tvashtarkatena

A technical correction: Rights protected by the US Constitution apply to all 'persons' on our soil (regardless of citizenship status). This principle has never been successfully challenged. Having said that, citizens enjoy many more rights than those enumerated in the Constitution (such as the right to vote). These addition rights are not afforded to illegal aliens.

Yes, the "ass pinch" effectively demonstrates the "less gear is more" philosophy. Particularly when you're pinching a broken off branch. There is NO WAY you're going to allow yourself to fall off in that situation.

This was an excellent trip for joggin the enterpreneurial imagination. I'm working on a new design for "ass crampons", worn externally like a diaper, for those early season log crossings. "Pampons", if you will. Investors?

I wouldn't know. My name dropping list is slim pickins.

You really are my wife, aren't you? Get a Grip

Die, all of you, you verbose motherfuckers! ....3......2......1......

Die, all of you, you whiny motherfuckers! 3.....2.....1.....

Google "hummers reflex" and you'll find that it causes rapid undressing.

OMG! Joanna, what are YOU doing on this site?!!! And what have you done with Oly?

How long, has this been goin' on?

Dunedin is a far better city than Christchurch. Wanaka is a far better town than Queenstown. True dat. Worse weather and horrific rock, though. If you're in Aspiring NP, you must go to the mountain. It's spectacular. The Darrans (above Milford Sound) have the cleanest granite in NZ...and some of the worst weather. If you can get a couple of good days, however, you can do a really find unroped ridge traverse in a day from the hut with incredible views of Milford Sound far below. It's like a rock gym on superb granite with world class scenery.

or Irishmen as drunks. OK, that one flies.

You should be. Wear tennies and stash them in a tree. Rainier's technically easier than Jefferson.

If Karl Rove is down there, that's not a drain. It's a culvert.

You've really got to be careful when you ask a woman to suck you these days.

I've been dismayed at the rising tide of Christian sects who've abandoned the basic principles of mercy, charity, and self sacrifice exhibited in this letter. My parrish growing up (which was fortunately free of child abuse scandals: unlike my CYO summer camp) was a very charitable one, and the number one thing preached was being Christlike. I can differentiate between these two types of Christians, but damage that has and will be done by what I would call the 'lost Christians', the absolutists, the money grubbers, and intolerant, and the hypocrits, should never be underestimated. As for 'proper' Christians, their charitable works, regardless of their religious basis, represent the very best in human nature.

I usually stuff a snaffle in each boot to dry them and empty the pellets out in the morning.

"Snakes on a Drain" ?

...or turns the water heater off.

I must respectfully disagree with my colleague from Canuckland. There is a world of difference hiking. And, there are effective ways to waterproof leather boots nowadays. Plus, you can get leathers that are just as rigid as plastics: no difference there. Technical climbing is when I least notice the difference in weight. Now a full day of slogging on the other hand....

Lake Titicaca, when viewed from space, looks like a jaguar pouncing on Dick Cheney.

If you can swing 4 days in ATNP, you can do 2.5 days kayaking out to the farthest point, then hike 1.5 days back. That's pretty much the premium trip there. The less expensive tour companies have a guide accompany you for half a day then send you on your way. The campground near the put in point is way cheaper than any closer to town. Ask your guides about it. Lake Manapouri (awesome) and Te Anau (much bigger, probably need more time) are logistically much easier kayaking destinations than Doubtful Sound, if you limited by time/money/etc. 3 to 4 days minimum to get the full experience. If you want to go into Doubtful Sound (INCREDIBLE), you can either a) attach yourself to an existing party or b) convince them to let you go alone. If the latter, you'll still need to go in and come out with other parties to amortize the cost of the ferry across Lake Manapouri. Kayaking the lakes avoids these hassles, but hey, no southern fur seals or dolphins.

Hadrian's Wall, of course! I wonder if the Mexican Fence will be a popular hiking route a thousand years from now....

My granfather came over from Ireland. To his dying day he never considered buying an Irish car.

It sucks standing in line with a bunch of other idiots buying all that Valentine's Day paraphenalia...right up until the champagne starts flowing, that is.