Facelift 2012 Reports from the Ditch

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labrat

Trad climber
Nevada City, CA
Topic Author's Original Post - Sep 27, 2012 - 08:19pm PT
How about some Facelift reports? I'm bummed that I cannot make it.......
couchmaster

climber
pdx
Sep 27, 2012 - 11:12pm PT
I'm with Labrat. Updates? Photos of amazing granite?
zBrown

Ice climber
chingadero de chula vista
Sep 27, 2012 - 11:17pm PT
I wanna see a photo of Nita, Lila & mouse (at least).

oops - no photos puleeze!


zBrown

Ice climber
chingadero de chula vista
Sep 27, 2012 - 11:32pm PT
I usually don't look that closely at photos, but CCCsMan, I think there is a giant anteater about to pounce on your parrot.

Just sayin'
zBrown

Ice climber
chingadero de chula vista
Sep 28, 2012 - 12:37am PT
This just in:

Starry starry night

WBraun

climber
Sep 28, 2012 - 12:41am PT
They're all over there at the east auditorium right now drinkin beer.

A whole sh!tload of em .....
hooblie

climber
from out where the anecdotes roam
Sep 28, 2012 - 03:56am PT
^^^ hey, if you squint you can make out half dome on the lower left!
Tobia

Social climber
Denial
Sep 28, 2012 - 06:17am PT
Good eyes bro! I can tell you spent a lot of time in the wilderness. I had been planning on Facelift since last September; having to cancel out last Friday. It would have been my first trip to the ditch in 30 years.
Ihateplastic

Trad climber
It ain't El Cap, Oregon
Sep 28, 2012 - 10:16am PT
Half Dome, after many tens of thousands of years, is whole again!
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Sep 28, 2012 - 11:33am PT
I don't understand this. Where are the photos?


I want to see all the FLers in a line Gangnam Style with dark glasses doing the invisible horse dance in unison.
Anastasia

climber
InLOVEwithAris.
Sep 28, 2012 - 11:42am PT
Here, here... I am sure they will share once they are back.
Brandon-

climber
The Granite State.
Sep 28, 2012 - 11:46am PT
I'd like to hear how it's going as well. My campsite reservation is going unused.
Michelle

Trad climber
the f*#king peninsula.
Sep 28, 2012 - 12:56pm PT
Selfish bastards, having fun and sh#t.
labrat

Trad climber
Nevada City, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 29, 2012 - 12:54am PT
Bump?
WBraun

climber
Sep 29, 2012 - 01:02am PT
They're all over there now drinkin beer again.

Nothing to see.

Same ole sh!t .....
Kalimon

Trad climber
Ridgway, CO
Sep 29, 2012 - 12:37pm PT
Plus the odd quart of Hoppy's Favorite now and then.
Paul Martzen

Trad climber
Fresno
Sep 29, 2012 - 02:49pm PT
I left Yosemite Friday night after 3 days of picking up bits of trash and other chores. The trash weight numbers are way down, indicating that trash is not being added to the valley as fast as we are picking it up. Enough people are coming that well traveled areas are being scoured by multiple trash hunters.

Many people focused on micro trash: cigarette butts, bits of plastic and such. Tedious, but it really adds up. I think micro trash had added up to 900 pounds or so by Friday night. I got wondering, how fast micro trash and cigarette butts are added to the trails. If we pick them all up this week, how many will be here in a week, month, year from now. Listening to Ken talk, it sounded like we are eliminating trash that has built up over many years. Because past years have picked up such a huge amount of built up trash, this year and future face lifts will be able to work on more and more "Special Projects". I saw teams working on climber trail construction at Church Bowl. A team headed up to clean below the Half Dome cables. I went with a group out on highway 41 south of Chinquapin. I found a couple of 1940 era cars below the highway, as well as many snow stakes. A very brave group picked up 29 pounds of dried feces from below El Capitan.

I only attended programs one evening; Greg's fascinating lecture about rockfall and geology in Yosemite. The auditorium was pretty warm with so many people. I heard it was stifling on the busiest nights.

I met a number of supertopo members, such as Nita, Lynn, Hartouni, Anders. It was fun putting faces to names, but with all the activities, I did not get many long conversations. I did get into a very fun conversation with Roger Brown who does a lot of rebolting in Yosemite.

