Yossarian

What do you mean by "favorable"? Are you looking for the easiest, safest, or most aesthetic line up the mountain?

Those statistics seem to be a little skewed, but if they ease the concern of others, go for it.

"To meet chickie climber babes - hubba hubba" I hope your spouse doesn't read your previous posts. Anyway, Having just returned from the Enchantments, I think you could get alot of climbing in four days being surrounded by peaks. Day one hiking, days two through three climbing. Plus, the weather is better than Baker. Of course, peak for peak none of them compare with Baker or Shucksan.

I would have to agree with some of the points you have made. There is a difference between spraying a post with off topic comments because you are bored at work and insulting someone you don't know because of an overinflated ego.

So Caveman, you can sure dish it out but can't quite take it huh? I see no reason to get so upset online. Another case of road rage on the information superhighway I guess. Until you cool down a bit, I suggest you do not make any additional posts unless they are either funny or interesting. Yossarian, provoking conflict since 1942

Not that I have any real interest if you utilize this site or not but... This site does not seemed to be designed as a reference source to answer your climbing questions, but rather a forum of discussion. However, 9 times out of 10, an inquiry results in a least a few useful replies. So what if many posts inject a little humor or bullshit. It just seems stupid to damn a forum because a few people made some sarcastic comments. Roll with the punches.

My partner lost his summit pack down the North Ridge. It was a while ago but if anyone finds it they can keep the gear, all I want is the disposable camera.

Anyone know what kind of falcons live on the index town walls? At first they appear to be peregrine but a little more brown in color. These birds provide exciting airshows for climbers as they attack the smaller birds on the cliff. Last time up an attack occured 50 feet away from my position halfway up the wall. They seem to be always around so I'm sure others have spotted them.

Remove all body hair, clip all nails, see a doctor about having tonsiles and appendix removed, relieve yourself frequently, and tie helium ballons to your pack...It works!!

"I heard rumors that some of the entrances were gated, the keys being held by local spelunking clubs or "Grottos" as they call themselves." What kind of crap is this? I can see gating a cave to prevent children from falling in, but to hold exclusive rights to a natural feature on a mountain is absurd. Anyone know anything about these "Grottos" or their reasoning?

One of the deepest caves in the northwest is Newton cave (~600ft.) located on cave ridge. I haven't been up there yet but have a couple of trip reports and was planning to go sometime this summer. Descending the cave requires a couple of rappels and alot of crawling around on wet dirty rock. There are no stalagtites or 'mites in the cave, just filthy rock.

A recreational climber has a bunch of toes but no shoes, while a professional climber has a bunch of shoes but no toes.

Different training methodologies must be utilized in order to achieve maximum performance. I find a program incorporating elements of strength, aerobic exercise, and flexibility result in a higher level of climbing ability. While I am not a doctor or physical therapist, athletes of all calibers often duplicate my techniques. Strength training begins with carrying the equipment from the car to the “training area.” Beginners, or those with kidney infections, should begin with a sixer in each hand, eventually working their way up to a half rack in a few weeks time. Eventually, multiple cases can be carried. Aerobic exercise is performed by pounding beers WHILE STANDING. This is no place for the average couch potato as drinking continuously deprives the body of essential oxygen and studies show burping burns more calories than 45 minutes on the Stairmaster. Flexibility can be improved by drinking a light beer, which, through a process similar to osmosis, lubricates tendons thus enhancing flexibility. Please consult your doctor before beginning any training program.

When I'm not wasting time on this site I aid in improving productivity as an industrial engineer. I figure if this site ever goes down I will get 34% more done at work.

REI Polar Pod 0 $150.00 4 lbs. 12 oz. 0 degrees Fahrenheit 11 x 20 inches REI Down Time 0 $220.00 3 lbs. 9 oz. 0 degrees Fahrenheit 600-fill goose down 9 x 19 inches $70 more and you'll have a bag that weighs a pound less and lasts five times as long. However, it depends what kind of climbs you do. Most of mine are three days or less, so if the bag gets wet it's no big deal. Longer adventures may require the bombproof warmth of synthetic.

Index meets the requirements for a great climbing area: free camping and free beta (entire guidebook is available online).

I don't see how it could be a seismology lab as the trains would disrupt all readings. The gravity idea seems plausable. The Sky Valley book says they were looking for the "5th force."

Numerous theories have surfaced concerning the purpose of the tunnel drilled into the lower town wall. Is it the UW's "G-13" grow lab? A sanctuary for bolt-chopping gnomes? Or merely a pathway into the center of the Earth. The mystery will be unvieled this weekend with a case of Hefe, and a large sledge hammer. Or, an insider could break silence, confidence will be assured. The truth is out there...

Another Reason to Leave Fido at Home: Halfway up the main wall at Index I saw a dinner table sized flake come loose. At the same time there was a golden retriever dorkin' around at the base. It looked like one of those roadrunner cartoons where the coyote gets smushed...oh the horror, the horror... Actually the rock missed the dog, but only by a few feet.

Who is to decide who should be allowed to climb in the mountains? Although the stupid and ill prepared often endanger themselves, I can't imagine trying to regulate an activity such as climbing.

"Call me a ranting fool to my face and we'll see how you turn out." The faceless nature of the internet has yet again given blind courage to normally passive office worker. As for DDD, I won't be the one to chop it, as I'd rather be climbing, but I see the value in restoring a classic route. Anyone object to installing a zipline from the top of Castle?

Caveman Ray, I think you came to two incorrect assumptions. First off, anyone can "handle" the walk off. I just figured there must be a straight shot to the bottom where one can get some kicks zippin down a line. Second, no one is placing additional bolts or mentioned anything of that nature. The activity of chopping bolts is mostly performed by those who place their own ego driven ideals above that which is good for the sport (some exceptions). Picking up trash at the base or cleaning up some forgotten route seems to be a better use of time.

The "Caps Lock" key is located next to "A" and under the "Tab" key on the left side of the keyboard.

First off, I never did the route so my input is pretty much worthless. However, I've been on the wall next to it, and smoke ledge looked to be a crappy place to call a home. The ledge is big enough, but the angle looked to be too steep for a comfortable bivy. I'm sure it could be done clean.

Willi Unsold (sp) lived next door to my grandparents. He kept his amputated toes on top of the fireplace. Although I never personally met Sir Hillary, I have a Kiwi friend who likes to put honey on his toast.