dougd

I actually admired mccain until I witnessed him publicly kissing w's ass while campaigning for him in the '04 election campaign. Anybody that can do that after what w did to him in 2000 is a pure polititian and nothing more. Can't stand the sight of him now... He's to old and to dumb to be president. 4 more years of the same shit? I don't think so. I'll take my chances with the obviously intelligent, articulate senator from Illinois. d

On the plus side, IMO people are sure thinking about it now. It will take time but changes will be made to adjust to the new reality that the american love affair with their gas guzzling cars is coming to an end. Car makers are realizing this new reality and getting more serious about marketing more efficient designs including other technologies. More and more automakers are coming out with hybrids etc. We have the know how, and now, the motivation to make necessary adjustments in how we consume this resource (oil). We'll get there, america is still a great country, if we survived the bush administration, we can survive anything... d

Beer AND dinner! Hmmmm d

Was thinking about a recon to S side of Jefferson this weekend but weather and the long drive was just enough discouragement to keep me in town. Drove part way out to Eagle Creek today thinking about trying the EC trail - Benson Plateau loop but turned around at Fview exit. The gorge was socked in and raining hard @ 0700... Sleeping/reading/laundry... fck d

From the jump I had a hard time understanding how being the wife of a president somehow qualified a person to be president themselves... hillary needs to give it a rest for the good of the party. d

I met Jim Donini on the summit of the Grand Teton in the '80's. He was guiding for Exum and had a client with him. I popped up having climbed the Owen Spalding route solo. We had a nice chat about far off mountains and stuff he was working on in Alaska at the time in the brilliant morning sun. He was forthcoming, and very kind. We decended together and did the double rope rappel. I found him very likeable personally. THAT was a good fucking day. Hard to imagine anyone not liking Jim, but wtf, I've pissed more than a few people off in my time too... d

Do tell... We're all waiting now! BTW @ 30 ur just gettin goin hon. HBD Mon d

Can't say I've ever had a hero, but I've always admired Willi Unsoeld. I see he has been mentioned prior, but I want to add that learning about his life inspired me to start getting serious about climbing. There was a man with no quit in him. The first ascent of the west ridge of everest, and subsequent traverse of that mountain by an american team including Willi and Tom Hornbein was committment personified. A truly incredible achievement in mountaineering. I have had the great pleasure of experiencing similar committment albeit on a smaller scale, in the mountains, and in life, because of Willi's example. Thinker, seeker, philosopher, and lived to climb. A very human man who lived very large. RIP Many other great climbers have been mentioned and I re mention Willi with humble thanks. d

LOL

For the record, I laughed when I read it... It's been a long winter I guess... d

"You have to go to know, and you have to be willing to go home early" True. Just saw one of the kids caught in that avalanche on the news. He was nearly pushed into a crevasse. Mere feet separated him from death. Says he's goin back next year to try again. I'd recommend he switch out the lead dog on the team for the next go 'round... d

Shit, I own a toyota tacoma! So, the tweakers are now traveling to remote trailheads stealing catalytic converters! WTF is the world coming to...

I'm gonna be climbing Jefferson this year. I'd like to do it in 2 - 3 weeks. I can wait longer if necessary. There's just a shitload of snow up there and it needs more time to settle (slough). d

If you're gonna go, ya gotta be off the mountain real early ppl. Those guys were lucky. d

I thought she looked rather fetching in the red hat and matching shirt... Just another pleasant day on the bus, in the hood. Keeper indeed... d

Took my wife rock climbing once back in the day. Got about 80' off the deck and she calmly asked me to exit a traverse at the first belay ledge. It was only a three pitch climb too! She was distracted by the thought of both of us cratering and the kids raised by strangers... Suppose it was best she go down. We're married 32 years now, and one of us is still climbing. d

mneagle, where were the pics taken? d

mazegirl, Not sure how you reconcile your stated support for Tibetan independence and can then defend chinese policies there with such obvious passion in what is the complete, and seemingly permanent take over of that country. Let's all hope that the chinese never see us as "brothers and sisters" and attempt to treat us accordingly... d

A couple more Muir quotes: MOUNT HOOD "There stood Mount Hood in all the glory of the alpenglow, looming intensely high, beaming with intelligence and so impressive that one was overawed as if suddenly brought before some superior being newly arrived from the sky." Steep Trails, pg.211 MOUNT RAINIER "The Mount Rainier Forest reserve should be made a national park and guarded while yet its bloom is on; for if in the making of the West Nature had what we call parks in mind, -- places for rest, inspiration, and prayers, -- this Rainier region must surely be one of them." Our National Parks, pg.30 d

Yes, it was John Muir I misquoted. I was very close. Apologies to Mr Muir. A proper version below... "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while care will drop off like autumn leaves." Our National Parks, pg.56 d

Ever thought about joining a climbing club like the Mazamas? It's a great way to learn the game and meet like minded people... d

Well, wherever she resides, she is obviously a nationalist. Nationalism is dangerous, and for a time we saw it on the rise in our own country. I think it is waning now in the US as more and more americans see our own terrible mistake in iraq. I'm only a little sorry this thread has turned political, but it was not unanticipated... I hope to be able to get back to the mountains soon, and kick some steps... d "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like falling leaves.

Be proud to be chinese. I can understand that... But nobody could really be proud of what the chinese are doing in Tibet. Nobody in their right mind that is... d

Shit, anybody can climb Everest now. If a fat biker from LA, with enough metal in his body from surgeries to set off metal detectors from miles away, can pay $50k to have some kiwis short rope him to the summit and get him down safely with a broken hand... chinese television station at base, internet cafe's, trash piles... WTF is Everest now? It's a joke. And I find that sad. Now we got the chinese summiting with a token Tibetan woman and a large candle... It's disrespectful to what was once a great mountain. If I ever go back to Everest, it'll be to help clean up that mess JMHO of course. d

The chinese efforts remind us once again of how technology can reduce a great mountain to where it is almost nothing. Sad... http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=3386121