Rodchester

If you intend to do BOTH WI and AI and only want one set of tools, go with a curved handle style tool set. I agree that the BD Shrikes are a good all around tool. I often take a regular ice axe with a WI tool on AI routes that are basic or involves short sections of steep with steps of lower angle in between (most shit that I do). Many do this.

Silvretta bindings rock. Very durable and take either the AT boot or a standard mountaineering boot. Scarpa Denali = NOT a beginner boot Don't start out in mountaineering boots, you'll get you ass handed to you. I agree with others (above) that the boots are the most important thing for an AT beginner. Have fun....

Recent CC.com thread on cams and biners

Have you ever seen, heard, or otherwise became aware of one actually failing? Or seen one worn to the point of serious concern? I agree with the old adage of, if you concerned, don't use it.

If you hear dueling banjos coming from your girlfriend's house...run. Does she ever say things like, "well, I was with my brother-daddy when .... "

Coopah: I was always told (i'm no engineer) tht the difference in aluminum (say 600 to 7075) is not the sftenss, but the strength. For instance when the metal will break as opposed to bend. Any metal guys get the ratings? Like I said, I'm not sure.

I'll do my best not to drop my hat. I have never had any problem with either the older version or the new FlexCams walking. I have has the older version for at about four years now. I certainly haven't noticed any difference between them and the BD, the HB, or Metolious.

I have some older Trango cams and they are nice. But I also have a few of the new FlexCams and they rock. Flexcams Don't get me wrong, BD cams . But if you are talking value and weight, they are not #1. Rock Empire cams are alright. Cheap, but something about them, that I can't put my finger on, makes me not like um. Check out the Trango page: "a large expansion range doesn’t reduce the number of cams you have to carry. If you want to place pro every 15 feet on a 150-foot pitch, you’ll need 10 cams, regardless of their expansion range." Another, with BD name in place: "Which brings us to weight. Take a look at a popular cam (BD), known for its expansion range, and compare it to our FlexCams™. In the popular (BD) hand size, this cam has 12% greater expansion range. That sounds great, until you look at the numbers and realize this is a whopping 3mm: the thickness of a tortilla. That same cam weighs 20% more than our comparable FlexCam™, meaning you can carry 10 FlexCams™ for every 8 of the “expansive” ones. We use a double-looped 12mm Ultratape™ sling, so you can clip in directly, at 4 inches or at 8 inches. That means you’ll rarely need a quick draw, which saves even more time and weight." OK so weight is covered. Strength? Trango = 8kN–12kN (passive or active) . "The cams lobes are CNC machined from 7075 aluminum extrusions, allowing us to control tolerances to a fraction of a millimeter. New for 2002 are full-strength, machined-in cam stops. While we don’t recommend placing cams in a fully open position, in the event that your cam walks into a wide spot and ends up fully opened, it won’t invert under load." BD = 7kN–16kN. Many BD cams are stronger, but not all of them. However, the Trangos are plenty strong. Price? Trango = $39.99 (and check them at Second Ascent, they are often cheaper) BD = $49.95 - $112.50. If you weoigh 300lbs and are worried about tortillas, get the BD. If you are talking value and weight, get the Trangos. I am a fan..can you tell? Good Luck Bro

Best Alpine Wiregate Biner Trango's Flex cams are also nice and very strong. They can usually be picked up at a good price at Second Ascent in downtown Ballard.

I have recently used three of the somewhat new lightweight biners. Trango Lightweight Omega JC Wiregate BD Neutrino All of these biners are about the same weight and each uses a wiregate. The BD Neutrino is a great biner, however, it is too small for winter and ice climbing useage. Hard to work with when wearing gloves. Overall a great biner for alpine and even cragging. JC Wiregate is a damn good biner and I am quite happy with the handfull that I have, and use. Also it combined with a Petzl pulley wheel is the lightest combo for a glacier rescue pully. Because of its somewhat unigue shape, it works perfectly with the pulley wheel, which is supposed to work with a classic oval. The Trango is the best of the bunch. It is larger than the others and I like the action. The larger size (at the sme weight) makes it a better choice for winter and ice climbing. They are sold at Second Ascent in Ballard (Seattle). I have picked up a half a dozen and just love them.

