dhrmabum

Takes one to know one, big Pink. Actually, Ivan and I did pm each other, and he publicly set the matter straight. And you're right, the breaking of branches doesn't have much to do with monitoring falcons, but it's at least on the same thread as Beacon, which is why I posted it when I saw people saying they'd just climbed there. Just being polite about the space. Some get pissed when seperate conversations go on for too long, maybe esp. when it concerns where I worked, who I know, etc. etc. Cheers.

Yep. What years were you there? I spent the summers of 1993-2000 working in Denali. Perhaps we crossed paths up there? Was that you chasing me during the "Denali Dash" circa 1995ish (a 3 mile naked run that is held every first full moon of August)? I think that was the same year two naked guys on mt bikes crashed into each other and were both knocked out. Seems one of them broke his nose pretty bad. Then again, maybe that was 94? But I digress.... No, I wouldn't have been chasing you naked, unless I was very drunk, and even then. . . I was chasing that ranger chick from Interp, don't ya know? No, Dave, I think you and I talked on here last. . . spring/summer, about Denali, climbing, etc. I think I was up there just a bit before you; my last summer was '92, I believe. Was there from '87 til then. Good times. Sometime I'll tell you about the one and only triatholon I've ever entered, which was up there. Almost died swimming in the lake, half-drunk. Did alright on the bike ride, though, as the swim, uh, sobered me up, ya might say. I guess the "Denali dash" came a bit after my time, unfortunately. Sounds wild. I definitely had a few wild times up there. Miss it terribly. Can't wait to go back and show it to my son. I think he'll love it. And, yes, again, I was a ranger there(but not at BEACON!). Loved it, besides working for the Govt. that is. Ah, well, there were perks. C-camp, Toklat, Eielson, tourist chicks. . .

Yep. what a cool job? are you or have you ever been a ranger at beacon rock and have you ever had interactions with joseph healie prior to your conversation on this thread? Yes, it was a cool job. No, to your questions. . I already said that I'd been a ranger long ago(previous post), but not around here. Are you incoherent at present? I have an idea. You seem to be very suspicious of me for some reason(maybe you're a conspirator?), but, I feel that this conversation has gotten a bit off topic, and I don't want to derail this thread nor take up any more space, talking about my personal history, or who I might know, etc. If you have more questions about my short but fun experience as a ranger in Denali, or who I might know, why not pm me and we can continue the conversation there, rather than taking up this space.

Yep.

No, I don't know of the person you speak of. Didn't think I was beating up on tree climbing; I rather like climbing trees. Was actually,(if you reread my original post), questioning the practice of breaking branches off of a tree. That question has since been answered by the party in question.

Uh, no, though I used to be, but not around here. What gives you that idea? where were you a park ranger? i've spent some time in a few parks.... you know a bit about climbing but say you don't climb but yet you post on a climbing site. how many times have you visited beacon rock? Worked up in Denali. Yeah, I know a little about climbing, though I'm currently trying to get more into alpine. If you look under my name you'll notice it says "noob." And, right, don't have much experience on rock. . . Don't know how many times I've visited Beacon over the years; too many to count. Never climbed on it though, just hiked to the top. Is that ok?

Uh, no, though I used to be, but not around here. What gives you that idea?

It is good to remember that while we seem to toil in relative obscurity folks are sometimes seeing us from various other vantage points. At one point some folks scanned this site and between us figured out they had shot pics of Shane and I on Menopause from up on Hamilton - talk about good eyes and camera gear! Similarly I've seen folks at the boat launch and in boats out in the slough shooting pics of climbers. dhrmabum, I and others would be happy to take you up the SE Face route once Beacon opens for the season. Just post back up then or pm one or more of us. Thanks for the invite, JH. I've been talking w/a couple others, and I will gladly take you up on the offer when the time is right. 'Til then, happy climbing! Btw, I agree w/ your last post concerning the salmon/sea lions/ and that damned dam. A big mess.

