New and experienced climbers over 50 #36

Oh yeah, I forgot patriotism! Now you tell one.

See ^^ Al looks just like AL

Brandt Allenwrote:

Al - There is no shortage of whackos of all kinds around here. I heard some speculation that this was a homemade bomb, perhaps made of fertilizer, diesel fuel, etc. Apparently instructions are easily obtained on the internet. 

I can verify Brandt is some kind of whacko. I've climbed with him.

Brandt Allenwrote:

Al - There is no shortage of whackos of all kinds around here. I heard some speculation that this was a homemade bomb, perhaps made of fertilizer, diesel fuel, etc. Apparently instructions are easily obtained on the internet. 

The Intercept has a story about the bomber’s manifesto and claims he was not specifically “anti pro-life”, but instead “subscribed to a fringe philosophy that opposes human life in every form.”
https://theintercept.com/2025/05/19/efilism-palm-springs-bomber-fertility-clinic/

apogeewrote:

In comparison to what is going on in governance right now, the specifics are less than trivial. I have long apppreciated National Review for articulate writing (even if I don’t agree with it), but in the last several weeks, their obsession with Biden, while so many catastrophic events are being orchestrated by their own party has really downgraded my view of this media source.

I'm pretty liberal but had a subscription to NR for a long time because I wanted to see the viewpoints of the other side. But, like all conservative news sources, they've been on a downward trajectory.

John Gillwrote:

Those look cool. But I'd want a good sized pad stack for that first one!

During the last 10 years or so, NR has obviously not been a big fan of Biden, but they are certainly not ardent supporters of Trump, either (though they do appreciate the policies that align with true conservatism). Rich Lowry has long been someone I'll listen to, as his perspective is rational and relatively balanced. But in the last few weeks, there's been a constant flow of writing about the Biden cover-up regarding his decline, and how this was such a travesty to the American citizen. It's sooooo hard to take any of this seriously right now. Give it a rest, NR. Please.

Jay Goodwinwrote:

I can verify Brandt is some kind of whacko. I've climbed with him.

Then I ought to know a whacko when I see one!

Well at least somebody approves of my diet.  I did have asparagus and olive oil as an appetizer for those of you who like green stuff.  I am not advocating the keto diet or restricting carbohydrates, I am just saying what works for me. You can eat cheese doodles if you want. 

Slightly OT and apropos of nothing, it was beautiful weather for getting out in the Gunks today! We climbed Easy Overhang.

What could possibly go wrong with this awesome 4-point anchor?

Looking left:

Looking out:

Rapping down:

dragonswrote:

Slightly OT and apropos of nothing, it was beautiful weather for getting out in the Gunks today! We climbed Easy Overhang.

What could possibly go wrong with this awesome 4-point anchor?

Looking left:

Looking out:

Rapping down:

I did that maybe 45 years ago, amazing route for 5.2.  Son of Easy O to the right, at 5.8 has got to be one of the best of the grade anywhere.  I need to find someone who is willing to go back with me and do Son of Easy O after all this time.  I can’t go with Paula since we fight every time we trad climb as I tend to weld every piece of gear, lol.

Ward Smithwrote:

I did that maybe 45 years ago, amazing route for 5.2.  Son of Easy O to the right, at 5.8 has got to be one of the best of the grade anywhere.  I need to find someone who is willing to go back with me and do Son of Easy O after all this time.  I can’t go with Paula since we fight every time we trad climb as I tend to weld every piece of gear, lol.

SoEO really is a fantastic climb. I think i last did it maybe 10 years ago, give or take. I'd be happy to do it again any day. 

Tell you what, I'll do SoEO with you if you do Mushroom Planet with me.  :) You can even weld tricams in (which are a bitch to clean) just to sweeten the pot a little. 

GO

GabeOwrote:

SoEO really is a fantastic climb. I think i last did it maybe 10 years ago, give or take. I'd be happy to do it again any day. 

