DPS

Be sure you try on the Six Month Night Parka before you buy. I had my mind set on it and then I wore it. It is stiff and bulky. The Marmot was cut like a circus tent. The DAS was nice but out of all of the belay parkas I tried on the Wild Things had the best fit and cleanest lines and was the most compressible. I bought it and have not regretted the decision. Can't vouch for the warmth, cause I have not had it out in real cold weather yet. The main difference is the Wild Things is made of Primaloft while the others are Polarguard. The DAS also has less insulation in the sleeves than the body. Just from trying on all of the jackets, I would guess the Wild Things is warmer than the DAS. The Six Month for sure would be the warmest, but I would hate to pack it.

I ate cliff bars the mornign before the marathon and ate power gels during. I have done longer runs not eating anything and felt fine. I was not tired at all during the marathon, my legs just cramped and stiffed horribly. I probably would have done better walking on my hands at that point.

I'm pregnant? Damn it, she swore she was using birth control!

Mattp is right. No devils club, no slide alder, no annoying switchbacks. The approach gets you out of the valley into alpine nirvana right quick. Just stay out of the talus at night.

So I came down with the flu on Wednesday and ran the Seattle Marathon on Sunday. I felt pretty good and was easily making my splits (<6:50/mile) until mile 17 when everything cramped. My diaphram, my stomach, my hams, calves, quads, outside of quads. It was the strangest thing, it was like my muscles had frozen. I hobbled across the finish line, about an hour longer than I had anticipated. I drank a liter of water before the run, and drank a cup of water at every station and power aid at roughly every other station. I drank at least as much, if not more than I did during training runs. Some questions: Are the cramps a possible affect from the flu? I had been drinking lots of fluids and water spiked with Emergen-C, a powder with Vitamin C, Magnesium, Potasium, etc. Could I have overdosed on those elements thus causing the cramping? I had been doing my long runs on trails, runs much longer and harder than I anticipated the marathon to be (up to 24 mile runs with ~8,000 ft elevation gain) and had never experienced any cramping even when I drank no fluids during the run. Fellow runners advised me to do at least half of my long runs on pavement to get my body used to the pounding it would take. Could my poor performance be due to the fact that my longest runs on pavement were only 16 milers? Any ideas?

Thanks. Uli won it in 2:26. I see him running along the water front at lunch time when I run.

I am interested and I even live in Issaquah. Email me at bighurtbob@hotmail.com

I ran the Seattle Marathon. I had the flu. I did not enjoy the experience.

Is that the loose block on pitch 3 below the roof pendulem? That block went sailing over my belayer's head while we were on GD. A fellow on TC pendulumed over to it and tried to climb it. Luckily no one was hurt. That was back in June 5, 1998.

I shit you not.

quote: Actually the guy quietly absorbs more abuse than Gandhi. Don't believe it. He may not respond publicly because he knows he'll get shouted down, but he'll send you emails threatening to kick your ass. If I had not seen photos of him, I might be frightened.

Great thread! The highlight of my year, without a doubt, was meeting the future Mrs. DPS. Other high points include meeting and climbing with so many great folks from this BBS: MattP, Alex, MVS, Paco, TimL, Colin, High Climb, Juan AKA Juan Two-Punch AKA Mr Blister AKA Mr. Happy. Also, being mentioned in the same breath as Fred Beckey and Dan Alward in MattP's post was cool and being involved in two of Paco's high points was neat. Most memorable routes this year were the full North Ridge of Forbidden, NW Ice Couloir on Eldorado and sharing a great lighting storm on Torment-Forbidden Traverse with Alex and Summer. Biggest dissapointment was not getting to meet Scot'teryx.

I will be spending a week in Scottsdale, Az. Can someone tell me if there is any bouldering nearby? I've heard they have some kind of a bouldering contest near Phoenix that a few people show up to some years.

Thanks a bunch!

Looking for partners for a May Alaska trip. I am interested in routes on Pk 11,300, Mooses Tooth, Huntington. Open to suggestions, just not Denali. Please email at bighurtbob@hotmail.com

Leave to the academic to yank the thread back on topic.

quote: and if i die out there, just leave me be. i can't really think of a better place to be buried. No offense meant, but once you are put in an even marginally frightening situation, you'll change your tune. Summit or the death thoughts are great when you are sitting on your couch at home, but fox hole religion takes over when it all hits the fan.

Colin, I own the ID MK I Lite and have used a Bibler I Tent. In limited use under favorable conditions I have not seen any real difference between the two. You are more than welcome to test drive my ID and see if you like it. The netting on mine zips off and can be left at home, I think. You can have IDs built to suit your needs, heavier floor, extra doors and vents etc. Mine has extra guy outs. Dan [ 11-12-2002, 03:30 PM: Message edited by: danielpatricksmith ]

So, I stopped by Outdoor and More just south of Lake Union looking for a pair of fleece liner gloves. Found a nice pair for a good price. I also found really good prices on ropes, like $50.00 cheaper than the other shops. I asked the guy behind the counter the merits of one rope versus another and he actually knew single pict vs double pict, handling characteristics etc and had formed a opinion based on using the products through actual use! I was so floored that I had no choice but to fork out the dough for a new 9.8 60 m dry Maxim Twill rope (single pict for longer durability and a stiffer hand!). Every time I have visited this store I have been pleased by the selection, price and service. For clothing, packing, tents and general mountaineering gear, this place is worth a look. I just wanted to mention them because they don't seem to get much lip service. [ 11-12-2002, 03:19 PM: Message edited by: danielpatricksmith ]

quote: that's funny cause someone told me that the mountains weren't in last weekend. You are a funny guy. Makes one wonder if the shooting wasn't random.

The fellows we met were nice and friendly, but that does not change the fact that the first words spoken on the subject were "Its not in shape." Had he said something like, "I hear its real thin" or "my friend had a look and backed off", that would have been a much different statement. Making a statment as strong as 'its not in condition' says more about the climber than the route, something I always keep in mind. I am glad your friends enjoyed the east ridge, it was a fabulous weekend to be in the mountains.

Call it what you want, I use it because it works like no other pack I have used.

Beck, Dan's theory is you don't need thermoformed, shaped straps with lifters, etc if the pack fits correctly. They are built for your body and work extremely well. You can get a small hipbelt option (the Zero SARC has it standard). I have never felt the loss of load lifters on my SARC, yet I have carried plenty of other big packs with all the straps that have not been nearly as comfortable. The durability of his packs are unmatched.

Dear Dog, I'm not sure if I really believe in you or not, but I have been unable to sleep at night and I have trouble reading. Please help. Signed, Dyslexic, agnostic insomniac.

I had Dan build a stripped down, light weight SARC with a skinny hip belt for me a few years back. This was prior to his new line of light packs. After years of use there is NO wear. In contrast, I picked up a Black Diamond Ice Pack recently. After only two easy trips, no hauling, squeeze chimneys, there are tears and holes in the fabric. Dan uses superior raw materials and his workman ship is unbeatable.