Calico Basin 11/22; your love note
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My friend Sara and I wanted to reach out to whom ever left the sweet missive on the windshield of my orange Tacoma (NY plates) today. To remind, the note was on a napkin and read; “I hope you f*ckers get ball cancer, don’t climb on wet rock”. While we appreciate the sentiment, you should know that we went for an awesome hike today that included the Calico Tanks, Turtlehead, the drainage north of TH and wrap around to Kraft Mountain. We had hoped to climb but quickly realized the rock was soaked and instead opted for adventurous hike. Yesterday we climbed limestone at the Gun Club. |
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The rain brings out the straight-up bat-shit CRAZY people in this town. Last season, people were threatening all sorts of violence toward climbers on (allegedly) wet rock. |
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I don't have a problem with this. |
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Right, I’ll join right in passing on hate. Solid. |
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Matt N wrote: I don't have a problem with this. I have several problems with all of this. First off, you were driving on the loop, while the asphalt was presumably still wet, potentially permanently damaging the road it in its dampened state.Secondly, hoping someone gets "ball cancer" is a gender noninclusive statement. As Joe pointed out, Sara is, allegedly, unable to get ball cancer. If the offender wrote that they hoped someone gets "an unspecified-genitalia cancer," they would have a better foot to stand on, but instead they come off as sexist, assuming that only men have balls. Thirdly, it's pretty half-assed and passive-aggressive just leaving a napkin note, when you can hike into Calico Basin and address the offenders yourself, potentially without even wishing that they get any kind of cancer. Fourthly, having met and known Joe a fair handful of times, he doesn't need your vindication, he's a solid guy and guide. Sara on the other hand, I haven't met her, nor even heard of this lady. She could very well have climbed wet rock that day while Joe wasn't looking, so I'll reserve my judgement on whether or not she should get ball cancer. Fifthly, the term "sportos" is a loaded, prejudiced term for climbers that ignore regional ethics and feel they own the place, and I don't appreciate the usage of that kind of language on a forum known for its inclusivity and open-mindedness. I hope all of you have a good, long look at yourselves, and feel ashamed of your opinions and lifestyle, especially Sara, who may have climbed wet rock without Joe looking and shaming her. |
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Matt N wrote: I don't have a problem with this. I guess I'm with Matt, or at least would rather we say/do *something* rather than let them ruin it for everyone. Not sure I'd leave that tone of message, but to each their own. Joe, as I learned long ago -- if it doesn't apply, let it fly. Meaning, you weren't climbing wet rock so it was wasted effort. I am curious to know why you felt the need to start this thread, and more curious why you thought it was going to be dry after so much rain fell Wednesday and light rain fell / was cloudy / very little wind Thursday. Are you "the moment it's socially acceptable I'm on that rock" wet rock avoiding climber? |
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maybe the note is less aggressive than you thought? They wanted you to get testicular cancer, which is usually very treatable. I'd be concerned if the note wanted you to get high-grade prostate cancer. |
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Joe Vitti wrote: My friend Sara and I wanted to reach out to whom ever left the sweet missive on the windshield of my orange Tacoma (NY plates) today. To remind, the note was on a napkin and read; “I hope you f*ckers get ball cancer, don’t climb on wet rock”. While we appreciate the sentiment, you should know that we went for an awesome hike today that included the Calico Tanks, Turtlehead, the drainage north of TH and wrap around to Kraft Mountain. We had hoped to climb but quickly realized the rock was soaked and instead opted for adventurous hike. Yesterday we climbed limestone at the Gun Club. Why so aggro bro? |
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I'd make a wager that the person who left the note likely has a peace symbol, "coexist", and eARTh bumper sticker spread on their car. Oh, the irony of this climbing peace-and-love "community"! |
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Charlie S wrote: Oh, the irony of this climbing peace-and-love "community"! You shut your freaking Face Hole you nerd!!1 |
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Assuming you had crossed paths with the angry note leaving eco-warrior what would you have done? Were you gonna beat them up like a big tough guy over a note? Seems like a non event hardly worth mentioning. Stop trying to act like a victim. If the note didn't apply throw it away and move on hardly something to get worked up about. |
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Hey Joe, It was a study hall note just pass it on to the intended. Next time I'm in The Gunks I'll buy you a beer at the Brauhaus for being a good dude for not climbing after the rain we had. |
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Despite the best intentions, making false accusations is BS, as are many of the above arguments rationalizing it. Instead, the note writer should get a megaphone and confront the actual violators in the act. Problem solved, accurately. |
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Maybe the world needs some more good ol' fashioned nose punching? I'm tired of the pansies...but the first thing you'd need is a lawyer and a bail out of jail. I love climbing but the whole virtue signaling, social justice but still inherently a passive aggressive asshole crap is wearing on me. No too mention does anyone have a moderate viewpoint on anything anymore? |
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Speaking of lawyers, does anyone post and then delete more than Caughtinside? |
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PNW Choss wrote: Assuming you had crossed paths with the angry note leaving eco-warrior what would you have done? Were you gonna beat them up like a big tough guy over a note? Seems like a non event hardly worth mentioning. Stop trying to act like a victim. If the note didn't apply throw it away and move on hardly something to get worked up about. Tru, I’m not like that anymore. It did raise b/p though. Moving on.... |
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Connor FM wrote: Cornelius? Is that you? |
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Mick wrote: Glad the note writers chose a less destructive method of expressing their uninformed, ignorant and misplaced outrage but how long until they decide that vandalizing someone’s vehicle might send a stronger message? I agree about not wanting this to devolve into a police state, but one nagging question remains unanswered - what were (supposedly) experienced climbers* doing out on Friday, anyway? There was a lot of bad decision making between putting gear in car, taking gear out of car, and transporting gear to the crag (which they, by their own account, never actually used). Psychology of desperation, bad judgment, or perhaps not the whole story (or a bit of all three)? Had I seen them with climbing gear cross my path Friday I would certainly have said something, because anyone whose best thinking when leaving the car was that there was a remote chance would have been spoken to. The one caveat I want to add to all this - there's a chance (unsure how strong) that some of the more overhanging routes may have been dry. But based on all other accounts, even that was unlikely.* I just looked at Joe's profile, and it doesn't appear he is local although most of his ticks are in Southern Nevada. ________________ It looks like it's time to dust this off (forgot I even had the text file ready on my desktop...)... Red Rock weather links below. The rain gauge is at the visitor's center area, so it's not measuring the actual weather in the canyons. But it's the only gauge we have, and at least gives you some idea if you should even bother. Takes at least a couple days after 0.10+" rain for all the rock to be dry. Exposed areas that see a lot of sun perhaps less time. Forecast: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=36.0983&lon=-115.4675 Recent rainfall [also shows percent of sun and wind to help guestimate rate of drying]: https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mesowest/getobext.php?wfo=vef&sid=RRKN2&num=3000&raw=0&dbn=m |
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I always thought the rule was that if it's dry enough for a note written on a napkin to stay legible then climb on! |
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Dear Joe, |
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The plot thickens! |