http://www.idkfa.com/v3 idkfa: syndicated http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4541&msg_id=4557 I look forward to pictures, should there be many. kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) The Sporting Life Wed, 29 Aug 2012 01:03:08 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4541&msg_id=4557 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4541&msg_id=4556 Wild! Glad to hear everyone made it off in one piece. Even better that you guys summited successfully. I know your closing sentence remarks that you are pondering your next big adventure... but do you have any ideas of the next mountain you are eyeing? Denali? Abroad, even? What better excuse to take the family to Europe than to also tackle some peaks in the Alps. I imagine over there, as you come down off the mountain there would be quite the civilized reception at the Swiss chalets (in stark contrast to the rough burger joint in Talkeetna). Green Man@idkfa.com (Green Man) The Sporting Life Tue, 28 Aug 2012 19:02:31 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4541&msg_id=4556 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4541&msg_id=4554 Congrats on summitting and a good trip, that sounds like it would have been pretty awesome! Scrotor@idkfa.com (Scrotor) The Sporting Life Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:11:38 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4541&msg_id=4554 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4541&msg_id=4553 As a follow up, this was an interesting trip with a lot of firsts for me. Besides just leading a group of two new climbers who I've been working with for a couple of months, a fourth member of the party had never been on a big mountain before, had never climbed, and I had never met in person was also coming with. The guys all did very well and we actually made good time on each leg of the trip. We did in fact summit, which I will admit I was surprised by. I had my doubts about altitude sickness and once we were up there weather also became a factor. On our move up to the high camp a lot of people were coming down saying the wind was too much. Some professionally guided parties were leaving the high camp saying that they were expecting 70mph winds that night. We decided to continue and set up know we might have to leave if things got really shitty. The wind was pretty bad all night, to the point that I had convinced myself that we would have to head straight home the next morning. But as luck would have it the wind died down about 1am and I made the call to at least give it a shot. It was eerie to be the only team on the mountain. I saw no other parties anywhere on out side of the mountain, we were totally self reliant as there was no one we could turn to for help in an accident. The entire clime was very cold and windy but was actually in great condition with the climbing much more direct than two years ago. Overall I'd say we had a good time and that isn't to say that we didn't get frustrated at times with each other. Sometimes pretty angry, but climbing is a hard activity which leaves you cold, tired, hungry and physically and emotionally drained at the end of a trip. I'm glad for a break for a bit, from climbing, riding, camping... not being at home on weekends for a couple months now. But I am wondering what my next big adventure will be, and when I'll be ready for it. MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) The Sporting Life Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:25:46 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4541&msg_id=4553 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4541&msg_id=4552 Yeah it is a lot different when you are supposed to be the lead for this kind of outing, and hard with you have to give orders that may not make a lot of sense to the other people in the group. Being in charge of a group is hard work, but easier when its something you love to do anyway. MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) The Sporting Life Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:10:10 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4541&msg_id=4552 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4541&msg_id=4543 Good luck! It's a totally different ball game when you're responsible for other people - I learned this rafting last year. akarmybrat@idkfa.com (akarmybrat) The Sporting Life Thu, 23 Aug 2012 20:27:43 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4541&msg_id=4543 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4541&msg_id=4542 Best of luck to you, friend. Keep 'em safe. kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) The Sporting Life Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:40:27 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4541&msg_id=4542 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4541&msg_id=4541 This weekend is my second try for Mt Rainier's summit. Yes I've done it before, and yes its going to be the same route. This will test my skill in other ways though. I'll be leading three other, mostly new climbers up, Alex Ramuglia being one of them actually. It'll be interesting to actually have to guide, keep track of, and take care of other people. So far the weather looks good and everything is set to go. About the only worry I have is altitude sickness, not really for myself but more the other guys, otherwise it should be a good trip. MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) The Sporting Life Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:33:20 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=4541&msg_id=4541