While I was walking along with my vest, button, grabber and litter bag, many people said "Thank you" to me. That was very nice. In turn I want to say thanks to Ken and the other organizers for this wonderful event. Thanks also to the park personel for making campsites available and all the other help they provided. Finally a big thank you to DNC for making the Curry Showers available to all the facelift volunteers. That was swell!

climbski2

Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
Sep 29, 2012 - 04:02pm PT
Just got home last night. Facelift is so well organized and the turnout has been in the hundreds. Lots of families and kids too.

For me it was a great reason to meet new people and and check out places in the valley I have never been while giving a little something back to a place I love so much. Met so many folks and Several Taco's,

A highlight for me was sharing a campspot in Upper Pines with an independent Film producer who grew up in Yosemite Dana Mackey. She is working on a Yosemite Documentary. Dana is super cool and we had a great time swapping stories. Check out her website! http://4reelproductions.com/ayosemitedocumentary.html

Right across from my camp spot was Mark Welman and some of his buds. Am terrible with names but one of the guys and his brother had just come down from an attempt on RNWF!!!!! Amazing to see the legacy of para-athletics and wall climbing passed on from Welman. They also saved me from running over my camp chair as I was backing out .. very cool meeting them!

Oh and I won a nice thermos at the raffle the second night. Fun! Lots of great stuff being given out

Wish I could have stayed longer
SCseagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
Sep 29, 2012 - 04:46pm PT
Just now at Curry for connectivity. Werner is correct...lots of great beer swilling at the auditorium. Tonight the MEAT FEST. Oh yes. Picked up trash and lurked around and played the voyeur at some trail building at Church Bowl. Wows a...can some if them fling rocks. Saw Hartouni, Stannard, Phillipe (Guck), Michael (Ferretlegger) Phylp, and a host of others I didn't know. For me the geology show was the best. Other shows were good but I enjoy more of the shows about things Yosemite. Got some hiking in as my shoulder isn't climbing ready yet. Saw Guido, BooDawg, Lisa and David last night. As well as Lucky Pink, Harrison, Barbarian and High Traverse. Full moon, sooooo beautiful that after the show last night we drove around the valley and spent some time staring at El Cap and counting lights

Almost over... Boo boo... I wonder if the reduction in trash weight has to do with fewer concrete excavation projects?

Susan. Reporting from HantaVillage...err I mean Curry...risking my life to report the facts

Edit. Saw a big ole coyote crossing the river by our campsite this morning.
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Sep 29, 2012 - 05:15pm PT
Just got back. As other have said, it was mostly light stuff; butts and tissue paper and candy wrappers. What surpised me was there were virtually no beverage containers, but quite a few berets (the rubber band like things for tying hair back).

I ran into Anders and Ed, but both were too busy to pose for a pic.

Went to see the show on Tuesday night, but got there a little late and the place was PACKED. Too crowded for my personallity so I got the snail eye and bailed. Skipped the rest of the programs for the same reason (not into being a sardine in a can) and so did not really see any other taco people.

Most of my picking was done solo but I did run into a really nice kid named Tim Terry (not sure of the last name spelling). Anyone know this kid?

Very well organized and great staffers. Plus I got a complimentary Klean Kanteen and some mini Cliff bars.

Cheers to the organizers, staffers and sponsors. Great effort!

Edit: a small freebie that I was grateful for was the AAC lip balm thingies. Nice and much needed.
Gene

climber
Sep 29, 2012 - 06:13pm PT
Dang. Wish I was there. With all of you trash pickers in spirit.

g
TRo

climber
Sep 29, 2012 - 06:25pm PT
Sittin' on the porch in Curry sifting emails; don't listen to Werner, facelifters aren't drunk all the time (there is a viscious rumor that beer supplies are running low). The night-time entertainment has been awe inspiring. Got to work on a project with Roger B--bolt replacer extraordinaire and help Werner "liberate" some junk out of the recycle. Ken's keeping upwith the pace, for now, and I even got to cut down some trees. LNT is not Leave No Trace, its Leave No Trees. Who'd a thunk I could go to Yosemite and slay trees!
Ricky D

Trad climber
Sierra Westside
Sep 29, 2012 - 06:30pm PT
Beer, beer, beer...

You can't tell me that someone's not sucking up some free Redwood Creek vino and if any REAL climbers are there this weekend - ganja has to be on the menu.

