Thinker

Soler is one of my favorites. http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/plab/showphoto.php?photo=832&papass=&sort=1&thecat=998 http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/plab/showphoto.php?photo=831&papass=&sort=1&thecat=998 http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/plab/showphoto.php?photo=833&papass=&sort=1&thecat=998 damn it, Jim, I'm an engineer...not an IT guy...... how does this image thing work with photos from the cc.com photo section?

I've spent some time working in the field near Colville the last few years and have checked in on a few of the crags. Looks like I'll be headed that way for a few more weeks later this year again. The ARE something to behold if you don't mind clipping a few bolts.

Here ya go Parker: http://www.nps.gov/mora/climb/solo.htm

more specific info about the climbing areas. I have the guidebook if anyone wants to peruse it at Pub Club let me know. http://kxly.com/outdoors/climbing/

If you can overlook the smelly impacts from over use..... A 'classic' for sure.

Where in Nebraska are you? I've heard reports of some decent limestone that's been developed near Valentine. Any beta on that? I did my first lead in the SD Needles, technically in the Rushmore Needles....roughly the back side of Mt Rushmore. Check out the Conn Traverse near Sylvan Lake. The Conns are legendary in the area.

I met kind of a cool Mountie on the Tooth a couple weeks back. He was there with 3? relatively inexperienced climbers the same time we were there with a few of our own. Seemed to me he was mentoring or leading the climb outside the formal structure of a class, though. Our groups got 'mixed' on the approach, so we took turns sending a couple of climbers from each group up throughout the morning, and ended up sharing ropes for the raps. He used a carabiner brake for all his raps....noted he need to get one of those ATC things someday.

Trask, I'm truly afraid to read the translation of the info you found... GTG, what little pearls of wisdom did Trask turn up there?

Thanks Jim and Muffy. I did see last years R&I article on Kalymnos, quite the little sport climbing island paradise, and certainly another place on my wish list. As Jim noted, Thessaloniki is quite far north on the mainland. One website I found noted that Thessaloniki is an 'active sport climbing center'. It should be an interesting search.

I may have the opportunity to head that way later this year. Any leads?

I agree. If you like the concept, just buy a webolette.

also do a search here for "city of rocks". loads of info on camping, routes, etc.

what makes you say that? my experience has been that many routes at the City have very good anchors suitable for easy raps or even, god forbid, top roping.

Oh just stand up and take it like a man....

Ed, Your last post (except for #6, of course) makes you sound like you'd be the perfect climbing class instructor. I perceive patience, caring, attention to detail, and a fun-loving spirit. I think you should join one of the big groups and start a grass-roots revolution.

Jason, I think we're of the same mind. My main objection to the story is the fact that the link to the solo climbing ap is likely tagged at the end of every one of those accounts. (I know it was on the ABC news website I looked at.) You won't find me bashing experienced climbers who want to solo...in fact, I consider more than a few of them friends. Where I am vocal is when someone without the depth of experience to objectively assess the risks for themselves (i.e. your average newspaper reader) is encouraged or inspired to give it a go. Peace bro...see you on the hill.

Jason, I agree with the points you made. However, it's not limited to an obscure yahoo news page. It's all over the media. I have no problem with experienced climbers who make an informed decision to climb solo. I do have a problem with mainstream media that promotes such activity without understanding the rammifications of their actions. a short list of the media outlets that have picked up the AP story: Elite Climbers Go At It Alone Amid Danger Atlanta Journal Constitution, GA - 11 hours ago By COLLEEN SLEVIN. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP)--It's been three years since Vito Seskunas had to drag himself five miles on his backside ... Elite Climbers Go At It Alone Amid Danger Macon Telegraph, GA - 11 hours ago GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - It's been three years since Vito Seskunas had to drag himself five miles on his backside in Grand Teton ... Elite Climbers Go At It Alone Amid Danger ABC News - 5 hours ago It's been three years since Vito Seskunas had to drag himself five miles on his backside in Grand Teton National Park after breaking his ankle on a solo ... Elite Climbers Go At It Alone Amid Danger Newsday - 11 hours ago By COLLEEN SLEVIN. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- It's been three years since Vito Seskunas had to drag himself five miles on his backside ... Elite Climbers Go At It Alone Amid Danger Guardian, UK - 11 hours ago GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - It's been three years since Vito Seskunas had to drag himself five miles on his backside in Grand Teton ... Elite Climbers Go At It Alone Amid Danger Tuscaloosa News, AL - 11 hours ago By COLLEEN SLEVIN. Vito Seskunas is seen, Wednesday, May 7, 2003, in Catonsville, Md. It has been three years since Seskunas had ...

