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Banquo
Trad climber
Morgan Hill, CA (Mo' Hill)
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 1, 2011 - 01:51am PT
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I was talking to my dad tonight. He grew up in Fernwood Idaho. During the depression he tells me his dad panned for gold at the mouth of Fernwood creek to feed the family. His dad had worked for the railroads but I guess that didn't work out during the hard times.
He was telling me about a time he took his dad to Emida because his dad wanted to play in a poker game. This must have been when my dad got back from Burma and WW2. Dad can't recall if they took the Model T pickup truck or the Buick to Emida. He thinks the Buick because a shed roof had collapsed on the T and rather than fix it, they just sawed the top off of it. Plus dad's brother had tossed a piece of firewood though the windscreen so they wouldn't have taken the Model T since it was winter. They couldn't afford antifreeze so dad had to keep the Buick warm by covering it and starting it up now and then until they got home and could drain it. They wouldn't have had to worry about that with the T because it leaked so bad they would have just let the water run out of it in Emida. While his dad played poker, my dad went skiing at the resort that was there in those days. Dad liked to ski when he was young. He said that since it was during the week, the rope tow wasn't running so he had to walk up the hill.
I once asked dad if he played football in high school. He said no because when he was a junior they offered him the job of driving the school bus to St. Maries every day and that had more prestige.
Dad in 1962 near the Merrick Mountains named for him in Antarctica:
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michaeld
Sport climber
Near Tahoe, CA
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Awesome story man
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Nate D
climber
San Francisco
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nice. Keep the stories coming, Banquo.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there, say, banquo.... thanks so very much for the wonderful story of your dad....
dad's and there past stories, really should be shared... :)
god bless...
:)
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Slater
Trad climber
Central Coast
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sons and their fathers...
is there a deeper well on earth?
Our first mountain was Mount Conness when I was 13.
I find myself most frequently looking at HOW he lived his life. His calm, his decisions, his choices. Sounds corny but I ask... how would Pops have done this? A woodshop teacher of 32 years, he was a craftsman, in more ways than one.
He was from a different generation. Served in the Air Force reserve as a Colonel for over 30 years. Grew up in the depression. Raised 4 kids.
A different America, different world. With a family of my own he's still my compass.
Thanks for sharing.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Thanks for posting this.
I just returned from four days visiting my dad. 92 years old. Still going strong. Still my hero.
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Slater
Trad climber
Central Coast
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville & Yucca brevifolia
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Really cool story Banquo. Your dad is a treasure.
My dad introduced me to Joshua Tree as a young child and taught me to play in nature.
He taught me to ride the open road.
He taught me to laugh at my own seriousness.
I miss him.
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phylp
Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
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You know, there are certain non-climbing posts that make Supertopo a better place - just like this one.
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JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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Thanks for posting, Banquo. My dad has been in the past tense for 34 years, but I still have wonderful memories.
Thanks again.
John
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ELM !
climber
Near Boston
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Great post!!
My dad has been gone since '98. We shared alot in the mountains; he taught me stuff I do now by habit. We had harder times after I hit 15 but in the year before he passed we regained alot ground. I drove him on whirlwind tour of his favorite notches in his VW bus when he was sick....took us a good 15 hours.
I vividly remember heading up Mt. Lafayette (NH) in Febuary with him to meet his friend ,Guy Waterman, on the ridgeline. Guy was impressed I had made it up to there, I was 12 and it was super icy, he gave me a 'biner as a momento, I have it to this day. Guy and his wife lived off the land and their writing so a 'biner was an investment for him.
I still have my dads old Fabiano boots: I regularly wear the Chuck Roast gators he bought me when I turned 14 to ice climb...man.
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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85 last Friday, out for a cake-shopping expedition after lunch. Although he enjoys eating it even more.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Back home now, with access to my photos...
They're not great photos. But although they may have been shot with bad light, they were definitely shot with lots of love
92 years behind, many more to go
Great grandchild #9
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Doug Robinson
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Sweet stuff on here.
My dad took me camping at Tenaya Lake when I was 5. 1950, and that started everything. You drove the old Tioga Road then, pretty slow, at times one lane dodging trees, sometimes right over a granite slab. He told about going to Tuolumne in 1931, after graduating from Stanford and on his way to his first job in Langley, Virginia.
When I was a teenager and starting to hang in Camp 4, he would pick me up and we'd go do a week of the John Muir Trail. Ended up filling in most of it over several summers. I don't think he ever really got the essence of why I climbed, but he was pretty supportive. He understood completely the part about immersing yourself in the mountains, and only once made a mildly critical comment about months of "eating peanut butter in Camp 4."
