rocketparrotlet

Vertical World in Everett makes you lead a 5.9 to be certified. You don't have to do any kind of check before it. There are overhanging as well as vertical routes to lead there, actually. It's a pretty relaxed environment as far as climbing gyms go. I went in to get the lead check a couple weeks ago, and they told me I had to lead a 5.9, and I freaked...I hadn't been rock climbing since September, so I had the guy take me around the gym and show me all the 5.9 routes...I settled on the roof route because it had the biggest jugs. My forearms felt like they got shot when I was done, but it was great.

I usually go to the gym every 2 days for about 2 hours each. Tendon issues are likely; I have only been climbing about 2 years and I built up muscle mass very rapidly during certain parts of that. Shoulder pain is just aching for maybe 15-20 minutes after I am done or a little bit of strain when I am doing dynamic moves. Elbow is barely there, just a little bit of aching after 2 hours or so. I do work out in the weight room as well. My back is stronger than my front; my chest is significantly weaker than my upper back. (I'm working on it.) I've been trying to build shoulder muscle recently, this may have something to do with it or not. I don't know.

I recently started going to the climbing gym regularly instead of just an occasional trip. This has been causing joint pain, mainly in the shoulders but in the elbows a little bit as well. I have always had trouble with chronic stress injuries running as well, not sure if this is related or not. What are some likely causes of this and best ways to fix it? I started taking glucosamine supplements yesterday, any other non-homeopathic supplements to take, or even better, something like strengthening excercises? -Mark

Where is this? Unclimbed WI3 lines?! Should be sent listening to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WbKBKima4Q

Great! Next time I'm out that way I'll be sure to check them out. I'll let you know when I'll be headed to Leavenworth next.

Wish I had seen this before. I'm in Everett anyway, north of you guys (without a car), and I haven't been to Little Si before. How was it? If you want to do some climbing sometime, just send me a PM and we can work something out. I know Index pretty well, at least the easier climbs. -Mark

Thanks for all the advice guys, I really appreciate it. I'll be sure to take this into consideration. When I bought the boots, I planned to use them for scrambling, I wasn't into climbing yet. They work great for that! But I'm now set up to buy a pair of plastics next time I'm in Leavenworth, so that should be a big help. I'll also get to use my old Salewa crampons that are more designed for ice climbing and see if they are any better than G-12s.

The weather's great right now, but it's probably not going to last. I'd like to get out rock, aid, or alpine climbing this weekend, open to suggestions. PM me if interested. -Mark

that's funny - they likely could have sold it on eBay for more money than they received for a return I have some Chouinard hooks and carabiners...are they worth money for being old?

I had the same experience this summer. I found some people to climb with in the Smoke Bluffs alone, but I spent a lot more time waiting than climbing. I'm sure that if you post for a partner somewhere you'll find one though. You can camp at the Chief campsite, there'll be a sign pointing towards it. $5 a night or if you're really cheap you can camp in the boulders, but it's not encouraged. -Mark

Things I've tried to buy from REI with no avail: -ice screws -aiders -hooks -1/2" tubular webbing -pitons -copperheads Actually, they don't sell anything for aid climbing and not enough for ice climbing. And I can't get down to a real store in Seattle from Everett because I don't have a car (yeah, yeah, buses...did that once. Not again.)

That's my size! How much would you ask? I could pick them up next time I'm in Leavenworth probably. Anyway, I set aside some money for gas to go climbing, that's money that I don't spend on other things. Almost all of my other money goes towards climbing, with the occasional purchase of something else. I just bought a bunch of aid gear and at the moment, I have very little expendable cash. That might or might not change. I'm a senior in high school and I can't balance a real job with everything else.

Thanks for the advice guys. I am wearing Kayland MXT boots. They're better for summer mountaineering, but they work for winter. I'm colder with a single pair of socks and I have wiggle room for my toes. I'm poor. I think I'll go with the wool insoles for now. -Mark

Every time I go ice climbing, without exception, I lose feeling in my toes. This is wearing 2-3 pairs of socks. I can't afford warmer boots. What's the best way to keep my toes warm? I've heard good things about aerogel insoles, does anybody here use them? -Mark

How long is this? Do you have a TR? Looks sweet.

Haha okay. I was wondering why a mixed climb would need cleaning. But even scrubbing a mixed line is better than sitting around the house day in and day out in my mind. I need to go climbing; I'm getting withdrawal symptoms.

OK, sure. I just figured since it's an Index thread I might as well make sure. Where do you want to scrub?

Where? Mixed at Index would damage the rock unless it was a really crappy unclimbed on wall (like the Wart). Even so it's probably a touchy subject.

I'll meet up with someone to scrub or aid if anyone's interested.

[video:youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqtr Yelling these in public places can lead to interesting results. "That's not Mickey Mouse, that's just TIT DIRT!"

Pictures:

So what I did is I tied an overhand knot (like an EDK) with both ends and pulled the loop through. I had a backup single overhand on the inside to prevent the webbing from coming out. This is not what was preventing the hook from catching; it's out of the way. The webbing is just too fat. I can take pictures later today. Where can I get some 7/16" tubular?

I just got a bunch of hooks, but they are not slung, so I decided to go to REI and buy 1/2" webbing. They don't carry it, so I bought 9/16" instead. It's too fat and touches the rock in place of the "corners" of the hook. Will 1/2" be better? (I'm slinging Choinard skyhooks and Leeper Logan hooks.) Also, where do I get 1/2" webbing near Everett? -Mark

I need some aid partners for times when the ice isn't in. I'm fine belaying for long periods; we can swing leads. -Mark

We were on the main ice flow on CYA today, it was in pretty good shape in the morning and the ice was decently solid, but the day started to heat up in the afternoon and it all started collapsing. It's not a good idea to climb it until it freezes again.