New and Experienced climbers over 50 #20

My complaint is why weren't all the outdoor climbs I did today dry?  In fact, all of them were at least a little wet.
Today truly sucked. :) Never mind the fact I had a great time, climbed in a tee shirt all day. In New England, mid March.
Wish the news is about Poutine instead :) 

S. Neohwrote:

My complaint is why weren't all the outdoor climbs I did today dry?  In fact, all of them were at least a little wet.
Today truly sucked. :) Never mind the fact I had a great time, climbed in a tee shirt all day. In New England, mid March.
Wish the news is about Poutine instead :) 

I formerly thought poutine was stupid...until I tried some authentic good stuff.  I'm more a malt vinegar on my fries kinda guy, but I'll always take a good poutine these days, even if it is horrible nutrition-wise. Life is short; eat the poutine !

And Wed here in DE was shorts/no shirt climbing; but yes, there was some wet. Would have been the same today, but I went kayaking instead.

Ward Smithwrote:

Al, no reason we can’t be friends and disagree peaceably.

In my opinion, what the US has done elsewhere is NOT irrelevant.  We invaded Iraq based on complete bullshit reasons.  We blockaded Cuba for essentially the same reason that Russia has invaded Ukraine.  I agree that there are other reasons, but NATO nuclear missiles on Russia’s border is not an insignificant reason.

Like I said, I’m no fan of Putin.  But this war is nowhere near as black and white, good guy vs bad guy, as the Western press makes it out to be.  

I think your full of shit Ward , I don't care if you boulder V10 or not.Missiles and troops in Germany have fuck all to do with a delusional dictator who does not allow his populace to even protest against war.Move to Russia and try to be gay or speak out against the government for fucks sake, and get back to me on that.

here's  a poem for Carl

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia0bfWbOLjY

Ward Smithwrote:

Russia’s main demand was that Ukraine not be allowed to join NATO. Biden could have avoided this war but rejected that out of hand.

What do you think the US would do if Mexico or Cuba wanted to join the Soviet Union and put missiles on our borders? Oh. right, that was the Cuban missile crisis.

I’m no fan of Putin, but you do realize that the United States invaded a country  on the other side of the world for less justification.  With over a million collateral deaths.

Ukraine has the right to determine what is best for their country. If that includes joining NATO, that is their prerogative and none of Russia's business. It would be like your neighbor telling you that you can't install a security system on your property, all the while he is planning to rob you. Utter nonsense.

We blockaded Cuba, we didn't not invade it and try to annex it into America. Not equivalent to what Putin is doing. 

This has nothing to do with Biden. It is a desperate move by a desperate dictator.

Maybe I'm just an old softy (and if you ever saw me climb you'd certainly think so) but I'd like to keep this thread a bit more polite. It doesn't bother me if folks want to talk about politics. What does bother me is name calling and personal attacks. Gene offered some rational reasons why he disagreed with Ward. Greg, maybe you could try that too.

What Brandt said.  I had to unfriend/unfollow a bunch of people on FB because of senseless vitriol.  No reason not to keep it civil.

The world is far more complex than most folks have the time to think through. One bet you can take to the bank is if you are defending a Dictator you are on the wrong side of right. 

Got my first day of downhill skiing today. Not much snow left. 

Brandt Allenwrote:

Maybe I'm just an old softy (and if you ever saw me climb you'd certainly think so) but I'd like to keep this thread a bit more polite. It doesn't bother me if folks want to talk about politics. What does bother me is name calling and personal attacks. Gene offered some rational reasons why he disagreed with Ward. Greg, maybe you could try that too.

I hope Ward is rugged enough to be told he is full of shit.

Greg Maschiwrote:

I think your full of shit Ward , I don't care if you boulder V10 or not.Missiles and troops in Germany have fuck all to do with a delusional dictator who does not allow his populace to even protest against war.Move to Russia and try to be gay or speak out against the government for fucks sake, and get back to me on that.

It’s missiles and troops in Ukraine that is the problem, not in Germany.  And as far as speaking out about the government, Zelensky has his main opponent under house arrest, and he shut down three opposition radio stations, so Ukraine is far from the beacon of Democracy it is made out to be in the media.

I don’t like dictators, Putin included.  But I see the press whipping us up into a frenzy based on a very one sided view of the conflict.  People in Congress are calling for the US to enforce a no-fly zone, which Biden has fortunately resisted.  The last thing we need is to get drawn into a war with Russia.

I posted something earlier this week and then deleted it--I didn't want to sound hysterical.  I was just thinking through a survival list, things I could start gathering to have in case of extended power outage here, or invasion of locusts...  or nuclear war.  This is when lunch with a Survivalist brother would do a lot of good. 

I'm not sure who said this, before I moved here...(I think it was Guy but maybe not)... that the requisite things to have here are a truck, shotgun under the seat and big cowboy hat.  At the time I thought, not with my peace loving tribe here!  Well, now I'm starting to understand...   

Yesterday my ConsumerLabs website ran a long article on "Iodine Pills For Radiation"... so it turns out I'm not the only one who has thought about iodine in case missiles were to be lobbed on over the pond and reach us.  (fyi, 150 mg of iodine daily when exposed to radiation).  What REALLY surprised me was a US govt produced article on what to do if we were attacked, where to go, how to proceed... dated March 7, 2022.  In addition, some articles on deterrence totally got to me... we really don't have effective response to an ICBM.  

So. I thought I might ask here, and nose around on the internet, to come up with just the most basic supplies, responses needed in case of any emergency.  I started by looking for 'hand crank radio' on amazon and quickly realized I am way over my head... there's everything from tiny plastic radios to huge serious machinery.  I was also wondering what i would do to charge devices, including my own insulin pump, during a protacted outage. 