When my ex- was in grad school studying psychology, she convinced me to confront my dad about his occasional mean streak that would blow out at times. Now I see that was just part of a mixed bag, a complex whole person, with a lot of care and attention and love too. And tons of enjoyment of just being together.
I realized I don't have a single photo of him scanned up.
Last summer I hiked over Mather Pass on the JMT for the first time in years and thought about my first time up there when we backpacked across it nearly 50 years before. I was wearing a funny old shirt of his with skunks on it.
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mike m
Trad climber
black hills
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Banquo, maybe I missed it but how did the mountains in Antartica get named after him? There has to be a great story about that. As for my dad no real outdoor experiences with him, but I have three brothers that climb two of them quite frequently. He will occasionally come an watch us climb one memorable time in eldo and he must have waited for 4-5 hours while we did a multipitch climb while we were still noobs. I really appreciated him coming to see what his sons were so excited about.
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Banquo
Trad climber
Morgan Hill, CA (Mo' Hill)
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 2, 2011 - 04:28pm PT
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Thanks to all for posting "dad" stories. If he is still around, ask your dad (and mom) lots of questions and probe for good stories. Dad will tell the same story over and over unless you drag new stuff out of him.
Dad studied forestry at the University of Idaho but after a stint in the USFS and then one in the Bureau of Public Roads working on the Alaska Highway, he ended up being a field topographer for the USGS. He did all the field work for the topo maps we all use. Anyway, they needed a navigator for an overland expedition in Antarctica and he went. He determined location by sun and star shots with a theodolite. No GPS in those days. After many years of hiking trails and climbing peaks for the USGS they sent him into the office to learn computers which resulted in his early retirement to Spokane. He lives in Sacramento now, alone since mom passed a few years ago. I worry about him living alone and eating his own cooking but he has always been a bit of a loner.
He has never really managed to get comfortable with computers and although he has one on which we have taught him to get stock quotes and his bank statement, he just can't get a grip on email. Drives him and me crazy.
The story in the 1st post was prompted by him telling me about an attempt to make chili. After skiing that day many years ago he went to the lodge and had the first bowl of chili he had ever had. Claims it was the best winter day food he had ever encountered even though it was a bit spicy. The canned stuff he got at the discount grocery last week apparently didn't measure up to his memory of chili so he looked in mom's old cookbook. Too much work he decided.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrick_Mountains
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Mar 18, 2011 - 02:28am PT
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Can't just let this thread fade away. Tonight my father and I went to the opening of an exhibit about Roald Amundsen and his explorations, at the Maritime Museum. (Same place they keep St. Roch, the second vessel to sail through the northwest passage.) December 14th, 2011 will be the 100th anniversary of Amundsen and team being the first to reach the South Pole, plus Amundsen also was first to sail through the Northwest Passage in 1903 - 06. Here's the opening exhibit/poster.
Here is a model of Gjøa, in which Amundsen sailed the Northwest Passage, leaving some Inuit-Norwegian offspring at Gjøahavn, where they wintered. Descendants still live there. The real Gjøa is now at the Fram Museum in Oslo, Fram being a rather famous boat.
And here's my father, the Norwegian ambassador to Canada, and a great grandson of one of Amundsen's cousins. Several of his relatives were there.
My father didn't much enjoy the speeches, as he's somewhat hard of hearing, but thought the food and drink very good, plus rubbing shoulders.
http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com/
http://www.emb-norway.ca/News_and_events/event/Roald-Amundsen-in-Vancouver/
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Truthdweller
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
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Mar 18, 2011 - 03:43am PT
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Wow, great stories!
I would think most everybody has a memory of climbing on Dad's back while he was on his hands and knees in the living room, and Dad tickling them till they almost pee'd and often times cried, lol! The memories of my Dad are no different. He was a great swimmer, great at bowling, softball, ping pong, heck, he was good at everything...well, almost everything, Mom use to tell him he sucked at plumbing! Dad brought me a lot of places with him growing up. He did his best at raising and providing for us four kids. Dad never really shared personal things with me, although I wish he had. That side of him was always a mystery. I only saw my Dad cry once, at the funeral of my Grandfather Scotty, I wish I had seen him cry more...you know, Jesus wept.
My Dad is still alive and lives in Golden Valey, AZ. He's doing okay at 73...
