rbw1966

I'm not going.

We booked a pretty good package deal online for that same time period at a hotel. Room and lift ticket at about $100 per person/per day.

Carver has quite a bit of bouldering.

I like how the kid in the red shirt sitting on the bed is mining for a zinger to commemorate this auspicious occasion.

I wasn't going to weigh in on this, since I haven't climbed out there at all this year for various reasons, but what the heck. Its finally slower at work and the vicodin kicked in. I've been climbing out at Beacon off and on for close to 10 years or so now. Like many others, Opdyke took me on my first trad climb (smoking bowls at every belay). In all that time, the only 'controversy' I have ever heard about centered around the bird closures and climbers violating the closures. For the sake of full disclosure, I was busted climbing there once during a closure. The ranger that cited us (I don't recall his name) was very nice and civil about it, but he did mention he had had bad experiences with climbers out there during the closures. Not once--let me say this again--not ONCE did he mention any other point of concern. We talked to the ranger about doing some sort of community service project in lieu of the fine, such as climber awareness projects concerning the bird closures, anchor replacement, etc. but in the end he didn't seem terribly interested (i.e. he didn't return my calls). Overall, my impression was that he recognized climbers as a problem only with respect to the birds, and perhaps trash--which is more of a problem with tourons hiking the trail. Thats why I was pretty surprised to hear about this new collective Joseph has organized. Apparently things have really gone to shit out there. Anchor replacement has been ongoing for years, some bad some good. I applaud the efforts at replacing anchors, cleaning routes, building consensus and bettering the relationship with the park staff (was it REALLY a problem before?) but this whole tree thing seems kind of overblown. Is a tree growing on a rock really threatening access? I love Beacon for its mellow, laid back trad attitude and ethic. In all the time I have climbed there, park staff presence was minimal--I can't recall ever seeing a ranger while I was climbing until I regrettably did something stupid (i.e. break the law). In reading this bickering about a tree I am reminded of the bolt wars of the east coast. I am hereby volunteering my services to help with bird watching. Bill, drop me a note when you need someone and I will be there if I can.

I'll make a donation.

Then perhaps for a second course you ?

I've always marveled at the eagerness to send the men and women of our armed services (as opposed to the profiteers in the private sector) in harms way of those who have never served themselves. Isn't Iraq and Afghantisan enough for now?

Talk to shredder

Gee, its not like Terminal Gravity Brewing is in stealth mode or something. The phone number is readily available in the phone directory. You would have better luck buying a keg from the distributor in Portland though--unless you want to go to Enterprise.

I got a Lemond cyclocross-the poprad--and I love it. Lighter than my bianchi road bike and much more durable.

Mine might be the 600. At this point I dont recall and my basement is too far away to check right now. Its the bag that weighs 1lb. Its not the bag I take when I want comfort. Its the bag I take when I want to go as light as possible.

Nice work Mike and mark. Great pics and nice TR.

I have a warm-n-light 800 and for summer use its just fine in temps down to the high 30's low 40's. If it gets any cooler I need my jacket in conjunction with the bag. Packs down to the size of a PBR which means I am more likely to bring it then not. Weighs 1lb and cost me a cool $100 at Next Adventure in PDX. YMMV

Actually, my credit score has improved once I started telling all the other women I fuck that my name is Chris Winter.

The frequency with which you change employment and residency can have an adverse impact on your credit score. Also any judgments from litigation (whether consumer related, personal injury or divorce--alimony, child support etc.) will show. I'd be willing to bet money that the banking industry would put the brakes on any efforts at teaching personal finance in public schools.

How many of you knew that when you apply for auto, home, motorcycle, renters etc insurance they run a credit score on you?

Read the FACT Act people. As for Will's original question, franchises do in fact fail. Anyone remember Herfy's? How about A&W? Kenny Roger's Roasters? Boston Market?

Yes. Bullshit. As part of the FACT Act, every consumer is entitled to a free copy of their credit report. One consumer inquiry on a credit report does not affect your standing. Several inquiries, however, does have a negative impact on your credit report.

Yeah--its what I climb in for most stuff, but I'm not a 5.13 climber like you. I've worn them all day and never whimpered--not something I could do with my other shoes.

Correct--I read it the first time right after it came out but it took me a long time. Its actually quite interesting and entertaining. The second time I read it was while vacationing in Croatia when I knew I would be lounging a long time on beaches and have time to devote to it in longer stretches. I took Delillo's Underworld with me on my first trip to the Alaska range. Even paperback, that tome weighed me down. I had a hell of a time getting rid of it when I finished it.

Correct. As luck would have it London Calling was playing in my office as I wrote that.

Another Nabakov fan! I read Infinite Jest--twice. Great book. My favs: White Noise by Delillo London Calling by Martin Amis Don Quixote by Cervantes (unabridged version)

I heard that PRG opened that other gym to thwart the efforts of another party that was planning on opening a gym in the Pearl. PRG quickly opened a gym, it was a really small bouldering gym, getting their footing in the Pearl first and eliminating much of the chance of someone else being able to do so (two gyms in the Pearl would not work). Then when the competition abandoned their plans, PRG closed the gym. Could be a far fetched rumor, but if it is true, that is pretty shrewd business tactics. This is completely false.