tvashtarkatena

Say what you want about Bone, but he's pretty good at getting a bunch of folks wrapped around an axle. Given that tens of millions of Americans believe the world will end within their lifetimes and such, it seems to me that Kev is just exercising his patriotic duty to make the world a more interesting place.

Might making switching tools a little confusing at first, but they'll probably swing a lot more like each other than two different models of matched length.

According to each manufacturers specs, the JB Sumo is about 10% more fuel efficient than the Reactor. The Reactor does better in the wind, so, depending on how much effort you put in making a windbreak, that could negate the advertised advantage in the field. Apples to apples weight difference (Ti Sumo sans cup and universale pot adaptor v Reactor) is 6 oz, weighed side by side at REI. The JB is poorly designed and delicate for sure. The folding tripod is fun to play with, though. I like mine, have had no probs with it (Ti version), but I've also benefited from the previous experience of Mr. Kaplan, so I treat it gently. I'm wondering if the plastic melted when a windscreen was used, or did it just achieve critical mass?

A puffy would certainly have been redundant. Good instruction comes in all kinds of forms and packages. There are a lot of slow old fogues who have a thing or two to teach, particularly regarding the value of humility and the ability to understand that such a broad sport values a wide variety of skills and attributes, not just your VO2 Max. The best way to learn the most as a student is to STFU, listen, then ask questions relating to the material being presented, not test whether or not your instructor is worthy of your hyper-valuable time. Those who can't grok this are better of avoiding classes altogether: that way the rest of the students don't have to waste their time watching you cock fight with the prof.

I've never understood why the ten essentials never included shoes.

I'm glad you brought this up. Any other species would respond to an eradication effort by dying. But goats? They'll use any excuse to kill Americans. They're animals, plain and simple. The only thing these lint-heads understand, other than a steady stream of urine to the forehead, is a .222 round. For those of you who are wondering why I just suggested giving Canadian over the counter Tylenol with codeine to a bunch of ungulates, you're probably one of the apologists who helped create their perception of our weakness in the first place. You don't negoatiate with ungulates. The only good goat is a dead one, preferably with a side of tsatsiki.

Thanks a lot, Layton. Now I've got to run out and buy one of those, too.

Depends on orientation. If your head's into the wind those things can turn into great big wind socks. Agree with Mattp. I like a lightweight backup even in good weather, though: AMK sol bivvy After a couple of hours you'll be one clammy pilgrim, but they are great for little unexpected squalls, or when the cloud deck drops in on you. I call mine Russel. Real live bivvys are good for multi day climbs where tent space isn't going to happen. With Tarptents and the like, they don't seem to be a very good option, otherwise.

THe mounties Basic course is 550. Registration starts Oct 15. It fills up fast. You're also required to take MOFA 125 and Navigation 50 = 725. Alternatively, you could cherry pick: Take MOFA and Nav (skip Nav if you already know it, but MOFA is well worth it and its taught by EMTs) from the mounties and two one day clinics: Mountaineering Day School 187 and Crevasse Rescue School 187, in that order, from RMI (total 374) from the Mounties for more professional, less time consuming instruction. The RMI option doesn't cover rock climbing/belaying but you can learn that with friends at the crag and a bit of self study. That way you pretty much get all 4 classes for just the price of the Mounties Basic Course. Shopping for my GF right now, so this info is current. She's leaning towards the cherry pick option - she doesn't need 'gear selection advice' and a bunch of other stuff covered in the Basic Course at this point - but ax arrest and glacier travel are best learned in a focused course setting rather than on the fly. I wouldn't be so dismissive of the fitness level of the students in any of these courses, particularly as a newbie. Kind of luck of the draw, no? Gumbies can pony up for guides, too, and ironmen can take the Basic Course. I've seen both. If you want experienced partners, humility probably works better than uninformed bluster. FWIW, I had some great climbers as Mounties instructors way back, some of whom became great partners. A couple of bozons, too, but they didn't really water down the experience too much. After all, you're ultimately responsible for doing the learning part. Critiques of the Mounties courses are more credible from people who have actually taken their courses, BTW - I'd check to see where the complaints are coming from before you swallow them hook line and sinker...even if you DID read it on the internet.

Work? In the mountains? Come on. This is really about PORN in the mountains.

A tower can signal your phone to boost its transmitting power when the signal is weak.

When you do the experiment, can Josh and I film it? Preferably at night. Seriously, though, I'd stick with manufacturer recommended fuels. Naptha attacks a few kinds of plastic. That could produce some surprising results.

Sounds like somebody hasn't been laid in a while.

Old joke. Sorry.

Best friends next to this: NOAA Forecasts

Or a guidebook author. I know several.

Looks very cool.

I never apologize for America, Gene. Seriously, stay the hell away from Leavenworth during Autumn Leaf Festival if you can. The traffic alone will make you want to kill yourself. Great place otherwise.

Lynyrd Skynyrd is a Neil Young tribute band that performs American Civil War reinactments inwhich the South wins. If your command of English isn't very good, you'll fit right in with the audience. "The benefits of socialism" would be a great conversation starter. Many in the audience will be riding Goldwings (if they haven't left the PT Cruiser at home, that is). A Goldwing, made by the Honda Corporation, is an oversized form of geriatric scooter with enough luggage capacity for portable life support equipment. In other words, you'll have a chance to meet lots and lots of real Americans in Leavenworth and surrounding area that weekend.

HOLY AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, BATMAN: Lynyrd Skynyrd at the Toyota Town Center on Sep 26th! Also, THE AUTUMN LEAF FESTIVAL that weekend!!!!!! I'm thinking you two aren't going to have much time leftover for any alpine fun. TIME TO GET YOUR GOLDWINGS ON.

His portaledge didn't have the anti-gravity corner attachment point, either. Also missing: Bandit empties. FAKE.

The last guy I saw on a portaledge didn't look like that at all.

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE CHIPMUNKS?

Layton posts from prison, so you'll have arrange that visit in advance.

NAST!