Love you Dad
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Banquo
Trad climber
Morgan Hill, CA (Mo' Hill)
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 18, 2011 - 08:33am PT
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Mighty Hiker-
I recall the Gjøa rotting away in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park near the windmill by the beach. Amundsen donated it to SF after his trip. It went back to Norway in 1972.
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ydpl8s
Trad climber
Santa Monica, California
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Mar 18, 2011 - 11:37am PT
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My dad (right) and his brother at a family reunion in Yosemite in 2006.
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Mar 18, 2011 - 03:26pm PT
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Banquo - I met someone at the reception last night who was part of the group that raised the money to rescue Gjøa in 1972, and move her to Norway. He had some quite good stories and photos, including one of Gjøa sitting on the deck of a medium-sized freighter, ready to be shipped.
Gjøa is very near the Fram Museum at Bygdøy in Oslo. I believe they're raising money to have her enclosed and protected, as with Fram and St. Roch.
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cragnshag
Social climber
san joser
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Mar 19, 2011 - 02:55am PT
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My Dad was into fishing/camping and we would spend 3-4 weeks every summer in the Sierra and take road trips almost everywhere in the camper. Those were the days.
Here's a picture of Dad from the 70's. He still has no fashion sense...
I'm looking forward to camping with Dad and my son in the coming years.
His are big shoes to fill, but I'm working on it!
Thanks, Dad.
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Wayno
Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
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Mar 19, 2011 - 03:45am PT
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"How sweet it is"
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Banquo
Trad climber
Morgan Hill, CA (Mo' Hill)
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 19, 2011 - 12:12pm PT
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Cragnshag,
Fun to see the photos since I know your dad, mom and brother. They are nice people. But to get to the point, that couch is flabbergasting!
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Mar 19, 2011 - 03:48pm PT
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Great photos, Bob! Thanks for sharing those.
As for myself, my mom climbed also, so I can't blame Dad entirely! :-)
Glacier NP, 1964
Mt. Buckner, 1972
Bugaboos, 1974
Goode, 1993
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drljefe
climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
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Mar 19, 2011 - 04:04pm PT
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I only have a few photos of my father.
He took me to some amazing places before he split.
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Banquo
climber
Amerricka
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 26, 2012 - 11:35pm PT
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Just bumping this thread for all the dads.
Dad drove himself to our summer place on Coeur d'Alene lake in Idaho a couple weeks ago. I always try to elbow in and do the drive with him but he seems dead set on doing it alone. He's 87 years old and it scares the b-jesus out of me having him drive from Sacramento to Harrison Idaho all by himself but then it is what he wants to do. It seems to be still cold on the lake and of the 10 or so cabins on our bay, he is there alone except on the weekends. So I call him a lot.
After the 4th there will be plenty of people up there and my cousin who has the cabin next door will be there.
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Banquo
climber
Amerricka
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 16, 2014 - 07:15am PT
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Dad's world ended yesterday afternoon.
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Spider Savage
Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
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Sep 16, 2014 - 07:45am PT
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Goodbye to an Idaho brother.
In the OP when you said he drove his dad from Fernwood to Emida, well, I know that road.
My dad took me all over that N. Latah county country, banging on the rocks and taking some back to the office at UoI.
The creek runs down into Emida through a forested valley. Some alfalfa feilds there. The creek, Emida creek, was full of big old trout but no kind of fly, lure or bait could catch them.
Driving a school bus to St Maries in the winter during those years, without anti-lock brakes, well, that would have been pretty bad-azz.
I had my first ever spin out driving a '63 rambler between Fernwood and Emida in the winter of about 1974. We had ski lessons paid for at North South and the road was washed out above Harvard. Had to drive all the way around through Bovil etc. The place was still packed.
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murcy
Gym climber
sanfrancisco
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Sep 16, 2014 - 07:53am PT
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Condolences.
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Charlie D.
Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
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Sep 16, 2014 - 08:24am PT
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My condolences to you and your family Banquo. Thanks for sharing a glimpse of a rich life.
Charlie D.
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pc
climber
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Sep 16, 2014 - 09:28am PT
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Cool thread. Very sorry to hear about your Dad.
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Sep 16, 2014 - 03:46pm PT
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Banquo... sorry for your loss.
My condolences to you and your family.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Sep 16, 2014 - 08:08pm PT
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The days...
like leaves falling
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Banquo
climber
Amerricka
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 17, 2014 - 07:41am PT
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Thank you all for the kind thoughts.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Sep 24, 2014 - 01:57pm PT
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hey there say, just a bump, to help our FIRST PAGE,
HOWEVER, awww, yes, i DO love the post that i am bumping, too...
you are of value, ...
just that i can't always visit everything and post...
but today, is REALLY NEEDED FOR HELP, TO US ALL...
