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I guess Gripex is Mammut's new cheaper house-brand outsole. The boots (Ridge High GTX) are definitely not mountain boots, but were reminiscent in stature to a previous pair of Mammut mountain boots I owned in the past. They were on sale and fit beautifully so I bought a pair. On hike #2 for these boots, one of the major lugs near the toe box sheared clean off, and almost through the outsole. Upon closer inspection I found that the outsole had numerous places where rubber was shearing away in a weird shattered glass fashion. And one of the large under-toebox cleats was about to shear completely off as well. Dropped 'em back off at Second Ascent for warranty claim. Just an FYI.

Sweet! Was there snow in the Liberty/Concord gully?

Fixed link: http://www.rakkup.com/climbing-guidebooks/rock-climbing-guidebooks/og-exit38/

Quite a read. I had not heard of that one.

"Slack." "Slack." "Slack." "Slack." "Slack." "Slack." "Slack."

Great writing.

Thanks! Appointment = made.

I've developed foot drop in my left foot as a result of a recurring herniated L3/4 disc. The only place this has impacted my climbing is descending snow while facing out. As I can hardly hold the front of my foot up (i.e., can't stand on left heel), plunge stepping or descending existing steps makes my foot prone to simply rolling forward over the step. And you can guess what happens next. I sought the advice of PT folks to see if there was an orthotic that I could carry and "throw on" as terrain dictates. A "foot-up brace" was suggested to me - an outside-the-boot device that kinda ties your shoelaces to your calf. Like so: Seems like it's worth a shot. However, if any of y'all have been down this road, I'd like to hear about it.

Would tweakers be dissuaded by a comprehensive battery of surveillance cameras? They need not be real cameras.

GETTIN' AFTER IT

We ran into SAR on top of Guye this afternoon. They were rapping down to evacuate a guy who had fallen on the improbable traverse and broken both ankles.

Sent ya a PM.

lemme see if i can mash the correct keys in the classic fashion:

Went down that southeast shoulder snowfield Saturday in the early afternoon. It was pretty soft; fine for plunging w/out crampons. Was glad to have an axe as we slipped a few times.

Yes! Thx.

I believe I remember seeing an Excel spreadsheet (or CSV) posted containing PNW-area crack climbs listed by ascending difficulty. Anyone have a link?

And news of this book just landed in my inbox: http://www.mountaineersbooks.org/Snow-Travel-P995.aspx

Is the Stuart Lake TH kept open this time o'year?

Kickass editing, timely commentary, accurate documentary. A+

I'd probably do it if it was from a reputable shop who'd take it back with no questions. (And not Craigslist.) I've bought refurbished cameras a couple time through Adorama & B&H - nothing wrong with that, factory re-certified, etc. And at a decent discount. Adorama refurbs

I was just about to buy another pair of those.

I bought a pair of Monoliths at Feathered Friends a couple months ago. They seem to aim between the fit of Sportiva and Scarpa, and they fit my feet very well. I've done a little climbing in them. I've got no reason to think that they're anything but high quality. If there's one pair of boots that fits really well among the "around $300" options, your decision is easy. If you think the Monoliths are a little roomy, you might try on the La Sportiva Trango Alp (second ascent has them). These were almost the ticket for me but ended up being too small in the ball of the foot. /newb too