bstach

This *HAS* to be a troll.

I was encouraged by their website until i saw they sell foie gras... How Foie Gras is made

Absolutely on the money. Mine are always well behaved and under control, I expect the same from other owners or I give a some grief. The same also applies to children, although children can be eaten as a last resort. That may be true. But all owners think *their* dog is always well behaved and under control.

Ok so I have been stranded in Amsterdam since Thursday. Looking for suggestions on what to do since I will probably be here for a while. So far I have done all the obvious things: -Walked around the red light district -Went to a smoke shop and had a brownie -Took a canal tour -Rented a bike and explored downtown -Hanging out in the sun, people watching -Went and saw some awesome Reggae band at Bourbon Street Blues Club Looking for something possibly off the tourist trail, no offence to Ann Frank or Van Gogh. I'm not really a museum guy. What cool things have you all done/seen in Amsterdam? I hired a car for tomorrow, will probably get out of town and see Den Hague. Is Arnhem or Eindhoven worth seeing. I am interested in WWII history, so I though Arnhem might have some intersting memorials or interpretive stuff? And yes, I know there could be much worse places to be stranded. Let the good times roll.

McSquid Sandwich?

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He must have down climbed - I didn't see any rappel anchors.

There's always prarie oysters

...to be young and have the free time and motivation to climb in a hail storm ..

Lesson #2": Keep the diesel generator running 24hrs/day so the TV/boom box does not drain the Winnebago batteries

Axe, chainsaws, firearms....that oughta do it

You need to ask yourself if "a few thousand" in the bank will support you for a year in the style you envision. If you are ok sleeping in your car, scrouging around the food court for half eaten pizza and sneaking into the rec center for a shower, then a few thousand will go far. If you plan on flying, driving, staying in hotels, paying rent somewhere etc. Would you be willing/able to pick up some extra money as you go? You need to take that all into account. +1 on do it now, it only gets harder when you are further along in your career, have a wife, kids, mortgage etc. (not impossible, just harder) I did some great, memorable stuff in my 20's, and as mentioned, I don't regret it. I do regret not doing the things I had wanted to do, but never got around to doing - though I'm sure I had a good excuse at the time.

Your rack sounds good as is, unless you are a gear whore or have lots of money to burn. If you need double cams for certain climbs, thats what partners are for. If you must buy more gear: Get 2 or 3 smaller cams, I find blue, yellow and orange metolius a useful addition to my rack. Hexes are a good way to double up on large sizes without adding alot of weight to your rack (add #11 and #12 hexcentrics). Then double up on the cams that you use most frequently where you climb. Also, the pink tricam seems to be popular here. I don't own any tricams, but those who like them, seem to like them alot.

That's what she said.

Americans without healthcare should just move to Canada. Or France. Or Britain. Or cuba. etc...you get the idea.

How does one pronounce "Cacadaemon"? Is it ka-ka-demon?

Good point jmace. The crux of Rock On will probably be wet in April - better get recent beta before heading up.

Rock On ... sustained 5.8/9 crack climbing w short 5.10a crux. Awesome.

+1 for leaving the trappings of civilization at home and enjoying the unadulterated sights, sounds and smells of the wilderness. Though if I did, Molly Hatchet's "Flirtin with Disaster" sounds appropriate.

I agree climbing is one of the best methods to train your mind but the intent of this thread seems to be geared toward those without opportunity to participate in training climbs. Go for a long bike ride or trail run in incremental weather. If you can find a tractor tire and convince someone to spray you with cold water from the hose while you do tire flips, that would also be good preparation. I remember seeing an article about a fanatic setting up a stair stepper in a vacant shower stall for the same purpose. In the absence of climbing opportunity, find a tough excercise and find ways to make them mentally degrading once in a while. When the next big storm or sub-zero temps hit your area, pitch a tent in the back yard. Sleep there. Cook your meals on the camp stove you intend to have on the trip, go for a 30 mile bike ride in the storm as suggested above...etc....you get the idea.

Any suggestions for inexpensive (yet still respectable) hotels? I stayed at Arizona Charlies 3 or 4 years ago for $35/night. Very nice hotel for the price, just off Charleston on the way out of town towards the canyon. Also stayed at Wild Wild West for the same, but that hotel is a bit more dumpy (and further from the climbing). But this info is probably out of date. Any more recent beta on good hotel deals?

What you are already doing will get you in great shape for Ranier. Just be careful not to over train. Allow your body to fully recover between workouts. Take an extra rest day every few weeks. Listen to your body. +1 on most of the suggestions here: -Cycling and roller blading == great cross training for climbing -Stairs -Interval workouts

No, they shouldn't.

Ou est-ce?