The Restaurant

My cousin, John called this morning. He is buying a restaurant. This is just another part of the endless loop running through my family. When my father first got married, his father black balled him in the Greek community because my dad dared to marry a non Greek. Papou hoped he'd give up, but stubbornness also runs in our family. My dad got work at the Macomb Deli (where the Zebra Room is now) right across the street from where his parents lived. Every day, his mother would go over there trying to convince him to reconsider his marriage. She offered him trips to Greece and money. She proposed sending him back to G.W.U. Then, when all else failed, she cried. Nothing worked. My father didn't particularly like the restaurant biz, but that was what he knew. He was nineteen years old with a baby on the way. The jobs he had before were picking up balls at a driving range, selling The Saturday Evening Post, and being a busboy for his father's restaurant, Macomb Cafeteria.

Later, the golf ball experience may have helped my dad get work picking up hangers off the floor for the Hecht Company, but the $15 a week was not cutting it for him. Finally one of the black balling Greeks, Steve Demas, broke down and he became a helper on a laundry truck. Eventually he was promoted to Service Manager, and got to drive a Ford coupe with the words QUICK SERVICE LAUNDRY lettered in gold on the door. By then he was 21, and he had two kids. My Papou broke down and rented him a road house called the Hollywood Inn out in Camp Springs, Md. They could live there cheaply enough, but the catch was he had to run the restaurant. By day, he worked for Quick Service and put flyers on people's cars advertising chicken dinners at the Hollywood Inn. On the weekends, he fried the chickens.

During World War Two, Papou talked my dad into running Churchhill's Bar and Grill with my Aunt Catherine and Uncle Mimi who had just arrived from Greece. Churchill's was where Cactus Cantina is now. If you go there you can see the old glass door where my mother used to sit at the cash register It was open from 6 a.m. til 2 a.m., and they all lived upstairs. My dad had to work the night shift until Uncle Mimi learned how to mix a cocktail. At the end of the war, they were able to sell Churchill's and buy their own linen service- Modern Linen. Soon my brother and all three of my cousins were drafted to go work there. They hated it. Everybody hated it, except for my uncle and my father who thought it was a piece of cake compared to running Churchill's.

Many years later, after my uncle died and my father retired, Modern Linen was sold and my cousins and brother all chose different trades. One became a teacher. One went into pest control, and one has passed on. But now years and years later, my cousin has decided to buy a restaurant. I can't wait to go.

Desert Hillside

Yard ArtLawn Darts ..

After sadly not going out on Sunday due to the forecast rain and not seeing any rain in Seattle, I convinced Adam to do a one day trip to Leavenworth. I was hoping to get a lot of climbing in, but the forecast was against us. (40% chance of rain after 2pm) So we drove into the Icicle and headed straight for Peek-a-Boo Tower to do the three star route Yard Art, but finish with the four star Lawn Darts.

Adam starting the first pitch

It was partly sunny as we hiked up, but we quickly donned jackets for the climb, and I ended up in my shell before leaving the ground. Adam led the first pitch which was varied 5.7 climbing and mostly gear. (I found the crux of the pitch to be a chimney like feature about half way up.) I came up to the belay and got confused by the guide's description of the second pitch. "Scary moves off the belay" was not exactly true, as the first moves off the belay were not scary. Once you clip a bolt, there were some delicate moves (crux of the pitch) left before making a few moves upward where you are able to grab a large crack and the difficulties ease off for the rest of the pitch. I led up this pitch and brought Adam up.

Adam coming up the second pitch

Adam said he'd give the next pitch a go, but balked a bit a few moves from the third clip. He started to down climb a move and I didn't like what I saw and locked him off just before he slipped and fell. He shook himself off without any injury and got back on. He started to do the same moves again but admitted his head wasn't in it after the fall. He backed off and gave the lead to me. I cruised up the spot where he peeled, and made the few delicate maneuvers to reach the next bolt and continue to the top. When I got to the anchor, instead of proceeding to the base of Lawn Darts, I stopped and belayed Adam up. There was a wet patch on Lawn Darts, and I wasn't sure it was possible to do, so I wanted to look at it while I belayed Adam.

