Sherri

Quit showin' off.

Boots? There's no need for boots. A buddy of mine only used to wear boots because his boss made him. He wore cloths hiking, but I once went to ski down from Muir with him and he gained about 1000' in bare feet in the snow before he broke down and put his boots on. Ok so I'm willing to rule out the loincloth, but ya gotta have the spear to get a decent dinner. But without the loincloth, your spear will hang out.

I'm gonna try harder tomorrow, I promise. I think it would help if I cut up the twinkies into bite size pieces and took a baggie full of them to work. It'll make it easier to resist the pull of those beautiful apples and yummy bananas that seem to be everywhere. Aarrgh!

That's a great idea! I could really use the support in order to break out of this stupid healthy rut. You guys are the best.

This contest sounded so easy, but this morning I was unable to stop myself from doing a trail run then going to the gym. To make matters worse, I ate a perfectly healthy breakfast afterward. I suck at this contest. I'm moving back over to the other thread.

Try doing a google search for "biceps trigger points." Spasms caused by weightlifting, pullups, climbing, etc can often be easily self-treated by finding the trigger points and deactivating them. Attempting to stretch a spasmed muscle is probably going to be counterproductive, as this can aggravate the trigger points rather than release them. If you dig around the insertion points of your muscles with your thumbs, you can often find the trigger points intuitively(you will tend to go right to where the pain becomes exquisite--which is the trigger point). Press firmly on this spot for several seconds. Repeat several times throughout the day if needed, and be sure to look around the shoulder and lat area(especially under the scapula) for other correlating points that may be holding the one in your bicep in spasm. Often there's a network of them. Good luck!

Were you wearing a wig?

True, Ken, the pavement is the biker's nemesis. I've tassled with it a time or two(and lost) especially when I first started riding clipless. When I read this study, I was thinking of the possibility of accidents resulting from cars passing me too closely on a narrow shoulder, forcing me either off the shoulder's edge or into the gravel and road glitter. A wider berth by vehicles gives me more room to maneuver safely. However, living in a retirement destination here(ie- elderly drivers), bike-vs.-vehicle accidents are frequent occurences. If the driver can't see you, even the wig is moot. Ride safe, all!

Ditch the helmet, wear a wig. It's better protection than the foam. "New research shows: Wear a helmet, get hit by a car By Fritz Traffic psychologist Dr. Ian Walker used a bicycle fitted with an ultrasonic distance sensor to record data from more than 2,500 overtaking motorists while riding the bike between Salisbury and Bristol. He found drivers were as much as twice as likely to get particularly close to the bicycle when he was wearing the helmet. Across the board, drivers passed an average of 8.5cm (three-and-a-third inches) closer with the helmet than without. A few women have suggested to me that I dress like a woman for increased passing distance. Dr. Walker tested this idea in his study by donning a wig while cycling. He found that wearing the wig resulted in an average of 14 centimetres (5.5 inches) more space when passing. Dr. Walker's study has been accepted for publication in the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention." Full article/links here.

I ran into Peter Croft climbing at the Smoke Bluffs this weekend. Wish I had brought my camera for pics--he was amazing to watch on the rock. And he had that wild, old-school look: crazy hair sticking out in all directions, rose-colored aviator sunglass, shredded upper body(he was shirtless), and wore pajama pants(?). Definite prototype for future dirtbags to emulate. Some people make better humans than others. The rest of us just turn into climbers.

OUCH!!! I was in the Bluffs over the weekend and had just one of them land on my leg at Neat and Cool, but he must have been a loner. Swarms of them would be a nightmare.

Peter Croft asked if we minded him doing a lap on our rope at "Neat and Cool" in the Smoke Bluffs this weekend. Needless to say, we didn't mind at all. Neat and cool, indeed. :cool:

I'm thinking this smells like a troll. But, hey, if it succeeds at duping a bunch of dirtbags into toting goat poo around in their packs, I'd have to give credit for it being a good one. I might even participate--sounds like some fun shit. Glad the study wasn't about bear populations. I'd need a bigger pack.

Tell them your a trad climber. Sorry to hear about your gear loss and best of luck to you in the reimbursement efforts.

I've got Friday afternoon free(in Squish).