pardon the cross post from the climbing section, but this was just too good to pass up. The story from this web page talks about a couple of recent accidents related to solo travels in the wilderness, and then goes on to quote Gator about solo climbing on Mt Rainier. The kicker is the link at the end of the story that directs readers to the webpage where they can fill out their very own application to solo Rainier. It should be a fun next few months on the hill...... U.S. National - AP Elite Climbers Go At It Alone Amid Danger Thu May 8, 1:45 AM ET Add U.S. National - AP to My Yahoo! By COLLEEN SLEVIN, Associated Press Writer GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - It's been three years since Vito Seskunas had to drag himself five miles on his backside in Grand Teton National Park after breaking his ankle on a solo backcountry ski trip. AP Photo Unable to carry his gear, he survived by rationing three Nutri-Grain bars over four days and eating snow. He wasn't rescued until he got within 100 yards of his car. His greatest fear wasn't dying. It was the thought of never again wandering the wilderness alone — a passion shared by an elite group of outdoors lovers with the skills and the nerve to test themselves without a net. "It's the freedom to do demanding things in a demanding environment," said Seskunas, 56, an administrator at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center at the University of Maryland. "Of course, the thing that goes along with that is the responsibility to get yourself out of any trouble you get yourself in." The perils of going solo were highlighted by the recent story of Aron Ralston, the 27-year-old from Aspen who chose to amputate his own arm after becoming pinned under a 800-pound boulder in Utah's canyons. While there's an unwritten rule against going it alone in the outdoors, enthusiasts and rescue volunteers say there's no reason to stop those with experience from soloing. That is, as long as they take precautions such as leaving an itinerary, when they're due back and where their car is parked. They should also consider doing a trek a little less difficult than what they would do with a group. Ralston, a former rescue volunteer, failed to leave plans for his fateful trip, something his family says he deeply regrets. But Ralston's ability to figure out his options — and calmly pick a way to free himself, no matter how gruesome — is an example of the concentration and determination usually found in soloists, said Mike Gauthier, lead climbing ranger at Mt. Rainier National Park in Washington State. "Everyone is always blaming the world for their problems," he said. "But when you are solo climbing, or solo kayaking, there are no excuses. It was your decision to get in the water and it's your responsibility to figure out what to do." Gauging the number of people who go skiing, backpacking and mountaineering solo is difficult because the range of activities is so wide and because permits are not always required, especially for day trips. The National Park Service does require permits for the 11,000 climbers who attempt 14,410-foot Mt. Rainier each year. About 30 of those on average are soloists, who must fill out an application detailing their outdoors experience. Of those, all but about 10 stick to popular routes, where help would be relatively close at hand, Gauthier said. Some soloists simply strike out on their own because it's hard to coordinate schedules — especially for mid-week adventures — or because they can't find anyone else at their skill level who wants to do the same things they do. All seem to enjoy the heightened beauty of the outdoors without anyone to distract them, said Charley Shimanski, a 17-year veteran mountain rescue volunteer in Colorado's Front Range and education director for the Mountain Rescue Association. "The classic soloist is more dialed into that passion for solitude, and the peace that comes from being alone, than they are with some death-defying drive to push themselves right up to the limit," said Shimanski. Of the approximately 80 rescues his group responds to each year, he estimates that between 10 and 15 percent involve soloists, most of whom have gotten lost. The bigger problem, he said, is experienced people in groups who don't have the right clothing and gear. In recent years a soloist has died or gotten seriously hurt about every other year on Mt. Rainier. Overall, the mountain claims two to three lives per year, Gauthier said. Maryland skier Seskunas finally felt physically up to venturing out alone again this winter. And he still usually refuses his wife's pleas to take along a cell phone, because it violates his quest for self-sufficiency. He took the phone once, but that trip failed to make him a believer. "I was standing right there on a ridge and I couldn't even get a signal," he said. ___ On the Net: Mountain Rescue Association: http://www.mra.org Mount Rainier National Park Solo Climb Request: http://www.nps.gov/mora/climb/solo.htm