SofCookay

climber
Sep 29, 2012 - 07:31pm PT
This was my first time at the Facelift - I was there for three days picking up trash and like others have said, it was mainly micro trash - cigarette butts, candy wrappers, LOTS of toilet paper, plastic wrappers, etc. I did find a car crash site that yielded several plastic blinker covers, gas cap, and lots of broken glass. I walked along the road above Chinquapin and discovered many cans and plastic drink cups that had been thrown out of car windows, down the hill, so spent some time fetching those.

The event was well-organized and I met some truly wonderful and inspirational people. I chatted with several people who brought their kids with them to pick up trash - lovely to see so many people giving back to a park that has given so much to us all.
Ricky D

Trad climber
Sierra Westside
Sep 29, 2012 - 07:43pm PT
^^^^

Ditto on SofCookay's post - whenever Charming Dawn or I had relayed our descriptions of Facelift activities to friends the response was uniformally a collective "YUCK - YOU PICK UP GARBAGE?" followed by a heartfelt "WHY????"

The ONLY answer I could give was that it felt right to to do something for a place that has given me so many lasting memories of inspiration and beauty.

It was the least I could do.

Ricky D
john hansen

climber
Sep 29, 2012 - 09:31pm PT
I spent a few days wandering the riversides and trails picking up trash.

I tried to pretend I was a girl and really had to pee,, LOL ,, some little swale along the rivers , behind a fallen tree, or a big boulder by the well traveled trails. Thank god , and the Yosemitie Climbing Association for the pinchers.

First day between sentinal bridge and the swinging bridge along the river, and generally just criss crossing the valley.

Talked breifly with Boodawg ,Guido and meet Lilibene? other wise not quite ready for all the social stuff.

Second day meandered up thru the orchards to Mirror lake and up below Watkins. Then an hour in the Curry parking. Lots of the straw covers for the fruit drink packs. It was really rewarding and kind of fun. I normally look up at the walls or am looking for birds so a new perspective to be scanning the ground.

Got a tennis shoe, a pacifier, an old carpenter's pouch, and,, a pink bikini bottom!!

What were your best finds?

johntp

Trad climber
socal
Sep 29, 2012 - 09:32pm PT
Ditto on SofCookay's post - whenever Charming Dawn or I had relayed our descriptions of Facelift activities to friends the response was uniformally a collective "YUCK - YOU PICK UP GARBAGE?" followed by a heartfelt "WHY????"

The ONLY answer I could give was that it felt right to to do something for a place that has given me so many lasting memories of inspiration and beauty.

It was the least I could do.

This post cracked me up. When I told co-workers I was going to spend my vacation picking up trash, they were definitely WHY would you do that?

You either get it or you don't.

Edit: Best find was a Honda hubcap; someone must have missed a turn. Worst find; a bunch of dirty diapers.

2nd Edit: Was walking up the road picking up trash when a car passed; someone yelled "Thank You!" Made my day.
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Sep 29, 2012 - 10:24pm PT

Thanks for the report, and for risking your life, Susan.

Where's da pictures??????

hee hee hee. . .
SofCookay

climber
Sep 29, 2012 - 10:33pm PT
My best find was a small flashlight that I found in the woods that still worked. Oh, and a nickel.

Funny story - while I was picking up all the cigarette butts in the Wawona store parking lot (and there were many, so I was there for a while...) an elderly gentleman asked me if I was on a work release program. I told him that if you're going to commit the crime, then you have to do the time and that I was reformed, especially after picking up all those cigarette butts. He nodded his head in a serious, righteous manner. Then I told him I was just kidding and actually a volunteer.
john hansen

climber
Sep 29, 2012 - 10:37pm PT
Next time we should get a group together and dress up in stripes and work a section of road singing old chain gang songs,,,

" I'm shaking that bush Boss"

And have some one vidieo it ( think of the yosemitie marching band)

Sorry , this is too much fun.


"Cigarette butts, too much Tee Pee"

Group.. "Four days in Yosemite"

" Empty water bottle's, and hair scrunchies"

Group,, "Four days in Yosemitie"

"Walking the highways, walking the streams"

Group,, "We're cleaning up Yosemite"




"Fruit punch boxes and the straw covering's"

Group,, "Four days in Yosemite"

"Sanitary Napkin's and more TP"

Group "Four days in Yosemite"

"Curry village parking, and Ken Yeager's dream"

Group,, "Were cleaning up Yosemite"

Group,, "Were cleaning up Yosemite"

And the big ending,,,

Group,, "Were cleaning up Yo,, sem,, i,,teee",, in four part harmony,






Aloha :)






HighDesertDJ

Trad climber
Sep 29, 2012 - 11:16pm PT
toadgas said
arent they supposed to be picking up trash instead of drinking beer and passing out drunk and shitt?

