DPS

Just remember Mountie, lead, follow, or get out of the way. If I spy a route that I like, I'll be leading it. I won't be asking any 'station leader' for permission. Its not ok to drape top ropes over every available route and claim them for the day.

Once again I must apologize for fomenting thread drift. And for the record I said the Andinista will not roll around on your back like a turgid sausage. And lawyers and bankers don't wear TNF in downtown Seattle so they can look like climbers.

Yes spam sucks, but the Wild Things Andinista most assuredly will not roll around on your back like a turgid sausage if you pack it correctly. Or so I am told.

I apologize for the thread creep. I most likely just don't know how to pack properly and the Andinista is a great pack.

Yes I have carried one. It rolled around on my back like a turgid sausage. I have been told, however, if you replace the back pad with a folded Thermarest and don't carry any weight it carries just fine. Maybe that was my mistake, trying to carry stuff in it.

And it carries like a turgid saugsage.

Were you wearing a blue Seattle Marathon shirt? I think I may have chatted with you. I was wearing the same shirt.

Last minute plea for partner for alpine climbing this weekend. I have a route in mind, but will consider other ideas too. Please EMAIL bighurtbob@hotmail.com

Email me at bighurtbob@hotmail.com

Everything is gone, thanks for shopping at Danmart.

Harness, shoes, Tricam and Rock Rings are gone. Guide book and condo still up for grabs.

Its yours. I'll call your number.

LaSportiva Kaukulators, size 39.5. Need resole and good home. My feet have inexplicably grown (or I have become less tolerant of tight shoes). Chouinard Bod Harness, size large. I can't bring myself to throw it out, but I don't wear it anymore. Metolious Rock Rings. Perfect condition, never used. Lowe/Camp Tricam. The blue one. If I can find it. Never used. Guidebook to Montana Rock. I am also selling a condo in Issaquah. Minutes from Tiger Mountain trail running, Exit 32/38. Easy commute to Seattle. Email bighurtbob@hotmail.com if interested. I live in Issaquah.

SALMON, DAMS, AND WE THE PEOPLE An evening with David James Duncan April 29, 2004 :: 7:30 pm Town Hall Eighth and Seneca, Seattle Doors open at 6:00 pm for book signing and silent auction Special appearance by Yvon Chouinard, owner/founder of Patagonia David James Duncan is the author of The River Why and The Brothers K, and a collection of memoir and short stories, River Teeth. His most recent book, My Story as Told by Water, won the Western States Book Award and was nominated for the 2001 National Book Award. Duncan has read and lectured all over the United States on wilderness, the writing life, the nonmonastic contemplative life, the fly fishing life, and nonreligious literature of faith. Tickets are $10, and are available at: Elliott Bay Book Company (206) 624-6600, Patagonia (206) 622-9700, or at the door. Event sponsored by Patagonia. Proceeds from ticket sales and silent auction will benefit Save Our Wild Salmon (www.wildsalmon.org). Silent auction featuring items from Patagonia, fly rod from Sage, Outcast Lake Cat 7000 Pontoon Boat from Kauffman's Streamborn, and many more!

Ditto the crevasses. I fell the entire rope length into one high on the Gib Ledges route. The crevasse kept going for a loooooooooooong way. I shudder to think what would have happened had I not been roped.

I have the same problem. Either go without the bivi bag, get a more breathable one, i.e. not Gore-Tex or use a synthetic bag.

John Roskelly.

I have a pair of 'Rock Rings' finger/hand trainers that you can have for the low, low price of coming over and getting them. I live in Issaquah. Email: bighurtbob@hotmail.com

I recently read the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy series and thought they were very entertaining and clever.

ChrisL, Seriously, listen to Mr. Al Pinfox. 4,000 cu in pack MAX. 20 degree sleeping bag lightly insulated leather boots no fleece Marmot Precip Jacket (or similar) light Scholler pants synthetic parka (Whild Things EP or similar) Cheaper, lighter, more versatile. You mentioned you are in school. This summer do this: road trip to Seattle with no gear. Go to Second Ascent, buy everything you need at probably half of what you would pay retail. Go on a climbing binge. Go home with a trunk full of gear and a head full of great memories. Next school year dream of coming back to Washington. Come back year after year. Graduate from college and become mountain guide. Piss off your parents who will feel they wasted their money on your education. Live a happy life.

Hi Tim, I had a 9.4 BD Hotline that I bought specifically for alpine climbing. It did not last very long as the sheath was very thin. Jugging on it sucked because it stretched so much. Other than those two issues, it was a fine rope. I use a piece of it to tie loads down on my truck now. I use a 9.7 Maxim for all around use now. Heavier, but in my opinion worth the extra weight. Plus it was cheaper.

There are no laws prohibiting you from going up with a new friend and paying for the gas, the permit fees, the food, maybe some new gear and then buying said new friend dinner afterward. I'm always looking for new friends, catch my drift? Wink, wink. I have a buddy who guides for RMI, and I would recommend him to anybody. He is a great guy and takes his job very seriously. If the other RMI guides are anything like him, RMI would be a fine choice. Jason, Your dad is giving a talk where I work in a couple of weeks. One of my colleagues has known him since the 70's. I am looking forward to it.

We must have climbed the west ridge, but it was more like the north face of the west ridge.

Climb: The Castle, Tatoosh Range, Mt Rainier NP-West Face Date of Climb: 3/15/2004 Trip Report: Three of us skied and snowshoed to the Castle/Pinnacle col. Climbed snow and rock to the summit of the Castle. Snow to 45 degrees, third class rock. Down climbed the south face. A lot o hikers, skiers and snow boarders out. Nice views, a bit windy. Gear Notes: Took second tools, rope, rack. Did not need them. Approach Notes: Good snow shoe trail from Reflection Lake

lost arrow, do you mean two exits to the main couloir? If so, I recall that now, but the variation is quite minor. I should add that the main couloir has fixed anchors for double rope raps. I don't think any section was steeper than 65 degrees, with the possible exception of the traverse pitch. I agree with lost arrow that the Japenese Couloir is one of a few truly easy routes in the Ruth. The West Face of Mt Dickey is another one, and although I have not climbed it, I have heard Mt Dan Beard has a very moderate route on it. I don't think Japenese Couloir is worth a trip in and of itself, but include a few other climbs and you could spend a nice couple of weeks, especially if you bring skis and do some skiing.