grandpa

I'm thinking that for a couple hundred bucks, I'd just go get another rope. That's a LOT cheaper than a hospital bill (or worse). Wash it then use if for a haul rope, or even weave it into a rug, but retire it from "active duty".

I would agree, and this isn't based upon years of experience, nor packing heavy loads, but a one time event. I ended up using a BD alpine style harness (that had flexible gear loops that hung straight down from the belt itself), and that worked quite well. Better than my nicely padded, Metolius harness (that had gear loops that stuck out sideways and were protected by plastic tubing) would have worked for me, I believe.

Thank you, all. And this is just the goal I have in mind where I work part-time. My source, a climbing guide on Rainier said essentially the same thing: a bowline needs it, fig-8 does not, and said something about gyms teaching it, and is wasteful of time and energy.

Is it "good practice" to tie off the tail on a figure 8 knot (with a fisherman's knot or the like)? Initially, I learned to do so, but several climbing gyms I've visited do not, and was recently told by someone who makes his living by knowing and using ropes it's not necessary, but recommended one leaves 5x the diameter of the rope for a tail. What do you think, those of you who know more than I (and that's probably everyone)?

I was up there this past weekend, and we were speculating about these 4. That's two days after I came down. Sobering, it is...

Thanks, all. As it turned out, that's what I did. Used another harness instead of mine, worked out just fine. I summited my first mountain this past weekend, so when I get home and figure out how to post a TR, I'll do that.

Check your PM on this.

Any experiences/opinions on the Grigri vs the Grigri-2?

Here's one I've not seen any discussion on: when carrying a backpack and wearing a climbing harness (one that has gear loops) for glacier travel, how is each positioned, relative to the other? One above the other, one on top of the other? It would seem to me that the harness waistbelt should be situated first, then the pack wherever it fits, but as both are designed to be placed just above the hip bones, this seems to be sortof unworkable. What's the right way to go about this? Use a harness with no gear loops? I'll find out for certain in about a week, but this Q popped up last night and woke me up. Now I'm genuinely curious.

Ok, I'm most likely "preaching to the choir" here, but I wanted to acknowledge the excellent customer of Cascade Designs in Seattle. I had a couple of old thermorests that just would not quite stay inflated, and after some unsuccessful efforts to find the problem, I finally wrote to CD and asked if they were repairable, or even worth messing with. They said send 'em in (for evaluation, I presumed), so I did. Soon, within a week maybe, I received a small box, and what was inside? Yes, two NEW thermorests! That is well worth the price of initial purchase! So I looked on their website, and find lots of stuff that I wasn't aware of. Neat, I found a new supplier of stuff, and a great company it appears.

I SO wish they were XL, then you wouldn't have to bump this post...

Check your e-mail/PM

PM sent, look for it...

Need a job, also eh? In Washington and Oregon, good luck with that. For the most part, I'm told they don't exist. Bring your own supply of rent/food money, about a year's worth... for while you're looking for work. Now if you want work, move to western North Dakota (and as it happens, Amtrak runs direct from here to where you want to live in WA), where there's more work than people, but then good luck finding a place to live....

His posts have been few, but he has probably contributed more useful tips on climbing safety than most members. That's the way I see it.

my thoughts exactly! I'll take a few good contributions over a lot of maybe interesting, but mostly useless bullshit.

I'm not sure why you're so negative about the webcam, Loren. It's a useful tool, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Look at how it was installed, my guess is that it won't last the winter.

PM sent

e-mail sent...

No, it's the (relative) lack of thunderstorms. But "don't ever say never" because there are TSTMS out there, so watch the weather.

Absolutely! I love 'em! I learn a lot from them.

Yeah, so was I. I'm tentatively considering a summit this September, doc said foot should be good by then. Then again next summer. Fergit the charmin, send pics!

Now, that's the funniest thing I've read all week! ...and I agree, that wouldn't be the greatest. I'll be with you in spirit, but I had to turn back the opening in July. I have new pins, screws and some wire in my foot, so gotta get that all back to 100% first, maybe September. Have fun!