New and Experienced Climbers Over 50 #16

Guy. I got to climb with my ice climbing mentor on sunday. he has always been exceptionally bold and pretty strict about bolts. he just had both knees replaced  and doubble knee surgery seemed to vastly improve his attitude about bolts ;) 

as far as action movies go I like the genre of humor and not too much violence. the old bond fliks were great. you go back and watch them the violence almost looks like parody complete with popping balloon sound effects...  the modern action movie is all realistic violence. more people get  ultra realistically killed in the first 5 min of a Jon Wick movie than in the entire library of pre Daniel Craig bond movies. 

Nick Goldsmithwrote:

Guy. I got to climb with my ice climbing mentor on sunday. he has always been exceptionally bold and pretty strict about bolts. he just had both knees replaced  and doubble knee surgery seemed to vastly improve his attitude about bolts ;) 

as far as action movies go I like the genre of humor and not too much violence. the old bond fliks were great. you go back and watch them the violence almost looks like parody complete with popping balloon sound effects...  the modern action movie is all realistic violence. more people get  ultra realistically killed in the first 5 min of a Jon Wick movie than in the entire library of pre Daniel Craig bond movies. 

I'm down with submarine movies. I can get submerged in a good one. The old one's like Run silent, run deep are great, but Hunt for Red October is an annual ritual for me. 

And if the movies don't float yer boat, read Thunder Below. Eugene Flucky captained Gato class subs in WWII, often through the China Straight, west of Japan. In those days that was like being on the far side of the moon. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, which he tried to refuse on the grounds that every CMH citation states expressly that the recipient behaved without regard for their own life. Flucky took the position that this meant his actions were taken without regard for the lives of his crew. He insisted that the action for which he was deemed worthy of the award was planned by he and his officers, was a good plan, and was well executed. That never did he jeopardize the lives of his crew beyond what was reasonable during wartime. His action, with a single un-escorted sub halfway around the world from home, destroyed all of a significant Japanese fleet being reserved in a river on the coast of China, leaving his boat virtually unarmed, having spent their entire compliment of torpedoes.  Roosevelt told him that the country needed hero's and that he was damned well going to accept the medal. 

Flucky made it to Admiral and held the position of COMSUBPAC during the early days of nuclear powered subs. Quite the career.

Now back to our regularly scheduled program...   

Thanks for that Kristian. In my opinion all submariners, especially in war zones, deserve the Medal of Honor. It does put run-out slab climbing in perspective in terms of true commitment.

Kris. If you have the time the old tv series  the Winds Of war based on Herman Wouk's historical novel is very well done and historically very accurate. 

Oh my goodness, Kristian, I believe it’s you I need to thank.  I just got back from my first private Pilates session here in Josh and wow.  It’s perfect!  It turns out this great studio just opened 3 weeks ago.  The owner splits her time between Echo Park and J Tree, but has had a Pilates studio for decades.

Everything that has gotten bound up and constricted from climbing just unwound in that session. For a year my big toes have been numb from so much slab climbing and life started to flow back in on the Reformer. The stretches felt so good.  The core work is great.  It will all help me be a better climber. 

I’m signed up for 3 privates and might go for 6 before considering a group.  This was just what I needed so thank you.  Perfect timing!  And a nice way to meet some non-climbing friends.    

Alan Rubinwrote:

Thanks for that Kristian. In my opinion all submariners, especially in war zones, deserve the Medal of Honor. It does put run-out slab climbing in perspective in terms of true commitment.

Sort of like runout slab with someone dropping lit sticks of dynamite down at you from the top...

Awesome Lori, and thanks Nick for the recommendation.

I flew over Josh yesterday en-route to San Antonio Tex by way of Dallas. Barbara is competing in a USPA meet here tomorrow. After all, there are always more records to be broken. 

My life is interesting. I'm married to a woman who argues for a living and can remember every word I've ever said in front of her. And on top of that she bench presses more than I weigh. Fortunately I can outrun her.   

Guy Keeseewrote:

Good God Carl! So I know it’s winter down under but are their no large rocks laying about? Or do you live a long way away from them? Like our friend Mark,  in Omaha. A flat expanse of the earth’s crust. Speaking of Australia- I was lying on my friends couch in Idaho, letting my back recover from the airplane ride, and watching TV.
Crocodile Dundee 2 - a fine film about your average Aussie who looks like, I imagine, you. Anyway Mr. Dundee has many adventures in NYC including busting up a South American cocane smuggling ring, takes on several bad guys using only his knife and brains without killing any of them. Anyway he and his hot babe must flee to Australia to hide from the dope fiends- they went to his “small ranch” (only takes 4 days to walk across!) - fall in love, hangout with several typical Australians and they thwart the bad guys and capture them. It was quite the film and I don’t know how I managed to miss it when first released. But the entire time I was watching I was wondering. How big is Carl’s ranch? And how big of a knife does he wield?

