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USFS internal policy(The BLM and Park Service already have implemented some "let it burn" policy change), and public acceptance I would guess. I think more has been done on the public acceptance front than the internal policy

Damn mimes!!!

I was at a forestry conference this week in NorCal and there were a number of presentations on tree destroying insects. The writing on the wall is twofold: 1. We need to manage forests better so that tree densities arent off the charts (high density=nutrient stress=less ability to fight disease/insects...). And I am not particularly advocating logging as a solution. Controlled underburns and thinning are amazing tools that, long term, could reduce to near zero the occurrence of catastrophic wildfire. Most of these pests are occuring in areas where fire regimes are short. 2. Due to the intensity of tree death from various pathogens, the forests of the US and Canadia are now a CARBON SOURCE. Trees break down/burn, they release carbon, and accelerate climate change. A solution is mandatory, a MASSIVE change on a federal level(since that is who owns half the forests in the US) is necessary, and it it has to be eff'n soon. On a side note, the pine beetle outbreaks are nearing their end. A pheremone impregnated plastic confetti is almost ready to go to federal approval. The pheremone can be used to control the movement of the beetles and reduce the outbreaks to natural levels (the little beasties are native to North America after all.)

I am happy to not be in this situation, but I was talking with a friend I havent seen in a few years over break and he had an interesting if ridiculous dilemma I thought I would share: Dudeman's GF climbs way hard, he gets free TRs on anything, she models in her spare time, pretty much is the cute crag girl we all wish we had as a partner, but she has no sense of humor and is very droll (what else do you expect out of a Canadian anyway?). He has been in a holding pattern with her for quite some time. He said that he was to the point of needing to "break up or get married" Then I saw him again a week ago and said that when he gets home from the roadtrip he was on, and she wasn't home, they musta broken up. And if she IS there, they will probably be getting married. Luckily for him, she was gone when he got home. "Break up or get married" seems like the biggest non issue you could EVER have!!! I am pretty sure the answer to that question is obvious if you even have the thought.

dang

Wife and I took some mushrooms at lunch counter on Adams in 2003. We were just coming up and then some random dudes showed up. I dont think our eyes were dialated yet, and we could just barely maintain, so they MAY not have known what was up. Anyway, one guy had a golf club with him (practice on the summit) so we knocked some appropriately sized lava rocks around for a while. Thats the only time I have ever REALLY enjoyed golf. I suspect they figured out what was up eventually and left us alone. If that was any of you guys, I thank you for opportunity to knock a few rocks around!

kill this thread

"There's nothing like not dying on a climb to make you feel good." Love the Us vs Them too!

...and Ninja kitten is amazing!

xmas present this yea was 2 kitties for wifey and I and I'm really seeing this is true! They really know exactly where your attention is, and then try to steal it. And one cat is well on his way to making this thread. Umm, When do I become a "crazy cat person"?

Wow, what an amazing rock feature on MacLeod's route, and same with your climb PhoQ. MacLeod's feature is one of the more beautiful pieces of rock I have ever seen. The wavering right edge looks kinda fun too!

Wouldn't surprise me if there were several "bombs" left in that bathroom every day! Climbers can drop big ones!

monkey face- A0 bolt ladder with a pitch of 5.7 free climbing on either end.

Today's pirates .....are a little Special Ed. I heard reports that a significant amout of the 3 million ransom as well as 6 pirates went to the bottom of the ocean when a pirate skiff overturned on the way home from the hijacked ship. Serves ya right!

awesome TR! That is quite the ghetto looking rig, though it sounds sturdily built.

used a white lighter for years and I am doin just fine still. yet to have a bad run in. knock on wood

parents like that need to be tried for child endangerment. I am sure that many will disagree, but this is a clear case of a parent refusing treatment that could have saved the kid. At least the mom got what was coming to her.

bummer dood. But really, most of their deals were regularly priced(if totally random) items minus the cost of shipping. At least steepncheap still is up.

Hang on for another month! The nice week in February always shows its sunny face, and we can all go freeze our butts off then.

http://www.nwac.us/ The snow needs some warm days and some cold days to help the snow layers crystalize and bond. That said, the deep layers may never warm and cool, leading to a very deep avalanche when the layers collapse. This is what happened last year around the NW when the 100 deg May weekend happened. There were nearly ground level avalanches all over, with a huge one inbounds at Whistler. Deep avalanches are hard to forecast. Bottom line, it is a risk you take in winter in the mountains. Take an avy course. It may save your life. As a side note, Northwest Avy danger this weekend is forcasted to move into EXTREME DANGER. Stay home.

#11 is point to drinks - I can brew up a 5 gal batch of beer in a month.

Paulina falls sometimes has some (and is a nice ski in even if you dont get any ice). It has to be cold for a while though.

it is definitely Wild Country. maybe a homemade offset?

lovely!