New and experienced climbers over 50, #3

wendy weiss wrote:

Or you can live in a city where you can get everything you "need" and can also get away for a few hours in the afternoon. BTW, mama, papa, and baby moose got a LOT closer, but I was too freaked to get the photo. They are BIG.

 

Ages ago, a family of moose went on display at our local zoo. Hubby and I were there one day, when the keeper was cruising around in the enclosure. We asked, "So how do you get them where you need them to go?", both of us knowing that moose are indeed quite dangerous and bad tempered to boot. His reply? "Oh, I just stick a banana in my back pocket and they'll follow me anywhere!"

I advise against trying this in the wild.

Best, Helen

That bobcat thing is awesome.

I once woke up to a bear sniffing my face. That was intereresting.

Señor Arroz wrote: That bobcat thing is awesome.

I once woke up to a bear sniffing my face. That was intereresting.

Oh, god. Reminds me of a funny story. BF and I were camping a year ago, and there was a lot of fuss about black bears.  Around 2 a.m. we both heard something, and the BF whispered "Lori. DO. NOT. MOVE.A. MUSCLE."    I was frozen with fear, and was barely breathing, just listening intently and remaining still.  I waited for the All Clear... it didn't come.  Maybe 15 minutes later, my BF loudly snored.  He had fallen asleep while I was frozen in place. 

Close to a cobra. lol Way worse than a silly rattler.

Jeffrey Constine wrote:

Close to a cobra. lol Way worse than a silly rattler.

Jeffrey, you win again.   Just waiting for the neighborhood mountain lion to come around.

wendy weiss wrote:

Jeffrey, you win again.   Just waiting for the neighborhood mountain lion to come around.

I don't know, pics of a trained cobra don't compare to rattlers at the anchors... ;)

The only wild animal that has ever given me concern was a cow elk.  I almost stepped on her calf while fly fishing, she came around the tree in full charge, rearing and kicking.  I skedaddled.

Then there was the lunch snake.  Barb and I had stopped in a shady grove to eat lunch.  We are facing each other sitting on separate rocks about 10 feet apart chit chatting.  She gets a very excited concerned expression and says: "Don't move, there is a rattle snake behind you."  

I freeze then ask the reasonable question of "how far behind me?". Her response was "It's a really big one".  ???

So I ask the question again: "How Far Behind Me?"  Her response was "It's moving closer".  

Now I am getting concerned: "HOW FAR BEHIND ME?"   She says "Don't Move" in a hushed and ominous voice.  

Thinking the snake is practically in my hip pocket and knowing they rarely strike while moving I leaped up quickly and turned around.  The snake was indeed an old, big, rattle snake, but he was a good 20 feet behind me and not a threat at all.  

Barb burst out laughing. 

John Barritt wrote:

I don't know, pics of a trained cobra don't compare to rattlers at the anchors... ;)

Yikes.

found this AWESOME photo. Eiger Sanction! Classic Film, they don't make them like this movie anymore.

Jeffrey Constine wrote:

found this AWESOME photo. Eiger Sanction! Classic Film, they don't make them like this movie anymore.

Wooooooo, sweeeet, Jeffrey! Would love to see his son Scott in a remake of this movie, or similar!

Chased by bighorn sheep while solo hiking the upper lake below the Crestones and Humboldt....rescued by another hikers dog. :D

Below...a garter snake keeps an eye on me and my rope.

I love the synchronicity.  Received this email today from Mountain Ascent Assoc. 

Devils Peak Climb
Where: Devil's Peak near Norden, CA
When: 10/27/2018 - 10/28/2018
Time: 4:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Link:  mountainascent.org/event-30…
Will you be attending?
RegisterNot attending

Join MAA on Devil's Peak for a scenic fall approach and overnight to a short but dramatic peak attempt. Loaner gear may be available. We have room for 8. Hope to have you out with us!

