Hey Jim,
You know what? You're correct. Took the time to go back and re-read. Nobody asked you to list your kit. Someone asked bout the shoes and someone else commented later that the list would be a great starting place. My bad, maybe I read some other post and cross contaminated them in my head. My bad.
As for your feeling that I'm trying to make a point, thats not entirely true. I was trying to demonstrate that your kit is magnificent and accumulated over many good and excellent adventures in the mountains (and rocks?). That same level of preparation isnt "necessary" for everyone else who wishes to enjoy the same trip you had that day in Big Bear. You'd agree with that right?
I get the sense you think you're in a pissing match with me. Not the case.
You've made some claims about the way you use your equipment and thats fine, you're not wrong.
"I'm just sayin" ....
-the primary use of water bottle insulators is to help prevent them from freezing, on say Denali, as you know. Maybe you have some new fancy dancy bottle insulator that kicks the pants off my OR one, because mine wont keep tea hot for a days outing unless its fully stuffed inside my jacket.
-The tribloc is mostly used for self-rescue stuff, or on big walls for hauling etc where a full blown ascender isnt appropriate. I think you'd agree with that too, yes? Of course everyone carries prusiks, they get shoved in your pocket and stay there. As for defining "texas configuration", well, that feels like the ol pissing contest. Dont think I mentioned the rope, but yes, if you wanted to do a traditional multi day aid climb with 30m of rope, you'd better be a magician.
- The kids backpack thing. I own some decent kit, but the thing is, you could easily do pretty much any day hike in socal with a $20 jansport. My opinion, but pretty damn close to fact. Look at the old school guys, climbed like devils and used hemp rope, a stuff sack and nail studded leather boots! Crazy right!? How'd they do that without the Patagonia Ultra-Mountain-Crusher 5000?
I'm just trying to assuage you a little bit since
I'm not talking poorly about you, nor was that my intent. I misread a bit, thought someone wanted a list of items to get em started, and wrote that nobody needs that kit to go snowshoeing in Big Bear for the afternoon. I presented something contradictory, but that's it. Wasn't a horrible crime was it?
Unfortunately, its here that you start getting a little pissy. Or maybe you thought I started it. Either way.
I'm not "critiquing your gear". You brought a bunch of stuff you were never in hell going to use on a day hike in Big Bear. Its good stuff, no doubt, but its overkill for Big Bear. That's my opinion, of course.
Its also amazing you have been able to divine the extent of my mountaineering experience and then comment that it seems "limited". Quite frankly, thats bull$$hit. Someone who shows up in Big Bear of all places and goes to the Discovery Center for tips on where to snowshoe seems to have "limited" experience.
But....I dont know a single thing about you, so I wouldnt say that. Dont say anything about me like you know me, because you dont.
So we can get off this whole pissing match thing (please), here's some info about me so you
do know me a little. I did grow up in Big Bear, I lived in San Diego after that for 7 years and did a lot of rock climbing...trips to JTree,Tahquitz and such. That quickly grew into spring climbs in the sierra. That quickly turned into full winter ascents, for which I found very few climbing partners and went up by myself, a lot. Not terribly smart, but I learned lots and never died or got seriously injured. Being a broke college student and post college kid, we never paid for any knowledge, we just drove up 395 and did it. Pooled our kits, gave the lead everything and away we went. I've only successfully climbed three 14k'ers while I have attempted (some multiple times) maybe 11 times. I attribute that to climbing in difficult winter and spring conditions, often alone, not to lack of ability. I could be wrong though, if I was Reinhold Messner I'm sure I'd have bagged them all! Either way, it was the journey not the destination. Hiking a crowded summer trail to a backed up route just to tick off a list is a terrible way to spend a weekend in my opinion. I've hiked San Gorgonio solo in the winter about a dozen times. Mt Baldy only twice in the winter. I grew up in Big Bear doing all manner of winter and summer sport in the mountains, including cross country skiing (which is scientifically proven to be cooler than snowshoeing)
. That collective experience is pretty invaluable to me. I've never climbed Mt Ranier, missed an opportunity in the summer of '04 though. Regret that still. And alas, never made it anywhere exotic like Denali to climb either. Was simply too expensive, and now that I have money, is simply not enough time. Damn the double edge sword of aging.
So there it is Jim. Be angry at me for voicing my opinion without cause, but leave the personal stuff at the door. I didnt do it to you, so please refrain from doing it to me (lower post count and all). Anyway, here's a smiley for you to make sure I'm communicating my good will effectively
I'd love to hear your climbing stories sometime, maybe over a cold brew
Brad
ps- sorry for the long post, but I dont like leaving things "hanging"
