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David_Parker

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Posts posted by David_Parker

  1. One "advantage"I noticed last year in Banff was that you can switch tools from one hand to the other easily. You can grab one tool with both hands and then end up moving one tool to a new placement and grabbing it with the other hand. Also, when clipping pro, I noticed one guy just rested the tool over his shoulder, completely freeing up his hand to deal with the pro or clipping a bolt. No dangling and trying to re-grab problems. For you "ice climbing is aid" freaks, I'll argue leashless is just as much aid because it makes it easier than using leashes in many ways!

  2. They pretty much all offer the same stuff: free rotation, fix flat, etc except it isn't realy free. You pay up front when you buy the tires; it;s either a line item or built into the cost. Discount Tire works for me. Check consumer reports.

  3. quote:

    Originally posted by ehmmic:

    Crazyjz -Just because he likes to push the limit, why does that make him crazy or irresponsible? Climbing is dangerous. Particularly the stuff he does. If he accepts the risks, what's wrong with it.

     


    Michelle, until you have a child of your own, you'll never know. Easy to sympathize, impossible to empathize.

  4. quote:

    Originally posted by mattp:

    Hey Dave - How's come you're ready to drive 6 hours to Mazama, but 5 hours to Pemberton is too far? You got something against Canada?

    I'm not usually willing to do the Mazama thing in winter (6 hrs), but if you make it to Pemberton in 5, you must have some kind of sports car and guaranteed clear roads! Canada ROCKS for skiing and ice climbing and beer and chicks and sea kayaking and smoking the kind and.....

     

    [ 10-23-2002, 05:08 PM: Message edited by: David Parker ]

  5. quote:

    Originally posted by Dave Schuldt:

    Name the date, D. P. and we will be there. Maybe Presidents day weekend? Mazama is a 6 hour drive when HWY 20 is closed and the roads are good. I don't mind camping in the snow.

    When the road opens in the spring, unless we get a couple snowmobiles to drag our asses up the road from that side. Then I'd consider mid-winter.

  6. quote:

    Originally posted by Beck:

    At last nights' pub club, some good options were raised about a ski party- A great suggestion was a spring highway 20 party down on the east side, sounds like the camping/parking/skiing are going to be right there, also the weather/daylight would be in our greater favor.


    I got that one totally covered. Cabin in Mazama, 3 double beds, big deck and lots of room for tents. Outhouse too. It helps if the snow is gone on the valley floor though.

  7. I guess I'm so old school I have about 8 different ice axes I can choose from 'cause I don't sell them when I get new ones. I keep them for friends or for just being able to choose depending on the climb. I pretty much save my cobra's for water ice and I love 'em. I thought I was cheating when I first started using them. For Alpine I have my old waterice tools: x-15 brs straight shaft with alaska picks. That's if I need 2 tools. I also have older original x-15 (blue fiberglass) One is a mutant that's 57.5 cm which works great with a classic pick. I have mini grivel for second tool where I know I might not really need it much.

     

    I understand the affordable thing, but the older tools that work for alpine should be pretty darn cheap second hand. Saves wear and tear on the expensive ones too and you won't be bummed if you accidently drop one down the mountain side. Also, I don't like switching picks and leashes around. What I like for alpine isn't the same for water ice. Just grab 'em and go!

  8. It's pretty simple guys. You should have two sets of tools. One for alpine with a straight or mildly bent shaft with no pinky thingy and another set for water ice. Do your own thing with the water ice techno leashless pinky knob bullshit if you want, but just remember...ice climbing is more about your feet than the tools!

  9. Excel makes the lightest poles. I know the reps, but can't really help you other to steer you towards the retailers...try http://mgear.com or just search excel ski poles. They might be spendy though but you'll probably get what you pay for; strong and light.

  10. quote:

    Originally posted by mattp:

    -

    Hey Curt, is that milk or beer in that cup with a STRAW in it! Drinking stout with a straw can be hazardous to your health. Try it this way [big Drink] next time. [Wink]

     

    [ 10-21-2002, 01:31 PM: Message edited by: David Parker ]

  11. A great weekend of beer, food, and errrrr, oh yeah, climbing. Ended up doing Orbit (with Chris W) (Matt P and Tony on the other rope just behind us) for the second rope-up in a row! Got to lead the pitches I missed last year though so it was great to do the route again. Thanks Chris! And Thanks to Dr. Jay for dragging my lame ass around Castle rock on Saturday. Great to see all the new faces; around the "peak" of the party I counted 40 people around the fire! Next year I'll bring an extra chair. I never got to sit in my own! Hope everyone who wanted pancakes got some!

  12. The best reason to use a figure 8: because if you are near the top of Mr. Natural on GP apron and take a fall and it's clipped on you gear loop and it happens to be between your hip and the rock as you slide about 30 feet (rope stretch) you don't rip the shit out of yourself and actually finish the climb. Try that with an ATC or Gri-Gri!!

     

    [ 10-15-2002, 06:37 PM: Message edited by: David Parker ]

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