Alpaholic

The USGS also has USGS maps for download via a user friendly google inspired map browser. Just go here (different and WAY better for our purposes than that other interactive map BS they have): http://store.usgs.gov/locator/?store_url=http://store.usgs.gov/scripts/wgate/zww20119d47dc/~flNlc3Npb249UFJEOklHU0tBSENJR1NTQVAwMjowMDAxLjAwMjkuYWYxY2ZkMWIuNTZhYyZ*aHR0cF9jb250ZW50X2NoYXJzZXQ9aXNvLTg4NTktMSZ*U3RhdGU9MjAwOTQuMDAxLjAyLjA1====?~okcode=SESH ...now all I need is access to the print shop at work...

Sold yet? I PM'd you...

bump for pics and lowered prices!

I have a big agnes nugget. It's 45deg primaloft fill with pertex endurance shell (waterproof). If you want a bag for warm days that means it might be warm enough to rain or at least provide a very wet snow. If you're going for multiple days, it's nice to have the robustness of a synthetic fill. This is a floorless bag so you save weight there and in the fact that you dont need a bivy sack or a tent. Layered up with my belay jacket I've slept into the 20's just fine.

A few have shown interest and backed out. All items still available. Edit: Just kidding, Guide pants just sold.

Part of my closet purge: Sierra Designs Black Ice Soft Shell Jacket A nice hoodless breathable softshell jacket. Napoleon pocket two zippered hand pockets zippered inside pocket Size:Mens L Color: Light Blue Condition: Lightly Used Price: $40

So here are the trekking pants. I tried to highlight the major wear areas so everyone has a pretty good idea of what's up. Front View - Damage from crampons is obvious in this pic. There's copious seam grip behind those tears. View of the gaiter. Stitching coming lose highlighted in green...

Please support my closet purge! PM for pics if interested. Mountain Hardwear Trekking Pant These pants are awesome! Constructed of Thornguard™ fabric with four-way stretch and reinforced knees, our fully featured Trekking Pant protects and moves with your body for a comfortable, low-profile fit. Removable gaiter at ankle. Articulated knees Zip off scree cuffs Hand pockets Four way stretch Zip thigh pocket Patented "zip tie" adjustable belt Ankle zips with snap Stretch, gusseted crotch Micro-chamois lined waist Low profile waist Two rear zipper pockets Zippered thigh vents Abrasion-resistant film in high wear areas They are simply too big for me. After dealing with the size for about a year, I finally went back and got another pair in size med. Pants have been professionally hemmed for length. They were hemmed at the knee so the vents and scree gaiters still work perfectly, you would never know they were hemmed. I'm just saying this so you know they aren't going to be as long. The pants are fully functional. The L inseam was too long for me, it's now about right for 32" inseam. Size:Mens L Color: Shark Condition: Used. Repaired (seam grip) crampon punctures at instep. Price: $45 - NOW $30 Sierra Designs Black Ice Soft Shell Jacket A nice hoodless breathable softshell jacket. Napoleon pocket two zippered hand pockets zippered inside pocket Size:Mens L Color: Light Blue Condition: Lightly Used Price: $40 - NOW $30 Patagonia Cap 3 crew long sleeved I'll throw this in for free if you want it with one of the above items. Size: Mens M Color: Orange Condition: Used - scuffs on the arm Price: $5 I also have a Mountain Hardwear Voodoo Belay parka that I'd be interested in trading for something similar. It's an XL and I need a L. (Edited for bold because I think this is getting lost in the noise) Shipping is $10. Contact by pm or emial: jcrabtree AT scu DOT edu

What's on your "Trad climbing rack?"

Well, I'm surprised no one has mentioned Squaw yet. K-wood is definitely good but for big lines and lots of great steep terrain with plenty of variety, I think Squaw takes the cake. Plus there's an outdoor hot tub with a bar at mid mountain that you can stop by at the end of the day (or the middle of the day if you're taking it easy). Being from the northwest and mostly skiing crystal and whistler, I was generally underwhelmed with most of the Tahoe area offerings. Squaw, Alpine and K-wood are quality resorts. MY general impression (after being a ski/snb instructor and skiing most of the resorts up there) is that the rest of them are fluff or small. If you go to K-wood keep your eyes pealed for some ice on the right side of the road (88). If you have the time, Lee Vining canyon is only ~2.5 hours and it's really pretty great ice climbing. Check this out: http://www.aboutmyadventure.com/directories/shared_photos/lee_vining/72-75.htm it's definitely worth the drive. Keep in mind that the posters above are reporting on a very VERY dry year. We never got more than 50% of our average snowpack last year and by may we were at 23% of the average may snowpack. Yes, our season does start a little later, but I for one am hoping that the little series of storms we're about to get is going to get us started off on the right foot this year. Realistically, I can't say how great it will be in December but it's a high probability that it will be better than last year (broke the record low for precip from 1889!). have fun!

