"Because it's there."

[sigh]

In a park near where I grew up, along a river known for interesting topography, I have on many occasions seen people literally step over a barracade with a bright sign on it warning fools that the 200 foot cliff over there with the loose scree scattered across its decaying, sloping top is dangerous, and the path that once ran along its edge fell away when my dad was just a boy.

Most of these people are either fast-moving young boys flocking together like birds, or older boys toting a can of beer. The young ones seem to survive, but we lose one of the older ones every decade or so. I think it's the sign that draws them, almost challenging them to cross it.

 

[thør]

Because warning signs always save lives...

They do make a prudent person a bit more aware.

 

[Batch]

They do make a prudent person a bit more aware.

unfortunately, some are drawn as moths are to flames.

 

[thør]

unfortunately, some are drawn as moths are to flames.

Or, fortunately, for the rest of us........

 

[Batch]

Or, fortunately, for the rest of us........

*soft, sly smile* ah, there is that aspect, too.

 

[thør]

*soft, sly smile* ah, there is that aspect, too.

one can't legislate common sense......

lovely to see you around.....

 

[Batch]

one can't legislate common sense......

lovely to see you around.....

i really should be doing

something


useful

soon...

 

[thør]

So, I was to Seward today saw that there is a warning sign at the bottom of the mountain. It's been there for 11 years! Evidently, some folk can't read. I'll download the pics of the sign, later.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1390/5705868/11310500/373971119.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1390/5705868/11310500/373971117.jpg

There you are, you are fucking warned! Unless you want your mama to hold your hand on the trail....

 

[Batch]

Thor, you are fierce. Thank you for the fierce warnings.

 

[Peregrinator]

In a park near where I grew up, along a river known for interesting topography, I have on many occasions seen people literally step over a barracade with a bright sign on it warning fools that the 200 foot cliff over there with the loose scree scattered across its decaying, sloping top is dangerous, and the path that once ran along its edge fell away when my dad was just a boy.

Most of these people are either fast-moving young boys flocking together like birds, or older boys toting a can of beer. The young ones seem to survive, but we lose one of the older ones every decade or so. I think it's the sign that draws them, almost challenging them to cross it.

Yeah, there's a certain demographic that responds that way to warning signs. This is my favorite ever, from the top of Haleakala, which has a road to the summit:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Peregrinator/146_4622.jpg

They do make a prudent person a bit more aware.

True, in the same way that a padlock on a locker keeps an honest person honest.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1390/5705868/11310500/373971119.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1390/5705868/11310500/373971117.jpg

There you are, you are fucking warned! Unless you want your mama to hold your hand on the trail....

Excellent. Still, some badass's mother will sue the park service for inadequate signage when her kid runs up there without any water and dies of heat stroke.

 

[trysail]

Mt. Whitney Climb Tests How You Deal With Pain, Cold, Beauty
By Nadja Brandt

Sept. 24 (Bloomberg) -- In a brief unfocused second, my feet slip on the loose scree and I cartwheel, pulled by the weight of my overnight pack, feet-over-head down a portion of the steep rock slope. Luckily I grab one of the granite boulders, arresting my fall after a few seconds.

My husband, our guide and I take a few minutes to readjust our helmets and slow our heart rates before continuing our climb of the steep east face of California’s Mount Whitney, at 14,496 feet (4,418 meters) the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states.

The so-called mountaineer’s route, which is the last portion of the 10-mile trip to the summit, proves to be a formidable challenge because of its rocky terrain that climbs about 2,200 feet, often almost vertical, from base camp at Iceberg Lake to the summit.

This leg is considered a scramble in rock-climbing terms, with the last portion a Class 4 climb that requires harness and rope. The occasional glance back is sometimes vertigo-inducing and keeps us focused on the next handhold and foothold.

Base Camp
We’re following in the footsteps of John Muir, the Scottish-born American naturalist and founder of the Sierra Club, who was the first to scale this route.

