bcollins

Next time check out Gardener's Wall in the McDowell's if your into primo AZ 5.5 routes. 2 pitches of stellar crack. Also Queen Creek for hundreds of sport routes, Pinnacle Peak's worth checking out for better granite. Camelback is probably the worst place to climb in the Phoenix area. Also the Supes are good for stout trad routes on quirky, cool rock. BTW the Supes were hit with snow this last weekend!

Tasty..........oh just got back from JT in time to watch the SB. More sweet weather and good times with some friends we met from Vancouver Island. Now making plans for Ouray. Oh I do see the weather's getting better up in the NW..........

I'm watching the game from the Flying J truck stop in Blythe, California on my way back from a weekend of climbing in Joshua Tree. Anyone beat that? Barry

Probably best to spout off to them first and give BPS a chance to make it right, or at least post here again if/when they do. BPS is a great store with a good reputation in the south end. Keep us posted about how it turns out!

Ok I'm posting! Had an awesome day climbing with you 2, especially appreciated the invite to check out JT!! Great lead CBT on your Wilson variation, the pics were good and I'll post 'em maybe tonight. I'd call that traverse a sporty 5.8, and well worth a repeat! Barry

Wallowed up to the chair pk basin with intentions of getting up on the No. Face (thursday). Alot of powder to contend with, took shoes which sucked and made our slog out even worse. All evidence points to loose, unconsolidated conditions on the No. Face, but I'm only guessing based on the appoach. Skiing would be a better bet in the backcountry until things firm up. POWDERRRRRRRRR

Heading to Chair tomorrow. I'll try and post afterwards

Ahhhh yes, Jessica's purple thong...........

Then hate this CBS, solid 4 min. walk with a headwind. Won't be that short when I get down to Phoenix though.

I'm moving back down to the Phoenix area Dec. 16th. At this time I'm not sure if I can get away for a trip to JT. (Wanna though, haven't climbed there yet) However if you would be interested in climbing in the Phoenix area, I'll put you up and show you the area. PM me, let me know what you think. Barry

Just worked THE thread over a period of a few hours. Flamed out on about pitch 9.........can't wait to get up to the hut and light up in honor of Scotty!!

CBS I saw a nice lot for sale off Silica Rd...........you might consider building there!! Nice pics, good times. Barry

Where might this farming occur? Would need to be on the east side of the mtn's and somewhat accessible with a short approach at worse. Season would be short. Build it and they will come..............

My old Khamsin 38 is a great pack for ice and general mountaineering, however it was limited due to it's lack of a floating lid, so I had it modified by Transition Threadworks out of Tacoma. Now it'll handle bigger loads without restricting head movement, and the buckles allow the top to function as a butt pack..........nice!!!

Might try Transition Threadworks in Tacoma. 253-359-4875. They do alot of work on tents, packs, and other gear. They put a floating lid and a crampon patch on my Arteryx pack and now my Khamsin 38 is even better than stock. (Yes it's possible!) Barry

Ryan thank you. Mike was fortunate and blessed to have you as a climbing partner..........in many ways he still is. Barry

Ahhhhh yes............ski in around march/april, climb W. ridge (watch the mantles with skis on!) ski down north face, then go home.

Love my Arct'rx Khamsin 38! External pockets get you through that 2nd night

I do currently use adjustable daisies (metolius, which can be a pain in the ass.....especially one-handed). I suppose I'm not working the tensioning technique well enough to keep my center of gravity over my feet. Need to work on that. Also CBS, I find that pulling a piece upwards, even slightly, increases your chances of popping it, especially small gear that's in a shallow placement.

When working a vertical or slightly overhanging crack, I'm frustrated by not being able to climb higher than my fifi. What about placing an intermediate piece and clippin to your chest harness? Seems like I'm placing a TON of gear to get up corners, overhangs, etc. Any thoughts or tips? Barry

I secured my buddy with a "hypnotic belay' on Labor Day up at Index. While aid climbing I simply stared intensely at a bug that was climbing the rock. Soon I no longer felt nor cared about his persistent tugs on my grigri. This technique seems to while away hours at those long belays................

My 38 is a workhorse! Had it modified with a floating lid and crampon patch up top now it's the perfect pack. Sorry no parting with this one!

Yea the route is possible but as Josh said, it's a mess. Approached the route for an attempt last Sat. (9/3) Negotiated a route through the coleman glacier with considerable difficulty, only to bail when seeing the route close up. Looked like 2-3 major schrund type features and alot of hard ice. I'd say it's doable but the appoach eats up time. Let me know if anyone wants specific glacier approach beta. Barry

Always Gilligan to most of us. BTW is that the Ginger we remember? Looks like someone else.........

Jon that's not Barbara Bush. Go back to watching tv, and now I'm serious too!