MervGriffin

Greetings "Alpine K."

American Alpine Club Press has recently produced another excellent book: "WAYS TO THE SKY: A Historical Guide to North American Mountaineering" by Andy Selters. Loads of fascinating information and wonderful photos and route descriptions. I saw a copy last week at the U.W. Bookstore and it was gone an hour later when I returned to buy it. The folks at the big downtown REI hadn't seen it although I found a copy of it at Border's. It's my opinion that no matter what you study, or what your hobbies are, you should take an interest in, and be well-informed of, the history of your pursuits. It's a good way to see how things developed, for better or worse, and develop an appreciation for some of your predecessors. Here's a description of the book from the Mountaineers Books web-site: "The first book in more than 25 years to update North American climbing history 365 photos (28 with route overlays), 47 featured routes, 12 maps and 8 illustrations Information about climbing routes that played significant roles in the development of mountaineering in the US, Canada and Mexico Forewords by world-renowned alpinists Barry Blanchard and Peter Croft Ways to the Sky charts the evolution of alpine climbing in the United States, Canada and Mexico from unrecorded ascents by native people centuries ago to the cutting-edge climbs of today. Rejecting a purely chronological timeline, this meticulously researched book shows the evolution of climbing style from early ascents by the easiest routes, through heavily supported expeditionary climbs, to the light, fast alpine-style climbs of major peaks occurring now. As with its predecessors in the historical guidebook series, Ways to the Sky combines historical narrative with copious photographs-some previously unpublished-and route information for more than 40 historically significant routes to create a unique collector's piece. Ways to the Sky brings the rich history of North American mountain ascents to life, highlights key personalities and climbs, then points readers to the mountains where they can experience firsthand many of these historically significant routes. Andy Selters, a long-time mountaineer, mountain guide, photographer and cartographer, has climbed extensively in North and South America and has established new routes in Pakistan and Nepal. He is the author of The Mount Shasta Book and Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue."

As featured in Newsweek, these lovely gals want you to know where they stand before you ask to share the table: "N.Y. voters sport 'I ONLY DRINK WITH LIBERALS' pins." Put a positive spin on it! With that kind of attitude, they're saving you from a very irritating evening! Thanks for the warning!

Because it's a GRID-BOLTED GUMBY-CIRCUS!!! Here's the waiting-line at one of the area's "classic" "routes":

Assuming this isn't a troll.... If you actually did throw away the summit register, you've committed the alpine equivalent of burning history books. Most of these registers are discretely hidden in rocks and provide fascinating information about routes climbed and how often, weather conditions, etc. and some of them contain touching tributes and the interesting thoughts of climbers of various experience. If the register was lying about, it should have been placed back between rocks somewhere. If you indeed did what you said you did, this "bitch" thinks you are WAY OUT OF LINE! I am sure that I am not alone is this opinion.

"Fair enuf" NOT! Behind-the counter-boy's job is to sell you climbing crap, not to interrogate you as to how you intend to use it. If he's got a problem with it, he shouldn't be selling it in the first place. Pitons, eh? But I wonder if he'd question you if you bought a fist-full of bolt hangers? Or one of them one-piece goose-down Everest suits? Lame! Lame, I say, again. "Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!"

Brother Squid....you make me sad this evening.

I went into Feathered Friends today. The folks working there appeared to be very friendly. HOWEVER, what I didn't care for was being initially greeted at the door by some poster for "Climbers4Kerry" and then a big box of those goofy "Climbers4Kerry" T-shirts there directly inside the store for you to admire, trip over, or puke into. You want to sell me stuff? - leave your political opinion out of it. (I wouldn't want to see a big box of "Dubbya" propaganda staring at me in a climbing shop either.) By the way, what's with this Climbers 4 Kerry crap anyway. It reminds me of cutsie things like spelling the word "kids" with a "z" (kidz) or Happy Birthday 2 U. We already have enough children in politics.

Was it this guy? I don't think he works at F.F. but he might work at the crampon factory.

A guy named "Slaphappy" is calling someone a clown???

Climbing can be, like, SO annoying and inconvenient! While you're at it, how about a picnic table and a BBQ pit? Darn nature!