Adam cruised the pitch on top rope, and we briefly assessed Lawn Darts from the belay. We agreed the water did not appear to affect the route, and I belayed Adam over to the base of the climb, where he brought me up.

We put the trad rack in our pack, and I counted enough draws to make it to the top. Then I proceeded up. This long pitch starts easily and then reaches a small overlap where I slipped after clipping the bolt. (I did not fall.) That shook me up as I was just standing there, and I think it really messed with my head. I hung for a bit before getting back on. The rock near my feet had a high quartz content, and was quite slippery. I had to work for good foot placements before stepping up onto the overlap, where traction got better. A few moves higher up and there were larger features and eventually some cracks/holes that made the climbing much easier through that section. Around this point, it started to rain slightly. Not enough to make the rock wet yet but enough to make me notice.

Adam at the base of Lawn Darts

The crux of the route comes surmounting a roof. It is easy to get halfway up and clip a bolt above the roof, but I found the next move right to be difficult. In my head I just wanted off the climb, and with the slight rain, I just couldn't motivate to figure out the correct sequence and eventually grabbed the draw to move over. Once in my new position I used some "bigger holds" to gain upward movement and continue to the top. I didn't find the upper section that difficult, but my mind was pretty fried and that always makes climbing feel difficult. At the top I set up a belay and brought Adam up. He hung to rest his calves, and then fell twice at the move right above the roof. Fortunately the rain waited to come down harder until he was at my side. Then we started our rappels.

Rapping in the rain

While we rapped quickly, the rain started coming down harder. By the time we were on our final rap, the rock was wet, and we were getting a little more wet too. We packed up and the rain subsided, only to return again harder about the time we reached the car. Our hopes for other climbs faded, and we headed home to Seattle where it was raining heavily on the west side of the Cascades.

A few interesting items of note. One is that I have been noticing the weather forecasts to be spot on lately. The forecast for Seattle the other day said showers until 11am, and I think they may have lasted until 10:30 before tapering off. Today on route, the rain arrived around 2pm just as forecast. This is interesting, but I have made a new policy of going out to Leavenworth as long as the forecast calls for less than 50% chance of rain. Not sure if I'd apply that same rule to the west side or mountains yet. The other item of note is that Lawn Darts is completely within my capability and I did not climb it that well. I started off with a good head for the climb, but the impending weather and generally lackluster day wore me down. As well as my unexpected slip. I'm not sure there is anything I can do about climbing in weather, but I'll try to be more conscious of my deteriorating head space in the future.

The Center of US

Saturday, May 7th - - The above sign is located on U.S. Highway 36 in north-central Kansas. Several miles northwest is the small, rather desolate and forlorn looking town of Lebanon and a little further to the northwest of Lebanon is the Geographic Center of the Contiguous United States.





Going up... on Kansas 191



And over. At the end of the road is “The Center” of the U.S.



This new little chapel seats four. The original was destroyed in .. by a speeding car.



The official marker denotes the spot.



The flag really needs to be replaced. A strong wind was blowing as I'm guessing it does much of the time.





Lebanon has souvenirs?

Gourd in Tree

the morning glories weren't the only vine that grew up into a tree. I had a gourd vine grow up into one of my redbud trees. I knew the vine was growing up the tree but hadn't seen any gourd on it. The tree leaves hid the little gourds so well I didn't see them until they were quite large. About a foot tall. I hope the tree can handle the weight. They look like odd decorations hanging in the tree - about 5 in all. And I have about 20 more growing on the ground where they belong.

Sunrise over Hollow Rock Bay

This morning's sunrise certainly wasn't "knock your socks off" beautiful, but it was still pretty. Generally I like to have some nice clouds to accent the sunrise, but a lot of times that doesn't happen. One thing that really stood out about this morning was how calm everything was. The lake was very flat, just a barely perceptible surge that was moving in and out of the bay. The trees were absolutely still, not a lick of wind to stir their branches. The sound of the ice crunching underfoot was almost deafening in this silent air. The morning started off chilly with a temp just below 20 degrees, but not long after the sun came up the temp rose to above 30 and with no wind and that radiant heat, it felt quite warm!

