sobo

Once you get on the west side of 1st Street, things cheer up rapidly. The south and east (and especially the southeast) sides of Crackima are the hoodz. Once west of 16th Avenue, you're in Whiteyville. I live there. I've never had a problem in the 7+ years I've lived here. I just stay west of 16th Avenue, and north of Nob Hill Boulevard. There's no reason to go anywhere south or east of those lines, unless you're looking for or

A CORRECTION, FOR THE MASSES: I was up at Royal Columns today doing some easy cracks (it was BF cold, but we had the whole place to ourselves ) and noted that the trail downstream of the bridge is now OPEN. Walked down it almost all the way to TPW, but it was getting rather dark by then, so I came back. I would say the trail is open, but please respect the local ethic and don't try to put anyhthing up across from Tim's Pond. TIA. We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.

Yeah, but ain't the 2X4 worth at least a buck or two?

Don't you mean indirectly proportional to one's ability to climb?

Fix yer link, then.

Can I just trade it in on some greenback$ instead? I just want us all to get along...

WhudduIwin?

RR, then.

Batso Harding?

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... you'll blow your chance for the FA.

Rainier is, in fact, considered an active volcano. It is not at all considered "dormant" by geologic standards. More info from PBS here. Excerpt: "In the Cascade Range in the Pacific Northwest, the home of Mount St. Helens, geophysicists are continuously monitoring a number of other volcanoes that have erupted within the past two centuries, including Mount Shasta, Mount Hood, Lassen Peak, and Mount Rainier. "There is a lot of concern about Mount Rainier because it is so close to Seattle and capable of damaging mudflows," says geologist Mary Reid of the University of California at Los Angeles."

AP and UPI reported that the French Government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "run" to "hide." The only two higher levels in France are "surrender" and "collaborate." The raise was precipitated by the recent fire which destroyed one of France's white flag factories, disabling their military.

My noggin has been saved so many times over the years by my two "old skewl" Joe Browns. They may be heavy and dorky by today's standards, but I still love 'em both. One is foam-insulated for winter climbing; the other not, for summer climbing. And I like how they resemble the old Wehrmacht helmet of WWII (that's coming from being a student of WWII).

Whew! Good to know that I'm not dysfunctional anymore. Thanks for the article, CP!

Old thread here.

The area you describe is known locally as Tim Pond Wall. There is an "informal" agreement with the Wildlife Area Manager that we'll leave this area alone for the time being. Years back, it was the preferred area for nesting raptors, but they moved further upstream in the past few years (choosing to nest between Royal Columns and The Bend now). While the area is not "officially closed", the locals are respecting the previous understanding. Bear in mind, also, that any development at TPW will be effectively "right under the landowner's nose" and subject to some pretty intense scrutiny. The rock is also quite lichen-y, as you will note by its irridescent greenish-yellow hue. I have an original edition of Matt Christensen's guide to Royal Columns, and it makes no mention of climbs on TPW. I do not know of any, or at least any that see any traffic. Lastly, if you do decide to explore, bear in mind that you will have to cross (wade) the river at Tim Pond, as accessing the river trail from the bridge at Royal Columns is now considered trespassing, as that segment of the trail is, and has been, closed for many years. Last comment: Please don't go there. But if you must, tread verrrrry lightly. You're being watched...

I've used the NikWax for fleece (and for G/T) and swear by the stuff. All my fleece pieces are treated; hats, tops, pants, gloves, etc.

Oh, allow me!

Good to know that you're down safe and sound. I'm sure there are others here thinking the same.

My condolences. Sad news.

Names have not yet been released pending notification of kin. There's a whole thread on this accident here.

Just heard a rumor about an accident on Mt. Hood. Two male climbers fell ~100 meters into a crevasse at the base of the SGH. Both are hurt--one with a back injury, one with a broken arm. Reported to have communication via cell phone and can see blue sky, but the helos that are up right now have not yet located the right crevasse. Anybody know any more or can confirm/refute this info? Iain?

OMG!! You're going to be living near Sandy?? Have you read Krakauer's recent work, Under the Banner of Heaven ? You're in for a real treat...

I thought that, too, at one time. But that would not explain Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport (IAD). That designator seems much better explained as International Airport, Dulles, does it not? And I didn't use a single "x" in that post.

Like I said, Dru, "FIIK"