John Frieh Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 Climb: Dragontail-Wickwire/Stanley June '71 N Face route??? Date of Climb: 9/24/2006 Trip Report: No... no... no... I know what you’re thinking and that’s not what I’m talking about... I didn’t fall in love... unless of course you count coffee which is a hot dark daily love affair for me ... but yeah… I went climbing with Daniel and Elisif Harro on Sunday (I have taken it a point to start addressing them as Team Harro) and reflecting on it made me realize the whole trip was one big lesson in love... but let me explain: Team Harro was chartered a month ago tomorrow when Daniel and Elisif Harro were married. Though I am generally known to make loud audible groaning noises generally reserved for the privacy of the bathroom after a CHA CHA CHA visit whenever someone mentions the word 'wedding' I was honestly excited for attending this matrimony. You see... it just so turns out the very first time Daniel asked Elisif out on a date he brought her to PDX drytool night! I know... I know... I couldn’t have scripted it better myself. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better then that one of Elisif’s vows (they each wrote their own) was she promised to lead her share of the pitches... Yes I cried at the wedding. Call me a sissy boy... whatever... it was beautiful. Some highlights... Team Harro: Best Wedding Prop Ever? But wait... the climb! It just so turns out this particular trip was Elisif’s very first alpine climb ever as well as Daniel and Elisif’s first climb together as Team Harro. They both thought it appropriate to let me tag along as I was in attendance for their first date which was also Elisif’s first time drytooling. I’m willing to bet post climb they might reconsider inviting me along on future climbs but more on that later. But yeah... I have a suspicion Elisif just might fall in love with alpine climbing... I honestly hope she does as she CRUSHED. So yeah... 2 newlyweds on their first alpine climb together, her first alpine climb... if you can’t feel the love then you don’t have a pulse. Or perhaps you just haven’t had as much coffee as I have had today. But the climb. The plan was to climb Serpentine Arete c2c on sunday. As you can see from the title of this report we climbed (I think) Wickwire/Stanley June '71 N Face route... speaking of if you have climbed Wickwire/Stanley give me a shout. I suspect we climbed at least part of it but would like to compare notes with someone... But hey wait a sec NOLSe... isn’t Serpentine Arete like way right of Wickwire/Stanley? Ummm... Hey NOLSe! How did you ever manage to mistake Wickwire/Stanley for Serpentine? Ummm... If you aren’t licking your chops at the sight of new NOLSe bashing material well... it gets better. I managed 2... count them... one... TWO Marco Polo sessions on the approach. Yes I lost the trail. Twice. I can’t explain it. I’ve done the approach to Bear Mtn 2 summers running, been into Gunsight 4 times and have done the approach to Stuart Moraine in under 3 hours but crap if I didn’t lose the trail twice on the way in. Maybe I can blame in on the fact that I this was my first time in to Colchuck Lake and it was dark but frankly someone needs to revoke my alpine status. Or make just make a neutrino joke. So yeah... 2 Marco Polo sessions later we made it only to have me pick the wrong ridge. In lieu of these 2 blaring bumbles on my part as far I can tell Elisif truly enjoyed her first alpine climb. Some (okay… me) might go as far as to suggest she just might fall in love with it... time will tell I guess. And talk about an alpine baptism! 2500’ of moss, choss, snow (the last few 100’ was a couple of inches of snow and ice over choss... love it!) and me muttering “where are we…?” And the whole time Team Harro was all smiles... I can think of a few seasoned partners that would have started ing about pitch 3 (you know who you are ) Luckiest guy ever? The Alpine Prodigy: Team Harro’s first married summit: The route: Elisif: John… are you sure that is Serpentine? It doesn't really match the topo... John: Yeah... sure... of course... I’ve climbed the girth anyways. And I have a cool beanie! Donde esta Serpentine? Donde esta Serpentine? Team Harro: Snow finish: Headed home: Gear Notes: LOVE Approach Notes: MARCO... POLO! Misc: - No Elisif does not have a sister. - HUGE thanks to Daniel and Elisif for not only a great day in the mountains but giving me a new definition of what it means to be in love... I thought I had a good idea but just a day with you two definitely changed that. Thank you - Happy one month anniversary! I wish you both all the best for years to come. Maybe we can even go climbing every once and awhile - If you bump into them at PDX ICE FEST make sure to congratulate them! Music: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins, Mr Ritter, and some song that goes I'm bringing sexy back... (or was just me singing? ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slothrop Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary_Yngve Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 Thanks for the cool TR! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle_Flick Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 John, Wonderful spin on a cluster. Sensitive, funny and yes, self-deprecating. That's my kind of successful alpine adventure. Keep your TRs coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pup_on_the_mountain Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 Great read John!! Thanks for posting. Here is to team Harro . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PickleJuice Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 Excellent TR John. Great job Elisif! Two words were carefully selected by JF to describe you on your first alpine ascent, "bad ass." Wonderful work team Harro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billcoe Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 Great TR John! Love to see such great stories, may your lives both be blessed with all the things we find good, long lives and many summits. Happiness to you all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad_A Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 Great TR; fun to read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 you criiiied at their wedding - dude! i didn't cry at my own wedding until i thought we ran out of newcastle, and then i rememebered the guiness and cheered up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minx Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 nice TR!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 That sounds like a Harroing experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucK Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 Awesome TR! ... and the climbing looks like a pretty cool adventure from those pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knottygirl Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 Well done John! Its good to hear stories that have magic in them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderhound Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 John I cried on pitch 2 not pitch 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Frieh Posted September 27, 2006 Author Share Posted September 27, 2006 John I cried on pitch 2 not pitch 3 Youth! I'll climb with you any day! ICE ICE ICE ICE ICE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
still_climbin Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 Climbing as it should be done. Forget the guide book! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olyclimber Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffington Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 this makes John's clock tick loudly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevino Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 Good story. Where do you get a beanie like that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat_Roslyn Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 It's the California state bear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevino Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 It's the California state bear. I know. Thats why I want one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Frieh Posted February 27, 2007 Author Share Posted February 27, 2007 california state of mind if only they would make an idaho one Patagonia offered them this past fall/winter and they sold out in about a month... good luck finding one. If you do find one or if you are someone reading this that has one I would love to have a second one... give me a shout and we can let the money talk PS to save you the sticker shock they retail for 45 bucks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olyclimber Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 its THE $48 dollar hat this year. all the rage. i hope the lovers not only found love, but that they kept it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyHarry Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 The problem with a hat with the california state bear on it is that the california state bear is on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevino Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 This is all I could find so far. And yes, the problem is that it has a california bear on it. But nothing wrong with some home state pride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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