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Paul Martzen
Trad climber
Fresno
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Nov 13, 2009 - 03:12am PT
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Wonderful story, Susie. Thank you very much for sharing.
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KitKat
Trad climber
my van, CA or Mexico
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Nov 13, 2009 - 03:53am PT
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I'll toast a glass of red wine to that story! THANK YOU for sharing...
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Norton
Social climber
the Wastelands
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Nov 13, 2009 - 11:24am PT
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More stories Susie, please!
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MH2
climber
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Nov 13, 2009 - 02:01pm PT
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My own motto has been, No Guts, No Glory, this tends to get me in all sorts of trouble.
Climbing is a process of getting oneself into trouble and then getting oneself out. It looks like you have CA, UT, CT, and FL to choose among as hideouts, so I can imagine there has been trouble.
Thanks for finding the guts to post here. I only heard from people that had met Warren and in particular that his eyes were attention-getting as well as attention-giving. He was the great anti-hero.
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scuffy b
climber
Whuttiz that Monstrosicos Inferno?
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Nov 13, 2009 - 04:06pm PT
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Wonderful to read this, Susie. Thanks so much.
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aguacaliente
climber
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Nov 14, 2009 - 02:19am PT
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Okay, first of all this is wonderful, and thank you.
Many things are said about Warren Harding but I have found the stories of him on supertopo to be generous and warm even as they recollect his foibles (and who doesn't have foibles). When I first started reading about climbing history I got this really oversimplified picture associating Harding = sieges = bolts = bad and others = cleaner style = good. The personalities and the reality of course are much more complex, and that potted version of history clearly doesn't do justice to the man. Reading the recollections of those of you who knew him, even well after his glory years, has led me to a more subtle picture of a tremendous character and I want to thank you all for that.
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okie
Trad climber
San Leandro, Ca
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Nov 14, 2009 - 03:28am PT
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Great stuff and nice pics, Park Rat! I can see why Warren was brought to his knees!
Met him once- at the bar of course. My buddy unashamedly asked him if he was The Warren Harding and Warren looked at him with a whimsical smile and said "I used to be."
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Park Rat
Social climber
CA, UT,CT,FL
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 15, 2009 - 04:03pm PT
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Steve,
I have never posted before, will take all the help I can get!
Thanks,
Park Rat
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Nov 15, 2009 - 04:13pm PT
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Great threads become ongoing oral histories that are get picked up and revived continually. Don't get the least bit worried if there is a lull in people posting on a thread and certainly feel free to bump up your own threads with more recollections as they come to you. Lots of people check in to the ST now and then and miss the really good stuff! No substitute for real firsthand stories and historical accounts like yours!
Thanks for joining us around the ST campfire with your tales. I really miss the old Mountain Room Bar and cherish the good old days in the Valley.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Nov 15, 2009 - 05:18pm PT
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Park Rat - A top notch post really - thanks. I look forward to more!
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Blitzo
Social climber
Earth
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Nov 15, 2009 - 05:29pm PT
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I knew him and climbed with him.
Phil made statues of him.
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Park Rat
Social climber
CA, UT,CT,FL
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 15, 2009 - 05:55pm PT
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Steve G.,
OMG when did I get to be History, I am 67yo not 167!
I remember Ansel Adams not John Muir. Ha Ha
I don’t remember making any history, I am only an eye witness. I am sure I was not special back then, I knew that living in the Park was a privilege.
I still dream, I am back working in the old Ahwahnee dining room or was it a nightmare?
I can think of a lot of park related topics this group might enjoy.
I am new at this posting stuff, not sure of the proper etiquette?
Feel free to bring me up to speed.
I didn't' know there were rules about how to climb a rock?
I just thought you shouldn't’t fall off, what do I know?
I am amazed at what I am learning on this site.
Blitzo,
That is a later & scarier W. H. than I remember, thank God. LOL
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Nov 15, 2009 - 07:26pm PT
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Wasn't that the start of The March of Dimes Climbing Team?!? LOL
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Nov 15, 2009 - 09:15pm PT
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Front page stuff. Thank you Park Rat. You are 67 years young. Wheeeee!
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Norton
Social climber
the Wastelands
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Nov 15, 2009 - 09:43pm PT
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"creamed by a pickup" in 1969,
and climbed South Face of Half Dome and WOEML one year later in 1970
very tough guy
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hoipolloi
climber
A friends backyard with the neighbors wifi
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Nov 16, 2009 - 01:48pm PT
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Thanks for the great perspective on someone who is such a legend (a friend for those who remember him, but a legend for some of us young bucks). This thread really helps personify Harding, especially with the recent post by Peter Haan sharing the letters he was dropping off the WOEML.
Awesome stuff!
Lets hear some more stories from the 'outsiders' (as in a non-climbers) perspective on some of the experiences of being at the kings table (ie Mt. Room Bar) during such a golden era of climbing! You probably have enough to fill a book!
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jopay
climber
so.il
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Nov 16, 2009 - 01:53pm PT
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Susie, Great memories from a remarkable time in our climbing history. I had the pleasure to meet Warren in Estes sometime in the late 80's, doing a slide show there. Thanks for sharing.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
Monrovia, CA
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Nov 16, 2009 - 01:56pm PT
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Susie,
Thanks for a totally fabulous thread. Rules? What, are you on crack?
This the Taco - you can put any topping you want on a taco!
I didn't' know there were rules about how to climb a rock?
I just thought you shouldn't’t fall off, what do I know?
Ha! I'm pretty sure that was Warren's philosophy too.
Keep on keepin' on!
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Norton
Social climber
the Wastelands
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Nov 16, 2009 - 02:00pm PT
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Susie, can you tell us anything Alice Flomp may have said about Harding?
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SuperTopo on the Web
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Let us know!