ClimbingPanther

not true. this doesn't have anything to do with global warming, but I can't resist that's not even close to a correct interpretation of that law. a simple electrochemical reaction will split water into hydrogen and oxygen gas. combustion of a hydrocarbon and oxygen generates water. water is not conserved, only the mass/energy contained in it. second, even though simple chemistry leaves the atoms & electrons intact, there are other forces at work in the world. nuclear fission is based on converting actual mass to energy, essentially removing parts of the atom from existence by changing its form to electromagnetic radiation.

irrigate WA state crops during the summer & fall, provide continuous water for an ever-growing population, etc. The ramifications of losing our glaciers really suck any way you look at it. More huge reservoirs/dams will be needed, and that will only help if the precipitation keeps up the pace.

I'm just eagerly counting the days before I can grow a papaya in my back yard. During winter.

I tried the clawhammer but I just scraped up my fingers on the points.

On the bright side, we're making sure no tree will ever starve again.

you're joking, right? Just to prove once again that there isn't a situation in life that "Lord of the Rings" doesn't have a quote for... "The world is changed... Much that once was is lost."

Yeah, listen to this guy. I was just out with him a week ago and the difference between his and my down gear was quite remarkable. My old-school GoLite jacket got a little wet when tent condensation dripped on it and de-lofted a couple of sections. Had to warm/dry it in the bag the next night. Thankfully the bag was synthetic because it would have been worthless [his down bag was perfectly fine also b/c it also had a newer outer fabric]. The new highly water resistant/proof outer fabrics make all the difference. When [if?] the majority of Everest & Denali expeditions switch to synthetic, I'll do the same. For now, it will be painful to spend the money on Feathered Friends gear but I think it's worth it. In case we're missing your point, what type of problems were you having with down?

I'm a little curious why nobody has referenced "Stone Nudes" at some point on this thread...??? I'm all about using clothes you're going to wear anyway to augment the bag (or render it unnecessary, e.g. no bag on my Rainier DC climb). Choose your foods wisely - the fattier the better, within reason - and count calories to be sure you don't have too much. Fat has over twice the calories for the same weight of protein and carbs. Peanut butter is the most compact and lightweight product that's a real food you would want to eat, apart from something like pure oil (yuck!). Stay away from veggies or anything with significant water/undigestable content. Mostly though, ultralight is about being rich.

I sure am suddenly hungry for some prime rib of propecia.

No doubt. But this one didn't do that. It probably learned we're not worth the trouble.

GOULET

Got my tongue stuck in my cheek there. I don't think we're the only species that looks out for number one though, we're just smarter (although this could be debated ) and more capable of doing so. Ya, I don't think they should have killed them either.

just be glad you're on the winning side

Can you make some sort of uber-nunchucks out of ice tools and webbing?

Is Folgers in your cup. Is this true, baseball players?

Just a friendly reminder to be careful out there. I'm surprised it attacked a group of two! Must be slim pickin's in the winter time.

Winter Wheat? Franziskaner Weissbier. Seek and ye shall find. Just look at that happy friar and tell me the beer isn't good.

Yeah, me too.

If it's really so slick that your car isn't capable of safely navigating the road, then you shouldn't be on the road. Everyone knows regular cars can't drive on lakes, and people usually don't try. Why then do some attempt true ice without traction tires? Definitely the driver's fault. I'm an expert with my FWD Buick w/ radials, but it has its limits and I know them. Thanks for the vid, matt! That was a hoot!

"Hold it like this, pansies" To make this a meaningful post... jerseyscum, what's his persuasive argument? Mine is that given the need to self arrest as quickly as possible, I believe it's safer to use self-arrest as the default position because it saves valuable time and prevents the possibility of fumbling around while you're falling. I'm not concerned with being labeled "defensive" since that's usually the point of having an axe in the first place. When I hear of someone traveling without an axe, I've never thought "WHAT??? That guy didn't have an ice axe on that steep slope? How on earth did he think he was going to [insert axe use other than self arrest here]?" If I'm going to waste a little time changing my grip, I'd rather waste it while attempting some fancy French name technique instead of saving my life.

Pics?

I always hold self-arrest style b/c it's just as "comfortable" (in the sense of like a hot tub or recliner) with my axe head, and it's one less step between slipping and self arresting. I can't think of a good reason for me to hold it the other way.

Here's a list of things that are better than their happy hour menu:

How much did you get for the picture? Can you out-bling this?

Aaagh! Ever heard of putting a link and a "Not Work Safe" disclaimer?