Blueberry Crumb Bars

Blueberry Crumb Bars, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

A delicious recipe I came across at nookandpantry.blogspot.com/. These bars have warm blueberries on the inside with a crumbly, sweet, and buttery crust. They are easy to make and very satisfying. Try them!

*I would, however, use more sugar than the recipe at Nook & Pantry called for.

True Love!.... Scarpa 6000 mods

Two of the best names in the business make a great pair of boots ;)




I written about so many boots here that I have lost count.



I had so many different pairs of boots over the last 10 years I've lost count.



I've always known I had feet that were difficult to fit. Have since middle school and earlier. Literally as long as I can remember. Long and narrow feet with a really narrow heel. I've seen skinnier feet just not many. Poor bastards, even skinnier feet have REAL problems fitting rock shoes and mountain boots.



I've also know a couple of guys that might as well have a pair of duck's feet. Super wide forefeet sothey have to buy shoes a couple of sizes too long just to accommodate the width of their feet. Now there is a problem I really, really wouldn't want. Nothing helpful for the end user there.



As my feethave aged theyhave needed a wider last. Bunions from years in too tight of rock shoes and too tight of ski boots. The small bunions on my little toe and even worse on my big toe have slowly developed and grown larger almost every year. So no more super tight rock shoes or ski boots but nothing a bit of boot stretching or a wider boot hasn't helped so far.



In the past I have really liked/enjoyeda very few pairs of boots. The first a pair of leather and wood, hand pegged Haderer single boots. Those I picked up 2nd hand. Loved those boots and climbed hard in the mountains with them. They required a Super Gaiter to keep my feet warm enough though. The Haderers were pretty much an over built Galibier Super Guide as a reference. But oh my, did those boots ever fit my feet well. A rigid sole and plenty of support. Perfect!



Next up was my first and only pair of plastics. the Kolflach Ultras. Size 12. Those are still sitting in my gear room, literally rotting away. But I'll likely never get rid of them. First climbing boot I had to use moleskin with on a regular basis. That wasonly just OK for fit, but they were always warm and climbed exceptionally well. After that it has been a blur going down hill. The first Batura stands out. The Phantom Guide did not. May be I should have given the Phantom Guide a better opportunity to impress me. The Spantik is a great boot. Once I found a pair that wouldn't break. The Baruntse is good. But both have obvious flaws.



So what do I really like? The Phantom Ultra is still in my life. Hard to replace though here in North America. Huge bummer. Sadly the newest Batura...an amazing boot BTW....just doesn't fit my feet well. No one more depressed about that than me. Because it could have been "THE" boot for me. The newest Rebel Ultra is certainly enticing. I'll be writing about it shortly. Really stoked about that! I am hoping the R.U. will ease some of the use on my Phantom Ultras and give them an extended life. Hope so as the Phantom Ultra seems to be discontinued. That was a mistake IMO if that is true. Either way I have high hopes from using the Rebel Ultra this spring on ice and this summer in the alpine.



Boots are like a few other important things in life. "You can never be too rich, too strongor too light."



I think boots should have a similar label. A winter boot can never be too warm, too light or too comfortable as long as it climbs icewell.



Commoncomplaint I hear on the 6000? ......this time by"Mike":

"Does anyone have any idea how significant the ankle support gain would be with using a Baruntse inner boot in a Scarpa Phantom 6000? I bought the Phantom 6000 in spring and used in in Alaska this year on a lot of endurance ice ( Mt. Huntington West ). They where super warm, light and perfect in steep ice and mixed. They turned out to be complete calf killers in the 50 – 70 degrees blue hard ice part."