I'll arriving around 2 or 3pm and looking to burn some laps to shake out the cobwebs after the long drive. Anyone interested in a couple hours of some easy/moderate stuff, maybe at Murrin or something in the Smoke Bluffs? Trad or sport is fine. I've got rope, rack, and a sense of humor. Also wouldn't mind joining as a third/fourth if anyone's happy to welcome a straggler. (I am already set for a partner for Sat/Sun.) Can post reply or PM me. Thanks, Sherri

Saragrace, This was my first multipitch lead, too, this spring. Two years earlier it was the first multipitch climb I had done(as part of a climbing course with a guide) and to come back to lead it myself two years later was rewarding and fun. In addition to the advice gleaned from here, I found it helpful to carry a copy of this beta printed out from Summitpost.org. "Overview This route is a nice moderate climb featuring solid rock, climbing, with some great variations. The route as described below includes the Cocaine Connection start which adds more length and variety to the climb. Also, I have described the right handcrack variation on the final pitch which is nicer than the standard 5.6 fingercrack. Approach Drive 6.5 miles down Icicle Creek Road to the base of a large buttress on the west side of the street. Park on the street and hike up the trail along the south side of the buttress. Move up until near the base of some easy looking cracks or a bolted slab. Route Description Pitch #1- 5.7 - Start on the low angled but smooth clean slab carefully working your way up clipping 2 bolts until exiting left into a low 5th class crack system. Follow this up the buttress and belay where feasible. Make it as long as possible (190 foot is good). Pitch #2 - 5.5 - Keep moving up the buttress aiming for the obvious chimney above. The climbing is a mix of 4th to mid fifth class cracks and slabs. Keep moving up until a good sized ledge appears about 20 feet below the entrance to the chimney. Belay here. (125 feet) Pitch #3 - 5.5 - Work your way up the chimney using protection deep in the base. Climbing is interesting and fun with some good stems and jambs. Exit out of the chimney and belay at the ledge below the obvious steeper triple cracks. (90 feet) Pitch #4 - 5.7 - Now for the good stuff. Move up to the ledge to the base of the right crack. Jamb the nice handcrack until at the base of the lieback flake. Jamb and lieback this flake using the crack on the right for feet for 40 feet until below a bulge. Pull up over the bulge (mid 5th no pro) and belay from the tree on top. (190 feet). Down - Walk off the backside of the formation towards a tree on the south side. Just past the tree you will notice 2 cairns. This is the start of the class 2 / 3 trail back to the car. Cocaine Crack For a much more enriching experience on the 3rd pitch, I highly recommend climbing this fabulous fingercrack for your third pitch. On pitch #2, start traversing south (left immediately off the belay) until at the base of the obvious fingercrack and belay here instead. Climb the superb fingercrack straight up then pick up the second crack angling up and to the right on the steeper section. Place your gear, then crank hard through 20 feet of sustained fingerjambing to a good rest below the bulge. Traverse either left or right and establish a belay at the same spot as you would for the top pitch of R&D. BETA: The steep right angling crack is obviously the crux. The best way to climb it is with your left foot twisted sideways jambed into the crack and your right foot smeared on the face. If you try to put both feet in the crack you will probably loose your balance and fall. It is much harder like that. This is the most fun pitch of rock I have ever climbed! Essential Gear 60 or 70 meter rope Cams .4 to 3.5 inches Set of Nuts Slings 2 Quickdraws (2 sets of finger size cams are recommended if tackling Cocaine Crack)" Also helped to have a very supportive and encouraging partner! Thanks again, High on Rock!

Nope. He's staying John the superhero paramedic. If that's how he wanted to be known, then I'm okay with that. I can keep a secret.

Two words need to be said here: Butt Lips. John made it all look so beautifully effortless. Oh, but the best part of the story is that Archy can call a perfect stranger a f*@cker right to his face, and he takes it as a compliment. John's a super hero.

Smart thinking. When it comes to booty, it's good to pace yourself.

Right on! Make me a copy while you're at it.

Explains their shorter lifespan.

Well, it DOES make him look smarter.

Thanks. I guess the weights I've lifted over the years have paid off a bit. But doing pushups during commercials?? That's hardcore, girl. Rawr. I'm impressed by your motivation and celebrating your success hitting the 138 mark again! :moondance: And I DO think redheads are best...nice choice. I think it's already working for ya! Careful with that cold medicine...

okaaaay. But ONLY for you. (I took it out because my avatar didn't have arms.)