New and experienced climbers over 50 #37

Emil Briggs wrote:

You need planes capable of carrying them and Israel doesn't have those. I'm not an expert on the subject but from what I've read one reason Israel refrained so long from attacking Iran directly in an attempt to eliminate their nuclear facilities was because they knew they didn't have the necessary capability. The distances are large and the targets are heavily fortified. The one hope of success was getting the US to join in.

I kind of think  all theological regimes should get a MOAB if they are not peaceful. If we take out Fordo, we should make sure Ali Khamenei is removed also (better if the Israelis do that part). That guy is ultimately responsible for the horrendous terror events that elicited the the horror in Gaza, previous tragedies and supports Putin in his war crimes. (not saying I am a fan of Netanyahu and Israeli settlements etc., though I can understand going full bore against Iranian leadership and their proxies at this point).

Although I’m speaking as a former fighter pilot (A-10 and F-16) I know nothing about this bomb as it was way too big to be carried by either of those platforms. I believe the B-2 is the main delivery platform. One of my doubts is… if max penetration is 200’ under ideal conditions (perpendicular entry, right on target, no angled deflection barriers built in, etc.) I would surely put my nuc facilities well below that. The Iranians are pretty smart folks, so I’m sure they have taken such weapons into account. So, I have my doubts that the PK (probability of kill) would be very high. Maybe they could bury the entrances in rubble, but much more than that, I dunno… 

I just found out there are snakes on Montserrat. Even a poisonous type. Very, very rare to see one, though. 

A snake my buddy saw up on Montserrat a few years back. What is it? The head says poisonous to me…

Totally expected that there are poisonous snakes in Spain, and specifically on Montserrat--perfect environment for them. A quick internet search informed that there are 10 species of snake in Spain ( a bit surprised that there aren't more), of which 5 species are venomous. I agree that the head does make it appear to be some type of viper. I've encountered a few snakes in Spain but once I saw them, I didn't hang around long enough to get a good look at them!!!!

Another YYYY shot.

Daniel Joder wrote:

Although I’m speaking as a former fighter pilot (A-10 and F-16) 

You were an A-10 pilot???

My God, those things are insane!

We had an ODA outside the wire at TK in August 2006 that got in a huge ambush and they called in CAS and we could see and hear the A-10's come in and just END IT. 

The ground felt like it was moving even inside the wire where I was. 

Fecking Hand of God coming down.

I'll never forget that night.

M Sprague wrote:

I kind of think  all theological regimes should get a MOAB if they are not peaceful. If we take out Fordo, we should make sure Ali Khamenei is removed also (better if the Israelis do that part). That guy is ultimately responsible for the horrendous terror events that elicited the the horror in Gaza, previous tragedies and supports Putin in his war crimes. (not saying I am a fan of Netanyahu and Israeli settlements etc., though I can understand going full bore against Iranian leadership and their proxies at this point).

Cases of regime change by aerial bombing are hard to find. I can't think of a single case where it was successful. Even if you managed to take out the leadership it's unlikely what replaced it would be much different. 

Edit to get around the post limit.

Welp. He did it. Interesting time ahead.

Daniel Joder wrote:

Although I’m speaking as a former fighter pilot (A-10 and F-16) I know nothing about this bomb as it was way too big to be carried by either of those platforms. I believe the B-2 is the main delivery platform. One of my doubts is… if max penetration is 200’ under ideal conditions (perpendicular entry, right on target, no angled deflection barriers built in, etc.) I would surely put my nuc facilities well below that. The Iranians are pretty smart folks, so I’m sure they have taken such weapons into account. So, I have my doubts that the PK (probability of kill) would be very high. Maybe they could bury the entrances in rubble, but much more than that, I dunno… 

I just found out there are snakes on Montserrat. Even a poisonous type. Very, very rare to see one, though. 

I think the idea behind these bombs is that they follow up one with another and another and another until the job is done.

Buck Rogers wrote:

You were an A-10 pilot???

My God, those things are insane!

We had an ODA outside the wire at TK in August 2006 that got in a huge ambush and they called in CAS and we could see and hear the A-10's come in and just END IT. 

The ground felt like it was moving even inside the wire where I was. 

Fecking Hand of God coming down.

I'll never forget that night.

Buck, could you please translate for the rest of us. I am aware of some military terms/ abbreviations but I'm lost on a couple in your post. I'm assuming CAS is combat air support but ODA and TK ( seemingly a base) have me stumped.

Back to climbing. Yesterday was a rare delightful day around here and I got in a pleasant 1/2 day at one of our local crags. We weren't alone in deciding to take advantage of the conditions, as the lot was basically full--rare on a weekday. Today I went to another of our 'locals' ( nice thing about this area is that while we surely have no 'destination crags' , we still have a good number of very pleasant options close at hand). Today, even at a largely shaded outcrop, was significantly warmer and with increasing humidity---definitely fellt it!!! And this was just the precursor to the true heat wave starting tomorrow. I expect that I will be retreating to air-conditioned spaces for the next few days!!!!

Alan Rubin wrote:

In the Gunks, most people, at least the first time, rope up for 5.3s, especially exposed ones such as YYYY. Plus, way BITD, for at least some of us, 5.3 wasn't easy, more like close to our limits at first!!!! And, there were plenty of routes of that grade, and easier, that were ( still are) in that Gunks 'must do canon'.

