tvashtarkatena

I would think a generous injection would stimulate this sleepy economy. It just requires the right package.

Ah, who cares about homeopathy, anyway. It's all a bunch of bullshit.

When navigating during aventure races I use a transparent map pouch on an elastic lanyard, preferably one that folds up enough to be stuffed in a pocket or waist belt pouch. Similarly, I keep my compass around my neck on an elastic lanyard.

Smoking is a different ballgame in several important ways. For starters, unacceptable consequences and self destruction (heart disease/cancer) don't come until very late life. Contrast this with a crack, meth, or heroine addiction, which can completely destroy or end a person's life within a couple of years. Second, while it's difficult to quit smoking, it's nothing compared to the life threatening physiological and psychological agony of getting off the harder drugs, or alcohol for that matter. No one dies or kills themselves from not having a cigarette. Addicts denied their drug do so all the time. This is, in part, because the harder drugs (including alcohol) rewire the addicts nervous system by creating new receptors and depleting neurotransmitter production in fundamental ways that nicotene does not. Remember, I'm talking about hard core addicts, here. People who drink a fifth of liquor or 15 beers A DAY, and black out EVERY NIGHT, for example.

Good question. The primary (but not only) medical symptom of alcohol addiction is an noticeably increased tolerance over time. People without a genetic predisposition for alcoholism don't exhibit an increase in tolerance. 3 beers get's em drunk at age 20, 3 beers get's em drunk at age 40. An increased frequency of drinking until blackout is another common medical symptom. A non-medical symptom of drug abuse in general is unacceptable consequences: the loss of well being, health, money, home, relationships, job, and, in the case of incarceration, freedom. If neither one of the above applies to you, i.e., you're living the life you want to live, then there's little incentive not to keep doing what you're doing.

Back to the original topic: Way to go Pitts and Co. for a happy outcome. And feel free to post a TR on the spanking.

You're practically sprinting backwards from your original statement, so I'll accept that as a retraction. I can work with that. Yes, addicts have a role in their recovery. And we can also agree that the sky is, occasionally, blue. Good on ya.

Lanyards are another very old and very useful invention.

This statement, which flies in the face of a generation of medical knowledge on the subject, is dead wrong. An addict does not have absolute control over addictive behaviors, any more than prey being chased by a predator has control over the flight response or a trauma victim has control over the pain of injury. This is why addicts inevitably self destruct. Most addicts at the latter stages of their disease progression desperately want to stop, but they cannot. For the lucky few who are able to actually recover, what starts that process is usually some serious consequence, such as incarceration (which often involves medical detox) that forceably separates them from the drug of choice, then puts them on a path of gradual behavior modification, self awareness training, and group support. Look, you're a smart guy, but you can't know everything. You don't know much about this subject; that's pretty obvious, and that's fine. But to continue to put forth atavistic opinions that were formulated in the 19th century is just ignorant.

or that an experienced person can navigate just fine without one. Yeah I know, but that's sort of like saying that if you know ways to navigate without a compass, then you shouldn't bring one. There are situations when a compass can be more useful than your eyes, and also when a GPS can be more useful than a compass. I think your argument is based on one or two inherently irrational (although very romantically appealing) philosophies: a) to bring as little as possible for reasons other than logistical ones (weight, space, organization, etc.), or b) to pride oneself on needing as little as possible. Of course we all know that irrational romanticism can result in a more fulfilling recreational experience, so on that basis, I'm totally with you. I do love the soft, young, hairless ones. No, it's not like saying that at all. See, the way it works here is this: you put forth your opinions, and the rest of us put forth ours. The rest of us don't need your help formulating our opinions there, partner. A compass weighs less than an ounce, and, not being battery or satellite dependent, reliability is 100%. It also costs about $10. Combined with an altimeter, these two small devices fulfill nearly all the navigational functions of a GPS, without the cost/bulk, and reliability problems of that system. GPS work poorly the forest, the situation when navigation is often most crucial. Furthermore, many people who use GPS rely solely on that technology (this is from observation); they do not parallel their efforts with compass/altimeter: if the GPS fails, they're navigation goes out the window. I'm not knocking GPS, it has its uses. They're great in white outs on big peaks, for sure. But as a "no excuse not to carry one" item? A little hint for a youngster: Many of us have gone wherever we wanted to go in all kinds of conditions without one for decades now. Call that romanticism if you like; we just call it results.

Despite your copious opinions, you apparently don't know shit about addiction. Thats OK. It's only been characterized as a disease state with a strong genetic component by the AMA for more than 25 years. How were you to know? Classic JayB. Always the last kid to get the memo.

Ignore Hugh. He sprays on all forums inappropriately. The mods have warned him about it, but he keeps pushing the line anyway. Another data point: I love me LoweAlpine softshell, and it was berry cheep. Make sure you try em on, all the brands fit very differently.

Yo, If you haven't already, you might try also posting on MEC's on line gear swap. Shipping 2 tools between the two mighty nations runs about $18. I've had very good luck there in the ice tool trade (snagged a excellent deals on both used Quarks and BD Reactors). After all, that's where the ice is. And, hey, you don't even need to calculate the exchange rate anymore! And craigslist, of course.

Even without a proper heading you'll get distances to pre-programmed waypoints and/or your current tracklog. Yes GPS is stupid to rely on, but it pwns in low visibility when properly used, and especially when retracing old tracks. It's definitely cheating. The only rational reason not to bring a GPS receiver is the weight/pack space (that's probably the only reason that I normally don't carry one). or that an experienced person can navigate just fine without one.

I haven't laughed that fuckin' hard since my last round of "Mullet Hunter".

Good spray, girls.

I'll take these Russians for $25, but what length are they?

Come on an' take it to The Bridge.

I am whoever you want me to be.

I just read Sports Illustrated's "This is Raquetball", the 1979 edition. Hard hitting. Gripping. A tremendous amount of male body hair.

Asolos (which fit my narrow feet) are narrower than LaSportivas. They probably won't work for you. I tried on a pair of Titans, and there was some funky material bunching at the base of the tongue that messed with my toes, so I passed.

Yeah, my grip strength training really came in handy for that one. I hardly even used my legs. Good thing I had my heart rate monitor alarms set so I didn't climb too fast. The descent's a pain in the ass, so we just cell phoned for a rescue chopper to take us off the top.

Girly Positioning System. No bachelor pad should be without one.

Sounds like he knew what he was talking about

GPS is for little girly men. Real men gut their partner and crawl inside them.