Off to these countries!

Bags have been packed and all ready to go!



As a tradition in this blog, I always post the picture of the flag of the country that I am going to visit, and in this case, flags of the countries. So here they are ladies and gents:







United Arab Emirates (Dubai night and a whole day layover)







Singapore (2 trips)







Philippines (Cebu)







Hong Kong SAR







Macau SAR







Malaysia (Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands)



I mentioned this trip earlier. Read here: Smorgasbord of upcoming trips to the Middle and Far East



Naturally I will continue to blog if there is internet, so do follow me. See you at the other side of the world! Tot zo!

Timber Bamboo

Sunlight glints on the culms of timber bamboo.

Water features

From the same garden as the pictures of last week. Four views of a fountain:









A daisy bath among white iris.



Another fountain.



A small waterfall. I believe this was a new feature in the garden.



-----

I very brilliantly strained my back while lifting some 50-pound pails of soapmaking oils (without using my back brace). Sitting bothers it the most, so I may not post as much or visit other blogs as much as normal for a little while.

Recent activity

Recent searching led us to this interesting looking line.

Fun days ahead! The crack moving left after the ice appears to be

solid and should take gear all the way to the top. Is it possible

to have too many projects?

We've been climbing a good bit. Several days with Ray Burnsworth A.K.A. Wildfilm Productions. He's been shooting some incredible footage on several recent outings. Should be seeing some really cool stuff from him soon. He's been really psyched and working hard to highlight the climbing offered here in SWPA. I've been continuing work on several projects while Laura has been getting on the sharp end more. We've discovered a great way to help one another accomplish personal climbing goals. We've been alternating "personal days" which is a day that is only focused on one person's training or goals. That way the belay slave gets a rest day for their "personal day" to follow. Some days are hard and some are easy, but most of all we've been pushing each other to climb stronger and smiling while being miserable and sore.



So far it's been a good season despite the couple warm ups that caused some serious damage. Things are finally getting back to normal at the smaller crags. Water is seeping and the flows are forming nicely and getting fat. The Big Climbs are in a state of funk that is challenging to say the least. Most of them are very aerated and spooky. Currently they're formed like early season climbs, which is expectedly hollow and difficult to protect. Amplify that with exposure to near 50 degree temperatures (two near melt outs), its made things WILD to say the least. This weekend when it rapidly dropped to zero from above freezing things became almost no fun at all. Notice that I said almost. Looking back it was fun. Its not everyday that we get the chance to climb such scary stuff. Might as well enjoy it while we can! After all... this is climbing in SWPA, make the most you can out of nothing.



Saturday 1/22/Some nice folks we met from VA last weekend decided to return to PA to sample some more ice. We met them at Lower Meadow Run to show them around. We led Hemlock with an icicle start. It's barely touching down, but with some gentle climbing it supported us up to the better ice and eventually solid rock gear. Fred from Exkursion was there with some friends that were new to ice. They were climbing away and having a great day. The weather was sunny and made the chilly day feel very comfortable. By afternoon the ice was soft and everyone was spent. We joined the VA folks for dinner at NY Pizza and Pasta after climbing. They spent the night at The Melody Motor Lodge in Connellsville. Many visiting climbers seem to enjoy staying here. Rooms are warm and reasonable, breakfast is right next door at Ed's and climbing is only minutes away. What more could you ask for?

Sunday 1/23/The temperature hovered just above zero which quickly chilled our hands and feet. With poor conditions and cold temps, Laura and I jumped on the Infinite WI5. I climbed about 1/2 of it and lowered off to rewarm my frozen hands. I went up a second time reaching a reasonable high point where I could safely lower off. Conditions were not favorable for pushing too hard. Our friends from VA were in town again. They made an attempt of Called on account of Security WI4. They made it to the center pillar and made the decision to call it quits and top rope the lower portion. Maybe next weekend things will be looking up. Unfortunately the left wall isn't showing much hope. The new additions Mad Rocket WI5+and Double A WI6 are far from being "IN". On a positive note The Beast WI5+ is making an appearance for the 2nd year in a row. Currently it's about the most promising looking line on the left wall.

On approach, the first view

Galen belaying Sean on Called on Account of Security WI4

Tuesday 1/25/

Today it was Laura's day and she chose to go to Lower Meadow Run. She's recently made a clean go of Season Finale M6. She's been after it a for quite a while now. After a few tries this season she did it with no falls. She wanted to try it again and I wanted to try out the new pocket camera I purchased for shooting seconds coming up. I'd like to get away from lugging a body/lens combo up routes. I've not been very pleased with any pocket camera I've tried so far. This time I'm trying the NIKON S8100. The size is nice. Its small and light, reasonably fast and cheap (almost disposable). Seemed worth a try. Here are a few of the images we shot today. Not bad for a point and shoot.

Supporting the park we frequent

checking Laura's screw placements

Pulling over the crux bulge

Look out guys, Laura shows how its done

For any taker who want the novelty of climbing

Cucumber Falls WI2+. This is as "IN" as I've seen

it in years. Go get it while its still up! P.S. Don't expect gear

Kings Canyon :: Zumwalt Meadow Trail

On the morning of June 21st I moved from Azalea Campground in Kings Canyon (west) to the Sentinel Campground in the eastern side of the park, down on the canyon floor.

The scenic drive of 30 miles from the west to east side of Kings Canyon National Park takes over an hour. The views along the way are breath-taking.

After getting settled in at the new camp site, I drove the 10 miles to Roads End. Along the way I stopped at Zumwalt Meadow and walked the trail. It was a nice, leisurely walk with the river flowing on one side and meadows and mountains surrounding you on the other side.

