mccallboater

check out crappyclimbers.com for links to S Idaho sites

No one has mentioned an additional benefit of VBL's, which through experiment I have found to be even more useful than the extra 10 degrees or so of warmth I get from my down bag. I DON'T HAVE TO PEE AS MUCH at night with the VBL (caps added purposely). My persperation rate decreases, due to the higher humidity inside the VBL. I lose less water through my skin overnight, and apparently process less water through my bladder, for reasons I do not understand. I define happy winter camping as not having to melt as much snow, sleeping warmly throughout the long night, and not having to wake up from a - can't find a place to pee - dream and fumble around for the pee bottle in the dark. If that's not a good reason to use a VBL, I don't know what is. Caviats: If the tent or cave temp is above freezing, I don't bother with a VBL I don't sweat much. Your milage may vary I use a Marmot Lithium, but I don't think the down bag matters. I've used VBL's with synthetic bags with the same effect

Not made any more but I love mine: Jansport Endeavor 8000 Looks like there are still a few available on closeout. Kind of like a Kelty spectra bag without the price.

I just wear my climbing helmet. Works great.

Hey...Most Spokane climbers are a nice bunch. The Spo. Mountaineers is a very capable, get things done group, with a long history of local conservation projects. But Mini IS just too close to the road; too easy to climb while drunk to hear those bottles go crash bang. I always thought a little thoughtful dynamite could make the approaches to the top of the main face at least 5.7? This from a guy who lived there for 13 years, and enjoyed Mini much.

Not a chance. A long ski approach or sledwack. But folks up there on the list will know current conditions.

Dollar cost averaging is about the only way to beat stupidity into submission, and since I know I'm stupid with investments enough to not trust my intuition, it works for me. But the best investments I have made have always been in real property. As the original Baron Rothschild said: "Buy when there is blood in the streets." Or something to that effect. Real property works like that. The smart guys are buying up Gaza beachfront as we speak.

Miller softs. The sagebrush core is the secret.

Dick was into passive solar, hot water thermal mass, carbon footprint, all that stuff since he built the place in the, when, 70's and 80's? Way before it was chic. Good people. Great place.

I'm way beyond the gear Pindude remembers me using, but it's still archaic compared with new stuff. Hey Steve, didn't I teach you how to tele?

Ship Island Creek gorge in Idaho's Bighorn crags. But I think I'll need Sherpas to haul big wall gear that far. Long backpack from Central Idaho to Canada. No injuries. Happy marriage. Any of these oxymorons?

fixed the link, I think.

Though this past week I've been busy shredding up Idaho's great snow, I did have time to take a peak at this: [gvideo]5362339854737035287[/gvideo] I speaks to me with wisdom and humor.

McCall. Be there.

Related to this?

check out this linky click on Cooking with Big Tim Perfect instructions for how to do it. Don't forget the cookie sheet with tin foil on the bottom of the oven.

Is this ripe for spray, or what? First, read the post in climbers wanted , then read this. From the website, my Italics and boldface print added: Purpose: To share the love and truth of Christ with other climbers on the mountain; to promote encounters with the Divine; and to disciple one another and grow deeper in our faith, understanding, and ability to minister. Secondary objectives include supporting and encouraging our friends at Chapel By The Sea in Anchorage and Talkeetna Community Church in the town that is the staging area for the trip to Denali. These churches and their people, who are the body of Christ, bless us and we will seek to bless them. Another secondary objective is an opportunity to stand on the highest peak in North America (weather permitting). Just what I would want on my once in a lifetime Denali climb: some Christian evangelist hitting me up. If these folks want to have their epiphany, great. But don't be pushing that on other climbing parties. Location: West Buttress route on Mount McKinley, Chapel By The Sea in Anchorage, and Talkeetna Community Church in Talkeetna. Prerequisites: Ability to share the Gospel and testimony of your life in Christ. You must have a servant’s heart, extended cold-weather winter camping experience, solid ability to self-arrest, and experience in glacier travel and crevasse rescue techniques. We recommend you have experience exercising at altitude. Exercising what, exactly, demons? Oh yeah, that's exorcising. Leaders: Trip leader is Charleton Churchill and assistant leader is Tim Hall. Both have extensive experience and they summited as part of Mission: Denali 2007. Charleton is a youth pastor and Tim has worked as an instructor for Solid Rock Outdoor Ministries in Wyoming. Jim Doenges of Climbing For Christ will serve as trip advisor. Jim has summited and was trip leader for Mission: Denali 2007. NOTE: This is not a guided climb, except by the Holy Spirit. Trip leaders are not paid, and Climbing For Christ accrues no profit. We expect all team members to haul full loads up the Kahiltna glacier, contribute to the daily chores of the expedition, and fully support the purpose of the mission. I fully expect to be ostracized by those on the list who think this is a great idea.

I've got a house in McCall and in Boise. But I'm in Boise at the moment. Back in McCall soon though. All CCcom'ers welcome.

Grangeville? No, I haven't. That's a LONG way from Boise.

Trip: Poison Creek, near Marsing - ice climbing recon, a little early Date: 12/12/2007 Trip Report: Had a great day scoping out rock and ice potential about 45 minutes to the trailhead from downtown Boise and 20 minutes from the car walking up and over sage covered hills. The Jump Creek and Poison Creek drainages are surprisingly interesting (more pics) with compact, knobby, solid rock encompasing everything from pitch-long freestanding pillars to 4-5 pitch walls with not much pro. Gotta have a helmet on for lunch, right? The ice was just starting to form up. By mid-winter this spot could get very interesting. Gear Notes: Not knowing what to expect, we took way too much stuff. Look for single manky bolts at the top of ice pitches. For trad climbing, bring gear for off-widths in addition to a standard trad rack. Most long routes have walk offs. Bring one rope. Approach Notes: PM me for details. One passes through private property gates on a county road to get there. Nice people, but they deserve some respectful advance warning of your plans. The climbs are all on BLM land though.

Warmlite never went out of business. I don't get what you are trying to say. Their tents are strong, light, and have a devoted following. Ditto the bags, especially in AK and the Yukon.

It doesn't look as impressive now. 24" of new in 36 hours, like everybody else, except the temp went from 9f to 24f, not into the tropical ranges. And it's still coming down.

A view from home.

A few pics from the trip posted here. http://picasaweb.google.com/mccallboater/CityOfRocksNov07

When I saw the title of the thread I automatically thought someone was going to describe a climbing spot with good, sound (as in not choss) rocks. What a disappointment. Reminds me of the book "Eats shoots and leaves".