AlpineK

Kevbone [img:center]http://theblacksentinel.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/idiot.jpg[/img] Or Box of Rocks [img:center]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3404/3669395205_e0ce8d6e0b.jpg[/img]

I got a hotmail email from a friend today. No message just a link to, "Cheap Viagra from Canada."

Please define poor. A typical level of your brain functions. If Kevbone turned his brain power displayed on CC into monetary units he would be very poor.

You're right, the HCR bill says that only liberals can benefit from this. It also says it's free. My friend who is a federal agent told me. Oh, and: individual mandate was republican idea I read through the bill. It says that us liberals get to vote for who pays for health care. I'd like to nominate Fairweather an KK for the higher tax rate pool. We need more health care, "revenue generators," but they seem like obvious members of the new pool.

I used an Iridium on one trip. Somebody has more experience I'm sure. The only issue I remember was it took some time walking around in a valley bottom trying to find the sweet spot to connect with the satellite. I believe there was a one time charge that came with a few minutes and you gave them a CC number to bill you for use after you ran through the first chunk of time. Keep your calls short

Old reliable Pete. Right on schedule bringing up the truly important issues.

I grew up skiing at the Snoqualmie Mountaineers then the Meany Lodge. It was way cheaper than public ski areas then, and probably still is now. No more Snoqualmie these days but Meany is still going . You have to ride a 20 mph rope tow of course.

The video makes my dizzy while sitting still in a chair Cool Stuff

There are still plenty of teabagging events for pets to attend. [img:center]http://westernexperience.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/tea-bag-1.jpg[/img]

Once most of the pines are dead the beetles will start to decline. MPB is far from the only human aggravated tree death and decline. Emrald Ash Borer There are native Oregon white ash and lots of planted city trees, but transporting timber/firewood or a few shipping pallets can really fuck shit up. We'll be hearing more about EAB in the near future. Then there is the classic Dutch Elm Disease Right now DED is present in the NW. The first signs of spread to the NW occurred in the 90s. Control is possible, but involves regular injections and selection of new cultivars of elms resistant to the fungus. Going back further in time American Chestnut [video:youtube] Humans sure have a talent at screwing things up. I'm sure Exxon-Mobile, Sarah Palin, and Rush Limbaugh disagree of course.

The Paramarkers is hilarious

Yep the Northback used to keep powder for longer. A little hiking plus either a long traverse or a bus ride back to the base was an effective way to keep use down. The new lift changes the characteristics that made that area great. I don't know if the Northway lift increased ticket sales or not. My guess is the new gondola will help boost ticket sales. With the lift it's a lot easier to promote fancy dining and weddings with Rainier as a backdrop. Summertime revenue is a good thing for a ski resort owner. I imagine Boyne wants Crystal to be just like this (4 season resort). Boyne Michigan. Skiing is way down the list It's a cool ski area, it would be nice if they would confine developments to the traditional lift served portion. A new lift in the Southback would really suck.

Yep, I lived in Ned one winter. 5 minutes to skiing

Good god Kevbone Alpinist

I remember hearing something about a megatram from 410 up to the ski area a few years ago. I don't know what became of that idea. My dad has some documents from when the ski area was being built. Back then they were trying to talk up putting in lifts to the top of East Peak. The one lift they did eventually put in there got yanked. That wasn't one of the super duper high speed ones though. I guess the current owners are trying to duplicate the CO business model. The best ski areas/resorts I remember there were A-Basin and Eldora. Both of those were ski areas not resorts.

Layton Kor has routes in there called, "Mudwall," I wonder if that's now one of the boulder problems.

Aspen and Telluride are 92/day. Crystal at 70 is only 3/4ths the price. You're saving a ton skiing there I'm mostly pissed based on the routing the whole thing is going to be running right over the top of Exterminator with a tower at the top of X. Of course things could or may be worse soon. I looked at their master development plans.

[video:youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtqy4DTHGqg

Dulfersitz raps eliminate the cost of everything but the rope. [img:center]http://www.traditionalmountaineering.org/images/dulfersitz.jpg[/img]

They talk about harnesses, and they write about brands at REI, but fail to make note of their choices in the photos. [img:center]http://www.yourbestweekend.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/YBW-Rock-Climbing-1.jpg[/img] Too bad they didn't say we prefer tree climbing saddles to rock climbing harnesses. All you need is $360 WesSpur [img:center]http://www.wesspur.com/images/treegear/kit23-365.gif[/img] Maybe less too since rock climbers don't use flip or throw lines.

Ronald Reagan is Sarah Palin's godfather. [img:center]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qaR83Z5EiIQ/SzBG_Fe48bI/AAAAAAAABro/7Ek0TLRElyE/s640/Palin-Reagan+10.png[/img] Financial Times Article

Exxon-Mobile has been devoting time and money for counseling from these guys. It's all about strategy, and this industry seem to have a bit of experience spreading the unread news. http://rodutobaccotruth.blogspot.com/2009/09/magnifying-smokeless-tobacco-risks-by.html

Having hiked then climbed in National Parks for over 40 years I have never felt a need to protect myself from either humans or animals by packing heat. Neither my family or friends have ever recounted events where a firearm would have helped.

There's Bivouac. You need to be a paid member to get all the features though. http://www.bivouac.com/default.asp Other than that skiing off the Duffy Lake road has potential for some good weekend tours with huts. Railroad Pass is another good area, but access this time of year may suck. Wedge Mountain towards Whistler could be good, and Mt. Currie is right above town.

I've run into black bears a few times. If it's mom with cubs then back off. If not don't try to pet it. Hiking this fall on Rainier I came within 20 feet of one we both looked at each other then went back to what we were doing. Eating berries in the case of the bear and hiking in my case. Black bears wander through campsites all the time. Lots of people sleep in tents in camp, but the only thing the bear cares about is what's in your cooler or pack. Hanging your food or using bear boxes solves this problem. Past that grizzlies aren't much of an issue in Washington. I've heard that the act of standing like we all do when we walk is considered an act of aggression to a bear, so turning around and bending over is the thing to do. I haven't heard much about cougars. I'd say just be aware of your environment. If the cougar is after you I bet it has some skills related to sneaking up behind the victim (you) that you can't match. In that case a gun ain't going to help. being a fast runner like an antelope might work, but I just don't think any of us are up to that, even without a pack.