Gotta make sure there is enough trash to pick up.
WBraun

climber
Sep 29, 2012 - 11:21pm PT
They're all over there now drinkin beer again ......


climbski2

Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
Sep 29, 2012 - 11:23pm PT
Then what r u doing here?? Go have some fun grumpy
WBraun

climber
Sep 29, 2012 - 11:40pm PT
They're gonna run out of beer.

Then they're all gonna have to run out too and git moor .....
WBraun

climber
Sep 29, 2012 - 11:43pm PT
Nope ....

This beer is tool less beer .....
climbski2

Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
Sep 29, 2012 - 11:47pm PT
Here ya go Werner!

neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Sep 29, 2012 - 11:49pm PT
hey there say, all...


ken knows my mom... me and chappy's mom...

whenever she'd go on nature walks, she would have some old bag and pick up trash... just couldn't help herself, :)
it was fun to be with her too, during those times...

her sister, who would have been in her 80's (which my mom is now) used to do it, too... when you love the greatoutdoors, you do well for her...

my poor mom was always worried her sis would be hit by a car and kept tellng her to stay back over more, :))
(instead she fell through the ice in her own backyard pond and died, doing
some other kind of nature work) :(

well--
deligent workers, at it there were...

mom has a bad knee now--but she'd be picking up trash, if she could...
did it at all the nearby parks, too, where she walked...
she really gets upset seeing all that garbage folks drop all over, :(


i always tell her about facelift--so:
i will make note of this and you all and she will send a 'good for you!'
your way!


thanks for sharing, folks...
so nice to always hear who gets to go, and how it all turned out...

sorry, could not contribute to the raffle this year, :(
but--did contribute to someones home (some older folks), a little gift, instead...
:)
WBraun

climber
Sep 29, 2012 - 11:56pm PT
I should go over there and steal their beer.

Then riot will start.

I'll have to hide in neebee's house .....
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Sep 30, 2012 - 12:00am PT
hey there say, werner...


you best wait 'til the ol' shed is fixed, or the squirrels will get it...

sure couldn't keep it in the house, or the cats would get it...

ohmyyyyyyy, say.... i reckon that plan's scratched now, ;)


the basements out--it's full of salt... :))
(don't ask) ;))



edit:
happy good eve to you... :)
john hansen

climber
Sep 30, 2012 - 12:08am PT
This one is for E Kat


Facelift climbers drink
Picking up garbage for days
The valley is clean
Captain...or Skully

climber
Sep 30, 2012 - 01:49am PT
Sometimes, glorious things happen, unreported.
Grins all the same.
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Sep 30, 2012 - 03:21pm PT
hey there say..... ooops, werner, sorry that
post of mine sounded odd...

i read too fast... i THOUHT you were going to
hide that BEER there...

you sure could hide out here--but you're cover is blown now...
... :)


how is sunday at facelift doing?

BooDawg

Social climber
Butterfly Town
Sep 30, 2012 - 05:36pm PT
As Ed Abbey once said, "One word is worth a thousand pictures, IF it's the right word."
BLUEBLOCR

Social climber
joshua tree
Sep 30, 2012 - 06:22pm PT
Thanks Neebee!
I just read your letter from last night.. I must say it rather touched me.
It reminded me a lot of my own grandmother... And how I cherish my memories of our past life experiences.

Jus Be'in Greatfull
BB
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Sep 30, 2012 - 06:33pm PT
Fricking new puter has no port for a camera card! Lord am I getting old!

Think I found it...

Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Sep 30, 2012 - 06:34pm PT
Did you guys just see Werner loading kegs of flat tire into a golf cart and heading out of the valley? I'd swear it was him.....
phylp

Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
Sep 30, 2012 - 07:55pm PT
I just got home from my first Facelift. It was a lot of fun and I felt happy to help do something for the Park.

Y'all may have to wait another day or so for reports with pictures. I never remember to take any.

I spent my first day there (Thursday) doing trail work with a great crew headed by Steve/Stevie near Bishop's Terrace. After lifting heavy rocks all day, I was kind of trashed but I decided to check out the slide show action that night. Got there early enough to get a seat but the place filled up fast and was soon packed to overflowing. Tim was very funny doing the intro for the night as MC. The first talk was by the park geologist Greg (?) Stock and was fun and informative. But after the first talk the noise and heat were getting to me so I bailed and went home for a quiet evening.

