Climbing Back Up The Mountain: Eastern Mountain Sports

I read this article shortly before becoming a part-time employee at one the 85 stores mentioned. I had been a patron of the store for over 7 years and watched the logos change, and saw the shift of the store, and thought the company was heading back into the right direction. After almost two years of working there, I decided to move on, mostly because I switched my day time job back in the city, but where is the passion of EMS?

This article highlights the good changes, but as of December 2006, ripe for the holidays, the company started making "Guides" where Blue lanyards that say Gift-Cards Always Perfect and also attaching a gift card to the lanyard. This may not seem strange in the retail world, but seeing how the last lanyards were about safety in the wilderness Stay Put, Stay Dry I thought this a reversal of the referenced motto of EMS.

My point? I think EMS is heading into the wrong direction with the current merchandise it labels/manufactures. I think that they should listen to the likes of Yvon Chouinard and do more for the environment, like having the managers take care of Recycling in the store (currently not all stores have the ability to recycle more than cardboard). I think they should concentrate on a set of products well and improve them, instead of trying to make everything, especially military/urban style clothing.

Reach out to your local stores, call the 1-800 # and send emails to the company letting them know that they are not going in the right direction. They are heading to the Mall again with some of the current products. I believe that EMS is an awesome company, a great brand for the Northeast, and a great place to work, but I don't agree with everything they are doing in the stores, and with products.

This is just my point of view.
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Climbing Back Up The Mountain: "By the time Manzer signed on as CEO in 2003, 'EMS had become a Gap with climbing ropes'.

N. Ireland's decisive move toward peace | csmonitor.com

N. Ireland's decisive move toward peace | csmonitor.com

DRUDGE REPORT 2007®

I almost forgot about this site. I think this is one the most brilliant on the www.

DRUDGE REPORT 2007®

Northern Ice

Northern Ice!

Kick, Kick, Swing Swing. Back in December I posted that I got into the AMC Mountaineering Ice Program, and last weekend I had the chance to do the first leg of the training. I drove with two cohorts from the program from Boston to Glen, NH to stay at the coveted Harvard Cabin. However, a week prior I volunteered to “camp” as there was too many people signed up to stay inside the cabin. So I trucked my trusty one man tent and two sleeping bags and braved the harsh northern winter, for Friday. I mean it wasn’t that bad. I was inside until midnight and slept for 7 hours like a baby. But then the fun began.

On Saturday we trucked to the Glen Junction Diner, and ate a hearty breakfast. Then we were en-route to the famed Frankenstein Cliffs. Day one proved excellent. Yours truly climbed ice in many ways; no hands using feet/crampons only, using one axe, and ultimately a couple of routes utilizing 2 axes and crampons. We also learned how to safely move (ascend/descend) snow and ice slopes, staying warm in 15 degrees, and placing and removing ice screws. The day culminated in a beer or two at Margarita Grill, and dinner with all of the leaders, assistants and students back at the Cabin. So during dinner I struck up a conversation with one of the leaders, and asked about the sleeping arrangements. Apparently even though they thought that we were overbooked sleeping wise, there were actually less people than expected sleeping in the cabin. So I wimped out and went inside to sleep. Making me feel more like a wimp, both nights one guy slept in an OR Bivvy sack. Yeah, I am a wimp, oh well.

Day two was to be a low grade multi-pitch instructional day, however after getting to the parking lot of Willy’s slide, estimated temperature was 0 degrees, and wind speed about 50mph at least, our instructors deemed that we would be “retarded” to try to go up on the exposed route. I didn’t see any actual verification of this weather, but as we drove to Willy’s (Crawford Notch) the wind shear, was blowing my car (a Subaru outback with 3 grown men and equipment) all over the road. Needless to say I was very pleased to be called retarded, and we headed back to the Frankenstein cliffs area right down the road. Instead of going back to where we climbed the day prior, we hiked in to Arethusa Falls. This is an amazing waterfall and a pretty gentle hike in, during the summer. With snow, a heavy pack and mountaineering boots it felt like three miles. Just the same, it was a nice day, sun was out, and when we got to the base of the cliff, there was no wind, just bone breaking cold, 10 degrees by my thermometer, and likely actually colder. I was so cold that I had to keep taking off my boots to rub my toes and “crack” them to get the blood flowing. This was really my fault, not the cold. I wore too thick socks which was cutting proper blood flow. So lesson learned wear thinner socks.

I had been into Arethusa Falls with Kate a couple of years ago, and hiking in I was curious how I was going to climb this monster waterfall. Our instructors set about 3 ropes for us to try, and a couple of folks did multi pitch routes. I do have to say that I rocked that ice! I loved the climb, though I was scared a little shitless when one of my foot placements slipped, but otherwise felt very strong!