The river alternates between swift flowing “calm” areas as shown above and even faster flowing sections of ripples and rapids.

Looking east across Zumwalt Meadow.

Durango to Telluride

We stayed at the Echo Basin Resort before heading to Telluride. We encountereda Bear crossing the road on our way there.






When he wasn't horsing around, Tucson made a new friend.




From there we passed through Canyon of the Ancients National Monument in the Southwest corner of Colorado. Remnants of ancient Puebloan homes are scattered across the Monument.






A 1/2 mile trail from the Visitor's Center leads to the Pueblo Escalante






With a view of McPhee Resevoir






We take a ride to see the Lowry Pueblo which is 1,000 years old.




It has 40 rooms, 8 Kivas and a great Kiva.






From here we drive to Telluride




Snow capped Mountains loom ahead.









It has a nice little downtown and lots of small Victorian houses.






and some not so small.






The Town had a small campground so we stayed there. Just us and one other camper.




It had a nice view and a short walk to town.






There are some interesting hikes and drives so we'll get to them tomorrow!







Till Later!




Meanwhile, we keep on Trek'n




Melissa, Gary & Tucson

Paths Almost Crossed

Ruffed Grouse and hiker on a backwoods road in Northeast Minnesota.

Our History?

"In one legendary week on Ben Nevis in 1960 Jimmy Marshall and Robin Smith climbed six first winter ascents on consecutive days, including the mini Alpine-route, Orion Face Direct. They also made the first one-day winter ascent of Point Five Gully, went for a long walk and got arrested over an incident with some dominoes! Exactly 50 years later Dave MacLeod and Andy Turner pay tribute to Smith and Marshall by setting out to repeat all the routes that were climbed in that famous week. This film tells the story of the original events and follows MacLeod and Turner as they discover exactly what an achievement it was."

For those that think Chouinard, Jeff Lowe or Will Gadd invented ice climbing or modern mixed climbing you might want to look further. Tools and clothing have changed to make climbing easier but the beginning of our sport can certainly be traced in part to Scotland. Jimmy Marshal and Robbin Smith weren't the first obviously but they are part of the foundation. Curved tools and Terrordactyls came later and then the Chacal. But the original difficult routes in Scotland and the Alps were often done with a straight axe, a good wool coat and hob nail boots. Hard for most of us to even remotely relate to that beginning. Few could or would suffer through just how miserable and difficult it really was.

The story is well told by the Jimmy Marshal in person and the modern climbers, who 50 years later repeated the same classic Marshal/Robbins winter climbs. But there was no way to duplicate the original experience.

I offer a humble bow to Marshal and Smith for the effort.
7 climbs in 8 days! Conditions much have been in :)

The Great Chimney (IV,5) 6th February 1960
Minus Three Gully (IV,5) 7th February 1960
Smith's Route (V,5) 8th February 1960
Observatory Buttress (V,4) 9th February 1960
Point Five Gully (V,5) 10th February 1960
Piggot's Route (V,6) 12th February 1960
Orion Direct (V,5) 13th February 1960





The film can be ordered here:

http://www.hotaches.com/films.htm#Pinnacle

I've posted about this before but now the entire film is available and there are a number of teasers on you-tube as well.












This final bit isn't from the the original '60s climbs but a good look at what hard modern mixed in Scotland is today. Enjoy!

Premier

Ring ring ring...



Erin: Hello



Emron: Hey sis, want to go to the premier of Toy Story 3 with me on May 8th?



Erin: Are you serious? YES!



Emron: Great! I'll start looking for flights. You'll need to bring a formal dress.



Erin: I don't have one of those...never worn one. Guess I get to go shopping.



Emron: K. Good luck. Excited to have you. See you soon. Love ya!



Erin: Thank you Emron. Love you too!



Click...





I called Alicia Runolfson seeking help in the dress department. She quickly scheduled a time to drive down from American Fork to assist in the search for the perfect dress. We had our work cut out for us. The day she arrived we drove to St George...we had our work cut out for us. Several shops were no longer open. after searching for them way to long we moved on. finally we found one still in business. We walked in...there before my eyes was the most beautiful dress. No way was it going to be my size...everything was one of a kind...and the Manichean it was on was tiny. We perused around and found a few dresses to try on. I found myself going back to this dress and wishing, just wishing it could fit me. In the dressing room trying on the dresses i was caused to have very good posture and to breath shallowly after the 10 minutes it took to zip the dang dresses up. i tried to convince myself i could be comfortable in them for an entire night. Then i had a vision of me passing out somewhere in the middle because my oxygen intake was so low. 20 minutes had gone by and i was already getting frustrated...i didn't know how much longer i could shop. I walked around one last time. Found myself staring at the beautiful bronze dress. I decided to look...oh my gosh it was a size 10...my size...it was pinned in the back to make it fit the stupid doll. It was PERFECT! I found the necklace and earrings to match it all in the same store. The ladies working the story that day said they had only put it up on the rack the day before....I believe it was meant for me!!!!!!







When I arrived in San Fransisco Emron took me on a tour of the city and Pixar.











Golden Gate Bridge





















Read the sign behind me...should i call?



Alcatraz



Our next stop was Ghirardelli:









Over look of San Fransisco



Oakland Temple



Then he finally took me to see Pixar!!!!!!!!





This is my favorite room in the entire building. The Cereal Room. I want one of those in my own house!



Where is Erin?

Tell me this isn't freakin' amazing!'Lego my Woody and Buzz'







Then the Party Began!!!!!!!!





The Paramount Theater Waiting for the show to begin











The 'Wrap' Party

Giant Chair...and it was just right











Bustin' his moves!







Dance...Dance...Dance!





















































AND THAT'S A WRAP!