I ran into Hightraverse at the slide show and we made a plan to do a little climbing plus trash picking around Pat & Jack's/Cascade Creek. It was really TOO HOT to be climbing in the sun, but I wanted somewhere we could get to quickly and still have some time for our service work. So on Friday me, Hightraverse, and Jim (Lucky) from So Cal had a fun day together.

Saturday I reconnected with an old climbing partner who is doing some volunteer stuff in the park for a few months. We had a short window to climb before her shift started so again I ended up climbing in the TOO HOT SUN. After a cold shower, I headed off to MEATFEST! That was a GREAT party and it was wonderful to meet in person a lot of people I had only interacted with on the Taco. Too many to name...
Someone was taking pictures - I'm sure they'll show up within a few days.

Most folks were staying through Sunday and headed out tonite or tomorrow.
Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Sep 30, 2012 - 10:48pm PT
Just back to my way station at my brother-in-law's in Clovis, then on to Altadena early tomorrow.

I had to laugh at Werner's update each night. Should be on a t-shirt or something. Ha ha! I was reading the posts in the ditch late at night on the darkness Curry Village lounge and almost posted, but was just to worn out from all the non-stop fun and good work. And it really was non-stop!

Some highlights that I can recall since I arrived Tuesday evening:

Riding my bike everywhere for events and my daily trash clean-up: Mirror Lake (got to hear mega-loud blasting of boulders from the rockslide twice... scared the bejeebus our me the first time!), Manure Pile picnic area to El Cap woods/boulders, turn outs on 140 from Pohono bridge on down, and yesterday, Wawona Tunnel lookout up the Pohono Trail about 3 miles and back. Definitely have quads of steel after all that.

Cumulatively, I found a complete outfit: socks (baby socks/2 pair on the same day), half a set of tighty-whitey's, a flip flop and water shoe (may have been the same foot though) and a t-shirt. Best booty for me was a chalk bag at the Snow Creek/Mirror Lake trail junction. If you think it's yours give me a description and I'll be happy to send it to you. Oh, and I found a small nut right next to my tent in UP.

The yoga at Yeller Pines on Wednesday to Friday... great each day in different ways. On Thursday, the class was just going to be me and the teacher. Then a woman shows up and the teacher asks her name and where she is from... When she said "Audrey" and "Boston" I knew immediately she was Lilabiene. The class and discussion afterward were powerful and moving.

Evening programs: yes, they were a sweat-fest and it smelled like a gym, but geez, climbers are stinky and sweaty a lot of the time we were together anyway. I did almost pass out during Conrad's Shark's Fin film from a combo of tiredness, hunger, a beer, standing up in sweaty stinky gym and see a guy in the film in the hospital just after he'd skied of a cliff in the Tetons. Got outside when I knew I was about to keel over. Some fresh air and complimentary Mariposa Coffee Co. hot beverage brought me back in a short while. So much so that I had another beer later after the Reel Rock intermission.

Greg Stock's geology talk was really interesting (nutshell: sh#t is falling down in the valley... who knew!). He is an entertaining speaker and is doing some really cool and important research. James Lucas' Lifestyle climber talk was hilarious. Unbelievably funny and creative that guy. And in general, I enjoyed all the programs. They were far ranging but I think everyone really appreciated that all these folks gave their time to entertain us each night.

Beer: the deal was you got a stainless steel mug for 25 clams and free refills for the whole week. I really am digging New Belgium beer (Fat Tire is my fave) and I don't drink beer usually, but this stuff was exceptional IMHO. The proceeds went to the YCA, so that made the deal sweeter. I forgot my mug one night, so now I have a matching set. Completely worth it!

But the peeps—you know who you are—are the best. So many faces, some I got to spend some time with some observed from afar. Met lots of new folks and some I already knew (but only on the taco stand). Really appreciate connecting with y'all! Meatfest was ground zero of course. The food was good, the spirits flowed freely, things got burned, and there was awesomely beautiful music. A few trains got derailed (including me!) but with the kindness of others, I think everyone ended up back o the right track.

