Sherri

Thanks CBS! And rbwen! I know it's small potatoes compared to some of the amazing stuff folks here are doing, but it sure was a good feeling to try for something a bit out of my comfort zone and have the memory of a great experience as the reward. Rbwen, kudos to you for doing those two multi's in a row. I'm not quite that hardcore(yet!). Appreciated the rest day afterward, you know, to bask in the glow and all that. About the ropes getting stuck, we were also concerned about that, especially in light of the wind gusts and impending storm. It was my partner's recommendation to do all the raps as doubles, and he was great at throwing the ropes, too, so the rope gods must have smiled on us that day. Although, I do remember him mentioning that it was nice knowing that we weren't going to be the last ones coming down....hope all the other folks fared as well.

Trip: Red Rocks - RRRendevous,/Geronimo Date: 3/24/2007 Trip Report: Hey all, Had a blast checking out the Rendevous scene this year(my first). I stayed at Arizona Charlie's(northwest of town, clean, reasonable, 24-hour bingo(!), easy 25 min. drive to RR), so I missed out on the en-masse camping experience, but I skipped on the daily showering so that I could blend while milling about with the other climber folk. The event seemed well-organized and offered a lot of opportunity to network, gawk, learn, and save the planet through sustainable drinking.(Loved the biodegradable beer cup idea! ) Started Saturday morning with a hardy desert trail run, hosted by the North Face folks. The combo of deep sand and 80+ degree heat kicked my PNW butt. But I met some fun people. Attended the Trad Women clinic in the afternoon. It was taught by Roxanna Brock(wrote one of the RR guidebooks). She was great in the way that she related her experiences, showing us that even accomplished climbers have their moments of achievment tempered with moments of caution. Her confidence was contagious, though, and she left the group feeling encouraged and ready to take their skills to next level. Sunday morning, I got in a few laps at Moderate Mecca. Most of the crag was already taken up by the AM clinic groups, but we found an open route at Abbey Road and also the TR'd the funkily bolted sport route to the left of it. My Sunday clinic was The Art of Bailing, taught by Lee Clark. Loaded with great tips and tricks that will surely come in handy. Practiced retreating leaving behind the least amount of gear, using natural features like chockstones, and how to set up a rappel for hauling an injured climber. On Monday morning, we headed out for Geronimo, my first RR multipitch. It was a busy place. There were at least two other climbing parties ahead of us, and at least two more behind us. I redpointed the first pitch(5.6, 160ft). It was my longest, hardest trad lead to date--I started feeling sketchy about halfway up and my rack was looking awfully thin. I didn't think I'd ever make it to the end, but I am so glad I went for it. I think it took me over an hour, though.(Sorry to the folks waiting behind us. ) After that, I was glad to hand the rack to my patient partner for the last three pitches. The rest of the climbing was awesome, especially that exposed arete on the fourth pitch, but the winds had really started to pick up by the time we started our descent. The forecast was calling for 30mph-50mph gusts, and we had hoped to be off before they were upon us. So, to trim a little time, we did three double rope rappels that went smoothly and got us back to the parking lot just in time to retrieve my car(they had already locked one of the gates). Other highlights of the trip included meeting the handsome "High on Rock" and his gang, playing my flute amongst the boulders of Calico Basin and enjoying some cool reverb, going for a sunset trail run and falling into a cactus , and discovering the Whole Foods Market on Charleston with a deli full of quinoa burgers and falafel(I know, I know... how could I have passed on the "Spam and Eggs" that was on the menu at Arizona Charlies? ), and only losing $2 in the slot machines. Geronimo, 500ft 1st of 4 pitches: Made it to the top! [/img] Gear porn Rap from 3rd pitch Desert Flora (I liked the yin-yang of this juxtapostion; doesn't really show up in the photo, but there's a little pink flower on one of the cactus spikes. Pretty.) Gear notes: Rack--used my partner's so I'm not exactly sure what all we had there 2 Ropes--1 60m, 1 70m Other: thermos of Assam Golden Tip tea, peanut butter/jelly sandwich Special thanks to my partner, Super Dave, who I met thru a fellow cc.comer, for a great time!

