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I actually stood you up like a year or two ago. It was raining - glad you aren't holding that against me. Exploring Idaho would be ideal, but Idaho beta seems as hard for me to come by as Montana beta. I have some hand written topos of Lightning Dome (from Hyper-spud, ID), but have never climbed (visited once). 48 is not old. Joseph schools me every time I climb with him and he is older than that! PM sent...

That figures! I went out on Sunday to see if anyone was around, and I didn't run into anyone. I also didn't see a fat Weeping Wall. I must be totally off! I drove to Bluewood and back to mile marker 13 twice, finally parked at the pullout around mile marker 17 with the bathroom on the left as you drive up the hill (parking for like 5 cars). Crossed a bridge and hike for a mile or two. Eventually found some frozen seepage to climb on, but not fat ice. And, I didn't see anything standing at my car. Am I blind? It is suppose to be totally visible from the road, correct? What pullout did you park at? Can I tag along with your group sometime?

Dave/Ivan, let me know when you want to climb and we will do it! I got a dance card that is going unfilled and I want to change that.

My name is Ken. I am 35, single, employed, with no other commitments. I live in Walla Walla, WA. I have been rock climbing for the past 8 years. I started at Portland Rock Gym (PRG), and have been climbing outside for 7 years. I drive 3 hours standard. Dirtbagging it is fine by me. Paying for service isn't out of my financial means either. I grew up skateboarding, joined the Army at 18, earned a certificate from Diver's Institute of Technology (DIT) in Ballard, WA, worked at a utility truck fabrication shop, left and became a residential framing contractor, returned to school at 28, and am now settling into a career. I am looking for partners. Ideally it would be 1 or 2 people. Right now I am willing to "interview" (first climb) with as many people as are interested. I want to climb ice, never have really, but I just bought Kurt Hicks' tools if you are into that whole Karma thing and you like Kurt (I don't know him). I have snowshoes on order and plan on picking up an Alpine Touring setup after the season so I can get a deal. I am willing to rent a couple times to get out skiing. When summer comes I want to focus on rock. I went to Red Rocks twice this last year, but haven't full filled my desires in either trip (we climbed 5.7 max - Tunnel Vision, we did the variation pitch, not the OW). I am a bit out of shape at 6'2" and 222 lb. My ideal weight is 185 lb and I was almost there 2 years ago, but with then new job and no steady partner I become lazy. That is right, at the heart of me, I am lazy. But when I am in shape, I love the feeling of exercise. Ice - No experience Snow - Limited experience Rock - Multi-pitch up to 5.10, 500 feet-ish (I currently lead 5.8, but use to follow 5.10 comfortably. I have lead a couple 10's but not many) Drop me a PM if interested. If you need more infomation, f*ck off!

I will be in the parking lot by 10:00 am, if you want to do the corner. -Ken

I ain't gonna make it tonight (I was trying). I have too much weekend-prep to do tonight (laundry, apartment, vehicle maintenance) See whoever in the morning (10:00 am in the parking lot) Drink much and be merry!

What is so important about Wind Mt.?

Definitely

Have a good climb and a Happy New Year! Hope to climb with you in 2008!

I am not coming down this weekend. However, I do have the 22nd through the 1st free and want to climb. I was thinking RR or J-tree (Maybe Smith). Really looking for someone cool to climb with as I don't want any drama. I am prolly not looking for more than 5.9. I am planning on driving and can fit 1 person. Dave, I should prolly call Brent huh? -Ken

And, I-84 through the 395 exchange was totally icy last night - 2 vehicles in the ditch and semi-trucks traveling at 35 mph. Only a couple vehicles with chains though. I love my studs!

Just visiting?

I thought Bankers work during the week??? Walla Walla to Beacon is 3 hrs. It comes to about $60 round-trip and totally worth it! (Plus I use to live in the Couve) Someday I hope to migrate back west about 2.5 hrs - something like White Salmon. I am looking to do "something" the 22nd-24th. Ivan, you wanna go climb, so you can hear me yell again? -Ken

I am looking for someone to climb the corner with today. 509 301 5518 I am driving in right now. I am about 1 hour out. Call if interested. ~Ken

That is a shame, and IMO a disservice to the aid climbing comunity (if there is such a thing). That bolt ladder use to be spicey and you needed some skills to ascend it safely. Now I assume you could haul, belay, or lower from any bolt on pitch? By the way, the anchors had been replaced a while ago, but the on pitch bolts were not. I wonder why?

Welcome to the club! Thanks, just wish I wasn't the 'new' Ken, becasue the old Ken sounds badass, and I ain't no old Ken.

Yeah, I just met Jim recently. He sure is a cool dude! We did the corner on Friday, and it was cold, but no where near what it was Saturday. I was coming around the corner, off of the slab, in that real good stance where you are parellel with YW anchor #2, and the wind is just blasting me in the face. I feel like I am about to fly into space. I stand there just holding on for like 20 seconds, and then I just start laughing histerically, and Joseph, about 15 feet up, joins in laughing with me. Great times!

I got caught today starting to solo up a shotcrete retaining wall at work. I was about 4 feet up when 2 workers come around the corner. I didn't notice them at first, I was about to go for the 5.3 weakness of about 25 feet when I noticed them. We all laughed and then I got down. And I am supose to, kinda, be in charge. Haha

Haha - you too crazy! 509 it is.

I think he ment be on the ledge at high noon. Ivan - yes for Sunday sbsmooth - I will climb with you on Saturday Who wants to climb on Friday? And don't say its going to rain,because I don't care!

Looks like some nice weather! I will be there Fri/Sat/Sun and I need a partner.

Joseph you got with the first one. The big foot when your setting up. Ivan goes "here we go" and starts to pull up and crack goes his foothold. Kinda humerous if I wasn't worried about his wellbeing.

On the corner, the lip before the slab, about 2 feet down, I alwyas slot a nut there, and Ivan found the same spot. Yesterday.

Ivan made me think we were going to finally find out if that nut below the lip could hold a fall. Damn nice job keeping it together!

Yeah, not sure what I will get on, but it will all be C1+ or less, maybe something in the Gulls. I do have hooks, if some wants to play with them on toprope with me. I might be up for nextweekend as well. I kniow later next week.