Ricardo_Montalban Posted August 5, 2004 Posted August 5, 2004 so...since i'm in the minority i should keep my opinions to myself? i thought this was a discussion. swaterfall: i completely agree that there are more pressing 'wilderness' detractors than the registers, however; 1. that is not the subject of this thread, and 2. one issue doesn't render the other moot Quote
cj001f Posted August 5, 2004 Posted August 5, 2004 so...since i'm in the minority i should keep my opinions to myself? i thought this was a discussion. swaterfall: i completely agree that there are more pressing 'wilderness' detractors than the registers, however; 1. that is not the subject of this thread, and 2. one issue doesn't render the other moot My point was thus. They are easily removable, non permanent installations that most people don't view as trash. Please respect that - because they can be easily removed in the future and no one will know the difference. Quote
Dru Posted August 5, 2004 Posted August 5, 2004 so its ok because they are easily removable, but not ok to easily remove them? Quote
eternalX Posted August 5, 2004 Posted August 5, 2004 I really don't see the need for the registers and I do find it pretty arrogant that the Mounties put them up there. I've signed some in the past, but it's always this sort of "oh...there's a summit register. i guess i'll sign." You probably don't need to remove them, but let's not put any more up there. Quote
tomtom Posted August 5, 2004 Posted August 5, 2004 I really don't see the need for the registers and I do find it pretty arrogant that the Mounties put them up there. Another vote for: Beckey places a register, it's cool. If the Mounties place a register, it's arrogant. What about the Mazamas and the Cascade Roavers? Quote
Ireneo_Funes Posted August 5, 2004 Posted August 5, 2004 Anytime you intentionally leave something on a summit there's a little bit of arrogance in it. But I think a summit register is pretty benign. I'd rather see a little metal box than a cross or a statue of the Virgin Mary or prayer flags or whatever. To answer the question that started this thread -- a summit register is a little more than trash, a little less than history. The less the better, but it seems like there's more important things to do than to start some campaign to haul 'em out. Quote
Ade Posted August 5, 2004 Posted August 5, 2004 I think someone oughta carry a whole bunch of those "NW forest pass required at trailhead" signs up on top of mailbox peak. And Mailbox is a prime example of why I have a bad vibe about the whole summit register thing. Last time I was up there I found; two mailboxes plus mail, a fire hydrant, a ladder and a whole bunch of wood with people's names carved into it. Registers should be unobtrusive and that would be fine. Sometimes I look at the ones on obscure peaks and they're actually pretty interesting and maybe of historical significance, but not a historical record. Unfortunately there presence seems to suggest that it's OK to leave other stuff on summits too. Quote
Sir_Donald Posted August 5, 2004 Posted August 5, 2004 Summit registers tell a story of nasty approaches, scary leads and sweat filled dirt grovels, and should remain atop the climbs as a testamony to our efforts. Once, after getting to the top of Castelton Tower in Utah, we read that the late Derek Hersey had been there just the day before, solo of course. It put us in a different mind frame about the climb, making it a little more special, and we penned in our story of the day. Leave em' be. Quote
willstrickland Posted August 5, 2004 Posted August 5, 2004 For the folks who value the "historical value": Does the history angle apply once the original register has been removed and/or replaced? Like on a heavily traveled peak, the register might only go back a couple of years. Is there any REAL historical value to knowing that Joe Gaper was on the peak six months ago? You can probably tell from my tone that I think seldom visited peaks with an original register, and widely spaced ascents, might have some historical interest whereas a register on the Toof or something is kinda silly. However, I'm no historian and am by no means a "history buff". A history of appearing in the buff is another issue If you say it is all history, then should we ever remove any trash or booty or anything? Surely that is also history? For the record, I don't really think about them. Definitely better things to worry about. Seriously though, if the original register is gone...filled up and replaced, lost, snaffle eaten, whatever...is there historical value to something that only goes back a little ways? Quote