One bit of advice: be DAMN SURE that she knows what climbing is, at least in the sense that it takes time (i.e. you'll be gone many weekends) and that you fully intend to continue to climb after you are married. Be sure she knows it is not a fad or phase that you are going through. If you don't, it will be a phase. The tone and temper you set now will continue for years, maybe forever. The biggest mistake that I see others make when they get hitched is to give in during dating and not climb as often as they would like, thinking they'll climb later. Hopefully she isn't a needy type that needs to have you around all of the time. If she is, it won't get better. Congrats....no befpore you get hitched, be sure she knows what your needs are.....

Read the written material that comes with most filters. Almost universally you will find some statment about having a back up in case the filter: breaks, clogs, or is lost. I have seen Pur (some years back) recommend that you carry iodine tablets as a back up.....Hmmmm. Lighter, less bulk, cheaper, less maintainence, hmmm.

Send it to me...of course!!!

Take the pole to REI. It is an easy repair that they can do....probably about 10-15 bucks. Had them rabuild two out three poles a couple of years ago and they did it quick and cheap.... I thought you just used a trekking pole with the mega-mid?

Do you mean: scrambled-up or simul-climbed? Surely, you don't mean that you aided this section Just checking...

Well, surf around. Campmor.com very often has the Contour Classic for $150.00, though they don't right now. Also, Moose Jaw has the Contour Classic for $179.00. Also check out Moore Moose Jaw . Mas Lowe has made aconcerted effort to keep thier pack prices low. In fact they have recently dropped prices on their larger and high-end packs. In 1992 the Contour IV was $255.00. It is now $229.00 and the older version is still available at $179.00. No offense meant, but packs just loose thier value. I am hard pressed to belive that a pack that old is still worth that money. What kind of condition is it in?

Seems kind-asteep for a pack that is almost 20 yeras old? Must be real special You may want to tell us why its still worth so much after all these years. Many lowe packs can be picked up brand new on the web for $150.00. Good Luck

Food, beer, firetrucks, search lights, and hookers.....

GAPERS - THE MOVIE

Thinker....that is soo funny. I would never listen to the Rangers at Rainier. They are so full of BS (and too often full of themselves). Sure there are a few (i.e. Mike G.) that know what they are talking about, but the vast majority are clueless or only provide disinformation in order to scare the Bundys, Griswalds, and Simpsons off the mountain.

Everyone: I just recieved this from Nancy.... ______________________________ After 7 long months on a bike... from the dead of winter in the Yukon... to the month spent on the mountain... and through the hot dog days of summer... Erden has put nearly 6000 miles into this round trip and has almost completed the first phase of the Six Summits Project. Come join us for his return to Seattle! Monday, August 25 5:30pm - 7:00pm REI Flagship store, outside terrace, store entrance level 222 Yale Ave. North Seattle, WA No need to RSVP....just show up and join in on the celebration!!! Tell everyone who would want to know, and come join in on the fun. We will see you then! Nancy and the Around-n-Over Team Nancy Board NRBoard@aol.com ---"Never fear that your life may come to a sudden end, rather fear that it may end before it has begun."---

Anyone used these boots? Opinions? Goood, bad, indifferent. Limitations, uses, etc. Thanks

Speaking of the WLTrail

How do I...I don't. I cast my vote in our simgle-member district representative democracy. The elected individual then has a duty to handle these issues. Previously this has always been handled with the general fund. They either need to increase the size of the fund, or decrease the amount of the fund being spent on other things. Erik's point about opening new areas and adding new services is a classic example. If they can't fund what they have now, why are the looking to add services? Answer: Because of the play to pay system. Adding services becomes an excuse to charge more. There needs to be a ground swell or grass roots effort t buck the pay to play system and we do need to be more active in telling our ligisl;ators that they need to fix the problem...not simply charge us more at the gate, by adding more gates.