring excellent seminars on how to lead, rope management on multi-pitch climbs, proper descent technique from chains, etc. The problem is, he can't get more than a handfull of gym climbers interested. So we still see horrendously unsafe practices out at the local crags. In Spokane, the Spokane Mountaineers have an excellent climbing school that has a long history of introducing thousands to the sport, even though I suspect only about one in three or four graduates keep climbing as a lifetime activity. I did. Too bad there isn't something similar down here. I have fun at the climbing gym. It is the best way to keep my flabby 50yo body from completely falling to pieces. It also is a great place to meet new friends and plan new adventures. Let's not dis gyms just because one finds oneself farther along the continuum ranging from hiking ------>rappelling ---->gyms ---->general sport climbing ----> rupal face solo in winter. It's all fun.

I always called it Two Mouth Dome. So did my Dad, who climbed up it on the easy right side in 1937. So I guess that's what it's called. I climbed it from the top of the tree "V" on the left in the late 1970's. Slabby and fun. Not too hard. I wish I could add more info about other ascents, but most N ID folks keep pretty quiet about those things.

I got a PM off to the guy saying I'll buy it. But no response.

I hate liner socks. They bring me nothing but blisters. I wear smartwool socks year-round. Gaitors; my MEC softshell pants have a nifty shockcord closure at the ankle that makes gaitors unneccessary. I suggest the same for you. Even with hip-deep postholing I don't get snow in the boots. A pair of insulated overboots might be useful for full on arctic conditions.

I didn't think any partner would want to drive all the way to MI and back, so I hope to find climbing partners along the way. Any suggestions for the best hostels, bars and such to find climbers?

Sold

I've got about a week to play on my way to Michigan to pick up a bunch of family artwork and bring it back to Idaho. What to do...what to do? Give me your best ideas for one to two day climbs for April in the three areas listed, or any other likely candidates for a fast trip from Boise to Grand Rapids MI and back.

I finally got one to go through with Internet Explorer. Is there a problem with using Safari on a Mac?

pm sent. If you didn't get it, let me know here.

SIze tall, with a medium hip belt. The hip belt fits me fine with a 34" waist. Burly, used, but in great shape. No holes, tears or anything. About 12 years old. The made in Montana vintage. I weighed it on my digital scale at just under 8 pounds. About 6500 cu inches. What's that, 110 liters or so? I don't have a digital camera, so sorry, no pics. I'll ship from Boise to whereever for whatever shipping costs. Your choice.

I guess I do get a little testy about it, after the 20th person in the seat next to me on the plane that says "You're from Idaho? Isn't that where all those white supremacists live?"

Having been born, raised and educated in the aformentioned state of Idaho, I have a problem with people who seem to enjoy staying misinformed about Idaho's diverse: climate, topography, history, and cultures. Bonners Ferry, for instance, looks a lot different than Preston, and dances to a different beat entirely. The author chooses Utah as a comparison? For what, ethnic diversity and tolerance? I think Idaho has Utah beat on those scores. There are pockets of Idaho that live up to the stereotype, politically and culturally. Canyon county, for instance. But it's a very big state, especially if you spread out all those crinkles that are so much fun for us climber-skier-kayaker types.