Lori- Charles Cole true story. Charles and I have plans to go to T&S for a bit of climbing. So I drive my battered VW to his parents- home- mansion- in South Pasadena. He asked me to hide it way in the back so I don’t piss off the neighbors. We hit the road in his almost brand new 74 Canary Yellow Pinto.- I’m sure you remember those chick magnets-  Driving through Hemet, CA he wanted to know what sort of Fast Food I wanted. Taco Bell was the answer. Hemet had one of the original Bells- outdoor fire pit and all- plus the tacos were like $0.35 each. So Charles says “I need some supplies” as he pulls into the 7-11. I told him “I’m set”. He walks out with his supplies- 2 2liter-Pepsi’s, 4 Butterfingers and a large bag of “Donets”. Then we drive down the street to the Burger King. “Chas” - as we called him- ordered a Whopper. Then we went across the street to Carl’s Jr. where he orders a large order of Onion rings then we pulled into the Jack in Box where he ordered a “Golden Brown Apple Pie”! As we pulled into the “Bell” so I could get my Tacos and Bean Burrito he got out with all the different bags of food he collected and we ate. He explained all of this by saying “I like Whoppers, Carl’s has the best Rings and I need an Apple pie” .....  then we drove up the hill and went climbing.

The fishing was great!

Ha ha! That's great! To be honest I SOUND very Australian, I hate my accent, but I'm really not a typical aussie esp as portrayed in that movie. 

I have a quarter acre "ranch" where I grow weeds in a very small town in the hills (200 people, one pub, a post office, a farm supplies store and maybe ten streets). 

The town is surrounded by farm land (vineyards, some cows, sheep, hills, gum trees) and is heritage listed. 

There's boulders 20 minutes up the road (link below) but the main reason I haven't bouldered is that I haven't got time in between top roping, doing some leading, and indoor top roping plus also I find it hard on the body at the moment... 

Oh, also I pack a pretty big "knife". 

https://www.thecrag.com/en/climbing/australia/mt-crawford-area/area/297596136

Carl, how is your arm/elbow?  How far away is your climbing gym?  For some reason I thought you lived in a city... maybe because I think you have a job.  I guess it's time to get a map and see exactly where you are situated.

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Today is Tony's birthday.  He says he wants nothing but me...except what he REALLY wants is a big shiny Kitchen Aid, because he says he can't make proper pizza, donuts, cookies, breads, pies, and lasagna without all those fancy forks and bowls.  He's still getting used to 'California cuisine' which he has told his friends in Chicago consists of brussels sprouts and kale, and has refused to buy a pizza here until he can make a proper one himself.  We've finally managed to slim down a little, what will happen if he starts cranking out the pizza dough every day?  Big dillema.

72. Shit's getting real.  If ever there was a time for a bucket list, it's now.  I just wanna have fun.  There's fun everywhere here.  Tony's fun is in the kitchen.  (so, ok... Kitchen Aid)

I almost got lost again yesterday.  I just went to explore Lost Horse Wall, where you can not get lost.  It's impossible.  I went to check out a boulder there, wound up a ways into that canyon, turned around and realized there were 3 trails out, but actually more... all I knew was my car is "west". The Joshua Tree I had used as a marker failed me... turns out there's more than one in this area.    It was suddenly hot.  I had left my water and stuff in the car.  Just a moment of panic while figuring it out.  If you don't have a built in GPS (like Bob does), I don't know if there is any safe way to roam.  But it's been by trial and error that I have begun to learn this park, and can actually chauffeur other lost souls back to safety.  Back to Randy's final word... there is no device that can navigate around the park.  So I guess it's tie a string to the car door... 

The silence in the Park is otherworldly.  I got so sidetracked listening... to the stillness.

I'd really like to try highlining.  

Don’t feel bad about getting lost...it’s Lost Horse Wall...it’s in the name. I think it’s expected.  

Carl where you live sounds pretty chill. Moorpark- where I live, is/was a farm town. I moved here in 88 to be part of a start up. At that time there were only 3 places to buy food. The “Grinder” “Telos” and “Taco Bell” .... The local farmers grow Avocados, Limes, Flowers, Weed (!!) and a whole host of greenhouse berries. We have a growing brewery- And several small manufacturing firms- mostly hi tech that support chip manufacturing. 

I can drive to Stoney Point in 15 min.  

https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105870979/stoney-point

There are tons of other good climbing spots within a hour and the big Mts are 3 hrs away.

Good to know you have a good knife- id be disappointed if you didn’t.

GDay!!! 

Happy Birthday to Tony!!!

Tell him, for me, that California has great Pizza! All kinds- not just that oily Chicago deep dish kind but all varieties! Heck Chicago provided at least 25% of the New Californians in the 60-70’s - do you think they forgot how to make great pizza? And does one really need a “Kitchen Aid”? What happened to “hand kneaded dough” ...... and what about all the fusion styles available now? I bet he would go for Sushi pizza. The cooked dough- lightly covered with Wasabi and Seaweed and topped with Yellowtail Collar, Salmon Eggs and smoked tofu.

Yummy!!

Guy Keeseewrote:

Happy Birthday to Tony!!!

