Pete_H

So ... what summer routes in the Cascades require two tools?

I love that place but its the longest most boring drive in the world to get there.

Use your words, man.

Niiice! You get new skis?

You guys don't have cameras in northern Illinois?

The Boving route on D-Tail deserves more ascents and is a great route for what it is but it is definitely unpolished. 3 pitches of good stiff but scruffy rock followed by complete crap. Like all routes on D-tail its cool b/c its a mountain climb not just a rock route.

Wolves remove the slow sheep from the herds, thereby removing temptation from certain degenerate climbers.

In Yellowstone they keep elk and moose out of streams beds which improves watershed vegetation, thereby improving the fish and other aquatic life. Apparently.

I think prudence would dictate the TR should have been worded "possible FA" not "FA."

Tons of shit at 11worth. Look in the instruction manual.

I've got a bread machine my gal and I bought for $1 at a street sale in Dillon, MT. You just put all the shit into it and push a button and it creates bread. Awesome.

"I find it comical that climbers will gladly drop $$$ on new gear (that they only end up selling a few years later when something "better" comes out) but refuse to spend any $ on a training seminar... something they will "own" the rest of their life and will only improve/enhance their climbing. Go figure." Just because these "seminars" work for you and your lifestyle / training strategy, it doesn't mean it works for others. I think it's quite arrogant that you feel the need to repeatedly push this "product" on everyone else. That said, nice work in the Ruth. Those look like some fun routes. I'm glad you guys had good weather and didn't get squashed by the falling hanger.

Hopefully we'll find out some details. Glad to hear there were no serious injuries.

Pumpline's a great pitch. Haven't been able to pull that final crux move without taking a fall or two though.

Craig - I didn't think the moves above that anchor were much harder than 10a (though indeed a bit r/o!). The "grand" arch is pretty mungy and we couldn't figure out where the route went after that pitch. The route has potential and if "rediscovered" (cleaned, retro'd) could become a high-quality trade route.

Nice. That Nesakwatch Spire shit is on my list.

REM sucks.

Thanks Matt. That was fun.

I've been meaning to get that Nooksack route done for a while now. Maybe this is the year.

When Porter gets naked and starts rounding people up to go "streaking," its time to leave.

On the plus side, travel to Mexico is really cheap right now.

Another cool thing about GP is that it presents some logistical issues since you need gear for some reasonable difficult snow and ice as well as 5.11 rock. Its gotten a lot of hype recently, but I think its well deserved. Your description, Matt, I think, is more fitting of the Northwest Face of Stu - a lot of crap for like one good pitch.

I mean no disrespect here, Eric, and maybe I am missing something ... but have you climbed Girth Pillar? I can well believe it is a cool little feature in a neat place but it has a pitch and a half or two pitches of hard climbing on an otherwise moderate alpine ramble. And it is a big ramble. Have you climbed it Matt? The route has a lot to offer. Its a long climb with a lot of variety and that makes it challenging. Snow and ice, some objective danger. Interesting, somewhat spicey mixed leads getting off the glacier onto the rock. Some route finding. Nearly 150 meters of the finest granite you'll find anywhere with unparralled alpine ambience. A true classic.

Fat yuppies climb the motherfucker all the time. You'll be fine.

Make sure you stash some beer at the parking lot for when you get back. Bring the bourbon with you though.