Tell you what, I'll do SoEO with you if you do Mushroom Planet with me.  :) You can even weld tricams in (which are a bitch to clean) just to sweeten the pot a little. 

GO

Lets do it!  I want to do Son of Easy O barefoot.  I onsighted 12a in the Red barefoot in my early 50’s but have never climbed barefoot in the Gunks.  One of my earliest experiences there was following some barefoot hippy chick up Bunny (5.4) in the 70’s.   I was super impressed!

Ward Smithwrote:

Well at least somebody approves of my diet.  I did have asparagus and olive oil as an appetizer for those of you who like green stuff.  I am not advocating the keto diet or restricting carbohydrates, I am just saying what works for me. You can eat cheese doodles if you want. 

Ward, I see your burger, and raise you a grass-fed bison burger with cheddar.
I also had some broc and potato with olive oil as an appetizer.
This does tend to be a bit too fatty for me, so it's not something I eat everyday. I'm not a big fan of carbs but I don't restrict them. I do love fats, but I have a feeling they don't love me. I just tend to eat whatever I feel like. Possibly that will kill me, or maybe an arrow will get me first.

Fortunately, though, "whatever I feel like" doesn't usually include things like twinkies.

Pretty sure I led son of Easy O in the 80's

Ward Smithwrote:

I did that maybe 45 years ago, amazing route for 5.2.  Son of Easy O to the right, at 5.8 has got to be one of the best of the grade anywhere.  I need to find someone who is willing to go back with me and do Son of Easy O after all this time.  I can’t go with Paula since we fight every time we trad climb as I tend to weld every piece of gear, lol.

I'm a bit of a welder too. If I was a rich guy I'd be like 'fuck it' leave it behind, we'll just buy another one' for each piece the follower can't get out.

Ward Smithwrote:

Lets do it!  I want to do Son of Easy O barefoot.  I onsighted 12a in the Red barefoot in my early 50’s but have never climbed barefoot in the Gunks.  One of my earliest experiences there was following some barefoot hippy chick up Bunny (5.4) in the 70’s.   I was super impressed!

Hey, can I come along guys? Son of Easy O is one of my all-time favorite climbs--though questionable if I can still get up it---sigh!!! Gabe, maybe 'second time lucky' if we try to meet up at the Gunks again!!!!

dragonswrote:

Slightly OT and apropos of nothing, it was beautiful weather for getting out in the Gunks today! We climbed Easy Overhang.

What could possibly go wrong with this awesome 4-point anchor?

I wanna tap those just to hear them sing.

Alan Rubinwrote:

Hey, can I come along guys? Son of Easy O is one of my all-time favorite climbs--though questionable if I can still get up it---sigh!!! Gabe, maybe 'second time lucky' if we try to meet up at the Gunks again!!!!

Sounds great!  I'll let Ward lead the money pitch (though P1 is excellent too).  Ward can trail two ropes and we can both second it. That will give us both a shot at getting his welded gear out. You've heard pieces written for piano for four hands?  Maybe with four hands and a whole bunch of nut tools operating simultaneously we can wiggle out those over-buried cams!

GO

Alan Rubinwrote:

Hey, can I come along guys? Son of Easy O is one of my all-time favorite climbs--though questionable if I can still get up it---sigh!!! Gabe, maybe 'second time lucky' if we try to meet up at the Gunks again!!!!

Son of easy O may be the route I have done the most in the Gunks. 20+ times. It’s one of my top 3 anyway.  That  Classic and P-38 ( Shady Lady). I’d love to do it one more time

GabeOwrote:

Sounds great!  I'll let Ward lead the money pitch (though P1 is excellent too).  Ward can trail two ropes and we can both second it. That will give us both a shot at getting his welded gear out. You've heard pieces written for piano for four hands?  Maybe with four hands and a whole bunch of nut tools operating simultaneously we can wiggle out those over-buried cams!

GO

Or you could just toprope siege it with a 70M like everyone else