Our tour, which begins at Whitney Portal at 8,300 feet, spans two days and is about 20 miles round trip. During the first day of strenuous hiking across boulder-strewn fields, the scenery is framed by tall rock walls, old pine-tree groves, glacier lakes and gushing waterfalls. At times the lower- altitude landscape feels lush, as we are surrounded by fragrant elder bushes and fields of blossoming mountain flowers.

We are able to replenish our water supply at the innumerable streams, which we often have to cross by leaping from rock to rock. Waterfalls provide a welcome cooling off. Though the water is clear and cold, we have to sterilize it to kill bacteria. Staying hydrated at high altitudes is crucial.

As we near our base camp at 12,300 feet, the green starts to slowly disappear and with it most signs of life as the terrain becomes a moonscape of gray granite.

By the time we reach Iceberg Lake, the sun is starting to set and the sense of adventure is growing into ever-increasing discomfort from cold, exhaustion and altitude-induced nausea and headaches.

A few other climbers huddle nearby around small portable gas stoves within low man-made rock walls to protect from the icy gusts. Still, the place feels lonely and inhospitable. Whitney’s stony peak slowly turns into a dark monolith before us, pointing toward the emerging starry sky. The Day and Keeler Needles and other peaks stand nearby like stoic guards.

Near Freezing
The western slope of Whitney, a more gradual incline that can be accomplished in sneakers, lies within Sequoia National Park and the summit is the southern terminus of the John Muir Trail, which runs 212 miles (341 km) from Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley. It is also located just 76 miles west of the lowest point in North America at Badwater in Death Valley National Park.

As the sun disappears behind the peaks, the temperature drops to near freezing. My husband and I lie in our down sleeping bags on the cold stone ground underneath a flimsy two- person tent. All night we are twisting and turning, kept awake by discomfort and the wind-driven rustling of the tent canvas.

In sleepless revery, I become acutely aware that my lofty dreams of climbing 20,000-foot peaks in the Himalayas will require the endurance of much more pain and discomfort than I had imagined. As our guide puts it, mountaineering is always painful; you just learn to tolerate it.

Summit Push
At 5:30 a.m., we gladly crawl from our sleeping bags, briskly walking across the rocky plateau to warm up for our final summit push. Our group’s other hiker, debilitated by a raging altitude headache and nausea, has decided not to continue. She returns with one of our two guides, while my husband and I, who are feeling only marginally better, can push on with the other.

The ascent is exhausting and risky. We have to cross over steep scree fields that have us sliding a few inches every move we make. Some errant steps cause small avalanches, sending rocks screaming down the steep mountain face.

Once we reach the firm granite, we rope up and ascend the final 500 vertical feet by climbing up rock chimneys and crawling over small snow patches until our hands are freezing cold and worn raw.

After three grueling hours, we reach the summit at 10 a.m. where we are greeted by a friendly marmot, who is curiously eyeing us in the hope of some food.

The pale blue morning sky endlessly expands above our heads. The horizon is studded with other peaks of the Sierra Nevada. For a few moments, elation washes over us as we take in the magnificent view.

Then we remember that we are only halfway done and that it is time to go back. So we rope up again and start our long way down.

You’ll need about three days to ascend Mount Whitney by the mountaineer’s trail; other trails are faster. A guide, which is essential for beginners, runs about $475 per person. Motel accommodations are available in nearby Lone Pine, California. It is recommended to sleep at higher elevations a day or two prior to the climb to aid the acclimatization process. There is a campground at Whitney Portal. The closest airports are three to four hours away: Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, Reno- Tahoe International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.

 

[Peregrinator]

This is incredible.

http://vimeo.com/6581009

 

[coastal-boy]

This is incredible.

http://vimeo.com/6581009

holy jesus fuck this dude is lucky. It broke loose immediately.

 

[gotsnowgotslush]

I am very happy for him. I am surprised the camera made it through that.

 

[thør]

I am the happiest man in the world.

"Clifton Maloney, husband of Democratic U.S. Representative Carolyn Maloney, died at a high-altitude camp on Saturday, September 26, after reaching the summit of 27,765-foot Cho Oyu, one of the fabled 8,000-meter peaks, the 14 highest mountains in the world. Maloney, a 71-year-old investment banker and former vice president of Goldman Sachs, was a seasoned climber, adventurer, as well as runner who had completed the New York City Marathon 20 times.