That stand out comment from end users on the Phantom 6000,again is, " lack of support on endurance ice". That was something I could still work with though. Unpleasant at times but workable.My biggest complaint was the factory inner boot. The factory 6000 inner bootoffered me a poor fit. More imprtantlyit is really hard to get in and out of with any socks I was using because of the friction between the sock and the lack of inner linner on the foamboot. (Really? What is Scarpa thinking there? Rookie design errorimo)



That problem was not easy to solve but easy enough to have a place to start. I tried stuffing myLa Sportiva Baruntse inner boots in the 6000 shell. (the liners are made by Palau in France) The first pair were just a hair too big to fit the 6000 shell well. It tookMike's most recent comment and a full year of waiting to finallybuy a second pair of inner boots and molding them to fit the 6000. If only I had done it earlier! The Denali Intuition liner stiffened up the Spantik in a similar manner. So I thought it worth looking at a better inner boot again in the 6000.Mind you I have climbed a lot in the Baruntse and the Spantik and I really likeboth boots. But was always disappointed that La Sportiva wouldn't take advantage of the technology they had on the table, when theycould so easilyimprove either boot. Again, someone is dropping the ball here imo.



Their loss, my gain. Eventually. Eventually, because I kept playing with my Spantiks, Baruntses and the 6000 trying to get the lightest and best fitting double I could come up with...that still climbed as well as I wanted. Did I mention the 6000 is the easiest boot mentioned hereto lace? It is. By a big margin if you have to strap them down as tight as I do. Extremely easy in and out with the ability to adjust the lacing as required. The best of the bunch here for ease of lacingwith the Baruntse liner installed.



Fit was even easier. The Baruntse liner is heat formable and lots of foam there to workwith. Hard not to get a perfect fit if you know what you are doing. Light weight? Nothing as light,as warmor as comfortable that I know of when using the Baruntse liner and the 6000 shell. Nothingcomes even remotely close tohow well that combo actually climbs. May be the factory Baruntse. But again so many other things are lacking on the Baruntse when you make that comparison.






Size 45 with a proper insole @ 2# 9oz or 1160g








What was left was "endurance ice". Funny, my 2nd,smaller and better fitting inner bootadded enough support to the 6000 shell that those worries are gone. Totally gone! Makes the 6000 a front pointing machine, with a loss of some ankle flexibility side to side. That loss I can easily live with after gaining the extra support front to back. Some one besides myself ought to be paying attention here!!!



Seriously this is the first boot I have fallen hard for since my 2nd hand Haderers in the '70s. But the 6000 with a Baruntse inner bootproperly fitismuch lighter, much warmer and much more comfortable. And *CRIKEY* the Phantom 6000 climbs ice well! Any ice!



Half the equation on ice is the crampon. I noticed the Cyborg/Spantik combo Dave was using last trip had some flex in the crampon while he was climbing. Not uncommon with that set up from what I have seen. Part of the reason is the Spantik's heel/midsole is too soft imo and collapses when the crampon lever is tightened. At least the Baruntse midsole avoided that issue. Part of it is the design flaw in the Cyborg's connecting bar set up. None of that nonsense (bulllllllshiit) on the 6000 midsole or the Petzl crampons.






The obvious crampon flex is not good! Boot is a 46.





Worth noting the dismal crampon sole coverage on that boot/crampon combo as well.

It is a sick joke butneeds to be pointed out, again.




I have been using the Dartwin and Dart on my 6000 and the Phantom Ultra. Both boots use the same heel/toe inserts and midsole. That combo of boot and crampon fits extremely well and tightens easily with the addition of a BD heel levers. Same crampons are good on the Ultra (or Phantom Guide) but the Ultra is a fairly softflexing boot. On the 6000 the combo climbs more like a rigid plastic boot and a heavy rigid crampon. The "rigid" combo for iceis really had to beat even 30 years after it was first introduced. Tough part is getting back to the 30+ year old bench mark of 3.5# per boot/crampon combo in my size 45/12. The 6000/Palau/Dartwin combo is 3.55#. The bonus? Gaiter included for that extra 1/2oz. We are finally ahead of the game, if only barely.






Dbl click the photo an note how flat the crampon is against the boot sole while fully weighted. The less the crampon flexes on the boot sole the better the combo will climb any kind of ice. Not every boot or crampon combo will offer this kind of performance. Add a soft flexing connecting bar to the combo and imagine the performance results. Have your partner check out your set up and take some pictures of the results next time you are out.




The nuances I have noted here in crampon and boot fit are important. I guarantee you more than you might first think. Just like the previous post on front point length. Get it all wrong and it is like trying to climb ice in roller skates. Get it right and you'll think you are a super hero. "ICE MAN" (or WOman :)


Call this one a PSA.