Excellent work dudes! Just reading a bit on Colchuck today, and now here's your tantalizing ski trip. Damn nice. Salivating here! That couloir looks pretty sweet. Good stuff.

Alright. I'm sprayed, splayed, and filleted. Stick a fork in me, and stick me up any bare-limbed tree on the mighty Beacon as a sacrificial newb. I'm done. I'll buy the beer if we ever hookup out at Beacon.

Ahh, I see. No worries on the sniper fire; I travel unarmed. Except, perhaps, for any verbal assaults.

the 2 options are: 1) climb where there are no cracks - this requires drilling and bolting, which angers many or 2)removing dirt, debris and vegeatation from the cracks, which angers many the tree you were concerned about is the big one on the rgiht - you'll notice she's in fine shape Hmmm, that's the tree? Looks a bit different in the pic. . . though I was on the ground. Was that a "new" route you were on, or not? What about option 3: climbing where there are "clean" cracks? Or, am I barking up the wrong crack? Maybe I'm just on crack.

Come back in mid to late July when the closure is lifted and we'd be happy to run you up the SE Corner route on Beacon. One of the northwest's classic lines (IMO). It's a great climb to the top and only a few 5.6-5.7 moves on the entire 5 pitch route. I think anybody that can get on that route would really enjoy it. Most of us would be happy to show you the ropes, so to speak... Sounds very good! Northwests' classic lines? True? Seriously, sounds very good. Thanks. Well, you have some great positions, with beautiful views of the river. Granted, I have barely scratched the surface of "lines" in the northwest, but I do know a good climb when I stumble onto one. Even though your only 5 minutes from the parking lot, Beacon can have a real "alpine" feel once you get a few pitches off the ground. The finally ridge pitch is 5.5stectacular (IMO)... No, it sounds very good. I know what you mean about that "alpine feel." I experience that on many of the hikes in the gorge, once above or at treeline. Very nice. Will have to look at some route maps, etc. of Beacon.

Come back in mid to late July when the closure is lifted and we'd be happy to run you up the SE Corner route on Beacon. One of the northwest's classic lines (IMO). It's a great climb to the top and only a few 5.6-5.7 moves on the entire 5 pitch route. I think anybody that can get on that route would really enjoy it. Most of us would be happy to show you the ropes, so to speak... Sounds very good! Northwests' classic lines? True? Seriously, sounds very good. Thanks.

Uh,Kerouac wouldn't even climb it; rather, he'd sit at the bottom and watch Snyder do it. Hee hee! Anyway, well, thanks for replying. Some of that I know, about the birds I mean, and areas being closed off. Sorry for my complaint. Didn't know the branches were dead, they looked green and alive from my angle, albeit far away. And, I was too far away or don't have good enough eyesight to see that you'd slung around the tree. So do most climbers "remove what needs to go," and thereby, take precedence over what's there, or do they maybe find another line? Is that balance? Again, just curious. Looked like a nice line you were taking, btw, cept for that tree. And, I know you were going to the left of it. . . Don't know how many trees got the ax to make that trail. . . But, should we(not you) all rip out more trees to make our own trail, just because "they" did it back then? Yep, I'd like to go out and climb Beacon one of these days. Been wanting to for some time, though, as mentioned, I'm not really a rock climber, but would like to become somewhat proficient at it, say be able to climb 5.6 or so.. . What was that you guys were on? Thanks for the reply, and thanks for not pissing on Gaia. She's my girlfriend too.

