Commentary for the day...

1) Waste your life playing video games all day...and become a better surgeon. A recent study from Beth Israel hospital in New York...

"The study of 12 surgeons and 21 surgical residents found that those who were
skilled in video games did better in simulated laparoscopic surgery drills.

'Training curricula that include video games may help thin the technical
interface between surgeons and screen-mediated applications, such as
laparoscopic surgery,' the study authors wrote. 'Video games may be a practical
teaching tool to help train surgeons.'"

Get full article from the Washington Post here.

That's it, forget all this studying, I'm playing Halo instead.

2) I feel like climbing Mt. Hood right now, just to prove to myself that it can be done without some crazy, media-hyped drama. And for the record, not only do I not buy the statement that the dog saved their life, I wouldn't be suprised if the dog was the reason for their fall. Taking a dog on a technical glacier/snow route is just downright silly.

Have you ever tried to play football or soccer with some dog running around on the field? You know what I'm talking about...accidentally stepping on his paw, kicking him in the ribs, or tripping over him? Imagine that, but when you trip, you fall 100 ft off a cliff, or 100 ft into a crevasse.

Don't get me wrong, I love dogs and if I could adequately take care of myself let alone a pet, I'd have one in a heartbeat. And you better believe he would go with me almost everywhere - especially backpacking, hiking and rock climbing in the mountains. But on a glacier/snow route? Not a chance.

If you haven't heard already, here is an article.

Let's go camping...

at 7000 meters, on the Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat, with Steve House and Vince Anderson.

14er's

Definition: a Colorado "14er" is one of 54 peaks in Colorado above 14,000 ft. elevation. The tallest peak in Colorado is Mt. Elbert (14,433 ft.) and the shortest 14er is Sunshine Peak (14,001 ft.).





Chris Davenport, a professional skier from Aspen, just recently completed his quest to successfully summit and ski descend all 54 Colorado 14er's in one year. Here are some pics from the adventure...

Incredible!

Only one other person has climbed and skied (from true summits) all 54 peaks - Lou Dawson - but it took him 13 years to accomplish.

I've climbed quite a few of the 14er's and can tell you that, although many are "walk ups" with relatively low angle slopes, many also have intense high angle grades requiring 4th and even 5th class climbing in sections. I have also skiied in Colorado. The fact that this guy has skiied every one of the 14er's (in less than a year, nonetheless!) blows my mind.

His website is amazing - incredible pics, great stories of each peak. He is going to be producing a film and a book chronicling the project. If you are interested and have the time, check out the website at Chris Davenport, Ski the 14er's Project.

Ski Trip '07