Honestly, my first instinct in case of real terror would be to head into the Park, and take shelter within those beautiful rocks.  (that's probably a bad instinct)  

Basic list.  Couldn't hurt.  Anyone? 

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Looks like I have a date with a rock on April 19.  Run For Your Life.  My little buddy Jeremy will be meeting up to belay me.  I have been watching that kid bouldering lately... I don't know why it touches me so to see young people so strong, healthy, and with such huge smiles.  We have a lot to catch up on--it's been fun watching him grow.  

I wonder if you long-time climbers realize how many bullets you ducked having found climbing, having found a group of friends... how lucky you were to have spent some young years engaged in  something so life-giving?

I climbed RFYL last year and found it to be much easier than I expected, with the exception of a few dicey moves at the start.  But I was SO excited and nervous just to be there I totally forgot to enjoy the climb.  Also, there was a very rare howling cold wind which made the whole afternoon surreal.  Also, I had no one lined up to take pictures, so the ones I got were on the rock, which don't tell the story.  I can't set up my shoe-cam across RHV, so this time I will have to find someone to take pics.  Maybe HoboGreg.  

Dave has yet another chance to show up, but he is running out of chances.    (Wish I had THAT story... Charles Cole and Herb were there as well. This must have been one inspiring route to put up.) pic Wydaho Climber 2017

 
Would it be so bad to just have a look at the neighboring Runaway?  

Ward, IMO there are no acceptable excuses for a fanatical irredentist who indiscriminately murders large numbers of civilians to restore Mother Russia. I call that war crimes. To be clear, I don't excuse the Unites States' past military interventions. I walked a lot of miles and attended a lot of demonstrations in the 60s and 70s and was adamant from the start that invading Iraq was a bad idea.
Lori, if it comes to that, I don't intend to bother with iodine pills or other survivalist paraphernalia.    

For as long as there has been recorded history, wars have been about the eventual victors taking advantatge of, imposing their will upon,  and tapping into the resources of, the defeated.  And (re)writing history so that the 'cause' appeared justified or even righteous.

As such, IMO, any significant conflict these days will not be about mutual annilation. The furtile farm lands of Ukr, Russia, and the US will not be laid waste to for decades. Mad men they might be but there is still that innate sense of self preservation. Short half-life chemical weapons or bio weapons will likely replace large thermo nuclear weapons so that useful land can be reclaimed relatively quickly for productive use. And of course, as first strike, cyber and tactical weapons to cripple major financial as well as Command and Control centers.

May we all live on a self-sufficient farm or orchard in the South Pacific.

I was responding to “fuck Putin” posts, so I did not start the political discussion.  I thought that we could have a civil discourse as adults, but apparently I was wrong.

I’m sorry if I stirred shit up, and will keep my posting to rock climbing only from now on.

Ward Smithwrote:

I was responding to “fuck Putin” posts, so I did not start the political discussion.  I thought that we could have a civil discourse as adults, but apparently I was wrong.

I’m sorry if I stirred shit up, and will keep my posting to rock climbing only from now on.

Oh Ward, I’m sorry. For what it’s worth civilized conversations are hard to come by anywhere, including in my own house. I’ve been trying to explain to Tony how one person talks and the other person listens, and then the other person talks and the first person listens and then you ask relevant questions… the object being to “learn”.  But I can see Tony gets riled and hands start flapping    So far “active listening” hasn’t worked.

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I had a tough tired day out climbing today and I’m thinking over this silly sport. I get stoked over a beautiful line and believe I can climb it and then get SO aggravated when my body will not cooperate—cannot make the reach or stand up tall on a high step or make the strengthy move. Or worse, when I’m just plain scared.  It’s a tough call whether to work on routes that are clearly over my head or stay safely within my comfort zone. This route has delicate moves and strength moves and more than one crux, and the whole thing felt so exposed… And yet beautiful. I would need more visits and more work to ever master it but it would also bring a lot of personal growth . Guess I’ll chill tonight eat some of Tony’s pasta and let these thoughts marinate a bit.

Back on track .... here's a bookmarked video face climbing enthusiasts can draw inspiration from - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOfYNX82_xw
Amazing.  In a-week-after-Thanksgiving cold.  

Lori, my very extensive research has shown that if you have access to water, firewood, a flint, a machete, some coconuts, rice, and a pot to boil water in, you should be good for 39 days.

And after 39 days the survival folks will be out hunting each other cause they know that other survival people have stuff & they need that stuff. I having nothing of value will be of no value to them. 

If the world economy falls there isn't anything you could do to help yourself! 

I on the other hand have a plan.

I will move to LJ's house. He could live through anything & he's not going to let anything happen to Katie. So I'll just show up with what is left of me & mine make myself useful & not leave! 

You really should consider my plan, it's a good one.

If you political types had a single hair on your sack you would bring this shizz over to http://widefetish.com/forum/index.php and let her rip.  We love pinko East Coast intelligencia over there.

oh, and Lori, get a grip.  Less iodine and more nihilism. 

Ward Smithwrote:

Russia’s main demand was that Ukraine not be allowed to join NATO. Biden could have avoided this war but rejected that out of hand.

What do you think the US would do if Mexico or Cuba wanted to join the Soviet Union and put missiles on our borders? Oh. right, that was the Cuban missile crisis.

I’m no fan of Putin, but you do realize that the United States invaded a country  on the other side of the world for less justification.  With over a million collateral deaths.

Everyone needs to stop flexing their muscles and flex their love.
it’s all just about gangs. Gang USA, Gang China, Gang Russia etc. Pathetic childishness. Rich gang members posturing.