Doug

Anyone got any experience with this particular Down Sweater by Marmot? http://www.rei-outlet.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=9954134&prmenbr=8000 It looks like a fairly good buy...

Hey guys, Keep in mind that the local sheriff is the one that is running the SAR operation. Some hotshot localclimber may come up and offer assistance at the search base, but ow is the deputy to know whether or not the guy is for real? The teams that are out in the field are volunteers who will listen to what most knowledgeable locals have to say regarding local beta. I also know 1st hand of instances where the agency responsible for a SAR operation did allow for "civilians" to assist in the search as long as someone could vouch for their abilities.

What a freakin' thread!!!! Jeeezeees, next time I go to Hawaii for 10 days, I'm taking a laptop computer so I can keep up with this shit!!

Mammoth. Definately Mammoth.

How about turning the interior of your hippie sin bin into a bouldering cave? With the shag station right smack dab in the middle. Great for custom mounts & dismounts!

Wow Charlie, what a change. I remember what you used to look like before you went to one of them liberal colleges.

Wilderness Sports is Going Out Of Business. 14340 NE 20th St, Bellevue. 425-746-0500. They Are having a sale to sell everything. Good discounts. They are currently closed and will open: Friday 10/19/01 10 am to 8 pm Saturday 10/20/01 10-6 Sunday 10/21/01 12-5 Monday 10/22/01 Closed Tuesday 10/23/01 12-8 Wednesday 10/24/01 12-8 Thursday 10/25/01 12-8 Friday 10/26/01 12-8 Saturday 10/27/01 10-6 Sunday 10/28/01 12-5 This is the Last Day

Consider this: Jon Krakauer may write the story, but his work does go through an editor who works for a publisher whos job it is to sell books. And what does it take to sell books? Something that the general public can either relate to or be fascinated by, or both. Also, stirring up a little contreversy goes a long way in to the publishers bottom line. To debate the character Jon Krakauer in this forum is silly.

I think I've spotted the next Pub Club venue. Seen on the reader board in front of the "Historic" Boots Tavern in Metropolitan Back Diamond: "Join us for Trailer Park Tuesday". No shit.

So that's why Charlie is looking for a camper shell for the Toyota Assault vehicle.....

I believe this was a topic of discussion a few weeks ago. http://www.yakima-herald.com After massive searches 20 years ago and most recently 3 - 4 weeks ago, an accidental find.

Nuke gay whales for Jesus.

I got my gaiters back tonight. There was even a good measure of customer service involved. So maybe their return/repair policy isn't so bad. As long as the service is here, I'm happy.

How do you stop a bingo game in Afghanistan? B-52

I'm in the process of breaking in a new a pair of boots myself (Salomon SM9's). I've got a pair of orthotics that I've had for a few years, but man are these things tough to break in! As far as the duct tape goes, I didn't have much luck. I might try that boot fitter.....

Skeleton walks into a bar. Says to the bartender: Give me a beer.....and a mop. A priest, a rabbi and a minister walk in to a bar. The bartender says, what is this some kind of joke? Why did the monkey fall out of the tree? Cause he was dead.

Perhaps the original intent of the thread was lost. I was ranting about Outdoor Reasearch (OR) retail store on 1st Ave. in Seattle. If I would have taken the gaiters to REI, they would have replaced them on the spot, no questions asked. Even though I didn't buy them there. Not that I'm defending REI. I quit shopping there about a year after the new store opened downtown.

I usually don't rant on these sort of things, bu I really feel compelled this time. I stopped off at the OR Store on the way home today. I went there to exchange a pair of low gaiters that I got earlier this year. One of the snaps broke. Apparently their return policy is that the returned booty needs to go through the warranty dept.. From there they'll give you a call and let you know whether or not they'll replace the crap you returned. I could have gone to REI and they wold have replaced them on the spot, no questions asked. That wouldn't have been so bad if the guy working there had any kind of a personality! In fact he was somewhat rude. I went in there with simple intentions but left feeling like I just visited an establishment that really doesn't give a rip wheter or not I ever give them my business again! Anyone else run into that there?

Wow. There has been a lot of good stuff posted in this thread. I have also recently become a father. Not in the traditional sense either. We adopted an infant at birth last December. Our daughter is now 9 months old. I've been climbing for about 10 years now, though more "seriously" in the last 5. I must admit that I didn't give it much thought prior to adopting, but I do now feel an awesome responibility to be around for her. My wife doesn't climb and it really helps to have us together as much as possible to help her develop. That being said, my wife is aslo extremely supportive of me and my interest in climbing. She really has no problem with me taking off every so often to go out for a day or even a weekend. She understands. Her dad was a climber of some note back in the 50's through the 70's, and in between climbing trips they seemed to do a pretty good job raising 8 kids. I guess it's in her context to understand the why's of climbing without directly participating herself. I'd hate to leave my daughter with no dad. I know I'll continue to climb, but it's definately slipped a couple of places on the priority scale. At this point in my life I don't feel to make any statements of leave any legacy with my climbing. Just a great way to get out and connect with nature and myself and friends.

Yup, uh huh, sure. Still having those "episodes" I see.

It's true. In a situation like this, where there has been inaccurate media coverage, it's good if the facts can come out and we can look at these facts and learn something. That's what accident reviews are for. Unfortuneately the parties mistakes are often exposed in the process. It's never a comfortable position to be in when a mass audience sees where you may have screwed up. Sometimes the audience does feel the need to spew their wisdom forth and let everyone know how great they are based on how stupid you were. A forum such as this one loses it's effectiveness when this occurs. RGY2K+1 was right. Climbing is dangerous. Mistakes and accidents do happen. Learning from them is good.

Mongo not know. Mongo only pawn in game of life. Mongo, Blazing Saddles

Did some cragging at Peshastin on Friday, attended my in-laws 50th anniversary party on Saturday, went to a wedding on Sunday where I engaged an interesting chap in a conversation regarding a genre of Rock Music from the 80's. Anyone ever heard of "Butt Rock"? It is allegedly a stle of music played by "hair bands". It can still be heard blaring from speakers in the backs of Camaros on 196th and Hwy. 99 in Lynnwood. Anyone ever hear of such a style? Underlying everything was a strong yet unspoken desire to be at Index with local PNW legends "Big Joe" and his loyal partner "The Rock" Charlie. It isn't so much that Joe makes his pro from just used auto parts. We're talking old Chevy Vega engine blocks for stoppers and 1952 Ford Milk Truck Leaf Springs for active protection. Big Joe is the man!

So that's what he was talking about.....I coulda sworn that I heard "poop" and "straining", so I figured "BL" was just constipated....

Lambone, Was Big Lou talking about a pope sighting?