Palau web site

http://www.palau-boutique.com/ski-boot-liners-palau-performance-upgrading-replacement-bootfitting,us,2,11.cfm



La Sportiva web site

http://www.sportiva.com/



Scarpa web site

http://www.scarpa.com/scarpa/products/MOUNTAIN

The Wheat Fields of South-Eastern Washington

The rolling hills of south-eastern Washington, between Waitsburg and Colfax (on highways 12, 127 and 26) were fascinating. For mile after mile there is almost nothing except the wheat fields. The pictures simply don't convey the true height of those hills! The wheat had been harvested, the bales of straw had been hauled away, and the fields were being prepped for the next years crop.





As I drove further west, the weather got better!

Valley of the Gods

What a strange day! When I left the motel this morning I immediately noticed this strange sort of haze throughout the entire sky, which at first made me think of a forest fire. Then I realized that it was dust being kicked up into the atmosphere. It was incredibly windy all day, and all day these surreal skies kept me company. As the day neared its end the sky took on an even more eerie glow. Eventually as I approached Moab, Utah it started to snow a bit which seemed to knock the dust out of the sky. By the time I arrived in Moab the sky had partially cleared, and the strange haze was almost entirely gone.



These first few images were taken along the highway between Blanding, Utah and Moab.



Below: The dust storm at Goosenecks State Park, Utah. Goosenecks State Park features a series of bends in the San Juan River. I couldn't even see the bends in their entirety because of all the dust in the air.

Above and below: The dust storm in Valley of the Gods, Utah. Valley of the Gods is similar to Monument Valley, although on a less "grand" scale. It is a gem of an area, however, and if you are passing through on your way to Blanding from Monument Valley, its worth checking out.

(Above: Dusk in the Valley of the Gods)

(Below: Goosenecks State Park again, taken the night before the dust storm.)

Why We Buy (George money)

My new favorite t-shirt.

It's wrinkled, because I had to dig into the dirty clothes for it. I guess I should be ashamed of such a slipshod photo, but I couldn't convince myself to iron a dirty shirt.

One of these days I suppose I ought to start acting my age. I imagine even now, people point and whisper behind my back. Since my hearing's not what it once was, I just don't notice it.

Will I still be wearing zombie t-shirts when I'm 60? I don't know, maybe. I don't have any children to embarrass, so it's likely.

One of my friends calls the upcoming US tax rebate her George money. We plan to be good citizens and help the economy, by spending our George money instead of saving it. (Uh-huh.)

I started a little early. I've bought this zombie shirt and pre-ordered the new Charlaine Harris book. I'm already listening to my new REM CD. (I slipped up and bought a Teddy Thompson CD too, before I realized that he's British. To be a solid citizen, I should concentrate on US products only I guess.)

I also ordered this Zebra/UPC t-shirt but haven't received it yet.

I plan on buying a coffee press.

I want Annie to throw me a few bowls (if she ever gets around to pottery again).

Mmm, what else?

I've been meaning to read This Republic of Suffering and Peter Sagal's book. I want all of Elizabeth Dewberry's books. (Ack! Elizabeth Dewberry, you are brilliant, but you really need a website.)

When I told my husband I might spend all my George money on books and CDs, he thought I was kidding, and laughed.

What are you doing with your George money?

-----

The shirt is all Twinks' fault, by the way. I'd never have know about shirt.woot if I hadn't read about her Nessie shirt. I have a feeling I'll be spending lots of money there in the future.

