Bigtree

Kozak, spend the extra dough and get the Cadillac - you won't regret it. It does what the Vista does, but better (eg. bigger screen and better antennae). As for software, there is an abundance of "freely available" stuff that a person can download via bittorents if your conscience allows - not that I ever have or would mind you - (eg. Topo Canada, Topo USA, US National Parks @ 24 K etc).

Found this on "you" know where... Part 1 yfj3NuR0WSc Part 2 0MqFMLE2m_M Part 3 oPMOp80P4cY Part 4 wveYgzFNEKU Part 5 lTAZbdQZdE0

Thanks guys. That's what I was after. Just concerned about spending an inordinate amount of time meandering our way to our climbing objectives.

I'm looking for some advice on the pros/cons of heading to the bugs in July vs. August this year. The very rough plan at this stage is a hut-based week-long trip with West Pigeon Spire and possibly Bugaboo spire on the "must do" list. The feedback I've had to-date from some folks is that glacier travel in mid-August can be tough and that July is better. Problem is that mid/late August is all that really works for me. Thoughts?

Thought provoking, but not quite what I had in mind. Perhaps you could try again?

Does anyone have any mountaineering/outdoor/rock climbing related podcast sites they care to recommend? Doesn't seem to be much from what I can see...something to fill the void (as in between my ears) during those dog walks you know...

April was good for me temp wise a few years back (although i still recall getting fried - bring sunscreen). Lots of climbers about as university has wrapped up by then so you shouldn't have trouble hooking up with some folks on site.

I understand your passion Don. I'm just not sure that e-mails/letters are going to achieve your objective; particularly given our province's tenure scheme and the general lack of weight that this type of protest correspondence carries with the bureaucracy. This strikes me a classic land use zonation issue similar to all the others we've experienced up and down the coast since the '80's. If you want to win this one you'll need to rally some allies and try and speak with a single voice. Suggest you get in touch with the FMCBC of which you know the ACC is a part of. I'm sure Evan Loveless et al are sensitized to the issue and may have already taken action.

I love electronics, including my Garmin 60CSx (has a barometric altimeter); however, when it comes elevation I still prefer my old Thommen (0 - 15 000' range).

Jordop, I respect your view on this issue; I'm just not sure its tenable in this day/age, particularly given the attitudes of the non-climbing public, the amount of area that been locked up in parks over the last couple of decades in BC and the size of Waddington area. That said, sharpen your pencils and start your letter writing campaign if you think the BC Liberals will respond.

So, aside from concerns being voiced from some folks in the climbing community who don't want the ambience of the Waddington backcountry spoiled, what harm is there in allowing a commercial heli operation to access the area, or god forbid, one that might occasionally sling in a sled for those beer swilling decadent/affluent types? Is a rare bird being killed? A sleeping bear being disturbed? Will the Jet B fuel being burnt really make a difference to global warming? Is this proposal any different than the gazillions of folks who fly into Denali each year or those who access the Mt. Robson by helicopter because they're too lazy to haul their gear in for 25 + kilometers? I enjoy the peace and solitude of the backcountry like most of you folks, but I'm finding it harder and harder these days to justify why my views/desires should trump others; particularly commercial interests or those who lack the skills/willingness to experience this spectacular area a little bit differently. Surely the solution is to compromise by allowing some sort of limited/licenced commercial access.

I've carried a 3-foot picket for years under the strapping loops on the side of my pack. However, I've concluded its unnecessarily long for the Cascades (e.g., tends to catch/snag on brush and crap on bushwacks and trail approaches). As such, I've recently bought a few 2 footers and will pack them in the same way instead.

Yum. I like these. Does anyone have any other creative culinary wonders up their sleeve they would care to recommend (cans of Chef Boyardee aside)? My creativity in this area is so lame.

Al Gore for prez in '08!

Wow, first he invented the internet and now this - he's a bona fide American superhero. Well, kinda. Well, not really. I actually think he's a media slut who can't stay out of the spotlight for 5 mins without going into withdrawal fits.

Rough distance from Cold Springs trailhead (~ 5 500') to the Lunch Counter (~ 9 000') is 4 mi and another 2 to the summit (` 12 277').

Hammer1, I didn't spend much time playing with the photo but you should get the idea of where it is. Have fun - its a beautiful place.

You guys must be watching too much TV or something - take the dog for a walk, suck in some fresh air and lighten up.

An army of rescuers spend a night or two with the fellow but could extract him due to poor weather; helicopter swooped in when the weather broke and flew him to safety; broken leg, maybe internal injuries, whacked his head too as I recall; the fellow's immensely grateful for all the help, yada, yada, yada...

I found the following Google videos through the www.mazamas.org website and am shamelessly reposting here for others. The first video describes the gear (or lack thereof) Steve House and Vince Anderson used on their Nanga Parbat (26 658') ascent via the Rupal Face (13 500') in September '05. [gvideo]6682751795170095622&q=steve+house[/gvideo] The second video describes Steve's clothing system. Seems like a Patagonia advert to some extent but I still found it of interest. [gvideo]-8502835632933425716&q=steve+house[/gvideo] There's a great trip report/pics in Alpinist 16.

Here's some pics, The basic non-technical route (did it as a day trip in August last year): And the classic profile pic when I did two months prior in July: Feel free to e-mail me at shawn96438@yahoo.com and I'll be happy to forward you a gps track and some more info.

That seems like a lot of unnecessary work for one of these: As per PM, send me your e-mail address where I can send an attachment and I'll be happy to forward the track in whatever format you need.

Now, now. No need to get upset. I'm just having a bit of fun - at your expense. Jefferson really was an interesting duck by the way: "It spite of Christian right attempts to rewrite history to make Jefferson into a Christian, little about his philosophy resembles that of Christianity. Although Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence wrote of the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God, there exists nothing in the Declaration about Christianity. Although Jefferson believed in a Creator, his concept of it resembled that of the god of deism (the term "Nature's God" used by deists of the time). With his scientific bent, Jefferson sought to organize his thoughts on religion. He rejected the superstitions and mysticism of Christianity and even went so far as to edit the gospels, removing the miracles and mysticism of Jesus (see The Jefferson Bible) leaving only what he deemed the correct moral philosophy of Jesus."

"Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like spirits at the dawn of day." - Thomas Jefferson

Here's my god