David_Parker

I carry pink and purple and 2 pins on alpine or long ice climbs as my backup gear. I like them but don't use them very much for pure rock climbing.

WHY did you choose this cameara over others. How much did you pay???

I did a TON of research, including places in Canada. This statement is no longer true! Times have changed. In Seattle, this is where I went: http://www.kmlasik.com/ If you are a serious candidate and want specific info, call me. I don't have time to explain everything here just for kicks. I did it, I like it, 'nuff said. PS: beware of optometrist referals. They have a pretty serious monetary gain by steering you to who they want you to use. Mine tried to refer me and I chose my own.

I had it done in December in Seattle for about $2000. I used $ from my re-fi on my house. You don't need to go to Canada anymore. I paid for the latest technology on the Baushe & Lomb machine. It friggin rocks that I don't have to mess with contacts anymore. I don't have a problem with dry eyes either. It's a painless procedure and I highly suggest it if you are a proper candidate. PM me if you want a referal to the place I went in Seattle. You want to go to a place close to where you live because you have multiple follow up exams for 3 months after. If you go to Canada, that can be a pain. The doctors I used both had worked in Canada and had 30,000 procedures between them.

Ok, i read the digital camera thread and nobody mentioned this camera. They have the stylus 400 and the stylus 300. The only difference is the pixels and price. The 400 has 4.23 megapixels ($499 retail) and the 300 has 3.34 megapixels for $399 retail. I found the 300 for $299 on a website camera store. That SEEMS like a good deal. I have generaly been favorable towards Olympus cameras. I really like their size and weight and this one even offers short video clips of 40 seconds so I can make a ski movie or film sportclimbers taking wippers! Any comments? Here is full specs: http://www.buyritedigital.com/main/propage.cfm?part=1216

This is my son Jordan's (age 8) TR from last weekend! It's an email he dictated to me for his Mom in Vermont. Thanks for the email. The weekend was great. On Saturday, we parked at the big hairpin turn at Washington Pass and put skins on our skis. At first we were in the forest. My skins were slipping, so we took them off. My feet worked better....for awhile, but then I started sinking up to my hips so Daddy had me put the skis back on again and he invented the daddy tow. He tied 2 ski poles together in a row and tied them to his butt pack and I held on while he he towed me. It was creepy at first but I got the hang of it. We got up to 2 skinny trees and took our skins off, put my shell on and skiied down. That was awesome! We went down thru trees and an avalanche gulley with bumps in it.That was the best part. Then we went back to the cabin. Then we went to the river and we found 2 beaver dams and saw where they chopped down all sorts of trees. We helped them by throwing logs in the pond and putting some big branches on the dam where the water was flowing around. Then we saw a Canada goose sitting on a log. We went too close so she flew away. She was sitting on a nest, so we went up to look and saw 5 big yellow eggs. We got outta there fast so she would come back. That night I made a campfire all by myself and it was smokey. There were about 10 people and I was the beer bottle opener. I used my knife with the special blades. We had marshmellows too. The next morning my fire was still going so we threw logs on. Then we cleaned up and put out the fire with water and then went rock climbing. I climbed a double black diamond in my bare feet. I did 3 routes and the last one was the hardest. Stebbie, my Dad's friend was nice and I liked Kurt too. Stebbie played soccer with me. He is from Iceland. Did you know Iceland is green and Greenland is ice?

How old is your kid. Mine is 8 but climbed Ellinor when he was 4! Was thinking of taking him up for a ski down.

I know some ski runs in the Olympics. Maybe we can hook up. I live on this side already!

I doubt it. Valdez is the furthest north ice free port in North America which means fairly temperate. The ice is not far from the bay so somewhat affected by the ocean temperatures. Call Brian Teale or Andy Embick to find out.

Actually Matt, your bases can dry up so bad they shrink and you have a concave base (edge high) which makes for catchey edges. Also, in worse case scenario, they can begin to delam. You'll probably be fine if you only wax once a year or at least put the storage coat on for the summer. It is important that the wax is ironed on. The heat changes the molecular structure of your base so it can absorb the wax. Think of it like putting oil in your car, not necessary, but highly recommended! Fleb, If you want to bring your skis to the next pub club we both attend, I'll teach you how to detune them. A finer file is fine, then a stone. I don't suggest experimenting, it is an art. Thing is, once done, you won't need to do it again until someone does your edges on a machine. I never did go for the bevel thing so much. A flat base is important though. I used to race, so I'm just used to having my skis in tip top shape. It's like driving a sports car rather than a truck. Doesn't matter a hell of a lot on soft snow though.