WILL TRY to bump some more...
this 'message will repeat' for a bit, in the bumps...
:)
hope i am helping...
wow, amen, to our daddies...
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Sep 24, 2014 - 03:10pm PT
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I'm very sorry to read of Dad's passing Banquo. I just got a note from an old military pal, and his dad just passed also.
We all must meet the hanging road some day.
Thanks to all the great dads who guided our footsteps.
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mike m
Trad climber
black hills
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Sep 24, 2014 - 03:17pm PT
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My dad and I last week in Spearfish. Never got to do much outdoor stuff with my dad, but he raised four boys that are very into it so he must have played some part in it. He would take us to the Black Hills about every other year growing up and I think that was the start of it.
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Sep 24, 2014 - 03:28pm PT
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Holy buckets, do you have dad's shnozzola or what?
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Q- Ball
Mountain climber
where the wind always blows
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Sep 24, 2014 - 07:00pm PT
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Very sad to hear of your Dad's passing. I wish you and your family happiness and peace dealing with this. Take care, Hugh Faust
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Banquo
climber
Amerricka
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 21, 2014 - 08:42pm PT
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I've been going through some of his stuff including a bunch of old negatives. Lots of ancient ancestors I can't identify. Got this one from a bunch that are clearly Alaska where he worked as a surveyor on the Seward Highway. Stuff I see:
M. Monroe
Beer bottle
Flashlight (no electricity?)
Clock only says 6:45 and it is dark
What is that with the shoulder strap on the foot of the bed?
High boots and stagged pants
What is that cylindrical thing next to the flashlight?
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kev
climber
A pile of dirt.
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Oct 22, 2014 - 07:53am PT
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Banquo,
Just saw this now. Sorry for your loss.
kev
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susu
Trad climber
East Bay, CA
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Oct 22, 2014 - 05:15pm PT
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Dan this is the first I've seen of this thread. I'm very sorry for your loss.
Nice stories and photos.
Unfortunately I did not get to know my natural father very well, though I have the fondest memories. One in particular, between age 5 and 7, now and then though not too often we performed a trick for guests. He would lay on his back in the middle of the living room, arms overhead, and I would step into the palms of his hands, remaining standing while he raised me up high. I can't imagine doing that with anyone else ever again, ha ha... But back when I was tiny and he was strong, it seemed easy. Now I would think that act would take a lot of trust, but I never once hesitated about that at the time. What a good feeling that bond.
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Spider Savage
Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
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Oct 22, 2014 - 09:11pm PT
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Further observations on the photo above:
Wool blanket, probably red with black stripes, but can't find it in Hudson Bay or Pendleton search. Very nice blanket.
Looks like a can of SnoSeal on the desk.
Camel Cigarettes, filters, soft pack.
Small box of matches.
White enamled metal cup.
Cigar box over there behing the beer bottle.
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susu
Trad climber
East Bay, CA
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Oct 23, 2014 - 07:30am PT
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Cylindrical thing looks like a brush in a can. Is that the snoseal mentioned above or maybe for pasting or paint or applying shaving lather? Seems unlikely but he has no beard here. Had he just arrived? There are manicure scissors. So much is hanging to dry. Was it also rainy... no that would be snow there but just so much of it to shake off when you walk in everything gets wet? Hard physical work, drying teeshirt? Maybe the calendar indicates what seasonally was happening but I can't make out the timeframe from it. Is that a journal?
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Oct 23, 2014 - 07:53am PT
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Such minute observation, as opposed to casual, deserves approbation.
Really good threads (like this one) come at great cost.
Dads--the best things in life are free.
No charge for admittance here,
But there is a price to pay as you make your way to the exit.
Thank you all for sharing stories about such important people.
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Banquo
climber
Amerricka
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 23, 2014 - 08:11am PT
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This is fun, thanks everybody. Here is another photo taken about 5 minutes earlier. Shows that the round thing above his head is a light bulb.
The photos seem to start with his graduation from the U of Idaho in probably May 1951. They apparently drove to Alaska since there are photos of Lake Louise and Dawson City. In the graduation photos he is thinner (starving student) which leads me to believe that this photo was taken at the end of the season since he is chubby (probably had access to a mess hall). He said he worked on the Seward highway so to be dark at 6:45 it must be late in the year. Wikipedia says "The roadway was completed on October 19, 1951."
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