mastertangler wrote on May 24^th, 2010 at 5:42pm:



Guys,
when I ask you to go do something it's just my way of showing I share your interest. Get it? Lighten up, I'm not that scary. "sure, sounds great" is the correct response. Or, "Ya sure, you betcha, don'tcha know" if your from canoe country.

Actually it's not to bad Mat. I wouldn't do the Hazard route. One day is a 4 mile snowfield to camp Muir, nothing technical, no ropes or crampons. Just a trudge with great views. Then it's a 3 A.M. start with rope and crampons for about 3 hours. Just have to get off before the sun hits the mountain and stuff starts loosening up and falling off. Lots and lots of people climb it. Even old guys like me.

Talking about knees I have an appointment with the Orthopedic surgeon June 7. It hasn't bothered me all winter but I wrenched her pretty well setting up on a fish offshore just recently wearing those stupid croc shoes. My little party is holding their breathe wondering if I'll make the "Q" this July 4th. Good thing the plan is base camping in North Bay, feel good about pulling that off.

Moving like an old lady is not a bad thing. I employ climbing tricks when going up inclines all the time. It seems painfully slow at first but your usually only a few minutes longer. Take a step....take a breathe.......take a step........take a breathe........repeat to the top. I'm never out of breathe on steep places, don't break into a sweat, my legs never quiver from lactic acid build up. In fact sometimes I have old lady's blow by me....."get out of the way sonny!!" 

solotripper wrote on May 26^th, 2010 at 3:46pm:


Have to set the record straight Big Daddy. A bookshelf of climbing books does not make me a climber. Part of the bucket list.

I love the high country though and back in the "day" was part of a group of hot shot hikers that worked at Mt. Rainier. My claim to fame was a 2 day solo snowshoe up to Camp Muir in the middle of winter. Created a bit of a buzz. Ah, the glory years. I am but a shadow of that fellow now.  

Yea I got sucked in.....all the offshore guys wear them. Salt water is tough on footwear, especially with all the hosing down of the decks. That material is impervious. Plus it has a cushioning effect when running in tough seas. My usual choice offshore is a pair of Yachting boots. I still can't figure out why I had those dopey Crocs on.

Oh well, I'm still mobile. I had to get this knee looked at sooner or later.....this presses the issue.  

Crocs?  They're awesome camp shoes.  Super light.  No problem getting them wet.  Even for someone like me who wears orthotics when walking they're quite comfortable.  Superbutugly, but who cares about fashion out there.