Taylors Falls Friday

Lisa and I were checking out our anchor-setting, top belaying and rappelling skills in anticipation of our big trip. So here are some photos of Lisa setting up anchors and them rapping down on them. (Who knew girls could be good at this stuff?)

We’re Not As Tough As We Used To Be

Being outdoors is inherently dangerous. Here are two men who used their emergency locator beacon because there was too much sun in Alaska. They lasted one day out of their 7 day trip. (Hey girls, when you go to Alaska remember the sunscreen.) Man, I am glad I spend most of my time indoors.

(Of course, I should talk; I’m all excited about competing for a pair of pink tights. DO NOT tell Jack London or Ernie Hemmingway.)

Rushmore

I just notice that there are some new heads on Mt Rushmore. When did this happen? Was it in the news and I missed it?

Old and tired:

New and perky:

(When I do this stuff, I’m puzzled why so many people don’t want me taking photos of their faces.)

For Our Upcoming Trip

Look what treasures the internet contains – photos of all the rest areas along I 90 in South Dakota. What a wonderful resource, huh?

For example, if you see this rest area, you know you are at exit 296.

 

But if the exit looks like this, you are at exit 264. See the difference?

 

 

 

 

 

Now driving farther west, you might see an exit looking like this.

Quick, where are you? Exit 218 or exit 100? Answer here*

* It is obviously exit 218 because exit 100 looks like this.

Cross Training

Ron and John did some cross training to build strength for climbing by fencing today. No, not this kind of fencing:

 

(Although they would look delicious in those little white outfits.)

 

 

They did this kind of fencing:

 

 

Cool lookin’ hats boys!

Slovakia

Emily is going to Slovakia this Fall. So here’s a chalet that you can stay in when you are visiting her in the Tatra mountains. It’s got quite a history.

“Slovak University students built the chalet in 1944. They were helping Polish guerrillas and Russian refugees who escaped from Nazi camps to get to the guerrilla camps in the Low Tatras.”

Bring Your Signs & Banners to Rushmore

When we climb at the Rushmore area next week, look what we can do now. This area used to be closed to climbing, but not now. 

Here are some signs I am bringing:

Hey Mike & The Warden

Have you been to this place in South Dakota? Sounds like you should go when you visit SD. For the rest of us mortals, there’s some nice footage of climbing in the Rushmore area.

Stealing Diamonds

“A robber looking for actual diamonds entered Black Diamond Equipment headquarters in Salt Lake City, threatened the shift manager with an ice pick, and demanded ‘the precious metals and the money. …

here are some insider tips for the robber. Horny Toad does not sell amphibians and Granite Gear is not made from heavy rocks.’"

Burning Crater

“Known locally as the “Door to Hell,” this close relative of the “Pool of Fire” and little-known tourist attraction has been on fire for at least three decades.”

The Contest Is Over

And I won! I’m talking about the “Fight for the Tights” competition at VE. This competition is for a pair of pink tights and it is awarded to the climber who climbs PPM’s custom designed routes in grand form. (PPM is definitely the Route Setter Extraordinaire.) After only one week of the contest, I decided to award myself the pink tights. So I did. They look smashing, don’t you think?

More Black Hills Climbing

These climbs are all in the Sylvan Lake area. (In my previous post, I mentioned a couple of them, but this list is more extensive.) Also, on the first page of the same article, is the story of the first ascent of a Sylvan Lake classic, as told by the Conns. More details of the route here.

 

North Shore climbing.

I went up to Shovel Point and Palasade Head this weekend. Here is one of the climbs I did. It was really incredible. Fun Fun climb. I got the Onsight:)

I forgot to mention that the guy in the picture on Mountain project is the guy I was climbing with. In this picture Joel Therneau my climbing bud.

Sorry, I’ve Been Distracted

I haven’t been posting much because I’m watching M.J. coverage 24/7 dressed in my special dancing costume.  

Over 8,000 Feet Down

And 30 kms from the entrance for longer than 30 days, this team is exploring caves. I think I’d rather stay above ground.