All in all this was an awesome weekend. Once my cohorts post some pictures I will add some links.

Everest at any price? Letting a man die?

Everest at any price? Letting a man die?

This is a great article on the toll that personal achievement as taken on the sport of climbing. Most climber would do anything for anyone they are in kinship with. Perhaps this is the point. When you pay $60k to climb something, you feel absolutely no kinship, you don't respect others and you forget that base human instinct to help others. I mean, what the F? If you were walking down the street and you saw someone dying, would you walk past them? If it could be calculated who those climbers were who walked past this man en route to the summit, they should all be made to pay restitution to the dead climbers family, bastards!

This brings up other ethical concerns also. Do morals go out the window, when you engage dangerous sports? I don't think so. I think we all should learn from this tragic trend, and do something to help fix the problems. Even Sir Hillary is denouncing the current state of mountaineering on everest, come on folks, wake up.

Ouray Ice Festival, Damn fine climbing

Check out the description of the "Diving Board" this guy climbed in Ouray this past weekend. It sounds like one crazy climb. For more on the festival, which happens each year, check out http://www.ourayicepark.com/Montrose Daily Press Online

Put off reading this until tax time - Yahoo! News

Procrastination Study, this is right on the money. Put off reading this until tax time - Yahoo! News

Report: Bonds failed amphetamine test - Yahoo! News

Can we just kick this guy in the nuts and call it a day? I mean, he is guilty, guilty, guilty. He is a poor role model for would be baseball players, and he has an awful attitude. Can we just kick him out of the MLB for being an idiot, and forget about him? Seriously.Report: Bonds failed amphetamine test - Yahoo! News

Bradford Washburn, father of modern Museum of Science, dies at 96 - Local News Updates - The Boston Globe

Excellent article, not obituary. Read about this incredible scientist, and mountaineer.Bradford Washburn, father of modern Museum of Science, dies at 96 - Local News Updates - The Boston Globe

Climbing silo: Farming, extreme sports combine

This is an awesome story. I have heard of this, and think that it is an awesome idea. We are lucky to have hills and mountains to climb. This should inspire us all to climb what we can.Climbing silo: Farming, extreme sports combine

Man, I wish I owned a Trailer, in Florida

Fla. trailer park OKs megabucks sellout - Yahoo! News Fla. trailer park OKs megabucks sellout - Yahoo! News

Winter workouts can help you stay in shape for climbing

I found this article online today, from Cincinnati.com-The Enquirer. I think this is pretty good little article, gives some general winter strengthening ideas to the average climber. The Enquirer - Winter workouts can help you stay in shape for climbing

Blast from the Past Take 2

This is also from Jake, from 2004. Maybe almost too far, but not really.


Apology Letter to Jesus,

By Jeni

Dear Jesus,

Sorry. Let me just get that out of the way. Do you realize how hard it is for me not to break my lent promises when I get drunk? You know about the googly eyes. Of course you do, you're the son of God. I had been drinking all day at the St. Patty's Day parade. Of course you know how that is (you being Irish and all). One thing led to another at the Average Joe party, With so many average looking guys around, I couldn't help myself. I mean how often are you able to say you hooked up with someone in a "Boner" jacket. I apologize again profusely for hooking up with a single member of the opposite sex and did not participate in lesbianism, orgies, threesomes, adultery, bag over the head, pony play, and bestiality like you had intended, o son of god. Please forgive me and do not damn me to burn in hell (which would be keeping my job for life 24/7 without a single beer). I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Please remember that I really do heart Jesus.

And scene,

Jeni

Blast (in the ear) From the Past

This is Jake's recount of an incident in Charleston, MA in 2004. Read on reggae woman.

I Fought the Drunk, Undercover, Chinese Law and the Drunk, Undercover, Chinese Law Won

The Projects, Charlestown, MA: Heading home from the birthday dinner of R. Morse proved to be a quite an adventure for 5 members of the clan Randy, R. Morse, Jake, Matt and Steve. After having a delicious dinner in the North End, the group was heading home simply to take a nap or get their drink on. Turning the corner into the Charlestown projects, the "car" in front of the group decided to turn left. As Matt began passing the car on the right, the blinker immediately went off and the car pulled in front of us almost sideswiping the entire lot and destroying the "promising" lives in the car all before the age of 32. Apparently, Mr. Steve Sheridan felt compelled to softly yell, "What the fuck" as the car was narrowly leaving bumper marks in Matt's leg. Apparently, Steve's window was open. Next thing the group knows, flashing blue lights all around. The Fuzz is on the group's tail. Matt quickly pulls the car over and prepares the license and registration. The rest of the account will be told in dialog fashion.