Detune tips and tails prevents catching edges. On tele skis I detune outside edges back further than inside. Rest of ski edges should be sharp or at least smooth with no burrs from hitting rocks. Wax is not just for speed and you should wax frequently to keep your bases from drying out. Get any old iron at a thrift store. Holes don't matter. Petex is for scratches and minor gouges, but any core shots should be done with a base welder. (I have one). Use a sharp cabinet scraper (steel) for scraping petex and use a plastic scraper for hot wax. If you don't intend to use your skis for awhile, put on a layer of wax and leave it until you ski next. Cover the edges so they don't rust. A stone is like a knife sharpening stone but smaller so you can carry it with you to debur spots when you hit a rock. I aso have a diamond stone which works great. If your bases aren't flat, you'll need to go to a shop to have them belt sanded and/or stone ground. $30 every once in a while makes a big difference. I used to do it when I was a ski bum so I have all the right tools, which helps, but a 10" bastard file, a stone, 2 scrapers, an iron some petex, wax, and a bench with a clamp (I use a couple 4x4 blocks and a gripper clamp) and you'll be able to do most all you need to be happier in them dar hills!

Just up from the hairpin a few K ft. Photos from 2 weekends ago, but it was so good I returned and took my 8 year old son up there on Saturday!

I'm only coming if there is live music

Freshies are Baaaaaaaaaaaaack!!! Rip it up!

Friday and Sat look good, Sunday so-so.

Argueing is aid

Directions to the Cabin: Coming east on Hwy 20, go past the turn off for Mazama exactly 4.3 miles. On the north side (left) look for a zig-zag fence and a gate under a 12' pvc arch. I'll put a plastic Goose out there too. The property is immediately before the Rocking Horse Ranch and about 1/2 mile before the Weeman bridge where the Methow river crosses under Hwy 20 and the lost river road joins in. The dirt drive goes thru open field and then enters the woods. Just before the cabin there is a left turn which leads to the tent area. We may need to have some cars park out in the field at the entrance after unloading stuff.

maybe mail it to yourself a few times too. that's like my coworkers who print out emails to read, or print out webpages that they want me to correct. I did that and could only get it to print in B&W. Still haven't figured out how to get it in Color. Let me know if you figure it out.

Capp, I was in the Dolomites three years ago. What time of year and what kind of climbing (grade) do you want to do? There are gobs of moderate routes on huge faces and the Via Ferrattas are really fun and interesting in a historical sense. The reffugios are like alpine hotels and you'll meet realy nice people everywhere. If you will be there for more than 2 weeks, you might join CAI (club alpino italiano) to get a discount. To get a guidebook, check out online bookstores or climbing shops in England. I was at the Marmolada, Tre Cime, Cinque Torre, Monta Rosa and Civetta. Italian women are so sexy!!!

I'm coming to pub club, so anyone wanting to discuss this weekends party should be there. I could use some assistance. I am not going to Olympia, so someone call it NOW!!!!!! I can drink in fernbars with hippie dead-heads.

The best New England states in order are Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Portland is only 2 hrs from North Conway where the best and biggest mountains are. Many Bostonians would take smaller paychecks to live in Maine if they could find a decent job. Portland, North Conway and Burlington are excellent choices. Traveling east/west in northern New England is an excersize in driving and navigation skills!

SKI Photos Here! http://vtour.mywindermere.com/index.cfm?ln=Wash%20Pass&username=davepark

TIME TO GET THIS THREAD BACK ON TRACK!!!! The party is this weekend and the skiing up at the pass last weekend was some of the best I've done. The place is in shape and ready for a party. The well works, although the water is a tad rusty so if you are sensitive to what you imbibe, bring your own. You can also get it from the river. Some things to consider bringing, any volunteers???: keg of beer salmon for the barbie briquettes Garbage Bags propane plates and cups lawn chairs ice (stop on the way over the pass!) music (no electricity) anything else??? There is much blow down, so I'm bringing a chain saw (Kurt?) and we should have plenty of wood if everyone helps carry a log or 3. All I ask is that everyone respect the place like it is your own. This is private property, not a NF campground. I intend, with your help, to leave it better than I found it. Who knows, this could become an annual event.

All I can say was that is was pornographic!!! 2 days of incredible skiing, one up in the east basin of Cutthroat and another up the w face of the "nipple" from the hairpin. If I show you the photos, there might be too many people at the party this weekend! I'll try to get them up soon anyway. Skiing at the Pass See you this weekend!

edited per author's request