Erwin

How bout getting some kind of gathering in the Portland area for us Oregonians? Anyone else out there I am always looking for a climbing network being relatively new to the area and am always up for a pint after work. Let me know what ya think?

Will-gotta agree with the Sammy Smith's Oatmeal Stout. I think American beers are often written off way to soon by foreigners and Americans. yes, budweiser, coors, etc. is water in a can, but the microbrewerys in this country can't be beat. Oregon and Vermont have the best microbrews in this country, with Vermont taking the cake. Stouts, Porters, the closer to tar the better for me. My favorite of all is Rock Art Brewery's Stout in Vermont. Many of you out here haven't had it, but if you like stout, this is a winner. Its not served outside of Vermont, and even there you can only get in in 5 gallons, barrrels, and growlers (spelling).

Dru, is that your date this weekend?

For getting in shape around Portland, there's plenty of hiking to do in the Colombia River Gorge plus Mt. Hood and St. Helens are really close. To get in shape I would hike Mt. Defiance in the Gorge, the hardest hike (so they say) in Oregon and puts the legs to a test as much as Hood can.

Just wondering if any of you guys and gals have climbed out there. Will be there for a week with the lady and looking for some routes. I hear there is some climbing near Emerald Bay and I have seen climbers on the rock outside the tunnel you pass approaching Stateline from the Nevada side (is this bolted or trad lines). Sorry about being so vague, I don't know the road names. Any info helps and this will keep me away from losing all my money at the casinos. Is there a guidebook for the area, I didn't see one at one of the climbing stores in Portland. Thanks a lot.

Is the campground there just for climbers or is there other stuff to do? I got to bum a ride and it would be a lot easier if my ride has something to do.

How do you get to Lover's Leap and what kind of climbing and climbers are there (sport, TR, trad). I am looking forward to it. I have always had a blast in Tahoe whether its boozing, gambling, snowboarding or biking. Unfortunately, the ladies there seem to be in low abundance. Any of you local folks ever bike the rim trail. I am not much of a biker, but riding that almost made me one. great views of the lake and a great ride. Thanks for the info and directions to Lover's leap would be great, although I am sure I can ask the locals

Jon Bernard, I am interested in taking a mountaineering class as well. Sorry to change the subject, but being a newbie to the Cascades I do not know the best way to go about taking a class. Any beta would help. Thanks

I'm a new to the Pacific Northwest and am thinking about climibing up Mt. St. Helens this weekend and snowboarding down. I havent looked at a book yet on this mountain, so I am looking for beta from anyone who knows much about the mountain (trails to use, how to get there, present conditions, technicalities, etc.) Or if you have any websites/books to look for in regards, that would also be appreciated. Also, app. how long would it take to hike up for an average climber. Anyone else interested?

Hi Gaper. I don't know of any climbing spots, but I am looking for climbing partners. I'm an east coaster who has been climbing (rock and ice) for two years. I am moving to Portland in about a week and am immediately looking for climbing parnters. I spoke with someone at the Portland rock gym who spoke of several crags within a half hour of Portland and of course Smith Rocks, which I am itching to climb at. If you need a partner to climb with, email me at jason.erwin@ef.com and we'll find the crags.

To whomever interested. I am an east coast boy who is moving to Portland in early January. I've been on rock and ice for two years (first ice leads this winter) with moderate backcountry travel skills. I'm looking for a rock/ice partner or snowboarder who is willing to show me the backcountry hot spots. I'm looking for climbing partners and someone to head up some of the cascades. Email me if interested at jason.erwin@ef.com Hope to see you on the mountains.

To whomever interested. I am an east coast boy who is moving to Portland in early January. I've been on rock and ice for two years (first ice leads this winter) with moderate backcountry travel skills. I'm looking for a rock/ice partner or snowboarder who is willing to show me the backcountry hot spots. I'm looking for climbing partners and someone to head up some of the cascades. Email me if interested at jason.erwin@ef.com Hope to see you on the mountains.