Rodchester

What do you need a footprint for? It just weighs more and takes up more space. If you're going to be camping on a rocky area for a long time, say at a base camp, and are really concerned about the floor, then just cut out a piece of plastic or Tyvec from Home depo and punch in a few gromets. It simple and cheap.

Thanks Pindude...U DA MAN

Can you cut and paste that insight info for us?

DUSTIN What is your opinion of the Mountainsmith bags?

That in't what it says. It simply says that a landowner that does not set anchors is exempt from any liability. The inverse is not automtically true. So a landowner that does set anchors is not covered by this statute. For a landowner that does, you would have to look to other law, likley common law, to se if liability is possible. I'd bet it COULD fit into the common law theory of attractive nuisance.

I read the aticle and found it to be very confusing and very concerning...the blanca is such an amazing place. I hope this gets cleared up soon.

The Granite Gear Packs that I have looked at in the past seem to be well built but are usually kind of heavy for my taste. Check out the actual weights against similar sized packs...at least if weight is an issue.

glassgowkiss, I'm no doctor, but I clearly saw a difference between the x-ray taken that day and the one a month or so later. Maybe you are right and it was the angle, but from what I recall....it seemed to be the same angle? Either way, a second opinion and/or a new exam/x-ray sound like they are in order.

It actually could be broken far worse than the Doctor(s) orginally thought. Usually when a bone breaks there is some sweliing, and that swelling can at times and to an inexperienced doctor cover up a break (in an X-ray), or at least make it appear less erious. Just saying it is a possibility. I had this exact thing happen to me on a collar bone 15 years ago, and is has never been the same since. My right colar bone was broken and had serious swelling. The first two doctors missed it entirely. Then I went to a specialist a month later that took a new x-ray and looked at the old one. He laughed and said now the bone had reset itself (though it was a long way from healing) incorrectly and that I could either have it rebroken or leave it as it is. He said leave it, and to this day it feels odd and it is not straight. Point is, get a second medical opinion. Good luck. It must suck having care for a newborn AND a wife with a smashed up tailbone.

I'm looking for a new pair for crag and gym climbing. Nothing real technical, and I thought these looked interesting and reasonably priced. Anyone have any experience and/or opinions regarding Montrail rock shoes? I know they are fairly new to the rock shoe market. Montrail Rock Shoes thanks.....

You get what you pay for... Not familar with them, which could be good or could be bad. If you want a 6 day mountaineering course or a 13 alpine climbing course (mix of mountainering and alpine rock) look into Mountain Madness, Inc. at: www.mountainmadness.com Also both AAIs run good programs. They are very similar to Mountain Madness, Inc. Ask to speak with your guide (though this early out it may be tough becuase guides are not likely assigned yet) to get a feel fro the trip. Also ask for recomendations from former clients. good luck.

I thought it was a chopper pilot that went into a previously unsearched area that located him?

Do you think that the BD/Scarpa Alpha's will be warm enough for "winter" multi-day use..even here in the Cascades? They seem to have a bit less insulation than say Koflach or Lowa. I could be wrong...I just wanted to raise the issue.

My understanding is that the actual changes will not take effect until NEXT year (guiding season 2005).

Mothboy88: When a workplace accident occurs there can be others, besides the employers, that are liabile. The law bars suit against an employer, not against others. So if an employee of a subcontractor, say an electrican, falls and dies on the job (assuming a factual basis for negligence exists), the employer is insulated from suit. But the dead employee (through his/her estate) may file suit against the General contractor and/or any other subs that may have contributed to the death. Of course the employer will still face serious fines from DL&I and will also face an increased DL&I premium.

Come on Trask...Sure there are some out there that do it, but how many REALLY?

Actually, there is a bar to suit against your employer in Washington (RCW 51.04.010) unless it is an "intentional" act. (RCW 51.24.020). Of course you are correct that the fines would be very high, and the DL&I man would come down on you hard. But no lawsuit can arise from the employee against the employer. That being said, those that do not pay into social security tax system because they worked under the table their whole lives will not be able to collect back from it when they retire . . . so they can’t retire under the table. Most people will collect back far more from social security than they have paid into it. As such, working under the table is not always a smart as it might sound.

You mean 4:20? But then Dan may accuse you of lying about going. Obvioulsy you weren't there at 4:20, so you must have ben lying...

Hint: If the Alpental "backcountry" gate is open...its safe. If it not open, it may be safe and it may not be safe. So first, call the Alpental.

They are pretty easy. No complaints.

To many here just belive everyhting that support's thier own position. O'Neill is a disgruntled fired employee. Do you really think he is going to be honest and objective? I'd say cut what he says in half. Sure some of it is likely true, but I'm sure he has spun it his way.

I like the dryloft on my -5 degree down bag. It does a very good job of keeping the down dry. I've never gotten it soaked, even on mutli-night trips in the Cascades, Rockies, Africa, and South America. (That said, some enviroments do demand synthetic). On cold weather bags I usually go long for storage as well. On summer bags I go the exact length, 6ft. I usually find that a standard 60 or 62 inch chest size is fine. I'm not small (but not actually huge either). You just have to get inthe bag to really size it. Good luck.

I think that you meant to say that the Silverettas are compatible with mountaineering boots. Because most AT/Randonee boots are crampon compatible with most crampons.

Drew: I'm not sure, but my understanding has always been that the Sulphide Glacier is the best, as far as avalanche is concerned, during winter and early spring. But I've never done it...... Good luck

I have used and own the Tika and the BD Moonlight . Both are very good, but I prefer the BD Moonlight. It is only a little heavier than the Tika but it puts out more light and its directional beam is more effective. That said, for sheer size and durability the Tika is a great little emergency use headlamp. I haven't used the BD Ion. It just seems too small and only two LEDs seems to be too few for the light that I want.