• What's happening: Devil's Peak attempt, 3 mile approach, 3rd class hiking / scrambling up south side.
• Where to meet: 4:00 pm at the Summit Restaurant parking lot, Exit 174, off I-80
• Event Leaders: Fletcher Payne, John Scruggs
• Minimum / Maximum: Min. 2, Max. 8
• What to bring: Tent /bivy, sleeping bag, pad, food for 24 hours, headlamp, sturdy boots / shoes, poles, pack with water, food, jacket and appropriate layers

Dallas R wrote: Then there was the lunch snake.  Barb and I had stopped in a shady grove to eat lunch.  We are facing each other sitting on separate rocks about 10 feet apart chit chatting.  She gets a very excited concerned expression and says: "Don't move, there is a rattle snake behind you."  

I freeze then ask the reasonable question of "how far behind me?". Her response was "It's a really big one".  ???

So I ask the question again: "How Far Behind Me?"  Her response was "It's moving closer".  

Now I am getting concerned: "HOW FAR BEHIND ME?"   She says "Don't Move" in a hushed and ominous voice.  

Thinking the snake is practically in my hip pocket and knowing they rarely strike while moving I leaped up quickly and turned around.  The snake was indeed an old, big, rattle snake, but he was a good 20 feet behind me and not a threat at all.  

Barb burst out laughing. 

After re-reading this twice I have decided this was the exact moment in your marriage where Barb was thinking about killing you..... By rattlesnake.....Then, decided to let you live...... ;)

Working so I can play hooky Mon for opening day of archery, y'all be safe out there this weekend!

I'm thinking of a trip to Red Rock at the end of October.  Does anyone have any suggestions as far as camping or places to stay (cheap)?  

Lori Milas wrote: I'm thinking of a trip to Red Rock at the end of October.  Does anyone have any suggestions as far as camping or places to stay (cheap)?  

Campground https://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/camping-at-red-rock-canyon/

My groom and I are headed there this December. I'm meeting some others for climbing at RR. Also, going to do some golfing and hope to get in some hiking at Death Valley NP. We usually stay at a IHG place since he get points from his business travels.

Yesterdays climb was Theater of Shadows on Steinfells Dome.  About a mile of hiking up 600 feet.  4 pitches of 5.6. Easy huh, except each pitch is about 150 feet.  We had to wait at the base for a party of 3 that was daisy chaining.  I am not that good at slab smearing so the first pitch was scary.  The others had better texture.

Here is a picture of Barb in her happy place.

She always likes to do a little victory dance on the pinnacle.


Saw a cool rock formation, wonder if it is called Eagle Rock



Should have taken the GPS.  There are dozens of user trails so coming back down I got suckered into one and missed the main trail.  Instead of an easy walk back to the car we had an hour long scree fest.

Where are the pictures of me?  There were severe wind gusts at the top, 40 mile an hour type.  One of these nearly bowled Barb over while she was taking a picture with her phone and she dropped it. Boing, boing, boing, plop.  Landed on a ledge. I lowered her to retrieve it but it didn't survive in spite of the protective case.  

I was a little concerned about finding the second rap anchors, but it turned out to be obvious.  Then the comments recommended a direction on the second rap, good advise, the "obvious" way was too long and would have been interesting.  I really appreciate people that take the time to post useful comments, it's one of the things that makes MP great.

We were very tired when we got home.  So glad we didn't try Sinocranium next door. Another rope to carry, 3 more pitches. 

Are you going to do it? 

Dallas

I agree with Mason about Sinocranium about needing only a 70m rope with 2 raps to get off. My wife and I have climbed this twice. The first time in a party of 3 in 2016 when we were both 63 years old. Our friend Ed was 68 and had both of his knees replaced. My wife, Jean,  and I then climbed it again in September 2017 with very heavy winds blowing the entire time. Jean led the crux the first time and I led the crux the 2nd time we climbed it. We alternate pitches when we do multi-pitch climbs.

It is mostly a walk in the park except for the very short 5.8 section. The bolts are very close to each other on this section. As Mason states they also did seem slippery to me. If you have problems with this section you can always french free it. We did the climb in 5 pitches the 2nd time.

You do need to locate the rap anchors off to your right and down when you get to the top. You may want to stay tied in on the rope going to the anchors.

Bring your hiking shoes for after you rap off to hike back to your packs. I hate hiking in tight climbing shoes.

Walking up to do Sinocranium

My wife leading the first pitch.