Masticated Gear

[RogerJ]

I don't think birds have had teeth since the Mesozoic Era.

 

-r

[cj001f]

Toys for Keas

That doesn't look like my rental corolla. The blighters stripped off the windshield wiper blades, weather stripping, then unscrewed (!) the antenna. Of course they left all the bits next to the car.

 

A short from the Arthur's Pass guide:

 

THE KEA & YOU

 

Most New Zealand climbers need not be told about the antics of Kea, for many stories have attained legendary status. The Kea (Nestor notabilis) is endangered and unique, being the only Alpine Parrot in the world.

 

The Kea is also very conspicuous in the skies and about the crags of Arthur’s Pass. The rule simply put is "DON’T FEED THE KEA;" this includes not tossing your food scraps about. Given a few kilojoules of human food they are quite capable of systematically dismantling your hut or tent, chopping your rope into useful 2m lengths, flying off with Koflach inners and basically being downright annoying. If you do become victim to the legend it WILL be your fault. Kea are totally protected and it is a criminal offence to harm them!

[DirtyHarry]

That link goes to some website where you can click on something called a "transgender vending machine."

 

Dru, dude, WTF?

[luwayo]

alpine parrot

yeah, i r'mbr you told me about its can opener of a beak!

[G-spotter]

They also like to have ski races down tin roofed hut roofs at 4 AM. Zzzzzzzzzzzuk flap flap. Zzzzzzunk flap flap. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzunk flap flap. etc.

[luwayo]

here's the little bastard who's proly retaliating for this humiliation

Edited April 13, 2006 by luwayo

[EWolfe]

Thread hijack!

 

I've never met one but the impression I get from reading of their exploits is that of a very intelligent bird that's bored out of its skull.

 

[cj001f]

I've never met one but the impression I get from reading of their exploits is that of a very intelligent bird that's bored out of its skull.

The biggest problem is roving groups of juvenile males. Sound familiar?

[EWolfe]

I am certain I have no idea what you are alluding to

 

[knotzen]

Getting back on-topic...

 

My dog chewed up a $100-pair of glacier glasses.

 

I tried to glue 'em back together, but, nah, it didn't really work.

 

And then, of course, there's my down sleeping bag that still smells like cat urine--from my ex's cat, over 6 years ago. But it's sort of a homey smell, in a weird sort of way.

[knotzen]

 

OMG, they're not tied in!! Oh Lord!

[knelson]

And then, of course, there's my down sleeping bag that still smells like cat urine--from my ex's cat, over 6 years ago. But it's sort of a homey smell, in a weird sort of way.

 

That just doesn't come out no matter what. After getting back from a one week trip, our cat showed its displeasure for us being gone that long by peeing on the lumbar padding of my pack. Soaked in real good. Didn't even notice it until the next outing when the body heat and sweat started working its way into the padding and "activated" the wonderful stench. I was seriously concerned about what this aroma might attract out in the woods.

 

After getting back home, I tried everything to get the darned smell out - even those "get rid of cat urine" products. Nope. Only thing that worked, kinda, was a baking soda paste worked into that padding... over and over again... and rinsed clean. Although it's been something like 10 years, I can still get a waft of it from time to time. Luckily, it's not my main pack anymore.

[knotzen]

Absolutely. There's nothing more intransigent than cat pee.

 

This reminds me of my very first alpine climb, Frostbite Ridge on Glacier. One of the more senior fellows on the climb left his pack out at his house overnight, and his cat peed on it. It was so ripe, you had to walk a good 50 feet or more behind him. Hilarious, but sick. I still remember that smell. And losing two toenails on the trek out.

[whirlwind]

mastication is cool though

i think im gona masticate my "gear"

[SelfArrest]

My dog got attacked by Keas and now I got a litter of these masticating my gear:

[Blake]

I was changing in the outhouse on the way back from Mt. aspiring and suddenly heard all this pounding and screaching. I thought my buddy was messing with me, but it was those stupid keas. I'm heading over Arthur's pass on Friday after a stopover at Castle Hill. I'll tell you all how Kea tastes when i get back....

 

[luwayo]

sounds dreadfully masochistic! won't you lament your chewed up package one day?

[DirtyHarry]

Would probably make life easier in the long run, though.

[luwayo]

yeah, not on my gear list but $500 Rx. it's your sweat & grimies they're attracted to. the little darlings miss you when you're not home.