Matt

Mandolin Cafe in Tacoma. Nice pastries, cute coeds (I've got one of my own =) and sometimes soulful tunes.

Congrats on joining the Peace Corps! Bring it with you if you're going where you might climb! At least bring your favorite climbing shoes and a chalk bag so you can impress the locals with your bouldering skills. It's those little things that feed your soul which will help you survive the difficult times. I'm an RPCV. One of the greatest things I ever did in my life.

Is it the OW pitch on Rebel Yell?

My plans for tomorrow (Friday) fell through. Anybody want to get out? I'm thinking easy alpine-- West Ridge of Stuart, Ingalls, even the tooth. I might just solo but I'd rather find a partner. Someone out there have Friday off?

I'm working this weekend but would like to make plans to get out next week. Tuesday thru Friday to be exact. Day trips are good. Overnight is fine too! I've got a car, rack and haven't been climbing in a bit. I'm interested in long easy trad routes. West Ridge of Stuart. Prusik. WA Pass climbing. Index. I could be talked into hiking/alpine slogging. Shoot me PM.

I've have about 30 or so. Here are some of my highlights: short order cook in a greasy spoon in walla walla grape picker in Australia Peace Corps Volunteer United Nations Volunteer Kindergarten teacher in Taiwan Paralegal in Tokyo Actor in Tokyo ticket puller at Cirque du Soleil writer Amba-lance jockey resident firefighter soon to be Paramedic

Mmmm yeah. Didn't you get the memo? Freshies!

I've got Friday off from school and plan on skiing at Alpental. Anyone game? I'm a telemarker, but whatever you do is fine by me. Let's carpool...

Get a fishing licence. The Parking pass comes with it at no extra cost.

Saikhan bain aa. How's your Mongolian coming along? I can barely remember the sounds... your pictures remind me of a saying my friend taught me in Khentii-- "Emectei khun khavariin tenger shig ashtei." Loosely translated as "a woman's spirit is like the sky in spring..." Not the best pick up line but you'll get a few laughs while drinking arkhi with the boys. Have fun and be safe.

Climbed Mt. Baker via Colman-Deming this past weekend. We saw very few people and the snow pack was amazingly low. We didn't bring skis or snowshoes. Bluebird skies, too bad we forgot the camera!

Thailand. Good climbing. Girls. Cheap. Good food. Beautiful place. Wonderful people. They need your money.

As the Mongols say, "Daus khevel oostel, ajil khevel doostal." If you add salt be sure it desolves, if you begin something, work until you're finished.

I've been saving up my vacation time for a trip to the valley in May. I think I'd like to drive down and stay two weeks. We should carpool...

Sain Yavarai! (Have a nice trip!) Bolgomjtoi baigarai! (Be careful!)

I live in the Central District. It is close to downtown, affordable for both buyers and renters, and diverse in its population both ethnicly and class-wise. It is not as hip as the Ballard/Freemont/Wallingford area, but it's very cool in its own way. It's close to Capitol Hill and the International District but there is no trouble parking. There's a ten minute bus ride to the downtown area and good freeway access in all directions. Check it out.

Stone Gardens is filled with scene-sters. I thought SG was mostly young pad people who never climbed on real rock vs. at VW there are more 30something Mountaineers (each bad, each different). The other week there were 6 Subaru Outbacks lined up in a row at VW. SG seems dustier than VW. All in all VW It will be nice if they open a new VW in Georgetown.

I had a backpack stolen off a train in India going from Mumbai to Rajastan. Contents included: favorite felt hat, leather bound journal, nikon 35-80mm lens, walkman with 12 of my favorite tapes, lonely planet guide book to India, sunglasses, sunblock, and other things I cannot remember. The worst part was when the people on the train found out that my pack was stolen they decided it would be a good topic of conversation for the remaining 16 hours on the train. Not the best thing to lose the first week of my two month trip to the subcontinent.

ipod!

What do you think of Logan? Beckey? Cedar? My dog's name is Scout (as in To Kill a Mockingbird).

I like MREs (meals ready to eat). They are especially useful in that they come with their own heating element and will cook themselves without a stove-- just add water! The new ones are much tastier than the early 90s versions.

These are great skis!

Telemark Skis for Sale For Sale: Tua Mega MX 197cm with Black Diamond Riva Cable Bindings. $100 These skis look like this This photo is not one of my skis-- I borrowed the image from someone else. These same skis are for sale at Marmot in thier used rack for $170. I'll sell you mine for $100. PM me. Pray for snow!

Those with moss under their armpits have a hard time appreciating the desert. Vantage is beautiful. The varied shades of green of lichen, sage and grass against the stark backdrop of brown. For those of you who can't afford a round trip ticket to Mongolia, go to eastern Washington and wander around. Drink some fermented mare's milk. Eat assorted meat parts. Drink cheap vodka. The Coulee is a great place.