David_Parker

Hey, are you related to Dave Cilley of mt Katahdin fame?

some do, some don't. nothing you can do about it.

Garmont has great AT boots now too and they even have some compatible with "other" bindings.

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at least he doesn't need snowshoes! If there is a garmont boot you like, I might be able to help you. I know the NW reps.

AG, I do agree with you and what you say applies even more to teaching a spouse! In my case my son wanted me to be his teacher (lucky me) and so I didn't object. I would also agree that I see parents pushing their kids too hard all the time and I think it backfires big time. I'm sure I have crossed that fine line at one point or another. At kid's rope up we decided that dads shouldn't be able to belay their own kids. Too much direction on what to do. With guys and boys, it's inherently more competitive. That's not sexist, just the way males are hardwired. Kids do a lot better when their are other kids around. Maybe we need a kids ski day. I wouldn't hesitate to yank my kid out of school for that!

Do you have an actual address?

Duhhh, I know that was a joke. I just used it as a jumping off place to make a point about where Erden chooses to draw the line. I believe he is coming from a place where this endevour has to be totally human powered and he considers sailing beyond that. But to me using the wind would not deminish the human powered effort because sailing solo across any ocean would take incredible human effort, both physical and mental. So as I said, using a sailboat would not in any way make this endeavor less impressive, imo.

Does that mean a boat with oars is aid too? yes. erden has to either paddle with his hands or use his boat like a kick board with no swim fins allowed. Sails are aid. Skis are aid. Ice tools are aid. Snowshoes are aid. Bicycles are aid. A warm jacket is aid. Oars are aid. A gps is aid. A boat is aid. WTF? Where do you draw the line? Personally I think Erden is nuts to do this trip in a row boat. I know the oceans are way more unforgiving than any mountain on this planet. I also would encourage him to use a sail boat for his ocean voyages even if there was no motor in it for emergencies. I would be no less impressed for him doing this voyage using a sailboat. Shackleton used one, Tilman used one and they are legends. If he dies in a rowboat what will we say then? "What a nut" or "at least he died what he loved doing?" Erden has loved ones and he needs to consider that in his choices of crossing oceans. The odds are stacked against him. That is a reality and nobody wants to say it. Well I said it. I just don't want to see him become another statistic on that memorial. Erden, please use a sailboat!

I taught my kid to ski myself. YOU are the best teacher even if you don't ski well. I did NOT ski with him between my legs ever. I felt it was important for him to find his own sense of balance.I also did not push the age thing. We started at 4 and really got into at 5. He is very athletic but as bug said, if they are really young it's not really about skiing so don't have any other expectation than to make sure they are having fun even if that means hanging out in the lodge with hot chocolate and french fries. I started with him at Alpenthal on the easy lift. I would grab his tips (I'm skiing backwards) and just steer him down while he learned the fore/aft balance point. I had him put his hands on his knees. No poles. After a few runs he wanted to try it him self. But he wouldn't turn, just went straight. It was so funny to see him get going too fast. He had some great crashes, there were tears but I never pushed it. Eventualy he learned to turn. All I kept telling him was to keep his hands on his knees and turn....left,right,left right........... We tried Whistler kids ski school once but he hated it. I think part of that was because we never dropped him off at any regular day care before either so it was more seperation anxiety. I absolutely swear by this: Get edgy-wedgies. They are little c-clamps with a short piece of surgical tubing. You clamp them on each tip and they keep the skis from going off to one side while allowing some shuffling and movement. Do not get anything ridgid like a nylon strap with velcro. Waste of money. Whistler or Blackcomb kids instructors will tell you these are bad, but they are stupid.He used the edgie-wedgie for only one year and then "lost" them. He did not get dependant on it. He's 8 and goes down black diamonds now. My kid just started with poles last year. Until he gets them, be willing to drag him anywhere he wants. I pulled him on cat tracks and in lift lines by having him grab the end of my pole. He's still one of my favorite ski buds now!

Why do I keep thinking this shit is for the roadrunner and coyote cartoon!

Racking up for Watusi Rodeo: "Hey Wayne, where did you say those ice screw are?" "In my living room!" "How many pickets do we have?" "One!" Thank god we had 7 pieces of rock gear!

I have about 10 ice tools. Which one is my third one?

If you get the Breakwind, make sure you get the matching fart sack!

That Sieara designs thing is at REI for about $35 me thinks. I got mine at a thrift store for $5.00. Coated nylon with taped seams and big cest pocket for vents. Weighs about as much as a Q-tip.

I already have the Cloudveil Ice floe whick is a definite . Even warmer than I thought. But I'm looking to replace some "warmer" gloves. The Spindrift is rated to +5 degF. Anyone tried it?

They should rename that thing to "getkickedintheheadbylarrythetool" bivy sack.

My NF Oval 25 got the real test in the BC coast range this summer. Pretty Bomber tent I'd say. We had three people in it for 5 days and it wasn't too bad. 2 is deluxe.

Are you talking about the Oval 25? Do you already have the fly or are you considering getting it and not sure if it will fit? Why don't you just go down to the TNF store on 1st ave with your tent and let them help you figure it out.

As far as climbing gear goes, I just went through a claim and you'd be amazed at what you remember! Still, I've been meaning to video tape my whole house and store it somewhere else like at work. No way I'd remember all the shit that is in my house and it's 100 years old so would go up in a flash. I have fire extinguiser on each floor, have drilled my kid how to get out of his bedroom and have important docs in a fireproof box. Fire is scary and smoke is even scarier.

ditto for LAmbone's post I like to celebrate a life rather than mourn a death. People like to call bullshit on the saying "at least he died doing what he loved". I call bullshit on that. Nothing wrong with that saying. It's not how you die, but how you live your life as long or short as it may be. We all accept the risk that comes with climbing even if we tend to sweep it under the rug.

No,no,no,no----jeez,there,Dave,no need to constantly adjust poles,HAHA; just switch hands as you go,put the short pole on the uphill side,long pole on the downhill,very low tech,very fast,minimal demand of cognitive function--and of course don't drop the poles on steep slopes-but in freshies they won't go far.Spring skiing on firm snow,you might have to go back down and pick up a dropped pole.But we all know the basic caveat of gravity sports,eh? PS: Yet another vote for BD Flicklocks,both 2-and 3 section; well worth the nickel. That doesn't work for me! If I just switch poles then I end up frigging around with the pole straps to make the right fit the left and the left fit the right. Don't tell me you don't have left and right poles... that would be crazy!

If I get my act together, I'm making a "best of " cd of my, Ray's and Matt's photos of our trip to Monarch and Princess. Does this sound like something people might want to see?

Well that kinda shoots down my theory in a way, but again, what are they going to do....keep you in no man's land? I know every licence plate that has crossed previously is in some data base. Do you think there was a previous problem with that particular car? All I know is that you are at the WHIM of any particular border guard's personal feelings. If he had a fight with his wife, you might be paying for it. Also, if I was heading to Suamish for a weekend of climbing, I'd probably tell the guy I was going to Whistler. They never seem to question that location and it probably says you have money!

Well that kinda shoots down my theory in a way, but again, what are they going to do....keep you in no man's land? I know every licence plate that has crossed previously is in some data base. Do you think there was a previous problem with that particular car? All I know is that you are at the WHIM of any particular border guard's personal feelings. If he had a fight with his wife, you might be paying for it. Also, if I was heading to Suamish for a weekend of climbing, I'd probably tell the guy I was going to Whistler. They never seem to question that location and it probably says you have money!