MtnPaul

It's only a matter of time until elk start getting shot in Yellowstone in "self defence" by people trying to get a closer picture.

Anyone know what time of year the rock climbing around Vantage usually gets dry and warm enough?

If super skinny lines (5mm/6mm) get really wet the sheath can slip quite alot over the core of the rope. Not very confidence inspiring if you ever experience it!

Came down the S. Face once and IMO it is ridiculously dangerous for the tiny amount of real climbing involved. There were chunks of serac coming down every half hour or so over various sections of the route. The Kain is a much much better route with less hazard.

I've found that the Petzl tape works really well and is a pretty simple solution. It might not be worth driving all around town looking through hardware stores to save $5 every couple of years.. Here in Canada the insulative properties of tape on the shaft are nice sometimes.