Rodchester

CBS: I am not commenting at all on unions, only the strategy, orlack thereof, in this instance. I assume this is an actual strike? as opposed to some workers trying to get them to unionize? What have they done? Why haven't they gotten much press? Where are the strikers? Why aren't they out there? It just doesn't seem like taking out an ad or two is going to do much more than start litgation. There are many that dislike unions and many that are indifferent and will see through the radio ads. Curious.

CBS: Just an observation. I drive down 15th almsot everyday in the morning for work. Two months ago they Union guys and gals were out here waiving signs. When we first started seeing them my wife and I both remarked about how unorganized they seemed and how ineffective thier signs were (you could really tell what was going on). After about a week we figured out it was omse kind of either a strike or an attempt to get them to Unionize. Which one was never very clear to us (and I think most anyone driving by). It seems to be a bit late in the game to be putting radio ads like that on the air...am I wrong? Why didn't ehy hit them with it right out of the gate in an organized fashion? They seem to have done a really poor job of communicating the fact the a strike (assuming that is what is actually going on) is even occuring. I don't think they lost momentum, I don't think they ever had any. What's it all about?

Foxie's got it right. At $7.50 , they ain't cheap but they ain't too high priced. Also the Lightweight Wire Gate is only 2 grams more than the WC and priced at only $5.95. I have a bunch of these and I love them. They carry them at Second Ascent in Ballard.

CBS: Tell your friend to pass the trangos on to me....I'l take care of them.

Damn Dru...I was reading this and thinking: "What the hell is Dru talking about?" Then I thought back and remembered. Oh yeah. You're correct.

It is my understanding that the Acme cams and the Clog Cams are made by the same manufacturer, and are the same Cam with a different label. . .though I can’t say that for sure. I am not a fan of the little metal stem tip. If you are looking at inexpensive cams, you may want to consider Rock Empire. They are usually around $30.00 and are DECENT cams. I’ve used a couple and for basic rock I can’t complain, but I don't really love them either. They are dual stemmed, which some don’t like. I don’t have a problem with them. I have, use, and love Trango Cams, both the older model (dual stem) and the newer flex cams (mono-stem). I think that I prefer the mono-stem flex cams. For the price they are hard to beat. They are lightweight which is great, especially on alpine routes. Solid performance at the crag or in the mountains. From the Trango Page: At $39.99 they are still priced nice. Good luck....

I'd check Second Ascent in beautiful downtown Ballard. I got a pair of similar aluminum Camps there about three years ago (and love um). They were a little different than the ones you s want in that they were a hybrid binding with a strap on front and a step-in type rear portion. I know that I have seen Camps in the case since that time. Give them a call.

I use a 9.8mm Single dry rope by 60 m for alpine rock climbs. I use a thin 8mm cord for glcaier travel. So that said I'd bring both to Wash and use the tin rope on glacier climb (Rainier) and then a thicker true "single" rope on alpine climbs. Thats said, if I know the route and a chance of a fall is slim I have a 9mm by 50m dry that will use on alpine rock routes that is fine for crossing glaciers as well.

I haave many Arab friends. they belive that MOST Lybians will welcome Westerners. That said there are some fundamentalists and freaks there, just like here. Further the services aren't up to par with Eurpope or the states, or even South America. But I agree it would be a kick as trip!!! Does anyopne know anything abotu the climbing potential there. I'd image there are some cool desert towers or at least good cliffs....anyone?

I would be careful with any local guides that you do not have recomendations from North Americans. A "guide" in South America is USUALLY very different from a guide in the states or Canada. Have you talked to Mountain Mandess? www.mountainmadness.com Or call Mark Gunlogson at 1-800-328-5925. I know that they do custom trips. Further, they may be able to receommend a local guide if they cannot do a custom trip to fit your needs. Don't get me wrong, there are good guides down there, but there are a LOT of very bad guides too. And some real crooks.

Erock, I don't think the R party will implode on this issue. Unfortunately there are many people in this country that agree with Bush on this issue. Some are in the Demo party too (though not many), and some (more) are in the traditional democrat voting block. More of course are already in the R party. The battle is now, and has always been, in the middle ground. Many of the middle grounders are salt of the earth type people that are family oriented (traditional family that is). Most of these people who aren't really in the Christian Right are still somewhat religious. Picture the lower middle class guy that works hard and is socially conservative, but is in a Union. He’s no liberal, but votes democrat, at least usually. This is the type of issue that pisses these people off and makes them either stay away from the ballot box or vote R as a protest vote. I now many people like this back in the Midwest and in the Southeast. This may become the wedge issue that pushes these people toward Bush, at least for this election. I’m an L, so I don’t care what gays do. If they want to get married, or enter into a civil union, I don’t care. I have no religion, but I can see the religious side. Marriage is ARGUABLY a religious institution. So make civil unions for ALL non-religious types that has the identical benefits as marriage. You can’t force a Church or Mosque to marry gays, or anyone not of their faith, so let me have a civil union. (just thinking out loud here).