Apparently Maloney was resting at the 23,000-foot camp after becoming the oldest man to reach Cho Oyu’s summit on Friday. Maloney’s guide, Marty Schmidt, reported that he didn’t appear to have any problems but died in his sleep in the tent. Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world, is relatively easy compared to other 8,000-meter peaks like K2. The mountain straddles the border between Nepal and Tibet. Cho Oyu, pronounced "choy-Oh-you," means "turquoise god" in Tibetan. The mountain, first climbed in 1954, is usually the first 8,000-meter peak climbed by aspiring high-altitude mountaineers.

Barry Nolen, a Congressional aide for Representative Carolyn Maloney, said, "I am told that his last words were, 'I am the happiest man in the world. I just climbed a beautiful mountain.” Representative Maloney was shaken by the news of her husband’s death. Arrangements are being made to bring the body down the mountain and returned to the United States."

 

[sigh]

I saw that, thor. Pretty sad. I don't envy the people who have to bring his body down. That must be a bitch, both physically and emotionally.

On the other hand, at the age of 71 he got to see something most of us will never get a chance to see. That part I do envy.

Do you suppose he failed to read the warning sign about the dangers inherent in climbing above 8000 meters? His family should sue the Nepalese and force them to add proper signage. That would have saved him, no doubt.

 

[sigh]

This is incredible.

http://vimeo.com/6581009

That's amazing, Perg. I once got buried in sand at the beach, but it was my kid who did it and he was giggling like a maniac all the time. Somehow, I don't think the experience was anywhere near the same.

For one thing, I'll bet I was a lot warmer, even if I was wearing only a bikini at the time.

 

[thør]

I saw that, thor. Pretty sad. I don't envy the people who have to bring his body down. That must be a bitch, both physically and emotionally.

On the other hand, at the age of 71 he got to see something most of us will never get a chance to see. That part I do envy.

Do you suppose he failed to read the warning sign about the dangers inherent in climbing above 8000 meters? His family should sue the Nepalese and force them to add proper signage. That would have saved him, no doubt.

"I am the happiest man in the world.".....so he said...and to die a happy man, is not a bad thing......It beats the heck out of sitting around watching the TV......I really don't think it's too sad......

A friend of mine (categorized as such because we've drunk a bit of beer together) was up Cho Oyu last year.

 

[Peregrinator]

holy jesus fuck this dude is lucky. It broke loose immediately.

Yeah...that was more or less my reaction. You can hear him grasping for his Avalung.

I am very happy for him. I am surprised the camera made it through that.

I was a little surprised also. I guess those cams are built pretty tough, though.

"Clifton Maloney, husband of Democratic U.S. Representative Carolyn Maloney, died at a high-altitude camp on Saturday, September 26, after reaching the summit of 27,765-foot Cho Oyu, one of the fabled 8,000-meter peaks, the 14 highest mountains in the world. Maloney, a 71-year-old investment banker and former vice president of Goldman Sachs, was a seasoned climber, adventurer, as well as runner who had completed the New York City Marathon 20 times.

Apparently Maloney was resting at the 23,000-foot camp after becoming the oldest man to reach Cho Oyu’s summit on Friday. Maloney’s guide, Marty Schmidt, reported that he didn’t appear to have any problems but died in his sleep in the tent. Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world, is relatively easy compared to other 8,000-meter peaks like K2. The mountain straddles the border between Nepal and Tibet. Cho Oyu, pronounced "choy-Oh-you," means "turquoise god" in Tibetan. The mountain, first climbed in 1954, is usually the first 8,000-meter peak climbed by aspiring high-altitude mountaineers.

Barry Nolen, a Congressional aide for Representative Carolyn Maloney, said, "I am told that his last words were, 'I am the happiest man in the world. I just climbed a beautiful mountain.” Representative Maloney was shaken by the news of her husband’s death. Arrangements are being made to bring the body down the mountain and returned to the United States."

