Jump to content

DPS

Members
  • Posts

    4372
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    24

Posts posted by DPS

  1. That is a Chouninard X tool - actually the first pair of ice tools I owned. I thought I was cool because Alan Kearney had an identical pair.

     

    As a working ice tool it maybe worth $40? As a collector's item maybe $100 to an avid collector who is missing that exact tool from his/her collection.

     

    I know Second Ascent collects classic Chouinard tools, but those are the laminated bamboo or hickory shafted ones. Maybe shoot them an email and see if they would be interested in paying collector's prices for it.

  2. I completely agree with MattP. After having done the North Face, Liberty Crack, and Thin Red Line, I found the Beckey Route to be and engaging climb on terrific rock and certainly not easy (at least for me).

     

    Recently my wife asked if I had any 'fantasies'. I told her I wanted to spend the night on Liberty Bell. She thought I was weird.

  3. Maybe its because I have lived here for 40 years but I have never had problems staying busy in the winter. I found that keeping an open mind and following the good weather is a good strategy. Ice climbing trips to Canada, rock climbing trips to Smith, skiing (BC when avi conditions allow, lift serviced when not), and of course winter alpine climbing. The big winter alpine trips I have done in the Cascades are among my most memorable trips.

  4. I had a BD Blizzard harness that had the gear loops on the bottom of the swami belt, rather than on the top like most harnesses. This seemed to improve the comfort with a pack's hip belt somewhat. For a long time I used a cheap REI webbing harness with no padding and no gear loops relying upon the gear loops on my pack's hip belt which also worked okay but was not the most comfortable harness when hanging.

  5. I broke and sprained my ankle a few years ago. The sprain was class three and was one of the worst the orthopedic podatrist had seen. The break healed in 6 weeks, the sprain took a full year of focused therapy to restabilize and return to full activity. I did a lot of swimming and biking that year.

  6. i'd have to do the 48m length, as 30m is just too short to be useful for anything, and really too short for crevasse protection as well.

     

    Not to sound rude, but where are you getting your information? I have made quite a few committing descents making 30 meter, and even 25 meter rappels. 30 meters is perfectly adequate for glaciers in the lower 48.

  7.  

    whats the difference between impact strength and tensile strength?

     

    Impact is how much energy is tranferred to the anchors when tested in a drop tower. Tensile strength is how much force it takes to break it when pulled apart. The fact the the 7mm cord does not have an impact force listed suggests to me that it is not intended for holding falls.

  8. I have a healthy respect for glaciers, with very good reason. Everyone on the rope team should carry at least the following:

     

    1 picket

    1 pulley - the weight is negligble

    1 pair of prusik slings or Tibloc

    a couple of sewn runners

    a couple of locking carabiners

    3-4 non locking carabiners

    and last but not least, the knowledge and practice to use the gear safely.

     

    Also the comment "you will have no problem building a bomber anchor" troubles me. Depending on the snow conditions, it may be difficult to set a reliable anchor.

  9. Years ago Alex and I made a casual day trip up Colchuck Peak. We self registered and got the day pass. Well, I was breaking in a new pair of boots and my feet were so blistered I opted to hike out from the lake barefoot. Moving slowly Alex decided to meet me at the car. He had the permit. I ran into a friendly ranger who asked a number of normal questions (what did you climb, how were conditions, etc.). Then is asked if I had a permit. I said my partner who is ahead of me has it. The ranger offered to keep me company on my hike out and we had a pleasant conversation. At the TR he indeed checked to see if I had a partner who had the permit.

×
×
  • Create New...