denalidave

I think using DNA use to catch the bad guys is a good idea and surely more reliable than fingerprints alone. I just don't like the big bro society we are heading toward and this thread topic seems like one more chipping away toward an Orwelian society where big bro has ultimate control over the masses.

This is just more of the same big brother trend that our society is heading toward. Before you know it, money/credit will be handled with the imbedded microchip and big bro will have ultimate control over all of us. Paranoid? Sure, but everything still seems to be heading in that direction and always in the name of safety for the larger society, rather than the truth of condensing power and control over us.

Better yet, when will Bug change his to one of Couloir's prior avitars?

Also keep in mind that ratings are very subjective and inconsistent throughout climbing areas, disciplines and so on. Some areas grades will be much harder that others. I've seen plenty of Gym climbers talking real big numbers of what they can climb, only to see them get spanked by 5.8 or 5.9 trad lines. Grades can also be affected greatly by the type of climber doing the route. Some routes favor smaller hands, or taller people, etc. What could be a 5.11 move for a short person, might go 5.6 if you have a longer reach. When in doubt, stay below what you consider your average all around grade ability till you learn how the grades are for the area/type of climb you are doing. For me, I know I can usually lead something in the 5.10 range at say Ozone, but if I'm at Beacon Rock, I know I'd better stick to leading mostly 5.9's cause the grades are different, though pretty consistent for each area, IMO. It also seems that alpine rating tend to be stiffer, in general, than other types of climbing.

I think Nate is right on going through the lift areas. Seems to me, you have to pay for a lift ticket but the resort is on public forest lands so anyone can be there. I've never researched it but heard that from someone else. I was never hassled the few times I skinned up but it was also a really slow time of year and I don't even remember running into a ski patrol or employees.

Mine is detachable so I use it as a avy probe.

Who is the "climbing community at large"? Does that include the masses of minions who frolic in the gym but rarely venture outdoors? Does it include any of the untold thousands of "climbers" who bought some shoes, ropes and quickdraws to grab some quick "adventure" at grid-bolted venues like Exit 38 and its ilk? I say: add another bolt = wreck it some more. Like I said, good luck getting a consensus... even on what the definition of what the "climbing community at large" is.

IMHO, Yes the FA has the final say so on a route. BUT, if we consider a route a work of art you could look at it a bit differently. How many artist go back and touch up a painting or sculpture after it has been considered completed and put on display for public use? Sure they could but it is probably considered bad form to do so. Let's add a bit more mustache to Mona Lisa...think of the outrage that would have caused. Routes should be left alone unless the climbing community at large agrees it is excessively unsafe, good luck getting an agreed consensus on that. Just my .02 worth, but I guess I'm a day late and about .98 short...

I have DSL out here in the gorge with no cable available and am really happy with it. The one complaint I here from city folk with cable is it bogs down in peak time because subscribers share the bandwidth. Since DSL is a dedicated line you don't run into that issue, at least that is my understanding of it.

Mud wrestling? Thumb Wars?

I second that.

I thought the melting point for chocolate was 98 degrees?

You are the MAN SS!

I'm impressed that the police found a sleeping bag of yours in Alaska that was stolen in Bellingham. Glad to hear it too. They must have a team of the best detectives working around the clock in shifts... The dude abides

Must be the uber classic line at beacon rock that links up the ozone traverse?

Hmm, interesting theory. I've always thought climbing was a sport that often tended to attract some wiley characters. I've seen plenty of nice, "good" folks out there at the crags but have also seen as many "shady" characters living "outside the lines" of society "norms". Of course, we don't have any such types on cc.com.

Sorry to hear but nowhere is safe. I've heard of gear theft at base of crags, parking lot smash and grabs, on and on. Thieves like gyms because they can hit quite a few lockers and usually score something quickly. Even if it is locked they can sneak in bolt cutters. I used to work at a health club and some kids kept hitting the lockers and it took a long time to finally catch them in the act since they had a lookout and signals to alert the thief. My wife thinks I'm paranoid for telling her to lock the cars doors at night in our sleepy little town but once you come out and find your vehicle ransacked, you will never feel the same about security. It's unfortunate but crime is everywhere and will hit you when you least expect it, even if you think you are doing the right things to avoid being a target. Bummer!

I'm looking to buy an older pair of Diamir Fritschi FreeRide AT bindings. I want an extra pair for spare parts since you can no longer buy the parts from BD or Diamir for this model. Willing to pay "reasonable" cost, plus shipping if you are not in the Portland area. The model I have now is around 2001-2002 (I think) - Black/Grey with Yellow plastic trim. PM if you have what I'm looking for. THANKS!

If you want powder it all about Utah. They don't call it the greatest snow on earth for nothing. You can get good powder at many other areas but Utah is renowned world wide for it's light super dry, super fluffy pow pow. Alta, SnowBird and Solitude are all great but even better is the back country.

Zip it.

Hey, can't someone paste that hawtee in her undies up there on future beacon? Been a while since we've seen "what he wakes up to"... Or at least what he used to wake up to...

Think of all the trickle down economic benefits too. Eye patch makers, wooden leg companies and mail order hook arms are seeing incredible gains... not to mention the rum companies.

MMM bacon, beacon, beacon, bacon, mmmm. I sure hope that is vegan, free range, anti-antibiotic, sodium free, fair trade, eco friendly, nitrate free bacon though.

Barefoot none the less... shoes are aid.. Very impressive, if true.

MMM, Jensen's ridge, anyone for some yummy poison oak. Ivan?