Me and a pal did the loop a couple of years in one day going counter-clockwise starting from Windy Ridge on the north side. We bivouaced in the parking area and started off just as the sun was coming up around 5:30 AM. We kept moving all day and probably took less than an hour total of any sort of breaks and finished around 8:30 PM. It was both utterly spectacular and regularly arduous. You will follow rock cairns cross-country for miles through uneven terrain while heading west across the desert-like north side. You will descend into the depths of the Toutle river canyon and a few miles later will encouter a trying traverse across lava blocks marked by wooden poles. Past June Lake, you'll eventually reach a section where you must repeatedly descend and climb out of one treacherous, dirty ravine after another. After Ape Canyon, a few flat steady miles across the Plains of Abraham brings one to the final obstacle: Windy Pass, and then a few more miles back to the car. The circle from Windy Ridge is about 36 mostly tough miles. You might be cutting off a couple of miles on either end by the June Lake approach. Any way out do it, it's a challenge if you do it all at once. I recall being constantly amazed and intrigued by the ever-changing scenery, a lot of which I had never before seen the likes. DETAILS: We carried Camelback's with a couple of sandwiches and snacks, wool hat and sweater, rain coat, trail running shoes (Salomon Raid Winds), ski poles, hat and sunscreen. Make sure the weather is good because if you get lost in a whiteout in some places such as the north pumice plain (marked only by low cairns), you might be in for an epic. Bring some moleskin, too, and maybe a change of socks. There were some shallow water crossings. Back at the car, I noticed that I had accumulated a couple of half-dollar sized blisters on the sides of my heals (from heat, friction, moisture). Speaking of water, we regularly refilled the Camelbacks in areas where there was fresh water as there are some long stretches where you won't find much. I recall it was pretty hot (August?). Make sure you have a good plan for bailing out if you or your buddies tire out, twist an ankle, etc. You might end up doing a lot of walking or some convuluted hitchhiking to get back to a major road or to your car. I intend to do the loop again sometime this summer; either by myself or with one other. You probably don't want to bring a crowd because it really is pretty hard. On the other hand, I suppose that most people do it in 2, 3 or 4 days and though still very challenging (especially carrying overnight stuff), you won't be under the pressure of finishing quickly and can really enjoy the terrain and views. Good luck! I found a few pictures of parts of the trail: Near June Lake Check out this guy's Trip Report with great pictures!

The sexual harassment suit by Deney "Dance Fever" Terrio against his boss, Merv Griffin, was dismissed due to lack of merit. Denny: Merv: Let it go.

A fine summary. With amendment: 1) true dat! Well stated. I agree with you wholeheartedly. 2) Believe it or not, some things ARE offensive to others. I provide some perspectives that aren't usually found around here. Am I persuading anyone? A few from time to time. I've been thanked on several occasions for the presentation of my "radical" views on bolting etc. while others find my views obnoxious. And yes, there is a certain heavy degree of uncivil discourse around here hitherto unknown to myself and no doubt shocking to some others as well. I've also provided a lot of entertainment: funny stories and pictures, and a punching bag for the bullies. What a country! 3)It is insensitive. (By the way, neither Bush nor Rush Limbaugh are my "heroes", nor would I call them Nazis). Meaner than Darth Vader? Yes. Darth Vader is a "cartoon". So are the clowns on "Hogan's Heroes" and "Seinfeld". The Third Reich's Nazi's systematically and purposefully slaughtered millions including no doubt relatives of people on this site. I have some friends that still have the tattoo's on their forearms. Calling someone a Nazi, or a babyf*%ker, is serious stuff and both in poor taste and potentially slanderous. Yet those sort of terms are offered quite readily and perhaps thoughtlessly. Go ahead, ask your local rabbi. 4)"In fact" does not work well with subjective comments, e.g. "George Bush/J. Kerry/Dwayner/whoever..is an a-hole" is an opinion, not a fact. I'm glad I've been helpful in your education and values clarification. Now go to the library and do your homework, or sit in a corner and meditate. Professor Merv. cascades-college.com "What a country!"

I never said I was necessarily leaving cc.com, King of All Assumptions. I am, however, definitely leaving this "discussion" called: "F9/11 more impact than Nader", having gained additional insights into the attitude of some the cc.com "players". Sorry to disappoint you. What? There's no way for me to leave???? After you, maestro!

