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So Far, So Fabulous
Keeping our promise to our friend and wedding guest Michael Burton, Ann and I open the bottle of peach champagne he gave us while we are enjoying the high Sierra air. It’s a nice reminder that while we still face many challenges in our lives, facing them together is MUCH better than alone. And also…
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Candlelight Buttress
When Ann, our friend Alice, and I pull up into the Whitney Portal area, all I know is that there are some climbs on the Candlelight Buttress I want to find. I have a general idea where the buttress is, but I’m not sure which of the massive granite faces south of the Whitney trail…
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Wagon Wheel
Bradley Davis (one of Curis’ kids) shows promise as an up-and-coming climber. Ted, Clare, Walter, and Greg join us for an early evening session by the Little Loaf. Ann now easily climbs some of the problems here that stymied her earlier in the year. In contrast, I fail on some of the harder problems I’ve…
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Book: Soul of Nowhere / Craig Childs
I know living in the desert has changed me, but it’s difficult to express how. This book goes there and describes the spell, always hinting at the ineffable. It expands my feeling of desert rock and landscapes to include thoughts of those who experienced the same land long ago. It fuels my desire to go…
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Fossil Falls
An afternoon at Fossil Falls provides plenty of amusement. We play with a toprope on Ride of the Valkyries, 10c, which I eventually manage to lieback my way up. Ann plays with the camera and I wander around the old riverbed. Finally I lead Eagle, 5.9, which I’ve been wanting to do for a while.
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Steve & Catherine
A year and a half ago, these two took me climbing in Joshua Tree and got me hooked on desert rock. At my wedding in August they saved the bonfire and caught Ann’s bouquet. Steve’s bachelor party in Vegas was yet another new experience. On Sunday we attended their wedding in Hollywood. A toast to…
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Suicide Rock
Our first instinct in the morning is to relax all day and forget about climbing. But after a good breakfast at the Idyllwild Cafe we decide to at least hike up to look at Suicide Rock. And bring some gear just in case. Randy comes along and gives us a tour of his old stomping…
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Tahquitz
I start the day wandering around the county campground looking for Roy & Walter, but it’s almost empty. I call Roy’s cell phone, and he says they’re in sites 7 & 8. Eventually we figure out that they are in the state park campground. We join Roy, Randy, Walter and Kelly at Jan’s for a…
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vote,work,wagon wheel
I started the day at the polls, voting my Libertarian conscience in the California Recall Gubanatorial Field Day. Then I went to work – yesterday I emailed a colleague and she came through instantly with a couple weeks worth of coding for me to do! So I got to spend the day learning Objective C…
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exercise
We stopped for some healthful groceries after our 25-mile bike ride.