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"If it's for lighter weather, there is a lot out there that is not made by Patagucci, and will thereby be cheaper." Of course you can always call up an outlet (patagonia, sierratradingpost,...) and get what you want for alot less.... The Dragonfly is see through (no joke). Might work ok for a warm summer rain, probably not much more. I've had good luck with the Essenshell Pullover - weighs 12-13oz or so. 2 pockets, good hood, doesn't layer badly - arm fit is a little loose though. Has worked nicely on Hood this winter (which I suppose makes it a good summer jacket). And since they can't seem to give them away they've been dirt cheap this year at the outlets (no more than $50, depending on what color).

Try Omni Resources - http://omnimap.com/ They have pretty much the same selection as map link, you can order directly over the web (unlike maplink) and there prices are slightly cheaper, depending on the map.

The title is the "The Handbook of Snow: Principles, Processes, Management and Use". And, no Abebooks does not list it. It is available from the amazon.com affiliate program for the bargain basement price of $95.00 - unless you want the $492.00 version. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/offering/list/-/0080253741/all/ref=dp_bb_a/103-7058691-8208616

The Avalanche Handbook (mcclung) is good stuff. The Ed Lachapelle Snow book may/may not be useful - his glacier book is awesome. To better understand Snow try to get a copy of "The Snow Handbook" a massive (776pgs!) book on all the properties of the wonderful white stuff. It's out of print though, and textbook pricey.

Unfortunately I don't have a picture - it wouldn't work badly as a 3rd tool, but it's a little long. If your willing to spend $42 for the 50cm shaft it's identical to the standard Pulsar.

I've had no problems with Woolite to clean outdoor gear - it's a common, much lower priced, non-detergent soap. (Available at Safeway, etc.)

I've got a Thommen - it's very easy to reset (turn the dial) very reliable, and doesn't need batteries - great for trips longer than a weekend. I have been looking for something a bit more "modern" lately - like a Brunton Sherpa, or a Suunto Altimax (I didn't like the compass on the Vector I owned for a short time)

Fairweather - How many other cool pictures do you have ferreted away on your computer? You seem to have quite the collection!

Definite bummer with the gloves - I hope it's just a one off (which it might be - my Troller glvoes have held very well so far this season)

Just make me a damn offer! I'm in Portland. 2nd Ascent isn't.

Outside sucks, speaking from a climbing perspective. Outside pretty much sucks from any perspective. (Unless your interested in $4k one week guided "adventure" vacations)

La Sportiva Hypers - stiff shank, low top, confortable to walk in, will take crampons with straps. They're hard to find, but Moutain Tools has them.

"First, it's RECREATIONAL equipment incorporated, not hard core climbers equipment incorporated. They cater to outdoor enthusiasts, which range from people who want to go for their first hike at mt si to the hardcore climber. Just because you want more climbing gear and hardcore stuff why should the non-hardpersons be shortchanged. Is it so wrong if a store caters to the average outdoor enthusiast? Where is a person to go if they think the tents at Taget and wallmart are crap, but don't need a bibler from feathered friends? So what if Jenny from the block wants earmuffs that don't mess up her hair, or if that 8 year old emerging outdoorsperson wants a heart shaped biner. " Col- I'm not saying REI should be Hard Corps climbers inc. If they changed to that they'd go under within a year. The market just isn't that big. I do think that a gear shop that had reduced prices on all of their gear (particularly safety gear like Helmets, beepers, probes, etc) would better serve their members.

The older crampomatic (i.e. straight bar no weird spring ends)

"I doubt that keeping “independents” happy is included in REI’s mission statement. " It's not - but the manufacturers aren't going to piss off 60% of their sales. The big area for low cost outdoor gear is rebranded overseas gear(like rockempire cams, roca ropes, Hagan skis, etc.) The domestic manufacturers aren't going to kill their margins just to please REI

"I agree with you 100%. The arrogance level found amongst many of our fellow outdoor lovers, ie: backcountry skiers, hikers, and even climbers, is so pervasive that I rarely tell anyone I am a participant . It IS too bad we can't ally ourselves with some of these other groups. But it is understandable, to me anyway, why they don't like us. It's too bad. " Fairweather - It's not just climbers, and hikers who are arrogant. I've met Flyfishers who dislike rafters, canoeists & swimmers. I've met mountain bikers who dislike hikers & horses. I've met horseback riders who don't like people & bikers. I've met power boaters who don't like sailboats. I've met snowmobilers who can't understand why skier dont' like them. the list goes on.... It's a small world in the woods near civilization, and many of the groups just don't work well together (mountain bikes don't work well on single track if there are alot of people or horses) in large doses. Add in the general political differences between the communities (hook, bullet & motor is generally more conservative) and you have a recipe for gridlock.

