Oregon Climbing History

[corvallisclimb]

Lost of cool stuff out there, hoping to start a thread with just cool historical stuff, pictures, stories ect... What do you have? Please share what ever you can! Oh and no spray!

 

 

 

 

[corvallisclimb]

Wolf Rock summit regerster entry from 1972

[max]

Note government issued IDEA pad...

[corvallisclimb]

FA pitons from Needle Rock, Circa 1963

 

 

[corvallisclimb]

Ring angles from the FA party of the Turkey Monster, Circa 1966.

[corvallisclimb]

The first entry in the Wolf Rock summit register. The party, the 1964 OSU Mountain Club did a FA on the North Face.

[corvallisclimb]

Some of Jim Anglin's original home made hangers. Circa early to mid 1980's.

[corvallisclimb]

One of the original guide books.

 

Note: The editor Jim Wagner on the orginal Wolf Rock entry as well.

[shapp]

FA of Old Man Rock - Dilleys Delight on the N. Umpqua. A message I got from Gary after I posted my TR of the climb this year, which I really appreciated:

 

I was a member of the first attempt and first ascent - We got to the "Cave" on the attempt, but without bolts, could go no higher - Cams and Friends did not exist then 1n 1959, and also sticky shoes - We climbed in regular climbing boots - I led first pitch, and it was basic find the easiest way, holding the holds in place as I went up - Then Fergy did the next to the "Cave" and that was it for us, so we went and did a first on the Old Woman which I led - In 1963 I came back, though I was late in joining the party as I had to work, but I did join the group on top - Bolts were used as thats what was availible - On the rap off, the rope got stuck at the edge, and it was scary as two of us in the "Cave" trying to get the darn thing to let go - It took about 30 minutes of panic pulling and flipping - I was interested to know there is now a climbers trail to Old Man - We had to bushwack through poison oak which is not fun afterwards - Have been back a few times to repeat the climb, and its always a blast - Gary Kirk

[corvallisclimb]

Nice Jason! Heres a new picure of some guys who created much of the Oregon climbing history.

 

Tom Bauman, Gary Kirk & Jeff Thomas, September 2010.

[QITNL]

My first taste of Oregon Climbing History was with this gentleman:

 

From: http://www.johannsonline.com/a/heritage.html

 

Ed Johann & his family had a little climbing shop at the Rhododendron House in SW Portland. He and his son-in-law Gary Craghead ran a guiding service, Johann Mountain Guides.

 

From: http://www.oregonphotos.com/Oregon-Gear-Companies1.html

 

I was in 9th grade, must have been '78 or so, and was able to talk them & my parents into letting me tag along. After a basic snow travel course, we went up St. Helens (back when she had a top and an awesome glissade) and Hood. At the time it was like 25 bucks! - life was cheap back then.

 

Real nice people and the best introduction to the sport that anyone could have. There's not much else on the web about them. Curious to hear if any of you ran across these guys.

[111]

I dunno Ty, looks like you've been hoarding all the good history at home judging by your pictures!

 

Sorry, couldn't resist Ok, now there's REALLY no spray!

[111]

oh, and I do know of someone with an original Mountain Club pennant flag.

[Lowell_Skoog]

I don't know much about Oregon climbing history, but I can definitely recommend a visit to the Mazama Archives in Portland. They have done a great job of collecting artifacts, photos, personal papers, and books. Jeff Thomas is the key guy to talk to. You can probably reach him through the Mazamas office.

 

[ScaredSilly]

oh, and I do know of someone with an original Mountain Club pennant flag.

 

I have one of the last Mountain Club patches. Used to have it on a hat for many years. Finally, stopped wearing the hat cause it was in poor shape and I did not want to lose the patch.

 

While at OSU we did a bit of digging and clean up and I think the OSU Mountain Club archives made their way over to the Kerr Library. That was back in the mid 80s.

[fgw]

nice idea Tyler.

old man summit register in '04:

 

 

 

[hoodie]

 

This is a great tale from Oregon climbing history I found while researching Wolf Rock this fall.

 

http://www.richardsnotes.org/archives/2004/07/07/a-climbing-story/

 

The roll call in the comments at the bottom is awesome.

 

 

 

[g orton]

fgw,

Double check your photo of the Old Man register. I think the photo may actually be from the top of Old Woman.

Edited December 7, 2010 by g orton

[fgw]

G., you're right - it is the Old Woman register.

[corvallisclimb]

Kurt Smith, FA of Suicidal Tendancies 1987

Photo: Greg Epperson

[g orton]

Gerry Kirk may be able to shed some light on the history behind this scratch of paper since his name is on it.

[g orton]

[OldManRock]

The scrap of paper is from the first ascent - Though I did not sign it, somebody said they did for me, and got both names spelled wrong - The name is Gary Kirk, and the climb is Old Man Rock done Feb 17 1963 - Now Greg, tell me about the R Brittsan item on the next post.

[g orton]

Gary,

As I understand it, Rick Brittsan was a Yosemite climber who settled into Roseburg in the 80s after he was diagnosed with cancer. He saw potential at the Callahans and before he passed away he and Harold Hall establish several first ascents and a vision.

 

Here is another one from Old Man. The first Tyrolean between Old Man and Old Woman, August 1980.

Edited January 4, 2011 by g orton

[shapp]

The Obsidians used to climb up at Baby Rock near Oak Ridge (the big pillar you can see driving up to Willamette Pass). Any of the old timers know anything about the historic use of this crag?

Edited January 10, 2011 by shapp