Sherri

Some relevant info of the history of P.A. from Clint Cummins on a supertopo thread : "When Fred Beckey's "Darrington & Index Rock Climbing Guide" came out in 1976, it had an overlay photo which showed the Snow White and Frog Pond aid routes, but nothing in between. I did the first pitch of Snow White on aid, noticed the free climbable upper crack, plus the big moss- and block-choked flake down and right, and started thinking about doing a first ascent - it looked like something I might be able to free climb. The first thing I did was in August 1976 - a new direct finish for p1 of Snow White, so that it stayed left and hopefully people would not nail the moderate upper section which could be used by the new route. Then in June 1977, I scrambled around the left end of the Lower Wall and got above both pitches for a long session of cleaning on rappel. After pitching off flakes, digging out dirt and blackberry vines, the climb was uncovered. It was a typical rainy day, and all the dirt made my rope muddy and wore some deep grooves into my carabiner brake rappel! After some cleansing rains, I came back in July with Jeremy Metz and led it at 5.8. The crux at that time was an undercling/lieback on a giant detached flake (12' x 12' x 6"), halfway up the first pitch. I checked it on rappel, but it didn't budge. Some years later this came off and it became 5.9. The name I wrote in my guidebook at the time was "Prince", to go with Snow White and Frog Pond (and I wrote "Dwarf" for the direct finish to Snow White). Although when I reported it to the guidebook author, I embellished it to "Princely Ambitions" to recall the mega cleaning session involved to uncover a moderate free climb. It's cool that it's popular; I was just in the right place at the right time to uncover it. By the way, dated FA info for Index is at: http://www.stanford.edu/~clint/index/itwfa.htm "

Some clueless dude started tromping right across the top of my rope stack last week and I nearly snatched him bald-headed before he ever knew what hit him. Amazing how quickly we came to a mutual understanding about where it was ok and not ok to for him to walk.

I want to spend the holiday with the Selkirks! Sounds like a good time. My mother-in-law is one of the finest folks you'd ever hope to meet. We're lucky to have her so close.

My holiday travel plans consist of walking up the driveway to watch the inlaws eat a turkey.

I'll bring the side dishes. That's why I'm bringing the side dishes.

Thanks, Sobo. I'd like to meet you, too. I've had a little crush on you ever since the photo of you climbing in your, er, socks. Maybe you, me, and Rmncwrtr could have a wine and chocolate party sometime. I'd want to invite Muffy, cuz she's definitely on my list, but I wouldn't want to lead her astray(with the sugar.)

I'll bring the side dishes.

Bring your own snorkel. that's deep Exactly.

Bring your own snorkel.

HRUMPHHHH! where the hell am i on this list???? WTF! i gotta go kick a puppy now...sheesh... Whiners won't make the list. I'm in. Can Minx and I meet in the hottub, Porter? That would be nice.

I've met Archie. I highly recommend it.

Better do it while you can. Sounds like he's growing up fast.

Too funny! I thought the same thing(that "Drew" was G-spotter). Now that we've got that straightened out... A big to Drew! Absolutely awesome. Can't wait for the pics!

Sounds like a great day out.

Pie sabotage. Stay strong, Muffy!

I'll second the votes for Rock Warrior. At first glance, it can seem sappy and New Agey, but you will find that there's good stuff in there that you can apply on every climb(especially leads, I've found). I havent' read the 5.12 book yet. Sounds like that one should be next on my list.

I'm all ears.

That's easy: tourists can't spit on climbers.

I totally agree. This fog, wind, and rain has us all ready to go back for more. Must--resist--winter....

Nice work, guys! As awe-inspiring as the pictures are, I can only imagine how spectacular the climbing the climbing must have been. Thanks for sharing. Love the "mobile methlab."

Wow, that one just brought back some repressed childhood memories. We never did figure out what kind of "cheese" those bricks were supposed to be.

Thanks, guys! (And welcome to the board climberdavef, my RR multipitch mentor--that climb on Geronimo last year was the best. ) It was a great way to go "over the hill." Now I'm ready for all the fun to begin on this side of it!

Trip: Red Rocks - 40 Years Young! Date: 11/2/2007 Trip Report: Talk about a birthday par-tay! My mom flew down from Pennsylvania to meet Kel and me in Vegas for a five-day climbing trip at Red Rocks to celebrate my turning the big 4-0. It was Kel's first time in Vegas, and my mom's first time rock-climbing. Sharing that awesome place and experience with the two most important people in my life was the best gift EVER. Me and my mom Kel at the base of Tonto(funtastic climb, despite a mini-epic when our rope got stuck when we pulled it ) My mom sending Fender Bender(5.6) at Sandstone Quarry Kel and I hanging out at Cannibal Crag My mom catching some rays at the base of Panty Wall On our last day Kel and I climbed Physical Graffiti, which was a blast, and then I went for a sunset trail run around the backside of Calico Basin and nearly tripped over a huge coyote lurking among the foilage at one of the springs back there. I'm not sure who was more suprised, but we both took off like shots in opposite directions. It was a trip full of great memories (and two jackpots for my mom at the casino ). Happy Birthday to me!

:kisss: Sorry. Couldn't stop myself.

May I kiss you?