Rodchester

Received from Erden 06 FEB 03 Hi all; I am writing this from Hope, BC. Rode 58 miles today from Abbotsford. I was hoping for another 20 miles today, but the headwind coming into Hope and the route diversions around Chillawack that took me into the farm roads slowed me down a bit. Should put in a good 60-70 miles tomorrow, if all goes according to plan. The trip is going well. I took two rest days in Abbotsford following three days of riding from Seattle. The frequency of rest days will stretch as well as the daily mileage as I move north. This assumes rideable shoulder on the roadside! Did I mention that one advantage of heading north is that the sun is never in your eye? ;-) I am thinking of you and feeling the warmth of your friendship inside. Erden.

www.carlosbuhler.com

http://www.around-n-over.org/

Erden's web page: http://www.around-n-over.org/ Wow....long trip.

My experinece that time of the year in the Tetons is that the weather is more of a concern than the snow pack. It can be quite bad, raining and not really warmed up yet. Of course, if the weather is great, then great. You will want to have cramp-ons and ice axe with the ability to use them on many of the approaches and descents. The rangers there are the best I've dealt with. (As stated by others). The Exum is a classic and it gets plenty of sunshine so it MIGHT be clear of snow and ice. I would love to do the Middle Teton glacier that time of year. If it is bad, then think about going over to City of Rocks in Idaho. A bit of a drive, but the weather is usually good that time of year. Also, the southern part of the Wind River Range tends to get less precip that time of the year. Have fun....

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TRAVEL/01/15/snowmobiles.last.ap/index.html

http://www.king5.com/travel/NW_011303TRBadventurer_eruc.1dea1fc4.html

OK I am a little hesitant to respond...so keep in mind this is what I was told by Erden. Basically what they BELIEVED happened was that when he fell the biner on the top piece (a wiregate) got wedged into the crack holding the pro. It was wedged perpendicular to the carck (parrallel to the ground). This pinched the biner, opening the gate. When it fully loaded with the leader's weight the gate was open (obviously at the biner's weakest position/point) and it failed. By that time he had a considerable amount of speed and force going and the seconda piece pulled. Don't quote me. This is what I took from a conversation with Erden at Carlos' slideshow afew weeks ago. I spoke with Erden today and he did not mention anything more about it. We were discussing his around the world epic. To Erden's adventure . P.S. What do the stars by our screen names mean?

Karl Forsgaard

Somebody called Daler a"corporate stooge." Get a grip. I've known daler casually for years. He is a no BS kind of guy, and noy way in hell is he a corporate stooge. Quite the name calling....its just not cool.

Not sure if I understand your statement. If you increase the length you will increase the surface. Did you mean increase the width?

?????

Rondo set is SOLD!!!

Plastics tend to have a sloppy fit when compared to leathers. Even when you crank down on the laces, plastics slip in the heel. Leathers tend to give a better, more snug fit allowing for more sensitivity and better foot work. It doesn't make a difference for hacks like myself...either way I suck.

I agree that the Zipka strap is concerning (though I have no first hand experience with it). I would go with the Tika Good luck.

Come on guys and gals...its snowing and these skis are calling out to be used!!!!

I have a pair of Silvretta 400s and a pair of good and fairly lightweight Hagan skis. The bindings are lightweight and simple with full releases. They are a size L. I think they will take a size 9.5 and larger. They are in great shape. They are pretty much indestructable and have the Silveratta leashes attached. The bindings will take any Rando boot and most any mountaineering boot. They retail for around $250.00. The skis are what I would call a classic expedition ski, 170cm in length with little side cut. Not a fat ski, but not real narrow either. They have a metal edge and are fairly lightweight. They are in very good shape and have a lot of years left in them. This is a great touring set up or approach set up. A good skier can also carve with it. They retailed for about $400.00 four years ago. I have used them for a few seasons of moderate use. I do like them...but I updated to a more ski oriented set up. (As opposed to an approach/touring focus). I will also throw in skins ($80.00) that are still in good shape. Skis, skins, and bindings $300.00. Or make offer. I live in Seattle. E-mail or PM me.

www.carlosbuhler.com Good web page on Carlos

Wait about a month...maybe six weeks.

"In a perfect world, what services should the governments (from local to federal and all in between) of our great nation provide?" "In a perfect world," we would need any government.

OSU the worst undefeated team? Hmm.... guess you haven't been watching the tube much. They destroyed TTech. Which beat UTx. just today. They beat the number 3 team in the country WSU and kept Gusser to only one TD. They have one of the best kicking and special teams in the country. They have one of the best Ds too. Their rushing game is tough. And their QB was rated sixth best in passing efficiency. yeah they suck. Oh by the way. Iowa was offered a a chance to play OSU and they passed (scheduling problem, offer was made to Iowa and they passed...so OSU picked up what could, San Jose State). Remember Iowa lost to an unranked and in any league weak Iowa State. Als Iowa's media was sooo glad not to have to play OSU at the beginning of this season. Did you bother to read any of that? Sure Iowa is tough. But hey, lost to IU, OSU didn't. [ 11-16-2002, 11:45 PM: Message edited by: Rodchester ]

Reid Hedwall. Like it. Fun, interesting, but not real hard. Some exposure to potential falls that would take you for the big ride. Would do again. Want to do Sandy headwall this year.

Anyone use the MSR Simmerlight? Opinions? http://www.msrcorp.com/stoves/simmerlite.asp [ 11-13-2002, 01:00 PM: Message edited by: Rodchester ]

Ecrin Roc or Elios if you want to go light.

I am pretty sure the bar is the same for the G10 as the G12 (and G14). GregW: For an all around crampon go with steel. I would go with the new matic binding system that Grivel uses (Or whatever company's version of step in rear with strap front). Reason? I have used three crampons over the years with a metal front piece. One grivel 2F, one Stubai, and one Grivel Rambo. The metal front piece works just fine on any boot designed for it, and that is not worn down. I have a good pair of leathers that have plenty of miles still to go that cannot take my Rambos (wire front piece) any longer. Also the wire front piece is a bitch to work with when using overboots. Put simply, the new-matic system fits more boots, more easily. They adjust to over boots better, if you ever go to Alaska/Himalaya. They wil fit any boot the wire bail fits, but the wire bail will not fit everyboot they fit. Take a close lok at the Grivel G12. I am very happy with it. It fits a lot of boots, adjusts easily, very durable, and with agressive front points it does good on moderate ice. I have REALLY been impressed by the durability of the plastic used on the front piece too. Good luck...