denalidave

My 2cents... I grew up in Utah and started skiing when I moved there in 5th grade. My mom gave me money for ski lessons but my friends told me to save the dough and they would teach me. Most of them were already pretty good skiers and very poor instructors. I ended up not properly learning as I was just trying to keep up with them on all the black diamonds. Years later, I finally was able to overcome most of my bad habits when I spent a few winters skiing every day and really working on my technique. I never did pay for a lesson but would get some good pointers and critique from some buddies that were instructors. Bottom line, get the lessons if you can. If you can't, or have a personal moral objection to the idea of paying for lessons, suck up to some good skiers and get all the training videos you can find. Most of all, practice, practice, practice, just like anything else. Strength condition goes a long way too. Plus, the great gear out nowadays can make almost anyone a pretty good skier once you learn the basic fundamentals of carving turns. When I was learning as a kid, we had 2x4's and duct tape and it was uphill in 5' of snow all the time!

Wow! Thanks!!

cool features. maybe you could add a feature to disable a user's ability to post if their spray:tr ratio is too high? ;-) If that happened nobody would be able to post anything.

But what about the poor tobacco companies and all the jobs that will be lost when he quits smoking 5 packs a day?

Seems like it's all spray anymore.

I was thinking the same thing about the view from the boat launch. I take my kids down there a lot to have picnics and play. I like to bring my binocs and scope out the climbers.

But I can't see the trail or the railings in either one? Or Jim & Ivan burning some rope... Sup w/that?

Not a chance in hell...although did you see what just happened in West Virgina, one of the key states? I noticed that none of you whiny bitchesfolks wanted to bet either way. Only cause gambling is a sin. Congrats on your $ win, what gear are you buying with it? Surprised you found a sucker to take it...

THAT'S MY STAPLER!

I think you meant INfamous?

Don't be counting those Alpine Chickens before they hatch. I won't be to surprised if the GOP has some shenanagins up it's sleeve and pulls off the unlikely victory. If they do win, I'm absolutely convinced they somehow rigged the process.

what exactly is "Alpine" anyway?

Sounds like a great rainy day project, care to share the recipe?

Warning, keep pumpkins away from alcohol...

Almost as scary as detaining people without charge indefinitely. Or, disregarding our constitution on things like eavesdropping on US citizens... Sure wish I could take back my original vote for W 8 years ago.

Those are some sweet guns, but I bet Eric aint got one of these.

Yeah, a buddy I grew up with in Utah had/has an awesome gun collection. His dad was a big wig at Browning and would get all these deals on some really unique and very expensive guns. One day, we were out duck hunting and he dropped his $20,000, hand engraved, gold plated trigger/hammer, over/under 20 gauge in the mud. I think that was the last time he took any of his fine guns out for real use. Many of his collection have never even been fired. He has them hidden in all these secret stashes that are concealed behind the wall panels in his basement.

My mascara might run if I get out in the rain...

Looking ahead, I will be there in February for a wedding on the 21st and am hoping to get a few days at RR. I will try to hook up with some of my old climbing partners from way back in the day but it would also be great to have some options. I'm really looking forward to getting on some of the classics again. Hope the weather will cooperate then as it can be pretty cold that time of year.

Glad to hear you will be ok Joseph.

I'm surprised such a moderate line would be so neglected as there are not many 5.7-5.8s to get on out at Beacon. I'll have to check it out next time I'm over there. I still think that Crazy Horse goes 10a, harder than Jill's and that goes at 5.9+. Fun line though, I really like Crazy Horse but wish it was a bit longer pitch.

Jills is two pitches, or three shorter ones. The last pitch goes right off Yosemite ledge. That is the second pitch of Crazy Horse. Ah, Crazy Horse, that's what I was looking for. So where does the first pitch of CH start then? At the belay station half way up the first pitch of Jill's? What's it rated anyway 10a/b?

I'm guessing you could also roll an ankle on the bulge there, right above the spot you can sew it up before making the moves.

Just below the rap at the very end of the first pitch (assuming you do the pitch from snag ledge in 1 rope length and by-pass the anchor at the top of the 1st pedastal). The last piece was right below the slabby move at the last crux before the nice ledge that has the finger crack straight up or the wide crack on the right. I think Jim told me that Jill's ends at that ledge but other folks say it keeps going up on the right/easier crack. I prefer the finger crack that goes straight up from there but we opted out of that one yesterday since it was so windy.