Moscow, Idaho

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Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 10, 2017 - 09:42pm PT
Some few people are from Moscow, Idaho or have rambled through there. Not much in the way of climbing there so it inspires those of us who need to climb, to get out.

It was a small town in the 1970’s, population 13k. Today it’s up to double that. Big university, U of I. Shire-like hills and farms all around. A long drive to any real mountains but a few little things to do and some rivers to run.

My brother and I started technical rock climbing about 1973. There was a teacher who was a mentor to a number of the kids so we got a little from him and the rest of our training came from careful reading and practice of Basic Rockcraft and Advanced Rockcraft by Royal Robbins.

Since our times in the 1970s many have come and gone. Big Wall Pete did some time there in High School and college before going to Yosemite and becoming what he is today.

I know some others here on the Supertopo Forum have had some history there and I hope others chime in from time to and post photos and share stories.


Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 10, 2017 - 09:49pm PT
A few weeks ago the stars & planets aligned and some people came together again after 40 years of being on different paths. This picture shows the mentor, the gear dealer and 5 who were once the young guns. This was the core group of rock climbers out of Moscow, Idaho in the mid 1970's.

Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
Jul 10, 2017 - 10:58pm PT
very fortunate reunion!

Reminds me I need to reach out the folks that taught me.

I haven't climbed there around Moscow, just north in CDA and Post Falls area. But will likely end up driving that way at some point.

Best crag nearby?
grey thunder

Trad climber
Hanover, NH
Jul 11, 2017 - 06:21am PT
What a crew of smiles, it's good to see you all.
mike m

Trad climber
black hills
Jul 11, 2017 - 03:35pm PT
I was looking at a job at U of I but know nothing about Moscow. Like no rocks close?
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Jul 11, 2017 - 03:40pm PT
I forgot what you and others told me about how to pronounce Moscow, Chris.

Is it "Mos Coe" or "Moss Cow?"
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Jul 11, 2017 - 04:59pm PT
Proud group photo of some of Moscow's finest!
Fritz

Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
Jul 13, 2017 - 07:28pm PT
Thanks for the Moscow Idaho photos & memories.

I bought into Northwestern Mountain Sports in Moscow in July 1973, & was mentored by the manager (Grey Thunder) until spring 1974, when he departed to be an outdoor sales-representative.

A year later, I was the sole owner, & a few years later gave my work-a-holic friend Terry 10% for being a wonderful manager. I sold out to Terry in 1983, and also became an outdoor sales-rep.

It was a fun 10 years. I mentored a bunch of folks into climbing, but Gary Clark deserves most-all the credit for the group of climbers from Moscow High School that showed up at COR 40 + years later.

And we locals pronouce it: Moss-coe.



NutAgain!

Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
Jul 13, 2017 - 07:37pm PT
Moscow? MOSCOW?!? Did any of you have meetings with Don Trump Jr?



It had to be asked.
rottingjohnny

Sport climber
Sands Motel , Las Vegas
Jul 13, 2017 - 07:39pm PT
Cool Fritz...I drove down to MossCoe one day for a running race...It was pouring rain and was canceled so i drove right back up to Priest River..Nice country...
grey thunder

Trad climber
Hanover, NH
Jul 14, 2017 - 04:50am PT
Fritz, I had no idea you kept photos of the second location. What a blast from the past. Those images make me wonder if anyone has images of the first location, I doubt it but would like to see them if they exist. Thanks so much for posting the photos.
I still have a copy of "Granite Point - A Climber's Guide" by Gary published by WSU Alpine Club, Dec. 1973. I should get Gary to autograph my copy. Thanks Fritz, much appreciated. Bruce
ontheedgeandscaredtodeath

Social climber
SLO, Ca
Jul 14, 2017 - 08:21am PT
Cool photos. I've probably spent about a year and half in Idaho, between fightin' fire and living there for a ski season. It's one of my favorite states. I always sort of thought I'd settle there but life intervenes....
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Jul 14, 2017 - 08:54am PT
Spent a week in Rexburg. Tough finding a decent liquor store there!
Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 22, 2017 - 05:52am PT
Yes it's Mos-coe although sometimes MOO-cow.

Grey Thunder, it would be great to see your photos and some scans of that guide.

For those who are wondering, Moscow is NOT a destination for climbers. More like a wasteland. Two pathetically small crags and an occasional mossy boulder with one or two moves. It is two hours or more to anything worthwhile. Serious climbers went to Leavenworth, Washinton to get it on.

After Nortwest Mountain Sports left its' first location in the little building on Main Street next to the A&W Drive-In a business called Journey's End Antiques moved in where I worked for a little more than a year.

Those of us in the picture above got our first climbing gear at that first location. The second location being the picture that Fritz posted above.








Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 22, 2017 - 06:07am PT
Crags near Moscow, Idaho:

https://www.mountainproject.com/v/moscow-mountain/112299431

https://www.mountainproject.com/v/granite-point/105834465

https://www.mountainproject.com/v/qemilin-park/105838015

mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Jul 22, 2017 - 08:01am PT
Fritz, as someone who knows the meaning of the term "specialty shop" very well,
I must tell you that my admiration for your will to stick with it in such a climbing backwater for ten years is immeasurable,
my respect for you immense.
--Rod Stewart
Fritz

Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
Jul 22, 2017 - 04:16pm PT
Thank you Mouse & Rod.

One thing I got to contribute to the Moscow climbing community was slide shows by noted climbers. The original U of Idaho Outdoor Program Director, Jim Rennie, was always willing to co-sponsor noted climber slide shows. Usually, I would pay the lecture fees & Jim would provide the Student Union theatre, advertising, details, & cleanup.
Royal Robbins showed up in Moscow Idaho in 1973 for a "slide show" on his British crag climbing. My store manager buddy Bruce Franks loaned him a couch and a sleeping bag. We got to go drink and play Fooz-ball. Of course Royal was a fierce competitor.

Next year British climber, photographer, cinematographer, & humorist, John Cleare showed up,, slept on my couch, stayed longer and even climbed with us at the now mostly submerged Granite Point area on the Snake River. John told absolutely wonderful & usually darkly-funny stories about legendary British climbers.

Here's two photos John Cleare took of Granite Point.


John was back within a year or two, then Doug Scott (who insisted we buy he and his wife a motel room).

We also sponsored Spokane’s John Roskelly for several slide shows on the big mountains he was knocking off in the Himalayas.
The final & most expensive climbing slide show speaker was Galen Rowell, who cost a lot of money. I recall joint sponsorship between my store & the Outdoor Programs at the U of I & nearby Washington State U.

And the legendary "Shop-Copy" of Granite Point Guidebook.


grey thunder

Trad climber
Hanover, NH
Jul 23, 2017 - 06:00pm PT
Hey Spider, Bruce Franks here, I'll post pictures of my Guide next week. I'm glad you remember the first store. It was one small shop, I remember it as part of the Culligan Water Co and was on block off main. I need to collaborate with Fritz as I believe there was three locations at the time of the images by Fritz.
Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 28, 2017 - 01:55pm PT
Hey Grey Thunder, Yeah I was the skinny 14 year old buying cleap backpacking gear then getting a Root Beer Float afterwards.

That first building is still there and the A&W is now something else.

------------


A reason to travel through Moscow, Idaho on your way somewhere else is to hit the NRS factory outlet store.

https://www.nrs.com

I picked up some great wet-suit and canyoneering stuff for cheapo.




grey thunder

Trad climber
Hanover, NH
Aug 2, 2017 - 02:07pm PT
Spyder, here is the cover, if you want additional pages let me know.
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