At first I thought you were happy because the dude died. Sad, but I agree with you that he died in a beautiful place after a long life, having achieved a wonderful goal.

I saw that, thor. Pretty sad. I don't envy the people who have to bring his body down. That must be a bitch, both physically and emotionally.

On the other hand, at the age of 71 he got to see something most of us will never get a chance to see. That part I do envy.

Do you suppose he failed to read the warning sign about the dangers inherent in climbing above 8000 meters? His family should sue the Nepalese and force them to add proper signage. That would have saved him, no doubt.

I agree; I don't want to be on that body recovery. That would suck ass. Carrying a body at 23,000 feet would be...challenging, to say the least. And having a US Congresswoman behind the effort would add a certain incentive to push the danger.

That's amazing, Perg. I once got buried in sand at the beach, but it was my kid who did it and he was giggling like a maniac all the time. Somehow, I don't think the experience was anywhere near the same.

For one thing, I'll bet I was a lot warmer, even if I was wearing only a bikini at the time.

Pics?

"I am the happiest man in the world.".....so he said...and to die a happy man, is not a bad thing......It beats the heck out of sitting around watching the TV......I really don't think it's too sad......

A friend of mine (categorized as such because we've drunk a bit of beer together) was up Cho Oyu last year.

Agreed. His wife will miss him, but it's not a bad time and place to go.

 

[sigh]

"I am the happiest man in the world.".....so he said...and to die a happy man, is not a bad thing......It beats the heck out of sitting around watching the TV......I really don't think it's too sad......

A friend of mine (categorized as such because we've drunk a bit of beer together) was up Cho Oyu last year.

Oh, not sad about how he died. But sad that he's not coming home to people who love him. The best deaths, the sudden ones, are usually the worst for those left behind. Too bad it has to be that way. Doesn't seem fair.

Like death cares about fair.

 

[thør]

At first I thought you were happy because the dude died. Sad, but I agree with you that he died in a beautiful place after a long life, having achieved a wonderful goal.

I agree; I don't want to be on that body recovery. That would suck ass. Carrying a body at 23,000 feet would be...challenging, to say the least. And having a US Congresswoman behind the effort would add a certain incentive to push the danger.

I'm not that insensitive! And hopefully, the guides on the mountain will take their time with the body. Heck, it's just a body.

Oh, not sad about how he died. But sad that he's not coming home to people who love him. The best deaths, the sudden ones, are usually the worst for those left behind. Too bad it has to be that way. Doesn't seem fair.

Like death cares about fair.

I don't agree. Sudden can be hard at the time, but one isn't worn out by years of dying. I think it's easier to recover. Could be just me.

 

[Peregrinator]

I'm not that insensitive! And hopefully, the guides on the mountain will take their time with the body. Heck, it's just a body.



I don't agree. Sudden can be hard at the time, but one isn't worn out by years of dying. I think it's easier to recover. Could be just me.

Agreed, on all points. A body recovery like that might take weeks, because the recovery crew is taking care of their own health.

I also think sudden is easier to recover from. Especially if the deceased was doing something that provoked passion.

 

[Byron In Exile]

This is incredible.

http://vimeo.com/6581009

Hope he kept that glove.

If it were me, I'd sleep with it under my pillow.

 

[Peregrinator]

Why we climb...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19weP_jNztQ&feature=related

 

[thør]

Bring a dish or some beer

Mount McKinley climbing legend Ray Genet will be memorialized Sunday in Talkeetna at a potluck and slide show commemorating the 30th anniversary of his death on Mount Everest.

Genet pioneered guiding on Mount McKinley, stood atop Denali at least 25 times and bagged the Seven Summits. In October 1979, at age 48, Genet was on his way down from the top of Everest when he froze to death in his sleeping bag. His remains are entombed on the world's tallest mountain.

In 1967, Genet was one of three men, along with Dave Johnston and Art Davidson, who became the first climbers to summit Denali in the winter. The same year of his Everest climb, he guided Alaska sled-dog racing legends Joe Redington, Susan Butcher and a dog team to the top of Denali.

The potluck begins at 3 p.m. at the Sheldon Hangar in Talkeetna.