Local crag feature "Irishtown" past and present

Well the start of the winter season /11 is underway and slowly I'm getting back into the groove of using tools and crampons on rock and ice again. Like with most previous local seasons, our first few days are spent scratching around on dismal ice, but mostly rock. Yes the cold has hit the Laurel Highlands and the ice is building fast, but the mixed climbing is our best option right now and getting even better. We really haven't seen many climbers out yet, but I'm sure this weekend will have ice climbers out at the easy access crags. With the early season mixed climbing in such good shape, I've decided to try to increase the amount of opportunity for ice climbers to try their hand at the abundance of mixed options we have in the area. I decided to revisit a climb that I top roped last season at a local crag named Irishtown. I've dubbed the route Dynamite.It's located on the lower wall at Irishtown.

equipping the route "Dynamite" at Irishtown

You can see footage of the climb at the end of this short Irishtown video by Ray Burnsworth of Wildfilm productions. Its the last climb of the clip. Now all you young whippersnappers don't be laughing too hard at the vintage '90s climbing attire. This clip shows some of the ice at Irishtown and theaboveroute is located on the lower cliff (the first of the two walls.)

This crag is an old abandoned Limestone mine that seeps water out over the front forming several nice lines. There is a lower and upper wall. The lower wall is obvious, but the upper wall is reached by going right of the lower wall andfollowing the trail to the upper wall. Its about a 5min. walk. The center of the Lower Wall is highlighted by an old mine opening, withmanymean lookingdaggers hanging off the lip. Use Caution - The warm air seeping out of the mine prevents thesolid attachment of the sickles hanging over the mouth. THEY FORM AND FALL CONTINUALLY all season long, so be careful!Since it's an old quarry/mine and some of the rock isn't the best quality, it makes for a fun mixed and drytooling crag whenother ice isn't fully formed. There are several pure ice lines which have been the main attraction of this crag in past years. Just to the right of the quarry opening is the ice route Mouth of Madness WI4-5.One of the earlier climbs of the cliff which was first climbed via top rope in the mid '80's. Not until recent years have the mixed options become so apparent. This season I hope to establish some new bolted mixed climbs to expand the options at this fun roadside crag. Another quality line at the main cliff is called The ProwWI3+,M4. Its located to the right of Mouth Of Madness. It ascends several shorter vertical sections before pulling through the rock. Finishes at the trees. You can also traverse left and finish that way if the overhanging rock intimidates you. I highly recommend this line.

Laura Hahn seconding The Prow WI4- M4 Feb

The Prow's conditions today

Myself on the Prow '09-'10 season

One of the most common email questions I receive is: I'm a newer ice climber, where do you recommend I go? Irishtown is a great choice. The Upper tier is home to several nice, (but short 15'-30') WI 3 to 3+ routes that areusually easy to top rope or great for a newer leader to get their feet wet. Here's a few photos of their condition as of today.

The main central flow of the upper Irishtown wall

Some short mixed options exist on the upper wall as well

The rightmost flow of the upper Irishtown wall

There you have it a brief introduction to Irishtown. By this weekend most lines should be in reasonable shape for this time of year. So come out to Southwestern PA and enjoy cragging at Irishtown.

"Climbing Stronger, Faster, Healthier: Beyond the Basics"

A few books I use as reference material for my own climbing skills and techniques. Twight's, "EXTREME ALPINISM", and Gadd's. "ICE & MIXED CLIMBING"



You can add Mike Layton's new book to that list as well.









"Climbing Stronger, Faster Healthier: Beyond the Basics" by Michale Layton,D.C.



Obviously I am a gear guy. I like playing with the toys. And dressing up to go play in the snow. That is about as far as it goes for me these days. I like playing and I work hard in a office to get the time to do so. Often at the expense of being in better shape. My idea of training for climbing is the specificity of training. I climb to be able to climb. I ski to be able to ski. Old school that and unless you have a life style where you can climb or ski every day...honestly not veryeffective. I am awareof that. But I am not comfortable with that.



Mark Twight isMr. Gym Jones these days. No one more out there than Mark. Alwaysworth a look



http://www.gymjones.com/



Cross Fit is a good base. Also worth looking at.



http://www.crossfit.com/



If imitation is flattery we have the locals, Gravity Jane:



http://www.gravityjanes.com/



My thought is three fold. Burn it and you can eat what you want if it is in the right amounts and still stay healthy. Recovery is underrated for anyone that generally over trains like most obsessions/compulsive climber types. And it is always better to train in the rain than indoors.



But I have no doubt that any one of the previous 3 gym programs can do a better job than I can if you are into it.



