Lambone Posted June 27, 2001 Posted June 27, 2001 Has anyone seen this book? I here it cost $80, and is like 200 pages long or something. My conversation with Chongo was three hours long and went from hauling heavy bags-to the death of God-to the timelessness of Yosemite Valley-to Jesus' stint in Japan... Then he asked me for drugs or a ride into the village. My question is this- is that what his book is like? I want to learn more about walls, not existentailism. And I don't want to give Chongo all my money so he can hang out on the Sea and get fucked up. Is it worth it? Any thoughts, Chongo are you listening???? Quote
willstrickland Posted June 27, 2001 Posted June 27, 2001 lambone, I'll be as impartial as I can here because I have a strong personal opinion on the topic: I've seen the book, he pretty much tries to sell it to everybody in Camp4 at some point. Also had one of those long conversations with the Chongmeister ...I was trippin my face off on shrooms at the time and I love those kind of encounters anyway. Kept me entertained for a long time. The info in the book is quite good, and obviously comes from mucho experience. The production is nothing to speak of, it's essentially a homemade jobber(I heard he was still looking for a real publisher to pick it up). I guess the one he showed me was a sample or something, it was just bound in a binder. It is a BIG book. It has straight dope on tech issues, but also some of Chongo's character in there such as the "Why you don't want to climb a wall with a stranger" section. Is it worth $80? IMO, no. You can get most of the same info from other sources for much cheaper. Chuck is a space cadet of the first order, but he does know what he's doing. As for supporting his habits...not an issue...he'll be doing what he's doing whether you contribute or not and I respect him for choosing his own path. The valley is hot as shit in the summer and I can't blame anyone for losing motivation when the mercury rises. However, leaving a huge hanging camp (like 4 bags) up for that long is poor style. Would I tell him to his face to take them down? Probably not, at least not until I've got the balls to lead the A5 on the way to those bags. If you run into him offer him $40, it's probably worth that just to have as a souvenier. His tome is not exactly on the best seller list, so I'm sure you could bargain with him. Might be a piece of climbing legend when we're all old and feeble. Chongo is one of those fixtures that makes the valley climbing scene what it is, for better or worse. Quote
Yossarian Posted June 27, 2001 Posted June 27, 2001 From what I've read off the 'net that Chongo feller has some good ideas. The only way I see to get the book, however, is straight from man himself. I was going to drop him a letter unless anyone else knows a better way to get the book. Quote
mikeadam Posted June 27, 2001 Posted June 27, 2001 A word to the budget minded. When I was there in Yosemite Chongo sold his "last" printed copy to Joe. I believe this keeps demand high. Try to barter with Charles unless you absolutely feel compelled to pay full price. Also, he has a reasonable barter ethic too. Mike Quote
Lambone Posted June 28, 2001 Author Posted June 28, 2001 Ok, thats cool. I think I'd buy more Aliens before the book, but I think its pretty cool that he's doing something productive. I was a bit turned off when Chongo told me that all climbers today are idiots. But on the otherhand, hanging out under The Trip listening to him talk about quantum physics was quite surealistic. Even though I never asked for his opinion about the universe, it was pretty entertaining. My Christian wall partner didn't think so. I think El Cap is a worthy spot to hang out for a while. Much better than some street corner. Thanks for the info guys. Quote
specialed Posted June 28, 2001 Posted June 28, 2001 You have a Christian wall partner!? What's that like? Is he/she like a serious religious zealot, or just kinda sorta believes in God or something. Quote
Lambone Posted June 28, 2001 Author Posted June 28, 2001 He's a missionary, but he's totaly cool. I told him what I knew about eastern religion. He's open minded towards other religions, but he finds his peace in Jesus. Go figure... Quote
willstrickland Posted June 28, 2001 Posted June 28, 2001 lambone, You should point him toward a book called "Living Buddha, Living Christ" by Thich Nhat Hahn. Goes along way toward reconciling the gap between eastern/western religious paths. I grew up in the bible belt, suday school teacher stepdad, church every sunday, the whole nine yards. My folks just about shit when I revealed to them that I didn't buy it and hadn't since I was 13. The fact that I thought organized religion in general was a bunch of crap didn't go over well either. The fact that Buddhism was the closest thing I indentified with also didn't gain me points in the family. I made my mom read two books: Religions, Values, and Peak Experiences by Abraham Maslow, and the book I mentioned above. The former was the first book that really laid out what I already felt and the latter allowed me to reconcile with Christianty in a way (although not in the sense of what most people call christianty which is a product of Paul and not Jesus but that's another story) Quote
Lambone Posted June 28, 2001 Author Posted June 28, 2001 Yeah, he talked about all that shit. He must be one of those guys who can tell his story a thousand times and never get boared of it (Just like Dwayner). People who preach their beliefs are sad, and thats all he does, sit around and wait for wall climbers to show up then talk their ear off. I'd rather watch televangalism. I bet his book has some cool stuff in it, just bugs me that he thinks he's some kind of geinius like Ben Franklin or somethin'. From what I have gathered, he hasn't invented anything new, he's just applied some basic engineering concepts to walls. [This message has been edited by lambone (edited 06-28-2001).] Quote
Lambone Posted June 29, 2001 Author Posted June 29, 2001 Will, Thats cool, only he's not confused about Christianity. He believes, and thats all he needs. I respect that. Chongo has a funny attitude towards Jesus, but I'll leave that up to him to tell. Ed can stuff it! Quote
willstrickland Posted June 29, 2001 Posted June 29, 2001 hey lambone, Did Chongo talk to you about "spin theory" and his book on physics? Quote
Guest Posted June 29, 2001 Posted June 29, 2001 See http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001M9X Quote
specialed Posted June 29, 2001 Posted June 29, 2001 Dude, just makin a simple joke. It would be bad form to diss on someone for their religion, Christian or otherwise. I'm just prone (NPI) to juvenile humor. Too many episodes of South Park I guess. [This message has been edited by specialed (edited 06-28-2001).] Quote
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