Thanks, but after seeing that boat porn photo, I have to say the pleasure would be all mine.

We're still in the editing stage. Whoa, just got home and found I have over 20 pages of Hot Chic Climbing to recap. Liking what I see so far! It's an an honor to be in such hot company. Tvash, you've done a FANTASTIC job with this. Kudos! It's probably too late in the editing process, but I dug up a couple more shots(maybe for next year...). If nothing else, it's more stokey for the Girls of Climbing. Go girls! Oh, and if Moto got bumped, she can share with me. On Belay! Shoeing up for Dogleg Crack Grand Canyon hike and Smiling at the Summit of R&D

We miss you too! Be well. Sherri

Thanks for the stokey! So when are you going to start climbing??? We need to get some takers for the autumn months pronto. I can't carry the whole season, for goodness sakes. Sheesh.

Nobody can say you didn't try, so give yourself credit where it's due. Our dogs took a little coaxing to make the switch--like trying to convince a child that a baked potato is going to be better than an order of McDonald's french fries--but cats can be way snobbier than dogs so you had your work cut out for you. Cat food is stinkier, too, so I'm glad I wasn't in your kitchen during that experiment.

Whew. I was worried that management had decided to leave November right off the calendar, maybe since no other months past June have been taken yet. I want to be closer to Miss January.

Ahem. November. Taken. And yes, thanks are due. I think even the women here thank you making this thread what it is today. Nice work.

there's nothing better than sugar, fat, caffeine, and alcohol Not to mention you get 4 food groups covered in one go.

Nope, I'm saving the money shot for the calendar.

Ouch.

my pets thrive on home-cooked diet. Glad to hear it. :tup:It's a lot of work(for three large dogs, at least), but it makes a difference, doesn't it? It always seems a little incongruous to see about 20lbs of ground chicken and liver go through the checkout line alongside my tempeh and Morningstar soyburgers. The cashiers give me strange looks.

True, and good point. When had to put one of our dogs on a diet a while back, the main ingredient was pumpkin. Gave her bulk and fiber, without the calories. Of course, the whole scheme eventually backfired on us. Come Thanksgiving, we found her in the kitchen gnoshing on the pumpkin pie she had snatched from the unguarded countertop. Little stinker probably thought to herself, "Smells like pumpkin, must be MINE. Score!"

Depends on who's wearing them. Here, for instance, my vote is for the faux snakeskin. As for myself, I ride in cowhide leathers and don't feel that they're lacking in any way regarding function or comfort. They've bleached out a little over the years, but have otherwise worn well with the miles.

An arm AND a leg? That's hardcore, man. I'm out.

Love hurts. But the cool scars are worth it.

Miss November, here. My submission for the "damage" category(not from climbing, but I don't care): Yummy I don't recommend shaving with a chainsaw. It leaves stubble.

Speaking of a nice rack....

Miss November, here. My submission for the "damage" category(not from climbing, but I don't care, it still hurt): Skin shot(on my first multi-pitch, R&D): Classic Crack shot(my first climb!): And, of course, the stud shot.(this one's for you Arch. )

Dibs on November. It's my birthday.

re the ANIMAL DIGEST (yeah, ewww! ), the way I understand it is carnivores benefit from consuming veggies that have been partially digested by their prey(ie--the contents of a deer's intestines) because they lack the enzymes needed to break down veggies consumed directly by themselves. For example, if you feed a dog a raw carrot, a chewed up raw carrot comes out the other end. Their short, meat-eating tailored digestive systems can't process the veg. At the other end of the spectrum, cows, who eat only veggies(grass), have not one, but four stomachs. Looooong digestive process converts veggies to...well, you know. I'm no expert in the field but had to do a little research when I switched our three dogs to a homecooked diet. Nothing says love like sound and smell of pureed liver in the blender. But, like you, we do what we can to keep them happy and healthy for as long as it is in our hands to do so. Best wishes.

All the good ones are. *sigh*

I wasn't disapproving of your choice, luv. She's got it goin' on, no question. Heck, I almost proposed to her myself.

I actually believe that my attraction for this woman is true love, who the hell is she and how do I get her to marry me? Glad to see you were able to move on, hun.