Talk:2009-02-21 46 -122

"It turned out to be the most thickly grown vegetation I have ever fought my way through." Oh ho I can sure identify with that. And I can assure you you will say that again. My legs are currently covered in what I shall dub "geowelts" from walking through brambles that went from the ground to over my head, wearing a thick jacket that only protected me from the top (raised arms over my face) to mid-thigh. I'm thinking of buying some "geohashing chaps". -Robyn 18:18, 26 February 2009 (UTC)

It took me a minute to translate your last sentence, Robyn -- I don't know if it's the same where you are, but in the UK, "chap" is a friendly slang term for a person, usually male. I had visions of you acquiring a team of sherpas to carry you and your geohashing gear through the brambles in a sedan chair while you sip cool sherbet. -- Benjw 19:35, 26 February 2009 (UTC)

Ha ha, we have the same meaning, but (for people reading this who haven't yet looked it up) chaps are also a kind of bifurcated tough leather apron that goes over your trousers. They're part of standard cowboy gear, so you don't get whipped by cactus and branches while you're riding through the bush herding cattle. -Robyn 20:00, 26 February 2009 (UTC)

I'm glad you can relate. It really wasn't too bad, but I've been through some woods before and this was thicker than most. It truly was the longest distance I have fought my way through such thickly grown vegetation, even though I have seen worse spread over a much smaller area. Also, I didn't know until that day that the forests in Washington have a perpetual layer of rotten vegetation on the floor. And not just layers of leaves like I have seen elsewhere, this was mostly fallen tree branches and moss. For most of where I was stepping, there was no dirt to be seen, just this layer of decay. It was somewhat repulsive, especially since some of it got into my shoes, but at least it wasn't raining. New User ^(talk) 20:15, 26 February 2009 (UTC)