ColinB

A couple of us got lured up to Cooper Spur after Nate's little writeup on ice up there. Here's the ice that Nate mentioned. -Left-most one is pretty darn thin after this bit of heat. -Middle one has visible rock though it. -Right one is a free-standing pillar, so someone with bigger preseason balls than me can go get 'er. Much, much higher res copies can be found at Mt Hood Ice Recon 10-18-09 Have fun out there.

Five0, check out the "Spinner Leash" on BD's site. Thats the new umbilical. Why not rope solo the pitch either free or just french-freeing though the section you don't like?

Whats with the giant gear mound? You bringing your garage for us to mess around with or what?

I'm stoked too. Time to compare new(ish) tools, talk smack, and fall off plastic.

If you out-of-towners need a couch to crash on, shoot me a PM and there will be couches galore. I'm up in NE PDX (short bike ride away).

They're back up on SteepandCheap. Quick!

Curious what the cc.com hivemind has to say about half ropes. Primarily for ice, but want to have something that won't instantly shred if it touches rock. What do you all climb on or avoid like the plague? I'm comparing the Mammut Genesis, Mammut Phoenix, Petzl Dragonfly, Beal Iceline, and Beal Cobra. Discuss.

I finally replaced my old Arcteryx jacket with one that actually fits me. I'm not sure the model on this, its an XL hooded softshell with Windstopper in it. Its been my staple for mountaineering/ice climbing for the last couple years and treated me well. I managed to light the arm on fire passing out next to a campfire in JTree, so there's a patch of matching red nylon about a quarter in size. I'll post a picture up when I get home. $50 plus shipping?

I really have liked the Mammut Champ pants for winter climbing. They're way warm for anything in the summer, but they shed snow great and the long version gives you a 35" inseam if you're a tall one. They use a Scholler softshell, instead of a proprietary fabric.

Seems to make more sense for ski mountaineering rather than us cheapass bastards that don't want to buy two helmets. Has anyone here actually used it? Is it too hot for rock climbing in?

I can't make it tonight, but does anyone want to get some evening/night time drytooling time in at Rocky Butte? I'm game any night but Tues and Thurs. C'mon you internet trolls, get some fresh air.

I'm up in NE and like beer/climbing though usually not at the same time. Count me in.

Welcome to CC.com, phdiexxx. This is what we do best.

These pictures remind me why I want to move back to California some days.