(A sober irish undercover cop approaches Matt's window, meanwhile to the surprise of everyone a second figure moves towards the passenger side heretofore referred to as Drunken Chinese Cop (who by the way was wearing a hoodie, over 50 years old, and looked like he lived on the street. I seriously thought he was a homeless person making the experience that much more nightmarish to me.)

Sober Officer B (S.O.B.) - License and registration please

Matt: Here you go sir, what seems to be the problem?

SOB: I'll be right back. (Chinese guy is slowly developing a tic outside Steve's window)

Steve: What the hell did we do wrong? This is fucked up.

Drunken Chinese Cop's (Dr. ChinC) fist flies threw the open window striking Steve squarely in the ear.

Steve: Sir what was that for?

Dr. ChinC: What are you stupid? Get out of the car and fight like a man.

Steve: I'm not getting out of this car. Are you crazy?

Dr. ChinC: Punk kid. Get out of the car, I'll show you who the big man is. C'mon big man. Get out of the Car.

Steve: I am not getting out of the car.

Dr. ChinC: C'mon (inaudible drunken mumbling)

Steve: Sorry sir what did you say?

Dr. ChinC: What are you deaf?

Steve: I'm sorry sir I can't hear very well. Apparently I was just struck in the right ear.

(meanwhile the entire car is focused on the insane homeless, drunk, Chinese, elderly cop in the hoodie jumping up and down like an epileptic chihuahua on crystal meth - jaws are on the floor wondering whether this guy will just pull a gun on us and end our fragile pathetic lives before the Sox win the Series.)

SOB comes back realizes his partner is drunk and insane and quite possibly struck a passenger in the car.

SOB: Sir why is this car registered out of state. Why? Where are you going?

Matt: This is my company car. We just had dinner in the north end and we are headed back to where I live in Somerville.

SOB: Did you guys all go to school?

Matt: Yes sir, we are all Cornell grads.

(SOB suddenly realizes that his partner is completely fucked. Not only were the punk kids he hit not carrying drugs and looking for ho's (well perhaps carrying some drugs) but were Ivy league grads with good jobs heading home from an expensive dinner. SOB sees his career flashing before his eyes. Dr. ChinC suddenly isn't so tough.)

Matt: Officer what seems to be the problem?

SOB: You've got to watch your mouth around here - you can't be yelling things out the window at people. (Apparently yelling things out a window is not covered by first amendment rights in Charlestown)

Dr. ChinC: (looking suddenly sober) Yeah you never know who's carrying a "hot box" around here.

(everyone in the car puzzled by the term "hot box")

Dr. CHinC: You know a "hot box" - you're lucky someone didn't have gun in their glove compartment. You guys live in Somerville - you know how it is.

(everyone nods not feeling that this is the time to tell him we live in Davis Square and do not have to fight off gang members on our way to and from Sligo Pub.)

SOB: Just get out of here and be more careful - you are lucky today.

Matt: Yes sir thank you.

Officers leave - entire car "What the Fuck was that about?"

Steve: I don;t know let's get home so I can file a report.

(Now home on the phone with Charlestown police:)

Steve: Yes I was struck in the head by an undercover policemen near the Charlestown projects around 8 tonight.

Police Station: Can you describe what this person looks like?

Steve: Yes he was over 50, chinese, with gray hair, wearing a hoodie.

Police Station: We don;t have any record of anyone working in that area tonight. The description may be too broad.

Steve: Forgive me for being stereotypical, but how many elderly Chinese undercover cops do you have currently working the Charlestown projects.

Police Station: I'm sorry sir I can;t help you. You may try calling the Boston police.

Steve: Fuck this.

So in the end, Steve ended up getting punched by an elderly drunken Chinese cop and losing hearing in his ear for almost a week. It is not currently known if this hearing is currently 100%. Due to the fact that he still does not own a boxspring and still sleeps on a mattress on the floor covered in dirty clothes and mouse droppings after constant prodding, we believe he can't hear a thing.

Brett Deenen - Pandora Internet Radio

You have to Love Pandora.com. I was listening to a Dylan station, and they played this cat, Brett Deenen. I dig it so now I made a Brett Deenen station and am telling everyone about it. Check him out.
Brett Deenen - Pandora Internet Radio

The Original Swedish Fish

In my office we have a giant bof of Swedish Fish, just like at Bogardus' General Store from my youth. I was curious as to how much sugar/carbos' I was inhaling so looked up the site. Enjoy!
The Original Swedish Fish

Techcrunch » Blog Archive » 2007: Web 2.0 Companies I Couldn’t Live Without

This is a list that I found today, not one I wrote. This highlights some pretty darn good startups over the past year, and a bunch of web services that I use and would endorse. Check it out.Techcrunch » Blog Archive » 2007: Web 2.0 Companies I Couldn’t Live Without