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The money's going to good use, really it is(from the NPS Morning Report): Mount Rainier NP (WA) - Fee Demo Funds New Bulletin Board Materials The Division of Interpretation has completed a fee demonstration project to upgrade bulletin board postings throughout the park. Visual information specialist Patti Wold developed a layout to give all park bulletin boards a consistent look. Use of the Unigrid design system identifies Mount Rainier with the NPS and other national parks in the system, consistent with "Message Project" guidelines. The new materials address parkwide and location-specific information and were developed with input from area staff. The new postings include a Mount Rainier NP banner with the NPS mission statement, a general information sign, a map of the park, several campground maps, several area trail maps, a campground regulation sign, and visitor services guides for the four main areas of the park. All were printed on a plastic weather resistant material called Polydura available through J. L. Darling Corporation of Tacoma, Washington (sole source). [Maria Gillett, CI, MORA]

I've got a Soloist - doesn't work badly for top-roping - but I wouldn't use it for leading. If you wanna solo lead shell out the $$$ for the Silent Partner. Or stick to aid and get the solo-aid. On the other hand, if your looking for a nice device to top-rope solo, my Soloist's for sale. Used, not heavily, usual dings from being trucked around. Fine Corinthian Leather. Make me an offer. Carl

AlpineK, What do you use then for free-aid treeclimbing? The loggers trick of a belt around the tree, but instead of using spikes as they did, replace that with friction from your boots? Or are your cracking up the bark? Or am I, pardon the pun, barking up the wrong tree? Inquiring minds want to know. Carl

I've got the Conduit SL Bivy - a big hearty thumbs down. I bought it as a bag cover for winter, and light summer use - it's not very breathable (even in warmer temps), nor is it very waterproof(spills run off as well as they did with the standard material, which is non-H20 proof). The Zip-In feature is pretty nice, but I found this slightly drafty in the winter - and it's heavy. It's a nice bivy sac if your not really planning for it to rain, ever, on your trips. If your looking for a bag cover - go with the OR dryloft, or get a bag with a Dryloft or Conduit shell - if your looking for something which may ward off precipitation - go with the OR/Bibler/Integral Designs Gore-tex sacks. The Conduit's cheap - but that's about all (and not in the long run)- if you really want one get it at REI so you can return after using it and finding out how much it heads. Carl

Are you looking for a headlamp for alpine climbing? Or if your SOL coming back in the dark becasue ya screwed up? If your looking for the former a LED lamp just ain't gonna work for you - they don't through out enough light - if your looking for the latter they're just about perfect - small, light weight - and reliable. Which brings me too -You don't need a spare bulb! If you need to replace more than one bulb it's because you did something really dumb - and the headlight ain't gonna work anyway. As for the battery management setup - running the batteries at maximum output is required to run the LED's they have a very high threshold(you have to juice them a lot before they emit light) so there is not a possibilty of progressive operation. If your looking for a water resistant headlamp check out the Black Diamond Moonlight - everything that's ncie about the Tikka - and more in the same package. Carl

Odd Guy - he does put up some incredible climbs though. Twight's got a new book coming out this spring "Confession's of a Serial Climber" - Chesslerbooks has it listed in thier catalog, though I don't believe it's out yet. Be interesting to see what he says in there. Carl

Part of the reason behind the hardshell helmet, is that it will still be somewhat functional after multiple impacts - the plastic shell and the webbing are designed to withstand multiple impacts wherease the closed cell foam is useless after one impact. Hard Shells are also have superior resistance to sharp/highly angled projectiles(sharp falling rocks) - as comparison bike helmets are useless against curbs. Carl

They're not Seattle area, but Opticus (www.opticusinc.com) makes great Glacier glasses and knows what there doing. Plus you cna chose from Julbo, Cebe, etc to get the frames you like. Carl