rbw1966 Posted August 5, 2004 Posted August 5, 2004 I'd rather see a little metal box than a cross or a statue of the Virgin Mary or prayer flags or whatever. I wouldn't call this a little metal box by any means. I've climbed on peaks in Europe where the metal crosses were and I found those way more interesting than an old ammo can some schmuck schlepped to the top. Benign is in the eye of the beholder. I agree there are better things to worry about. So why isnt there a summit register on Mt. Hood? Is it only cool on peaks that are more difficult to access? If so, why? Quote
eternalX Posted August 5, 2004 Posted August 5, 2004 I really don't see the need for the registers and I do find it pretty arrogant that the Mounties put them up there. Another vote for: Beckey places a register, it's cool. If the Mounties place a register, it's arrogant. What about the Mazamas and the Cascade Roavers? I don't care if Beckey or the Mounties add it. Either way, it's arrogant. it's like claiming a mountain. To me it's the same as Coke putting the fuxoring register there. Quote
iain Posted August 5, 2004 Posted August 5, 2004 So why isnt there a summit register on Mt. Hood? Is it only cool on peaks that are more difficult to access? If so, why? Didn't you see the iMac over by the mazama chute? Someone even thoughtfully bookmarked some quality porn on there. Quote
rbw1966 Posted August 5, 2004 Posted August 5, 2004 There's an idea. Anyone have first rub-out ascent on Hood? Send baby, SEND!!!! Quote
Alpinfox Posted August 6, 2004 Posted August 6, 2004 One thing that annoys me about registers that hasn't been mentioned yet (except tangentially by EternalX) is how they distract you from the view and summit you just reached. Even though I don't like summit registers, when I get to a summit and see a register, I get curious and look through it. It's ALMOST always a bunch of bullshit, and after purusing the thing for 15 minutes, I suddenly realize: "Why am I wasting my time reading this piece of shit when there is an AMAZING 360-degree view all around me!?!?!?" You might say I should just ignore them and go straight for the views, but I don't seem to be able to resist. It's like those big fucking annoying BRIGHT AS HELL lights on I-5 near Fife. I can't NOT look and that SUCKS!!! BTW: There was no register (that I could find) on North Twin Sister today. Quote
MervGriffin Posted August 6, 2004 Posted August 6, 2004 One thing that annoys me about registers that hasn't been mentioned yet (except tangentially by EternalX) is how they distract your attention away from the view and summit you just reached. Ritalin anybody? Quote
Alpinfox Posted August 6, 2004 Posted August 6, 2004 Huh? Dwayner, you are a smarter guy than that... come on. Don't you find BOLTS distracting? You just can't ignore them can you? They just sit there and glitter and shine in your eyes!!! OH THE TORTURE! Quote
Dru Posted August 6, 2004 Posted August 6, 2004 or the steaksauce thread. some people can't avoid looking at it Quote
graupel Posted August 6, 2004 Posted August 6, 2004 One thing that annoys me about registers that hasn't been mentioned yet (except tangentially by EternalX) is how they distract you from the view and summit you just reached. Even though I don't like summit registers, when I get to a summit and see a register, I get curious and look through it. It's ALMOST always a bunch of bullshit, and after purusing the thing for 15 minutes, I suddenly realize: "Why am I wasting my time reading this piece of shit when there is an AMAZING 360-degree view all around me!?!?!?" You might say I should just ignore them and go straight for the views, but I don't seem to be able to resist. It's like those big fucking annoying BRIGHT AS HELL lights on I-5 near Fife. I can't NOT look and that SUCKS!!! You mean like here on CC.com? Quote
Stefan Posted August 6, 2004 Posted August 6, 2004 I enjoy reading through summit registers. I have a lot of friends who go mountain climbing and when I see their name in the register there is a strong feeling of kinship I have with that friend of mine. It means I have shared the same experience and views as they did. Quote
Dru Posted August 6, 2004 Posted August 6, 2004 Yeah, I feel the same way whenever I sign into a summit register as Reinhold Messner, almost as if I AM Reinhold Messner Quote
Fairweather Posted August 7, 2004 Posted August 7, 2004 Anyone ever leave their (full) blue bag inside a register box? Or worse, use one as a toilet when nothing else was available? Imagine the surprise on some poor Mounties face when he lifted the metal lid a few weeks after your big climb.... Quote
pope Posted August 7, 2004 Posted August 7, 2004 Anyone ever leave their (full) blue bag inside a register box? Can't say that I have. But I once wiped my ass on the pages of a contemporary moral philosophy book I had packed to the top of a hill. Quote
pope Posted August 7, 2004 Posted August 7, 2004 And that reminds me that a guy once crapped in my tent. Quote
Dru Posted August 8, 2004 Posted August 8, 2004 didnt you yourself crap in donna top-step's sleeping bag? Quote
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