I'm probably forgetting a bunch of other events and people, but hey, it was non-stop! Oh yeah, can't forget Ken, Jesse, Ben and Ken's core volunteer gang up at registration... those folks were really putting in the time, with a smile and a good sense of humor. Huge, huge thanks to them. These events, when well done, can look easy to put together when it all goes smoothly to the outsider. But I've organized events before (not on this scale... well maybe one!) and I really appreciate the untold and unseen efforts that go on behind the scenes to make everything go so smoothly... it ain't always pretty folks! Hats off to Ken and all those good peeps!

One last thing: Found this couple settling into the camp site next to mine early this morning and thought they looked kinda familiar.... after an 1/8th of a second, I realized it was MisterE and Justthemaid... had a great chat with them. And please wish them a happy anniversary... they are going to celebrate with brunch at the Ahwahnee with a gift certificate they got from last year's Facelift! Good on ya guys! I'm raising a beer to you right now!

OK, now I gotta go pass out! :-)

Cheers,
Eric
Paul Martzen

Trad climber
Fresno
Sep 30, 2012 - 10:51pm PT
Here are a few campfire photos from Wednesday night at Yellow Pines.

murcy

Gym climber
sanfrancisco
Sep 30, 2012 - 10:59pm PT
Great to see old and new friends. The campfire scene and meatfest at Yellow Pine were fun, with TimidTopRope and the Cashners in top form musically and with many, many interesting people to chat up. Just to rattle off a few handles with no pretense at anything like completeness: Sullly, Phylp, SCSeagoat & Ferretlegger, MalDaly, Nita, Fishfinder, GLee, OnTheEdge (and kids), Hartouni, Linda Jarrett (does she post here?), VegasClimber & Christina, Lolli, drc, yosguns, H, LuckyPink, Crowley, MightyHiker, Hudon and nephew, Lynne Leichtfuss, Fletcher, Harpo . . .

Fun climbing with JOEY.F, HighTraverse, and non-STers Ingrid and Julie getting their trad back on.

I didn't see a whole lot of picture-taking. I managed to take one with my phone:

johntp

Trad climber
socal
Sep 30, 2012 - 11:02pm PT
Found this couple settling into the camp site next to mine early this morning and thought they looked kinda familiar.... after an 1/8th of a second, I realized it was MisterE and Justthemaid... had a chat with them. And please wish them a happy anniversary...

Well hey! Happy Anniversary you two! Inquiring minds want to know: was bacon involved?
phylp

Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
Sep 30, 2012 - 11:09pm PT
Yeah, props to Khanom and then Hudon's nephew for manning the burger grill at Meatfest. The latter is a very nice guy named Peter or Paul (or one of the Apostles). At one point I brought him a big glass of wine since he was stuck over the hot charcoal; the next day I thought "gee I hope he was older then 21". I'd hate to be guilty of contributing to the delinquency of a minor!
Ed Hartouni

Trad climber
Livermore, CA
Oct 1, 2012 - 12:24am PT
just got back... great time as usual!
ran into a whole host of old friends,
and made a bunch of new friends...
fun times...

some quick images from the Friday event:

Beer!

waiting for beer!!

too much beer!!!

working for his beer...

many of the old generation attended...

...inspired by the feats of the younger generation!

the older generation had some pretty amazing feats too this year!

and inspired in their own way

inspiration fatigue?

or just overwork?

old and new engaged in their favorite past time, discussing climbing

catching up at intermission...

and some hats tell it all - NOT!

great times...






Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Oct 1, 2012 - 12:29am PT
Yes, huge props to Khanom and all who helped create the great spread. Somebody (sorry, I forget who) made some superb homemade pickles. Made those great burgers even better!

I took some photos, but will have to wait until I get home to see what I have. Mostly I was out solo pickin' trash and was taking shots of Half Dome, El Cap, the Merced, etc. and sending them to family under the "reporting in from the office" guise. :-)

Eric
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Oct 1, 2012 - 11:13am PT
hey there say, BB.... thanks for sharing the gramma note...

and johntp... thanks for sharing the pictures...
and jaybro...

wow, that werne is something, huh, :))


thanks for all the fun,you all...
really makes our day...


:)
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Oct 1, 2012 - 11:16am PT
hey there say, wow... just saw that there's a whole lot moreeeeeeeee reports in...

phylp
fletcher
timid and more...

thanks so much!!!!!

will go back and read all of them!!!
:)
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Oct 1, 2012 - 11:38am PT
What a little pity party!

Gang That Did Not Go:

There's always next year, when LilaBiene will do her first 5.11 lead.