Tell him, for me, that California has great Pizza! All kinds- not just that oily Chicago deep dish kind but all varieties! Heck Chicago provided at least 25% of the New Californians in the 60-70’s - do you think they forgot how to make great pizza? And does one really need a “Kitchen Aid”? What happened to “hand kneaded dough” ...... and what about all the fusion styles available now? I bet he would go for Sushi pizza. The cooked dough- lightly covered with Wasabi and Seaweed and topped with Yellowtail Collar, Salmon Eggs and smoked tofu.

Yummy!!

This is my point exactly, Guy. Big strong dude can’t knead his own pizza dough?  I’ll mention the wasabi/seaweed/salmon egg pizza today. I’m sure it’ll be a hit on his birthday.  

I should have thanked someone here (so sorry I don’t remember who!) for suggesting Campbell Hill Bakery! I mean, this dude is FULL THROTTLE cheffing... he provides every possible occasion to sin.  A great stop on the way to anywhere.  

Love bagels.  Haven't eaten one in at least 20 years.

Lori Milaswrote:

Carl, how is your arm/elbow?  How far away is your climbing gym?  For some reason I thought you lived in a city... maybe because I think you have a job.  I guess it's time to get a map and see exactly where you are situated.

-----------

Today is Tony's birthday.  He says he wants nothing but me...except what he REALLY wants is a big shiny Kitchen Aid, because he says he can't make proper pizza, donuts, cookies, breads, pies, and lasagna without all those fancy forks and bowls.  He's still getting used to 'California cuisine' which he has told his friends in Chicago consists of brussels sprouts and kale, and has refused to buy a pizza here until he can make a proper one himself.  We've finally managed to slim down a little, what will happen if he starts cranking out the pizza dough every day?  Big dillema.

72. Shit's getting real.  If ever there was a time for a bucket list, it's now.  I just wanna have fun.  There's fun everywhere here.  Tony's fun is in the kitchen.  (so, ok... Kitchen Aid)

I almost got lost again yesterday.  I just went to explore Lost Horse Wall, where you can not get lost.  It's impossible.  I went to check out a boulder there, wound up a ways into that canyon, turned around and realized there were 3 trails out, but actually more... all I knew was my car is "west". The Joshua Tree I had used as a marker failed me... turns out there's more than one in this area.    It was suddenly hot.  I had left my water and stuff in the car.  Just a moment of panic while figuring it out.  If you don't have a built in GPS (like Bob does), I don't know if there is any safe way to roam.  But it's been by trial and error that I have begun to learn this park, and can actually chauffeur other lost souls back to safety.  Back to Randy's final word... there is no device that can navigate around the park.  So I guess it's tie a string to the car door... 

The silence in the Park is otherworldly.  I got so sidetracked listening... to the stillness.

I'd really like to try highlining.  

  

Hi Lori, my elbow is getting better, still some pain. I was able to to some kettlebell workouts for a few days (mainly swings and some core). I go back to climbing Saturday, top roping my favorite two climbs (Muesli and Extra G, grade 16 and 21). Normally I do many laps of the 21. It'll be interesting to see how I go. 

I live in Mount Torrens. Mount Torrens itself is a hill, early settlers were an excitable lot obviously, "look! A MOUNTAIN!" "Ummm, that's a hill". "No no! It's a great MOUNTAIN!" 

At the moment it's cold. Not by many people's standards but for me when it's below 25 degrees Celsius I'm in tears. Cindy let me use her heated blanket as I watched TV last night... 

Oh, happy birthday to Tony... 

https://www.weekendnotes.com/mount-torrens-historic-village/

Happy birthday, Tony! Remind your roomie it's in her hedonistic best interest to give you the gear you lust after, hmmmmmm??? Not that she would ever have specialized gear lusts, no, never.....

And then? Make really high quality, healthier, yummier, versions of restaurant stuff you like. After awhile, you'll like yours more than anyone else's.

Heresy to some, maybe, but I like white whole wheat flour for pretty much everything I bake, even pastry type stuff. It's not white flour, it's whole wheat ...milled from hard white winter wheat, instead of hard red. Spelt flour, other old wheats are great too. Now that I'm used to flour having flavors, regular white bread America stuff is, I dunno, kinda like the glop for paper mache, way back when?

Then, with a great pizza crust, you can plop half the stuff at the farmers market on top, seasonally, and....well. Num!! 

Best, Helen

Ward, break down and eat a bagel. It won't destroy you. Panera and Bruggers both have good ones--though not up to NYC quality. I'll even treat you!!!!

It's a gateway to addiction. One is to many, ten is not enough...

Alan Rubinwrote:

Ward, break down and eat a bagel. It won't destroy you. Panera and Bruggers both have good ones--though not up to NYC quality. I'll even treat you!!!!

Ward don't listen.  It's the devil tempting you...

Kristian Solemwrote:

It's a gateway to addiction. One is to many, ten is not enough...

This.  I used to get six Bruggers bagels and eat the whole bag on the way back to my office two miles away.