This web page talks more about the accident, quotes Gator talking about solo climbs, and then provides a f....in link to fill out your very own application to climb Rainier solo! Looks like there will be plenty of gear to scavenge up there this summer. Elite Climbers Go At It Alone Amid Danger Thu May 8, 1:45 AM ET Add U.S. National - AP to My Yahoo! By COLLEEN SLEVIN, Associated Press Writer GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - It's been three years since Vito Seskunas had to drag himself five miles on his backside in Grand Teton National Park after breaking his ankle on a solo backcountry ski trip. Unable to carry his gear, he survived by rationing three Nutri-Grain bars over four days and eating snow. He wasn't rescued until he got within 100 yards of his car. His greatest fear wasn't dying. It was the thought of never again wandering the wilderness alone — a passion shared by an elite group of outdoors lovers with the skills and the nerve to test themselves without a net. "It's the freedom to do demanding things in a demanding environment," said Seskunas, 56, an administrator at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center at the University of Maryland. "Of course, the thing that goes along with that is the responsibility to get yourself out of any trouble you get yourself in." The perils of going solo were highlighted by the recent story of Aron Ralston, the 27-year-old from Aspen who chose to amputate his own arm after becoming pinned under a 800-pound boulder in Utah's canyons. While there's an unwritten rule against going it alone in the outdoors, enthusiasts and rescue volunteers say there's no reason to stop those with experience from soloing. That is, as long as they take precautions such as leaving an itinerary, when they're due back and where their car is parked. They should also consider doing a trek a little less difficult than what they would do with a group. Ralston, a former rescue volunteer, failed to leave plans for his fateful trip, something his family says he deeply regrets. But Ralston's ability to figure out his options — and calmly pick a way to free himself, no matter how gruesome — is an example of the concentration and determination usually found in soloists, said Mike Gauthier, lead climbing ranger at Mt. Rainier National Park in Washington State. "Everyone is always blaming the world for their problems," he said. "But when you are solo climbing, or solo kayaking, there are no excuses. It was your decision to get in the water and it's your responsibility to figure out what to do." Gauging the number of people who go skiing, backpacking and mountaineering solo is difficult because the range of activities is so wide and because permits are not always required, especially for day trips. The National Park Service does require permits for the 11,000 climbers who attempt 14,410-foot Mt. Rainier each year. About 30 of those on average are soloists, who must fill out an application detailing their outdoors experience. Of those, all but about 10 stick to popular routes, where help would be relatively close at hand, Gauthier said. Some soloists simply strike out on their own because it's hard to coordinate schedules — especially for mid-week adventures — or because they can't find anyone else at their skill level who wants to do the same things they do. All seem to enjoy the heightened beauty of the outdoors without anyone to distract them, said Charley Shimanski, a 17-year veteran mountain rescue volunteer in Colorado's Front Range and education director for the Mountain Rescue Association. "The classic soloist is more dialed into that passion for solitude, and the peace that comes from being alone, than they are with some death-defying drive to push themselves right up to the limit," said Shimanski. Of the approximately 80 rescues his group responds to each year, he estimates that between 10 and 15 percent involve soloists, most of whom have gotten lost. The bigger problem, he said, is experienced people in groups who don't have the right clothing and gear. In recent years a soloist has died or gotten seriously hurt about every other year on Mt. Rainier. Overall, the mountain claims two to three lives per year, Gauthier said. Maryland skier Seskunas finally felt physically up to venturing out alone again this winter. And he still usually refuses his wife's pleas to take along a cell phone, because it violates his quest for self-sufficiency. He took the phone once, but that trip failed to make him a believer. "I was standing right there on a ridge and I couldn't even get a signal," he said. ___ On the Net: Mountain Rescue Association: http://www.mra.org Mount Rainier National Park Solo Climb Request: http://www.nps.gov/mora/climb/solo.htm

Looks like the Mounties and the WAC both have groups heading to the Tooth this weekend and next. Take your senses of humor and buckets of patience if you're planning on climbing there too. I smell a classic battlecage shaping up. Actually, the last time I was involved in such a CF, things worked out extremely well and all had a reasonably good day. The WAC will also have a group or two trapsing around Commonwealth Basin both weekends. WAC schedule

you're a little slow on the draw today, DFA...

Yes. What does "all intensive purposes" mean? Did you actually intend to say "all intents and purposes"?

