Date: Tue, 14 May 96 04:09:39 PM
From: "Dana Roueche" <danar@VNET.IBM.COM>
Subject: Sick Humor for Hardrock

Along with an excellent, detailed course description of Hardrock you are
provided with a "jargon table" to ensure that you understand the language used
in the description.  I found some of the definitions humorous in a perverse
way and thought I'd share them with the rest of the group who aren't as
fortunate to be running in Hardrock this year.

Acrophobia - An abnormal fear of being in high places.  If you suffer from
this and see it in the course description, (it's all over the place), you will
not enjoy that location on the course.  (it probably won't be much fun
climbing up there either)

Crampons - Metal spikes that are strapped to your shoes to aid in walking on
steep hard snow and ice.  (see acrophobia)

Exposure - Being in a position on the side of the mountain where a fall would
cause you to slide or fall directly a long way down the mountain.  (see
acrophobia)

Fixed rope - Rope attached to the mountain to be used like a banister on a
steep stairway.  Used when a fall at that point could cause injury or death.
(see acrophobia)

Ice axe - Mountaineering tool for cutting steps, helping control glissades,
and stopping uncontrolled slides on steep snow fields.  (see acrophobia)

To be serious, being fairly experienced with mountain travel, all of this is
for safety and risk can be limited with knowledge.  The humor I find in this
is when I think of those who aren't  familiar with mountain travel and read
this for the first time.  I can only imagine what must cross their minds.
This will all be even more fun in the dark.

Dana
danar@vnet.ibm.com