Try this Go right to the source....

I lost my ATC last year...I looked at lots of devices and came right back to the ATC. Simple, easy, lightweight...and proven.

Why? The democrats regulate morality all the time. Look at the supreme court. Think of political correctness. Nothing more than telling someone they are wrong for the beliefs they may choose to vocalize. I for one am sick of that shit. Are you upset because swinging swinging away from a degenerate society is less appealing to you? I didn't comment on the Democrats....don't assume that becuase I raised an issue with the Rs that I am a D. And don't assume that I am an R either. I agree that the Ds have plenty of problems...and totally agree on the PC thing. It is the same because it is a group mentality and I am an individual believing strongly in indivdual rights. But the whole religious right thing scares away too many people like me that are more libertarian in our beliefs (not necessarily in the L party though). As far as being a degenerate goes, that's for me to decide. If I want to swing away I can. You watch your own, and I'll watch mine. Don't tell me how to live. You sound almost PC there TeleNut.

And now if we could convince the Republicans to not only stay out of society's wallet, but also out of society's bedroom and keep their fucking morals to themselves, they might have a bunch more party members.

Yes, I've done it. It does help an older rope that is loosing its DWR, but it isn't perfect. Its worth it though. There was a recent thread on this topic somewhere. Do a search, you'll find it.

Ted: as I said: "A last minute extension is unlikely. It would have to come out of committee as a whole new bill. This year they are too busy to screw around with it. Many have elections to worry about." Yes it is possible. But if it is not adopted by the House then new language must be agreed too. Sure there is caution, but odds are pretty good that this will either pass and lapse or not pass and lapse. As I said above it could go the other way, but odds are on our side this time.

I'm sure most here would agree the North Ridge of Stuart which is a grade IV 5.9. It is a fair amount of pitches, about 15 with a handfull of pitches going at 5.8 - 5.9. It can be done by skipping these "gendarme" pitches making it a bit easier. For something easier in the same area, but very fun, maybe do a traverse of the three Ingals peaks. This is 5.7 with most of it being low fifth and some scrambling. Both are in a beautiful setting. Maybe West Ridge of Forbidden Peak = 5.6 Grade II-III, 50 degree snow, some glacier travel Maybe East Ridge of Forbidden Peak = 5.8 Grade II. Washington Pass has some GREAT "alpine crag" climbing where you can car camp at night and hit some amazing climbing by day. Really, the routes there range from easy classic to stout and challenging classics. A can't miss area in my opinion. Look at some books (Beckey's Cascade Alpine Guides and Nelson Selected Climbs in the Cascades) and generate a list. Then post your list seeking feedback. You'll get plenty of beta and opnions. I really think you should consider doing Rainier and then fan out and hit the North Cascades. There is SOOO much more here than Rainier. And may the permit situation is good, because many North Cascades area don't consider that time of year as high season. 2 cents. Anyone have any other peaks or areas to suggest?

My buddy did it for a couple of seasons. I was amazed at how well he was able to ski on it. He used Koflach Arctis Expds. (old neon color models) with Silveretta 404s. He also used an old Tele-cuff that I think was made by Grantie Gear? He said it helped some, but not a lot. He now uses a split board set up. I tried skiing the same set up minus the Tele-cuffs on a few trips and got my ass handed to me. Hello AT boots.

Also, you can simply wash them in a tub or a large sink. You'll likely be surprised how much dirt comes out of them.

Daisy Chain

I was at Second Ascent the other day and saw a good diagram and visual explanation of why you shouldn't tie in to a biner that has been routed through the waist belt and the leg belt as suggested by some here. It creates a three way load on the biner (as stated by some here). Biners are tested and designed for a two way load. The weakest part of the biner is the gate. When you use the biner in the way suggested by some here, and a leader falls (or any weight is placed on the rope) it could create a three way load (waist belt, leg webbing, and the rope). Should anyone of these three loads land on the gate, failure is POSSIBLE. I tried to find the Petzel link with the diagram, but I couldn't find it. Given the POSSIBILITY of a three way load on the biner and the second possibility of the load on the gate, I don't see why one would do it this way. But hey, I'm just here for the beer.......

Red Mt. Really more of a snowshoe up than an actual climb...but we got a good view from its summit.

Got ya

I meant that somewhat tongue and cheek. many here on CC.com se things in black-n-white when many of us are grey. I'm not anti R at all. Not anti D either. The Rs did the right thing here, that's for sure.