Grivel 2F's w/Anti-boot $65 In good shape, only sharpenend once. Fit tele boots CM Pulsar Modular $75 Modular Shaft Pulsar (only have 65cm shaft). Selling with drop pick, classic pick, adze & hammer. I'll also sell these seperatley if anyone's interested. PM me.

As a kid I had a pair almost identical to that - they were imported from somewhere snowy in Scandanavia and called "bobshorts" . They weren't a favorite toy.

Ive heard petzl Shunt works great for self belay but feed is not quite as smooth as Ushba. The shunt doens't feed that badly, but I didn't like using it because of the slippage when loaded - it went a couple of inches down the rope before it stopped(not the most reassuring feeling in the world)

"You won't get my vote. I'd rather see REI give up on house gear altogether. Leave the design, testing and manufacturing duties to companies that can specialize in making coats, boats and bikes and get back to selling well made gear at better than average prices. Saving members money by making larger purchase orders is why REI was formed in the first place, wasn't it? " I'm going to have to disagree. There are a number of stores that have brought reasonably priced gear to the shelves without cannibalizing themselves - take Climbmax here in Portland. They sell a line of Avalanche probes priced from $30 (Aluminum) to $50 (Carbon Fiber). This is what REI could do, and should have done. These are direct bulk imports from Europe and Asia (exactly what REI was founded to do) The potential for reductions because of bulk purchases from domestic vendors is slim - REI isn't large enough, and the independant stores are going to kick and scream even more than they do now.

"And how many of those votes are people who care about reasonably priced house brand outdoor gear, and how many are yuppies that care about their image. I am sure the number of yuppies keeps growing fast, and the real outdoor enthusiast is not. " I'm not going to disagree with you. I think the board (membership quoted below) is not particularly representative of either group. Chairman, Tom Harville, Edmonds, Wash.: Former retail chairman and CEO, community volunteer (2004) Vice Chairman, Fran Conley, Seattle, Wash.: Founder and president, financial consulting firm (2004) Anne Farrell, Seattle, Wash.: President, philanthropic foundation (2004) Catherine Walker, Seattle, Wash.: Vice president for administration, private university (2004) Charles Katz, Jr., Palo Alto, Calif.: Private investor and retired high-technology executive (2003) Bill Britt, Anchorage, Alaska: State pipeline coordinator—state of Alaska (2003) Joanne Harrell, Seattle, Wash.: General manager, software enterprise group business management (2003)* Doug McCallum, Redmond, Wash.: Owner—financial advisory firm (2005) Doug Walker, Seattle, Wash.: Chairman and CEO—software company (2005) Angel Rodriguez, Joseph, Ore.: Semi-retired and enjoying the outdoors (2005) Dennis Madsen, Mercer Island, Wash.: REI President and CEO (board position by virtue of position) Michael Smith, Seattle, Wash.: CEO internet retailer (one-year appointment) Sally Jewell, Seattle, Wash.: REI COO (one-year appointment)

"So, we can just make a comparison, a member is just like a shareholder of a corporation. All shareholders are eligible to elect the board members. So REI's model is pretty close to the same as a corporation, they just call it a co-op. REI is just out to make profits now. " Similar yes, but with the important difference that for a corporation: 1 share = 1 vote, whereas for a Co-Op 1 member = 1 vote.

My guess is, you have to know the right people. REI is just a corporation like all the other ones out there. Except it's not a corporation - it's a co-op. Any and all members have an ownership stake in REI, and any and all members are eligible to elect the Board Members.

"Not being able to figure out how to apply would be a weak point on your resume" Given the current makeup of the board (it looks like a corporate BOD, not a Co-Op BOD) I assumed they somewhat purposefully obscure the process to become a Director.

"Thus the qualifier of "If the risk of dynamically loading the rope with the belay device is low". 2,000-3,000 lbs can be enough load with a Gibbs to cause rope damage." The brain filters out any sort of disclaimer these days, sorry. I've heard (and seen some photo evidence) that puts the threshold much lower, like 1000lbs or so, which is pretty easy to obtain.