Alan,

I was speaking somewhat in jest, because back in the day we didn't have magic shoes, so all climbs felt harder.

Looking at Rich Goldstone's pic of YYYY i can see that you would want some pro for your second or they might hate you forever.

I have stated before that these days I am a crack specialist, so unless I could move from jam to jam for the most part, I too would be breaking out the rope.

However, I would probably take a diet rack to keep it sporting.

Alan Rubin wrote:

Buck, could you please translate for the rest of us. I am aware of some military terms/ abbreviations but I'm lost on a couple in your post. I'm assuming CAS is combat air support but ODA and TK ( seemingly a base) have me stumped.

Ha! Sorry!

Fell back into "Army Speak" once I realized that Daniel was one of my own!

CAS is "Close Air Support".  ODA is what a small team of Special Forces troops are called. Stands for Operational Detachment - Alpha. 10 - 12 guys to a team.

TK is Tarin Kawt, Afghanistan, which in summer 2006, was a small multinational special forces outpost where I was for a few months.

Crazy times and crazy memories. 

Ken Tubbs wrote:

I think the idea behind these bombs is that they follow up one with another and another and another until the job is done.

Hopefully NOT followed by another decade or two of US involvement in a war no one wants other than the few people who gave the go ahead.

Emil Briggs wrote:

You need planes capable of carrying them and Israel doesn't have those. I'm not an expert on the subject but from what I've read one reason Israel refrained so long from attacking Iran directly in an attempt to eliminate their nuclear facilities was because they knew they didn't have the necessary capability. The distances are large and the targets are heavily fortified. The one hope of success was getting the US to join in.

Don't we sell/ give away planes too? Think of all the poor defense industry families in deep blue Connecticut that might starve if we didn't. 

Trump is in between a big rock and a very hard spot right now. 

Right now listening to Israel complain about Iran bombing their hospitals after they've been doing the same thing to Palestinians is absolutely insane. 

I haven't been keeping up with Tom Tomorrow cartoons, I think I'm going there now dailykos.com/blogs/Tom%20To…

I’m curious which voice(s) in the administration influenced this decision. This is a very hawkish, even neo-con action- I thought all those people had been expunged, and the isolationist MAGA’s were running the show.

Iran’s leadership needed a good punch in the face. If you do that, you better be ready for what comes of it- not very confident of that with our own ‘leadership’.

Lori Milas wrote:

This is a snake I desperately wanted to pick up, he was just so pretty.  His skin looked like black and white velvet.  

Be extra gentle when handling a kingsnake, they can musk you pretty badly.  Not as bad as skunk smell but if you aren't near soap and water, well...

Another Middle East shit show. This may very well lead to trump further suppressing domestic dissent and suspending due process -- with the excuse that we are at war.

The terrorism threat has just dramatically increased. 

M M wrote:

Don't we sell/ give away planes too? Think of all the poor defense industry families in deep blue Connecticut that might starve if we didn't. 

Trump is in between a big rock and a very hard spot right now. 

Right now listening to Israel complain about Iran bombing their hospitals after they've been doing the same thing to Palestinians is absolutely insane. 

I haven't been keeping up with Tom Tomorrow cartoons, I think I'm going there now dailykos.com/blogs/Tom%20To…

We do. But not the B2 and it's the only plane that can carry the giant bunker buster bombs. The US has 19 of them. Couple of billion apiece.

Randy wrote:

Another Middle East shit show. This may very well lead to trump further suppressing domestic dissent and suspending due process -- with the excuse that we are at war.

The terrorism threat has just dramatically increased. 

Randy. You got this all backwards.  Now that we have bombed Iran to smithereens we’ll be having peace. Thank you for your attention to this matter.   

Jan.  Thanks.  I have learned not to touch anything… including my beloved blue flowers.  I really try not to disturb anything outside.  It’s all so delicate. 

 Chris. how is your supposedly anti war vote looking now..... 

Isa and I had a great summer solstice ceremony with fire and friends. then we took a drive in the van and went sports climbing. Isa flashed another 10a which is really exciting post knee surgery  for the 66yr old grandma. It was also our 27th anniversary. I forgot the camera but its a dark crag in the woods so not missing much though it would have been great to get a shot of  Jed Aledies .

Jed is well over 80 and those of you who know him would be amused that he still up to his same old tricks. His climbing partner for the day was a nice young 18yr old college girl. 

Nick Goldsmith wrote:

 Chris. how is your supposedly anti war vote looking now..... 

Isa and I had a great summer solstice ceremony with fire and friends. then we took a drive in the van and went sports climbing. Isa flashed another 10a which is really exciting post knee surgery  for the 66yr old grandma. It was also our 27th anniversary. I forgot the camera but its a dark crag in the woods so not missing much though it would have been great to get a shot of  Jed Aledies .

Jed is well over 80 and those of you who know him would be amused that he still up to his same old tricks. His climbing partner for the day was a nice young 18yr old college girl. 

Great for Isa!!!! Wonderful to hear that Jed is still 'getting at it' ---an inspiration!!!! Give him my regards next time you see him.

Raining yet again here this morning--wasn't even in the forecast yesterday, but the heat is still coming.