Alrighty Beacon climbers. I might get sprayed with shit on this, but, I'm gonna ask anyway. I was coming down from Hamilton yesterday, Sat. and I saw two guys climbing the . . . N. side? facing/right over the highway, practically. Anyway, the lead climber ran into a tree in his way, one of those precariously balanced, growing out of a crack, hanging on to dear life trees. Japanese style and all. Anyway, guess he couldn't place the pro exactly where he wanted, so he began breaking branches off of the little tree. I got pissed, and even though I was far away and in my car, yelled out the window at them. The lower climber heard me, and yelled up to the lead. They looked over, and continued climbing. Anyway, what's the protocol/ethics on this? I know some of you guys clean moss off off the rock, etc. And, I'm not a rock climber, so I have a different perspective than you guys. But, dunno, just bothered me to look up at this beautiful rock, state park, a rock I've hiked up and admired many times, and see this little tree there, clinging to life(who knows how long it's been there), and see some climber ripping branches off of it because it was in his way. . . I'm not really here to get in a shouting match with anyone, or break anyone's balls, but, wondered what you guys thought of such actions, and how they might be justified? Thanks.

Holy Mo-fo! You besterds. Excellent stuff. As they said above, yeah, inspiring alright. Now I gotta do it. Fantastic. Most excellent work and play!

Hey, for what it's worth, and at the risk of getting laughed at by everyone(I don't care!), I tried on a quite a few jackets(was looking at mostly down), a year or so ago, and, I really, really liked the North Face Prism Optimus. Now, I preface this by saying its not a big, heavy-duty jacket like the Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero, but, would seem to fit into the category of which you're looking/reviewing. 28oz, 700-fill, a bit of primoloft in the hood, but mostly down in the coat body. Felt like the warmest of the bunch. Nice features as well. Might be worth a look at. Haven't bought one myself yet, but, for the price, warmth and weight, I really liked it.

Meeeeeeeeeee tooooooooooo! I will 2nd Mntn. Climbers' post. I'm also 47, pretty decent shape, just did Hood two weeks ago,(appreciated those trip reports, Stime!), and am looking to do more. Rainier was on the menu for this summer, and would also like to do Shuksan, maybe Baker, etc. etc. on and on it goes. Pretty limited with real, technical experience, but, wanting to gain it! Reading and trying to learn that way right now, but wanting to get out. Eager. Willing to buy beer post climb. Always ready to put safety first. Fun as well. Went up Adams last Aug. very good climb. Made it to Camp Muir with a buddy on a fun hike, also in Aug. Drop me a line, if you please. Thanks, Don.

That's a good one! Might just do it. . .

Hey, Georgio, I'm also thinking of heading up Fri/sat. morning. Looking for a partner, and/or, how many people in your group? Could another join? Also, check-out the other thread titled "Leuthold Coluoir"; sounds like they ran into,or almost literally, some rockfall this morning, which might be cause to postpone, unfortunately.

That's the plan, man. . . And, I was up there two sundays ago, and that's when our guide turned us back, right there at the last approach by the fumaroles. But, the ice was pelting down, and he decided we should get outa there. Hopefully my back will be better by then, just a sudden wrench this morning. . . Sonofabitch. But, yeah, other than that, I'm psyched to get up there, and I will certainly keep my guard up. Cheers.

Yeah, I was thinking of soloing it, have been thinking of it for some time. Almost went for it on Mon. but, too tired after returning from Seattle the night before. Anyway, yeah, just have a little of newbie-nervousness; I think once I'm up there I'll be fine. We were roped, with our guide, a couple of weeks ago, and I know there's the pros and cons of rope/no rope, but, guess that's where a bit of the nervousness comes from-unroped solo, etc. Do you think most of the rime shit has come down by now? Thanks guys for the optimistic push. And info. Appreciated.

Anyone up for a climb Fri/sat. morn? Must say, I'm a bit of a newb, but. . . did try and go up 2 weeks ago, with Tmguides, and we were turned back due to icefall. Guides decision that I respect. Now, though, I'm ready to get back up there. I do feel confident with crampons, ice axe, etc. Have done Adams once. Looking to gain more experience and have a great time. Very beautiful up there, eh? Anyone up for it?

ahhh. . I knew I should've made the effort to go up yesterday . . Lucky guys. Sounds like it was good.