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It's no breakthrough but I find it more enjoyable than the Van Tilburg. Not that anyone needs more than 1 guidebook to the cascades (ski to top of volcano. ski down. avoid crevasses/avalanches if necessary)

http://www.bdel.com/gear/lightware/soliras.php Anyone taken one for a sping in the field? How much longer is the battery lifetime?

Whatever the truth of the swimming argument - your much less likely to die of trauma with releasables (there's a really grim picture in the handbook of a person pretzel (nonreleasable tele bindings). Matt & Galasgow are on the right track. Spend the effort learning about slides - not gear fetishing.

Does anyone know if a new edition of Oregon Descents is coming out this fall/winter as was rumored last spring?

This is starting to sound alot like Ascent (hopefully the Cascade Alpine Journal has a more regular publication schedule!)

I don't see any reason not to participate in the AAJ, but given that the AAJ won't accept anything under Grade 4 there's probably quite a bit being done that's not covered. A Dead Tree copy eventually - first you have to figure out what to print, and for this I'd suggest a steering commitee, but NOT one affiliated with a major organisation. The Mountaineers/Mazamas, et al have their own journals, and I fail to see why they'd commit the resources/time to another - and the AAC already has their own journal (even if it's diverging from the path of the membership) Why not form a new club? Clubs are nothing more than a group of people who decide to bond for a common purpose. The Pan-PNW Climber's Society or something or other...

Nice Job Patagucci!

It shouldn't be that hard to make the journal exist in both spheres - a hardcopy for archiving, and a downloadable copy for broad readership. The problem would be finding some way to earn reader support for the downloadable version. I'd probably be willing to spend ~$20 for a PNW journal, depending on length.

With the advent of micropublishers it shouldn't be that hard to find a company willing to produce a hardbound edition - which would be the preferrable solution, IMHO. Otherwise a PDF file would be a reasonable substitute. The key to longevity is a committed group of publishers - not the choice of format.

You expect them to actually OPEN all the lifts?

No, No! The current cold shoulder is because Arc'teryx is the official outerwear of Meadows! Don't you know, it's more expensive?

With the new camera I bought a 256mB memory card - that's about 180 pictures with my 4 megapixel camera. More than enough for a weekend (I've found since the pictures are free I'm more likely to take snaps that I think might not work out). My camera came with rechargeable battery - I've found it'll last a long weekend without much bother. Go digital - you won't look back. Especially since digital projectors are under $1k and heading down.

Your shitting me, right? That McFadden's gig sounds good.

Do you complete that early Yosemite hardcore climber look with the tattered white dress shirt?

Slides in general have better saturation - but saturation is also a function of film stock - some give washed out looks, some highly saturated. If your doing posters you'd go with a medium format camera.

Off-Piste Mag panned them last year http://offpistemag.com/themag/hardcopy/op_17_web.pdf

It's not a reasonable drive, but Taylor's Falls MN ain't bad - check out http://climbingcentral.com/

Luvky Bastard. Taking advantage of Ice season?

The actual skiing is the same. The equipment isn't as durable for jumping/jibbing, etc. and won't have the same control as race boots. FWIW people now use Freerides (an AT binding) on Alpine Skis with Alpine Boots.

I'd have to disagree - if you're a beginner the extra performance (aka "fun") offered by a stiffer boot is counteracted by the inability of most beginners to manage this. You don't see many beginner Alpine Skiers in race boots, do you? Why would AT be any different? Scarpa Laser's would be an excellent boot - and you can ski most anything under the sun with them. If your just learning to ski I'd recommend 170-180cm for skis - you may sink a bit more on the uphill, but the downhill will be much friendlier. If you want to learn quickly - spend 4-5 days continuous at a ski hill/resort with a lesson or 2. By continuing to build skills you'd be amazed how fast you can improve.

freshiez FRESHIEZ

Huh? Check out www.scarpa.net - it's the useful Scarpa site.

I've a Soloist I've used for solo Tr-ing (shameless plug-it's for sale right now!) It works pretty well with a smaller diameter line <10mm. I've not used it for solo lead - the whole won't hold backwards falls is a bit sketchy. According to comments here, and elsewhere, Silent Partners are sweet - but not cheap.