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TarHeelEMT

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Posts posted by TarHeelEMT

  1. Yep, I suspect most old guys like being tied in with the rope whenever possible...

    Gotta agree with ya on this one J... I clove directly from my knot to the anchor - its the fastest and seems like the least complicated way. Plus, there is no extra gear required.

     

    Using a clove hitch, it's also fairly easy to adjust the length of the rope available without ever having to unclip.

  2. I remember being at REI to pick up a few biners and some slings. The salesman asked if I was planning to use them for climbing (WTF?), to which I replied yes. He then said that I should only use locking biners for climbing, proudly stating that this is what he does. I didn't really know what to say in response, so I just sort of grunted and walked away.

  3. From what I gather, it's a good idea to have a pair of tools like the flys that are good for technical climbing but also are good for "plunging."

     

    Hopefully we'll get some folks more experienced with technical snow and ice here to weight in.

  4. I'd be curious to know as well.

     

    Also, anybody know of a moderate rock route in the area that will be climbable in May? I was looking at Eldo needle, but my understanding is that it will have too much snow still on it to be safe.

     

    Looking for something in the 5.4-5.5 range. My partner has never really rock climbed before, and I'd like to take him up something that's easy and fifth class.

  5. Phew, not sure I could afford the Quarks. I'm pretty much just abusing my financial aid package to support my climbing habit.

     

    I think I'll probably go with one of Jared's two recommendations for the moderate alpine terrain, since I'm not really looking at climbing anything incredibly lengthy or technical, plus it's more within my budget.

     

    Thanks guys.

  6. Thanks Pete. I've thought about Banff and just might do it. I say the Cascades just because I can use this place as a resource for climbing partners. Know of anything equivalent for Banff?

     

    Dane - I've got a very basic straight-shafted Grivel with an adze that I picked up several years ago.

  7. Maybe nothing? I'm not exactly from the area.

     

    There are a few in Nelson's Select where it is listed as a recommendation. Don't have it with me at the moment, but it's in there.

     

    I'm not limiting myself to the Cascades, per se - I would like to find something this summer that features some degree of difficult ice.

  8. So... background:

     

    Trad climber making the jump to alpine. Did a month-long NOLS mountaineering course and spent a week with Alpine Ascents on their intermediate mountaineering course. I'm coming up on my last ever summer break and intend to spend most of it in the Cascades climbing and living out of my truck to get as good at alpine climbing as I can.

     

    Other than some basic practice ice climbing, I haven't really had an opportunity to use two tools, although this summer I definitely anticipate climbing routes where two tools will be a must.

     

    So... a few questions:

     

    My standard ice axe paired with a specialized ice tool is probably the best combo for alpine climbing, correct?

     

    I saw this:

    ice tool

    It's well-reviewed, on sale, and seems like it would fit well in the ice axe/ice tool pairing.

    Is this a good buy?

     

    Does it make sense to just buy one of the ice tool, or is it short-sighted to just buy one? If I get into more technical ice, I'll definitely want two of the same design, so would it be wise to buy 2 or instead get one that isn't being discontinued?

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