I also think the more that you know about fitness, training, nutrition and your own health the stronger you will be mentally and physically in the mountains, on rock,ice or your bike for that matter. Endurance sports like bike racing and triathalons can teach you much of what your body needs to know to go long in the mountains.



Back to Mike's book. I was at a presentation given by Colin Haley locally last winter. After the presentation (which was great btw) small groups of climbers formed up and the discussion started on gear, climbers, routes and general climber bs. One of the conversations I over heard went something like this, "Twight and Gadd are good but this guy in SLC has it dialed..better book, easier read and way more informative". I though to myself.wow, pretty stellar recommendation what book is this?



SLC? Chiropractor? Never hear of the guy? It has to be...Mike Layton!



Mike is a regular on CC.com so I knew his name. He also offered early support for "Pay It Forward", which is a charity causefor young climbers that I help out with. So we had talked a time or two and met in person in SLC for a moment between appointments.



And I had read Mike's book as well. So had friends of mine, Wayne Wallace, Mark Westman, Carlos Buhler and Jim Nelson. As had Fred Becky.All to rave reviews.



Mike has tried to cover an immense amount of terrain in this book. And it is not a gear book, thank goodness. Unless of course you think about your body as the ultimate piece of gear...which it obviously is.

And that Mike obviously that dialed and better yet he has itsquared away for the reader.



If I have any criticism it is the last chapter in his book on gear. There are better sources for gear (not that this is a bad one) and like all of them it will be dated quickly. The flip side to that is the previous 4 chapters don't have an equal all in one text and will become dated at a much slower pace. Mike is already planning a improved 2nd edition (see..obsessions/compulsive climber type). I'd like to see him expand the first 4 chapters and drop the gear all together. Becasue he obviously has more to say in the 2nd Edition that will benefit us all.



If you want to get better and stronger as a climber...just as Twight and Gadd have definitive texts on the subject, Layton's new book will easily sit right along side them and become a long term references for the smart climber.



"Climbing Stronger, Faster Healthier: Beyond the Basics" by Michale Layton, D.C.



can be purchased here:



https://www.createspace.com/1000251309



Runs $20 to $25.00 on the Internet and worth every penny.



Also reviewed and available on Amazon.com and here:



http://www.amazon.com/Climbing-Stronger-Faster-Healthier-Beyond/dp/1439231982/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top



http://www.buzzillions.com/reviews/michael-a-layton-climb-stronger-faster-healthier-beyond-basics-first-reviews

Early autumn colors on Wauswaugoning Bay

This afternoon's view from the Highway 61 pullout on Mt. Josephine in Grand Portage. With the rain showers we've been getting over the past couple of days, the leaves seem to be taking on a bit more vibrancy than they had before the rain. The colors are popping out everywhere now and the next couple of weeks should be good for leaf watchers!

Upside Down North Roads

During the VCC Northern Ireland Ride last weekend I had the opportunity to ride several bicycles that were fitted with upside down North Road handlebars - classic swept-back bars mounted upside down in order to achieve a lower hand position. Personally, I love upside-down North Roads. Unlike many other handlebar set-ups designed to achieve an aggressive posture, I've always found them comfortable and intuitive. So it surprised me to learn from others on the ride that this set-up tends to be a "love it or hate it" sort of thing, with many falling firmly into the latter category.






Apparently, those who do not like the bars report that they make a bike's handling twitchy - almost providing too much leverage for comfort. That intrigues me, because that same feeling of leverage is what makes me feel in control of the bike - able to manipulate it and "place it" as it were exactly as I want.





I also like the ergonomics: My wrists just seem to naturally plop down onto the gripping areas as they do on regularly mounted North Roads, but the low placement of my hands enables a much more aggressive position than on a typical upright bike. It's almost like riding with drop handlebars, except with access to standard brake levers in the drops.






Interestingly though, I noticed that all the upside-down North Roads on the VCC ride were set up with the gripping areas pointing down, whereas in the US I usually see them set up with the gripping areas more or less parallel to the ground. I cannot tell which I find more comfortable.






Setting a bicycle up with upside-down North Roads is the best method I know of achieving an aggressive yet ergonomic hand position without resorting to drop bars. I am curious what your thoughts on them are.