Bosterson

The NPS is soliciting comments on a climbing management plan for Joshua Tree. The core issues they appear to want comments on have to do with preservation of petroglyphs/Native American sites; formalizing trails and reducing environmental damage; and bolting. Even though this plan is specifically for Joshua Tree, it seems worth commenting as it's likely at least some components of whatever plan they end up with will probably spill over into climbing management in other parks. NPS link

Edit: Raven Pro is sold!

Pickup in Portland preferred, otherwise can ship for cost. Petzl Aztarex - hammer and adze pair with BD leashes and shafts wrapped with grip tape. Petzl Blue Ice picks are sharp. Great tools and lots of life left. I picked them up used years ago but need something with a real spike. Trade for pair of Petzl Sum'tecs, otherwise $250 for the set.

Awesome! Great photos, as always.

Thanks for posting Kurt, that's neato. Has no one really climbed the full NE ridge yet? (I thought it finally went down in the late 90s, but maybe not the whole thing?) Really cool to see your old photos, I'm sure a lot has changed about how the "scene" is out there compared with when you were there. Side note re Chinese/Tibetans, I just discovered China has made some kind of Chinese version of Vertical Limit (called "The Climbers"), featuring amongst others Jackie Chan (??), which makes propagandistic references to how the 1960 Chinese climbers have to summit "their" mountain... Oy...

Bump. Katanas are gone.

The next stage of this saga has unfolded. Sez R&I: "You really will feel special when your friend Becky, who was the first to get endclothing.com’s silver $219 Kong Chocks keychain, can’t afford the Louis Vuitton chalk bag. Dreams really do come true." For the low low price of $1,590.00. They also make a $3,000.00 backpack version: "Inspired by mountain climber's bags, the Chalk backpack is a fashion-forward combination of practical detailing and House signatures." I'm still trying to unpack that sentence. Does "practical detailing" refer to the... ice axe loop?

Anyone have a spare they don't need? If you're in Portland, I'm happy to swing by and swap you a beer for it.

Thanks! Changed the bookmark to https and it loaded immediately.

I have the same problem. Trying to go to the homepage on desktop Chrome, no dice. Go to a subpage and it loads.

Julbo Explorers sold.

I have a Core that's a few years old. For outdoor use I keep it in altimeter mode so I haven't tried the barometric storm warning alarms or whatever. The display seems easier to read than the older Vector model. Nothing fancy but it works well to gauge how high you are on a ridge, etc. The battery seems to last for about a year.

As the Deschutes NF decided to still take the nuclear option and plans to institute a massive paid permit and quota system for the Central Oregon Cascades from May - October, people who submitted comments on the original draft proposal have an opportunity to object or appeal the USFS's decision. Someone I know wrote out a guide on how to do this, which I am quoting below:

Various closet cleaning. Available for pickup in Portland, or we can work out shipping for rough cost. 1) Sportiva Katanas - men's 39.5 - used a couple of times, a little too narrow for me. Edges like new. $60 2) Sportiva Tarantulas - men's 39.5 - tested once inside but fit was off. Basically new. $50 3) Julbo Explorer XL glacier glasses with case and cleaning cloth. Like new (too big for my face). $75 4) MSR Whisperlite stove, three 22oz fuel bottles with pump, 1.5L + 2L stainless pots with heat exchanger and lid, pot gripper, windscreen, storage bags, etc. Heavy by modern standards but basically indestructible. Well used but in good condition. $50 for all. 5) BD Ion 80 lumen ultralight headlamp. Never used cause I couldn't get into the "touch" button. $10 Petzl Zipka (with retractable band that you can use to hitch it to things). Original 3 LED version from over 15 years ago! Basically a candle compared to modern headlamps. Maybe fun for kids? Free to a good home. 6) old BD headlamp - takes 2x AAs in a battery pack, 2 proximity LEDs and a focused center spot LED. Free to a good home. 7) Two old style BD Hotwires. Minimal use as I apparently forgot about them in a box for years. Used lightly on bolts if that matters. $5 for both. 8) Julbo beater glacier glasses. $5, or free with any purchase above $10.

Pretty sure the 4th red one ("unknown brand") is an early/mid-90s Black Diamond X-15.