"Because it's there."

This is a pic of Kiwi Karen McNeil and American Sue Nott, who are missing presumed dead on Mt Foraker in Alaska. They were among--these judgements are always a bit subjective and subject to argument--the best alpine climbers in the world. They had recently climbed Denali by a route called the cassin Ridge and often referred to as "the classic hard route." The place they disappeared on Mt Foraker is called the Infinite Spur and had been climbed only seven times in nearly thirty years, and never by a woman. I have a little personal reaction to this tragedy, because I met Sue Nott at a slideshow once a couple years ago when she was in New England with the "Chicks With Picks" clinic tour. She was an incredibly sweet and enthusiastic person, and her part of the slideshow wasn't just a lot of pics of her doing badass stuff in the mountains, but also a lot of beautiful landscapes, an attempt on her part to share the experience with the audience rather than just brag about herself. Top climbers die occasionally, but somehow it's different and a little more difficult to think about when you've met and liked them.

http://climb.mountainzone.com/2005/story/cassin/photos/summit.jpg
 
I've suddenly started thinking about climbing again. The people I was with in those pics above got in touch and want me to go to remote western China with them to do similar stuff, explore unclimbed terrain. Mrs. Perg has not only agreed, but is enthusiastic in her support. This has come at a good time for my mental health. I needed a goal, something to get me off the couch, and here it is. Amazing.
 
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You see, I'm creating my own motivation to get in shape with this thread, as well as sharing a serious passion. That's why I keep bumping it.
 
I just want to say that this is a great thread.

I've read through a lot of it and looked at the pics. Fantastic stuff.

I think Lit is a better place for having it, and I think I'm a better person for reading it.
 
Peregrinator said:
I've suddenly started thinking about climbing again. The people I was with in those pics above got in touch and want me to go to remote western China with them to do similar stuff, explore unclimbed terrain. Mrs. Perg has not only agreed, but is enthusiastic in her support. This has come at a good time for my mental health. I needed a goal, something to get me off the couch, and here it is. Amazing.

by western china do you mean western tibet?

if so, a colleague just returned from there--she said it was one hell of a bizarre place.
 
breakwall said:
I just want to say that this is a great thread.

I've read through a lot of it and looked at the pics. Fantastic stuff.

I think Lit is a better place for having it, and I think I'm a better person for reading it.
This is so effusive I suspected sarcasm at first. But I choose not to think that way. Thanks. I'm glad you're enjoying it.
 
Olivianna said:
by western china do you mean western tibet?

if so, a colleague just returned from there--she said it was one hell of a bizarre place.

I've heard that, too. Nope, I think we're looking at the China-Pakistan border, the region K2 is in. It's actually somewhat TBA at this point.
 
Peregrinator said:
This is so effusive I suspected sarcasm at first. But I choose not to think that way. Thanks. I'm glad you're enjoying it.

It's great! The pics are amazing! I always wanted to do mountain climbing but we just don't have a lot of mountains in Ontario to practice on.

I'm really amazed at the whole concept.

I wrote something once that went like...

Standing on high places that make big places look like small places. That's how a mountain makes you a god.
 
breakwall said:
It's great! The pics are amazing! I always wanted to do mountain climbing but we just don't have a lot of mountains in Ontario to practice on.

I'm really amazed at the whole concept.

I wrote something once that went like...

Standing on high places that make big places look like small places. That's how a mountain makes you a god.

Thanks, again. I'm glad you're enjoying it. Let's go climbing.

Oh, and, "The only Zen you find on top of mountains is the Zen you bring up there."

~Robert Pirsig
 
Hey Pergie!

Wrong thread. I thought it was the "I like" thread... :eek:

Nice AV btw.
 
Peregrinator said:
Cool. I've only spent minutes in ChiTown. I'd love to see the pics.
And I didn't take half of what I wanted (feet kiling me). But I do have about a roll of the dolphins at the Shedd and another one of the Sea Lions at Lincoln Zoo. :D

'Night Pergy. :kiss:
 
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