chirp

Circa 1986; Castle Rock. I was spending the day as an impressionable young climber at Castle Rock. As we were hanging out at the base of Jello Tower, Peter Croft was soloing up and down the west face. My party started up Midway and on the second pitch found a fixed friend. I was DETERMINED after the climb to rap down and score the piece. As we finished the route and I rapped down, Peter Croft was just soloing UP to it. Said it was some friends of his so I let him work it for 15 minutes, pulling, tugging, jiggling...finally he gave up and I got on it doing the same, albeit roped up. I eventually got it out and out of respect I returned it to the folks at the base. I know, Boooring but it made an impression on me at the time. He was wearing a ripped pink T-shirt and Polypro

Lol cause these have been in my bolt bag for 4 years, I needed to get rid of them somewhere!

Is that the sweet granite in Renton? What's up with the bolt in the bottom left corner? And why do you use those quasi-biner things? Actually Quasi-Renton Bolt in the left hand corner has been removed and filled in with epoxy and dust...this is the top of the "first pitch"

Time for a pic...too much text makes us so grumpy!! Freshies from SE King county!!

Hmm he must be busy as no email response yet. Is this guide available locally? Marmot? REI?

Or ill grab a gri gri or cam to play with while I sit there.

Yeah, spending a long day climbing on great rock, with good scenery away from the maddening crowds is definitely a good thing...amazingly alot of the long mods in RR are getting a crazy amount of traffic...the queues for Cat in da Hat, Crimson, Black O and Hot fudge Thursday make Darrington sound like the Cirque of the Unclimbables. I sent an Email off for the D guide...awaiting a reply

Cool fekking video, i think I remember seeing something like that on stileproject.com a long time ago. Definite smile maker

What? Lol, well from the perspective of long moderate routes its very similar...slabbiness aside. I'm not talking about first, second, or third pullouts...I mean where the REAL men climb.

I got mine at REI Seattle. I think it's on the bestseller list right now as it seems to go poof fast. They have a few copies at REI Tacoma right now tho.

Wow, very positive. Ill get right on it! I remember Darrington being some obscure place and I dismissed it as too far off the beaten path for a day trip. I think it will be a good cure for my need of a Red Rocks fix. Thanks for the info and if anyones down for a Darrington trip sometime I typically have Mon/Tues off and would be down for a trip.

I was thinking about getting the darrington guide, it's really an area I have VERY little experience with but it looks great, just like Red Rocks without the red. How would you all rate the "Digital guide". It looks promising, or should I just use my copy of climbing Washington by Brooks and Whitelaw. Remember, I have been out of washington for awhile

'Bobby' would play dead on the ground in the cold (20C) weather to maximise the suns warmth.

Peeps constantly amaze me! When im out there I try to be as helpful, friendly, and funny as possible . Why climb and enjoy the activity if all your intent is GO GO GO and ME ME ME. Climbing in obscure areas, chossy rock, or environments less than appealing seem to help me avoid those types. Worst place to go IMHO...The Gallery at Red Rocks. Avoid it like the plague or go there and just people watch, what a circus. OH and bring some garbage bags for the PB wrappers and feces.

Within every set of beliefs, we all have "vices", exceptions and double standards. The concepts are there and valid, but alas there are some that are not. I take what I can use, BBQ the rest. Someone needs to be extreme, because that usually balances out the rest. PETA may go to far but like alot of "extreme" orgaizations, right or wrong they raise consiousness or awareness. I asked Jumar what she thought of being a companion and she wholeheartedly agreed that we were meant for eachother...its actually more of a Father/Daughter relationship. I dont condone chipping () but i'll climb a chipped route...as most of us would. Lets move on

I thought it was all about the chocolate? Not Easter?

Agreed, just make not of the original notation regarding Wilkeson. Animal testing has a definite place in the diagnosing and curing of diseases but I'm talking about useless cruelty and stupidity, PETA does an awesome job going after Zoos, farms and such. Just a topic I feel strongly about... People rate a little bit less on my scale.

You seem a little grumpy griz? Man, didnt meant to rain on yer parade. Its all about balance, pure and simple. We cannot change the world but working within each of our little spheres we can do what we can to empower ourselves and those touching our sphere. I cant help the little kid dying of cancer, but if i see a dude abusing a dog or elderly person, or little kid, I can sure raise my voice, step in and make a difference. Good point...I'll be sure to tell the next 6 year old kid dying of leukemia that it's her fault...

Cancer and Aids, my opinion still wont waver. Most people cause their own afflictions and if the end result is cancer or other terminal disease...well cest la vie. I love my meat too so I consider myself fairly well balanced, just a wee bit on the misanthropic side. Ed Abbey hit the nail on the head in Down the River and in Desert Solitare.

We can't fucking manage our own species, lets help those who really can't help themselves. Fuck anyone from Wilkeson. PETA Rocks

Making lattes for the masses until Monday, then Ill be heading up to a mystery crag in BD for some scrubbing and drilling!