denalidave

I was trying to dig up the thread(s) on rope-soloing and came across this. Funny, soloing is such a loaded word (IMO). As soon as some/most folks hear the term solo or free solo, it instantly conjures up ideas of danger, death, stupid, selfish, etc. I think it is all relative though. I don't solo much, and only well below my trad limits, on routes I know well. However, I feel so much safer than when encumbered with the whole rope-solo set up. When you go up on the roof to clean the gutters, I'd bet most people do it "free solo", yet most people don't believe that is so dangerous, stupid, selfish, etc. Nothing like being able to do a 1,000 of climbing and be back home in an hour, for me anyway. Also good training for longer alpine routes, which I don't get the chance to do often. At least you can keep fit, both mentally and physically by doing some easy free solos between alpine getaways. Can be an excellent cardio/full body workout too. Much more fun than running. I kind of liken it to driving without a seatbelt... Sure, it COULD be very dangerous if you are on a crowded freeway doing 80 MPH. Then again, I drive to the post office in my small town all the time and never wear my seatbelt as I DON'T NEED IT then. Just my two-cents on the subject.

Well do as many as you can for sure! Woot! If it was me, I could only do the first 5 or 6 Biatches...even when I was young.

On the contrary, that fawking thing is making me ill, please TURN IT OFF, pretty please!

Thank you. Thank you very much. Don't thank me till you get my bill!

I should have returned it right away to REI but it seemed not that big a deal. However, over the past two years of use, the leg loops just get looser and looser. The final straw was when one of them was completely undone. I am going to take it back, only because that is REI's policy. I could have been seriously injured or killed if I had tripped over the dangling leg loop, so I am trying not to feel too guilty about returning it after so long. Then again, they are free to make whatever return policy they want, so I should not feel guilty anyway...

I agree on the Reverso, but I hate my BD Momentum harness... Maybe mine is defective, but the leg loops will never stay put and always get loose quickly (yes, I know how to double back the webbing). Last week, I get to the top of a climb and almost tripped over one leg loop that had come completely undone while I was climbing. Could have taken a looooong ride as I had run the whole easy pitch out. I also don't like how small the gear loops are. Just my two cents...

But when does the Swedish Bikini Team come onto the scene??? That's how I roll, anyway.

Or a plastic doll of Joe with a recording, and when you pull on the slings the doll starts bitching at you, on and on and on. Even better. It could also warn of the downward spiral the use of chalk creates..

Like the cool plaques on Dream Wild Turkeys or Yellow Brick Road... Those are pretty cool (IMO).

That's more like it! Spray is getting better by the hour.

That was my point at the very beginning of this topic. The rings and slings are not needed and people will chop them occasionally. But they do just make pulling the ropes a breeze, which is nice. That was kind of my thought too. If you did not like the rap slings, why not just run the rope through the rap hangers and leave the slings/ring be? I know it would be bad for the slings when pulling the rope, but better than chopping the tat right then.

Maybe there could be a "memo" addressing the issue on the board? Seems like a reasonable request that should be easy for the park svc. to accommodate???

Said slings are fine on Windsurfer as well, but I have no doubt our knife-wielding date accountant will have at them all. Again, clueless. I concur. Just a heads up that some MAY see them as dated/worn.

Condolences to the family and friends. Sounds like he will be dearly missed.

Welcome to the insane-asylum. Good luck getting out of here with your mind in tact (assuming you got here in tact)... If you make it to the west end of the Gorge, we'd be happy to give you the tour at Beacon Rock (Bacon). Personally, I think the SE Corner is one of the more aesthetic alpine-ish rock climbs near PDX. Flame on, fellow Beatards and un-beatarded climbers, flame on.

Speaking of anchors, I did notice the slings on the top of Windsurfer were starting to get a little frazzled/worn on the outside edges, just where the slings meet/rub on the hangers. Not an integrity issue, for me, but I would not be at all surprised to see them gone if the same guy that cut the tat on YW happens to go over there. Just a heads up, if they happen to not be there next time you are on the route/rap.

I'm not sure I like the visual I get when I read this...

You should switch crags... you personality would fit right in with the other beacon regulars You mean BEATARDS, right?

I thought that was my job. Where's PINK when you need him??? Probably CLIMBING EL CAP. OR SOLOING LITTLE WING!

BUMP fer Bstach. Now this is quality spray!

What do you mean, lame? Did you not see THIS gripping thread?

I remember one time, when I was a young kid, maybe 6 or 7. I was at the restaurant with my family and when I came back from the bathroom, I found money on the table. Wow, score! Then, another table had money. Holy cow, must be my lucky day. Turns out, almost all the messy tables had free money that someone "lost". Who'd a thunk I could be so lucky?...

Indeed! Nice job. OK, that settles it, I must do Stuart this year. CNR or bust!

If only you could belay 5.10, I'm sure you have a line of takers...