Intersection of Friends

A diagram of my friends, grouped two ways: those with money, and those interested in mountaineering. Behold the intersection.

High Altitude Cerebral Edema

High altitude cerebral edema is just one of the fun things on the medical waiver for the McKinley trip. Honestly, any trip without such notices probably isn't worth doing.

Baby's First [Programming] Language

I'm an advocate of teaching programming with a language that has no garbage collection or high-level magic. My vote is C, though I confess I started with HyperTalk myself, if that even counts.

McKinley - West Buttress

I booked my spot on the West Buttress route up McKinley: twenty-two days, return ticket for June 6, insurance encouraged. Mostly I'm wondering where the diminishing returns on smell really set in.

Equipment

My list of Things To Buy for Rainier and McKinley is staggering, so I'm acquiring gear as needed. Also: New York winters are milder than everyone claims, and crampons would dominate a shin-kicking contest.

Trash Chute

I guess it was too bulky to fit down the trash chute. I bet they didn't even try.

Adirondack

It's confirmed: ice climbing Jan 22 to 24 with a private instructor in the Adirondacks. With this out of the way, I'm much less likely to die on the West Rib of McKinley, and much more likely to be allowed to try.

Denied

Turns out I can't climb the West Rib route without serious fixed-rope and ice experience at altitude. So now there's a plan: Adirondack ice climbing, Rainier, Mt. Adams, and the West Buttress, all to earn my way up next year.

Another Year

I survived another year. Go figure.

TODO for 2008

My 2008 to-do list: sub-sixty-second Rubik's cube, a ham radio license, a high-altitude balloon project, Rainier, McKinley, Half Dome, and learning a back flip. Extra credit: take up residence in Hawaii.