Dirtyleaf

Here's the number to the Brick in Roslyn. They'll let you know. 509 649 2643

Were you taught to "believe" in god or was it more like something hereditary. Like how birds learn to fly? I'm not spraying. I have spent a solid and coherent 14 years heavily involved in and around the church.(against my will mind you) I am still friends with many of these people today. What I'm going to refer to as the "human condition". Nobody's really pointing any fingers. But I'm glad you felt strongly enough about this to expose yourself. I don't preach. I don't believe in god. But I can still lead by example. In a positve direction. And check your last 4 sentences. You're being a really big hypocrite. Like I told Ivan at the base of Meatgrinder....Peace, and God Bless. Really.

Dosage #3-5 Higher Ground The sharp end Progression Splitter

Yeah, sounds like the perfect time to get pissed.

This is exactly where I was hoping this thread would end up. I've talked to climbers who said something like "God gave me the courage to..." Ok. Fair enough. I'll listen to almost anything you say without talkin smack back. But, I find myself going back to the days walkin' the downtown seattle streets at nighttime scorin dope. FUcked up scenarios abound. whatever. I lived through it. Now, however, I go back to That mindset when I climb. It's my personal memory bank of the dark side of the force. It helps to put all emotions, feelings, etc. aside and put forth. I think even Jesus would agree. I've taken some decent whippers because I forgot I was climbing and I started to feel happy at the pretty mountain scenery. What a dumb way to fuck oneself up or die. Get twisted. Accept the anger and hate. Happines+Love equals stupid fucking mistakes.

So, I stopped all the drugs after about 5 solid years of using on a daily basis. The day I got off of the methadone program was the same day I went to Darrington and climbed exfoliation dome. Now all I do is climb, think about getting a job, moving, and school, and training for climbing. That's about all I need. If I can't see something, I won't take your word for it. I'll need to find out for myself. Which I did. Thanks for playing.

Now there is not a whole lot on the subject of climbing and religion that I have to say or comment on. It's already been done for me. Thanks. I HAD to go to private school up until 5th grade. I HAD to go to church at least 3 times a week on top of that. Well, not one to be told what to do I quickly found ways of getting attention. Bothell Police Department. Fighting my peers. Smoking in front of the classroom door when I was told to "cool off outside" I got suspended a few times. Then, when I found out for myself that I didn't really give a shit about any and or all organizations, groups, other people, etc. In comes drug use. Spiritual? Those long 20plus hour days in the mountains filled with hardship, and constant struggle. Those days of near perfect synergy with your climbing partner when words really aren't necessary. Or, (what I did) was figure that shit out with acid trips, and many years of hard drug use. Hunter S. Thompson laid the path for me. I've read most of his books. Gonzo. So, I still don't believe in a higher power but more of a connection with all things living. (Im not a fucking hippy)

And yes, this is a double edged sword. Figure it out.

Wow. Thank you for the well thought out responses. Shapp: I appreciate your direct approach at life and realism. I wonder about those who have tapped into...something extraordinary. Todd Skinner, John Bachar, Peter Croft, Michael Reardon,..were any of these guys regular church goers of the religious sort? Something tells me no. From what I've read about these guys they have had many spiritual experiences through climbing. But I just don't hear many stories about "Higher powers", something greater than oneself. I'm just interested to hear what others have to say on the subject.

Seriously. I'm interested to hear peoples thoughts on this. If I go to church do you think Jesus power will make me climb harder??? Because, if Jesus helps me climb harder.....

Led Fucking Zeppelin!!

Yakima sucks.

I can waste time all day.

Alive: I feeling that keeps you from being "too old"

You know you're too old when ur dead, stuck in a retirement community, can't poo on your own, can't walk, can't move you're arms and legs, erectile dysfunction, you've been castrated, no one knows you're alive cause' you never leave your house, hooked up to a breathing machine, paralyzed, blind and paralyzed, buried in the ground, or if you're perenially obese, you actually want to watch tv and get fat and spend money. Then no matter how many years you've been on this planet you are still considered "old". "Old" means you can't do any of the things that make you feel "alive:"

I'd personally recommend Midnight Rock in the Tumwater canyon and Wildcat Wall in Tieton. Both provide out of the way ambiance and most of the routes are pretty easy and very top-rope accessible. A great place to take your girlfriend and/or are excellent places to learn how to lead on gear or just have an easy/mellow day at the crags.

The CNR is a tasty route indeed. I've been up the slope a couple of times and recommend going in May-early June.(Less People_) Just bring an axe and maybe crampons if you want to feel less sporty. (Ice climbing in rock shoes is memorable.) Camped around INgalls creek, hiked up goat pass, climbed it, went down east side (Cascadian Couloir: Least technical descent) then an hour or so hike back to camp.) Just go do it. P.S. Bring your camera. P.S.S. Bring some tasty snacks and maybe some lip balm so your lips don't get too chapped from the wind.

Shit, I'm sorry. Gettin' tag teamed is the least desirable thing to happen to a man. I get bitched out by women all the time. And yes, running is best thing to do.

Craig: You're such an ice-hole.

Not even close. I caught on. Went for a ride. Had a good time. Just sayin'...it looked like fun. The High Life.

It looks like you went ice climbing. AND gourmet. The High Life.

Sheep? That's all I have left man.

Count em'. That's 6 days. 6 days without a single smoke, puff, or drag. shoot.

Perfect.

I take offense to being called a "hippy". Instead of "hippy" I'd prefer "retard." It's much more accurate.