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/122/metro/Republican_revenue_plan_Sell_names_of_state_parks+.shtml Republican revenue plan: Sell names of state parks By Donovan Slack, Globe Staff, 5/2/2003 Tour companies could tout cruises to the Coca-Cola Boston Harbor islands or a stress-free retreat near Borders Books Walden Pond. A group of House Republicans, saying they've found a creative solution to the budget crisis, is proposing that the state look into selling naming rights to some 600 parks, forests, and recreation areas. While some scoffed at the budget amendment, not everyone is laughing. ''We're definitely intrigued by the proprosal,'' said Chris Hardy, legislative director for the Massachusetts Audubon Society. ''It ought not to be rejected out of hand. A state park by any other name is still a state park.'' And advertising executives said the state could reap millions. ''This is even more powerful than stadiums,'' said a Boston-based ad executive. ''What you're really doing is positioning your company as a guardian of the ecology of the state.'' But not everyone agrees. ''Why stop at parks?'' asked Jim Gomes, president of the Environmental League of Massachusetts. ''We have lots of rivers that have old, unremunerative names. Take the Charles. It's named for some old British monarch who paid did dly for the name and got 300 years of free PR.'' The measure could come up for debate next week. This story ran on page B1 of the Boston Globe on 5/2/2003. © Copyright 2003 Globe Newspaper Company. ************************************************************* http://www.berkshireeagle.com/Stories/0,1413,101~7514~1364404,00.html Friday, May 02, 2003 - 6:50:31 AM EST Dunkin' Donuts State Park? Naming state forests, parks for highest bidder proposed By Glenn Drohan Berkshire Eagle Staff NORTH ADAMS -- Could the War Memorial on Mount Greylock become the next Trump Tower? Or how about renaming Pittsfield State Forest the Land of Larry Bossidy? Those and other inane possibilities are what some environmentalists fear could happen under a proposal from the House Republican leadership to sell the naming rights to state parks and forests to the highest bidders. House Minority Leader Bradley Jones, R-North Reading, and other Republicans filed the budget amendment this week as part of an attempt to raise revenues during the state's budget crisis. Jim Gomes, executive director of the Environmental League of Massachusetts, said the proposal is laughable and would be disrespectful of the time-honored tradition of naming parks and monuments after heroes and civic leaders. "We have a tradition in our country of naming public places, whether it be parks or buildings or rivers or lakes, after people who have made significant contributions t o the commonwealth and to society," Gomes said yesterday. "We do that based on our judgment that the person is praiseworthy rather than on the basis of who puts the most shekels on the table and says name it after me." Nonetheless, he said, the proposal could lead to some intriguing possibilities -- and perhaps millions in cold, hard cash. "I realize that many people have a sentimental attachment to the old names," he said, tongue in cheek. "But think of the possibilities. General Electric got a lot of bad press over the PCBs that got released into the Housatonic River. For a reasonable fee, the state could change the name of the Mount Greylock State Reservation to the General Electric State Reservation, and give the people of Berkshire County a happier reminder of GE's presence in that region." He added, "Maybe the state would even change the name of the mountain itself to Mount Jack Welch if GE kicks in a few million more." Theodore "Tad" Ame s, executive director of the Berkshire Natural Resources Council in Pittsfield, went a step further. "Why don't we just cut to the chase and rename Massachusetts the Commonwealth of Bain & Co?" he said, referring to the Boston venture capital company formerly headed by Gov. Mitt Romney. "Sports arenas are one thing. Public lands and sanctuaries for people and wildlife in perpetuity don't need to be commercialized this way," Ames added. Efforts to reach Jones for comment were unsuccessful, but an aide in his office briefly defended the proposal, saying, "I think the purpose is pretty self-evident: to raise money." The amendment, to be debated by the House sometime next week, along with dozens of other proposals, would require the state's Department of Parks and Recreation to come up with a report and recommendations to be presented to the Joint Ways and Means Committee and the Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture by Nov. 1 5. Under the proposal, facilities within state forests and parks could also be renamed through whatever criteria state officials develop. "Hey, why stop at parks?" Gomes asked. "We have lots of rivers that have old, unremunerative, names. Take the Charles. It's named for some old British monarch, who paid diddly for the name and got 300 years of free PR. If we could sell the name to Harvard, whose property the river runs through, everybody in Massachusetts would benefit. "And think how much those kids from Yale and Penn would hate it if they had to row in the 'Head of the Harvard' race." Katie Cahill, spokeswoman for the state Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, said her agency has not taken a position on the amendment because officials have not reviewed all its implications. "We feel it's an idea we would need to review thoroughly before we could endorse it, so at this point we are neutral," she said. "It's certainly something we wo uld like to discuss thoroughly and extensively with our constituents -- the people and organizations who care about and use our state parks and forests -- before we made any move to implement such a policy." Gomes said the House should reject the amendment immediately. "Clearly, we have a serious financial situation in Massachusetts right now, but I don't believe we're so impoverished as a state or as a people that we need to lower ourselves to selling off the names of public places just because some wealthy person has the vanity and the cash to back it up," he said.

And don't forget Blue Mounds SP! Photos Here One of my first loves.

"Do you see any bolts around here?" Asked by a young man about 40 ft off the deck, essentially soloing at City of Rocks while trying to put up a toprope for his friends. The group of 4 was equipped with a rope, 3 quickdraws, one grigri, one real harness, webbing for a 2nd pseudo-harness, and a couple of locking biners.