Mammut pants are SOLD! Removed from list.

Yep, no problem. That's exactly what I did on my skis. Plug the holes. If you're planning on mounting the dynafits on your own, do it on an old pair of worthless skis first. There's a lot to learn by just doing it and it will ensure that you do it right on your good boards.

Ready mix trade is in the works and the mammut pants are all but out the door. Just a few more pics of the pack for the inquiring minds that couldn't find it online: The secret stowed rain cover (how cool!): The Harness:

Or one mountaineering axe and one ice tool if you want to be able to self arrest, save some weight AND climb a little steep section where you would be using piolet traction...too much info? This setup seems to work for people on the Kautz, Lib. Ridge in certain conditions (although that's not really a *little* steep section) and similar...

Hey all I'm doing a gear loft purge so along with the for sale items will come a free gift as well (scroll down for a list of free gift items). Shipping will be at cost. Plan on $6 - $10. FIRST THE TRADES: I have a used xl Mountain Hardwear voodoo belay parka that is too big. Interested in trading for size large in equivalent model. I have a brand new L Patagonia ready mix jacket. Interested in trading for size M - PENDING NOW THE SALE ITEMS: 1) Sierra Black Ice Soft Shell Jacket - $50 This is size L Proprietary Sierra Designs soft shell fabric. Water resistant and breathable. Draw chord at hem, napoleon pocket and inside pocket as well as handwarmers. 2)Regatta Backpack - $50 - PENDING This is about a 6000 cu in backpack with many pockets and an adjustable frame size. I'm a 19" back and it'll fit a few inches on either side of that (definitely will go bigger). I picked this up in ireland while traveling. This is a big pack, great for long approaches. 3) White Sierra Fleece - $20 This is size xxl. Some blemishes in the shoulders from a chemical burn. This is about a 200 weight fleece that would be great under a shell or windbreaker to add a bunch of insulation. 4) patagonia capilene 2 - $15 Size M. About a cap 2 I think. Some wear on the forearm from an offwidth. FREE GIFTS for any of the sale items above, chose a free gift! OR bomber hat - PENDING xl fleece liner gloves burton coolmax long sleeved crew - GONE denim shirt, brand new, button up with pockets on the chest (it will get you lots of girls!!!! In one of 'those' bars)

re. hard sciences and climbing: Some of what I see is that generally we're up for challenges. Climbing presents pretty extreme challenges (as extreme as you want them to be) in a variety of different areas... A potpourri of challenge if you will... Climbing can necessitate physical endurance as well as strength and mental toughness combined with the necessity to solve problems on the fly and some times instantly. Another aspect is related to the problem solving. Physics and engineering are all over in climbing from how your clothing system works to how your hardware works. Plus, getting up a climb can at times be like an engineering problem. Well, that's about enough of that because I also don't want to neglect the emotional/spiritual side of climbing which is very significant to everyone who ventures into the hills...But this thread is about work.

Interesting topic. I'm sort of an electrical engineer with an identity crisis...Seems like I'm doing more mechanical these days. Either way, I'm still designing control systems for spacecraft. It is apparent to me that climbers are generally the hard science type. Many people I meet or climb with are some flavor of engineer, physicist, chemist or biologist. It'll be interesting to see whether this thread agrees... thoughts? Then there's the whole topic of WHY people of this group are attracted to climbing. I have many theories...

Nice work. That place looks sweet. It's probably beneficial that the guide is out of print...

Climbed the Kautz on the 8th. The chute was alpine ice under a thin layer of rotten neve. The steepest section (~60deg max) is about 250ft and feels solid. photos: chute in the chute looking up in the chute looking down There is also a steep section below the chute but it's heavily sun cupped so the going is easy. photo:

very nice shots!

Way to get on it! That is such a beautiful area. With Temple Crag's abounding of quality routes followed by the northern section of the palisades, one can spend weeks back there and every day climb a stellar route. Nice work.

Beautiful pics. Found a hole in the T-storms. Good stuff! Feather Couloir is a classic. Wonder if it will still be in in 3-4 weeks...

sweet. Thanks! Now the $65k question is what kind of dance do I need to do to make sure the T-storms start later rather than earlier...

Nice work. Do you have any more pics of Mendel? Specifically, the Mendel couloirs? How was the descent down the east face (did you descend this way)?

Do you have any other pics of Mendel? Looking to do the couloir in a week and a half. Thanks!