Oh..."my bad!" Who could forget that timeless "tough-guy", Soprano-esque, hooker-speak cliché? Let me add another one for you. bu bye "Feck". See ya some Tuesday night, but then again, maybe not.

"AlpineK/Feck", "Dru/etc.", and those of similar manner: I'm jumping off this train-wreck. Whatever social clique you guys belong to that finds your manner of discourse acceptable, I'm obviously not a member. If you fancy yourselves typical representatives of the "climbing community", I'm in a different universe. Have fun, be safe and if we should ever encounter each other in the mountains, just walk on by. Have a nice day. - Don/"Dwayner"/"Merv", etc. P.S. Let me save you the trouble of responding: "boo hoo" , "loser" , "don't let the door hit you..." "take your toys and go home" , "get a life, it's spray" and, of course,

Wrong on all counts. 1) Friend? Friends don't treat me that way. 2) No, there wasn't a time limit nor would money motivate me. 3) My original point was, that if you change the rules enough, if you dumb-down the climb enough, if you allow unlimited rehearsal while you hang on gear [typically closely-spaced bolts], then THEORETICALLY anyone with the time and ambition could climb a 5.13 route. Just like playing a Beethoven sonata. You might not know how to play the piano now, but given enough rehearsal, eventually you'll do it. With some of the old-school rules, hang-dogging a climb into submission meant you weren't ready to climb it. 4) After a barrage of personal insults, I admitted that I felt such was within my ability. I have no doubts that I can hangdog and rehearse my way into completing a 5.13 as I believe most anybody on this board probably could. It might take months of rehearsal, but I'm sure it could be done. (It would probably take me a long time.) I was then goaded by a bunch of the overgrown bully teenagers to "deliver the goods", complete with "I'll add $10 to the pot, etc."...the whole point being lost to them. My ultimate response was that should I be interested in such a challenge, I would do it on my own time and I'd let them know when it happened. Frankly, I'm not interested right now although maybe sometime if I'm bored and have nothing better to do, I'll give it a try. And it certainly wouldn't be with the sole intention of saying "I told you so" to some of the mocking children on this site. I'd have to be more motivated than that. 5) I found it especially outrageous that so many who don't know me were so willing to put limitations on my abilities and those of others. "You can't do that!" I hope those folks don't spread their attitude to kids. Understand now? Have a nice day.

Michael Moore? No. He just came out with another weak film.

There wasn't a time-limit and I'm not accepting money from the guffawing frat-boys who offered it. How about concentrating on your own abilities?

Hey "Alpine K". You DIDN'T respond in kind. You made it personal when you suggested that I had a Nazi for a hero. Now you bring up my profession as you have in the past with your tired "go preach to your students" routine (Actually, I am very highly rated by most of my students), but my profession and private life have nothing to do with this site or this topic unless I choose to bring it up. You don't know me, pal. You barely rate as an acquaintance. I know you as some guy on the internet who hangs out at the pub club and who I've seen here and there. This "discussion" topic is about Michael Moore, a public and influential figure and, in my opinion, an ill-mannered slob propagandist. It's not about "Merv" or "Alpine K". When you personally attack the poster, you really tell us more about yourself than the topic. And it's not a friendly picture. Doesn't climb anymore? That's really my business, not yours. How would you know? Are you a stalker with your own "Dwayner-Goes-Climbing-Cam"? You're actually wrong. I'm quite active, have climbed in several different areas this year and thus far am having a lot of fun. By the way,in my entire life, the only place I've ever experienced such juvenile personal taunting from "adults" has been on cc.com. Does it make you feel good? Have a nice day.

Gee whiz! Can I help them load their moving vans? Please? Buh-Bye!

Stinkin' hilarious! How many of your relatives did the Nazi's slaughter? Cute Baby says: "No, it doesn't make sense. What a shallow assumption!"

First of all, Rush Limbaugh isn't a Nazi as I'm sure his lawyers would love to explain to you. Second of all, he is not my hero. Thirdly, you're a real jerk to suggest that I would have any sort of Nazi for a hero. Sometimes you're funny. This time you're really, really not. Find someone else to pee on if you need to relive Jr. High. "oh, it's spray, dude! lighten up."