She DID NOT promise, but this person is amazingly capable. It won't be long, I think.

The photo of Mastadon and LilaBiene? It is a genuine Dolt, there were a couple of other goodies shown off at the time, as well, the rarest the channel Stoveleg piton Don found at the base of the Nose some time. He may have posted photos of it, or is planning on doing so.

As for myself, the meat was neat.

The Vegas Climbers (Bonjour, mademoiselle Christina) are a charming couple and I am so sorry to have missed meeting MrE and Skip.

Tom Rhorer, the 77-year-old Fart, has some great tales, some really bad-ass jokes, and great style. He is stuck out in Utah these days. He and LiilaBiene attempted to do some aid climbing on the Churchbowl test-piece but it was taken.

Ed Hartouni, the photo spread it really fine, man. The young gal in the photo is not fatigued. She is disappointed that young Alex Honnold would not remove his shirt. He is such a tease!

Presentations are not presentations w/o introductions by introducers, so here is my thanks to MalDaly, especially, who took one for the gang up there. He looked so cool and gave so much. And the borrachos were not up to his standards, but that's just a challenge for next year.

Ultimately, the best thing I did was to get rescued. My lips are sealed but my respect for certain old dogs in this group got a huge kick in the ass. My thanks again, my friend.

Brokedownclimber, so pleased to have made your acquaintance and to hear your tales of Culp and Ament and Kor and others. Hope to hear more next year.

We weren't all over at the East Auditorium drinkin' beer.

The Producers Dairy has stopped using the Hoppy's Favorite logo. But their buttermilk is still the best and it is ONLY 99 cents a quart, cheapest I have seen buttermilk anywhere.

Tom Evans' gift of two posters to me is appreciated greatly. I kept the one signed by Hiro and Hans. I gave the NA Wall panoramic shot to LilaBiene, the Taco posters signed it with their handles and I have to thank them for doing so. I know it took you away from conversations, etc, but the end results were very gratifying. There were something like thirty or more signatures, I think. As I sat down for wine and doob with the likes of Timid Tightrope, JoeyF, and Fletcher, the table where we were sitting was the one with the poster taped down on it. Someone, somehow, spilled wine on the thing, but we got it dried out. Later, when everyone crashed out but Me, the keeper of the campfire flame two nites running, DRC came into camp and we then proceeded to demolish not only Fletcher's flask of Jack, spilling some on the table bench and "forcing ourselves" to do the right thing and lick it up so as not to waste Fletcher's elixir.

As the poster was almost dry by then, I asked Victor to draw up a Nose topo, a Supertopo supertopo, if you will, on the back side of the poster. He obliged and he brought out a bottle of Jack of Tennessee which managed to disappear before our very eyes.

I am exhausted. I feel like I did after the Salathe, only even more satisfied. Thanks to one and all for your friendship and the liquor and the food.

Off belay.
MFM

Edit, but mostly thanks to new friends: Greatest news, shared gladly with the climbing community, is that JoeyF did his first lead, but I did not gather if it was his first lead of all time or the first 5.9 lead. Enquiring minds wish to know, so post up and tell everyone about it, dude, if you will. Thanks and MAJOR PROPS! Happy, happy, joy, Joey! And, I have the dregs of the American Spirit and hold it in trust till next Facelift. And Fletcher, it was my pleasure. Shy Slackline, Uke Rock and the Trashmen are super awesome. Thanks for the breakfast concert with Cashner and Reid. And to GregLee, the first guy I met, see you in the funny papers, it's apparently where we all belong! Dan Truong y Phillipe de SB, merci beaucoup pour polissage mon francais. And lastly, thanks to Lolly for setting me straight, a tough job, certainly, and thanks, lastly, for the parking spot in the Village Store lot, as LilaBiene was worried about her gasoline reserves driving around seeking an empty legal spot. We amazed people of all stripes and I managed on Sunday, waiting for LilaBiene and Tom Rhorer (at Churchbowl), to to get a mechanic (who also had been a stock car driver/owner and a black ops operator and goodness knows what else) visiting from Fresno over to the Registration area, where he had a great time, promising to try to make it to the Lift next year. Turns out that people come to Yosemite for all sorts of reasons, but 99% of them would like to spend more time there. We are so fortunate to be able to educate them and yet use them as targets for our humor.

Lastly, Nita's advice on bringing your own gloves and hand sanitizer is the best advice I ever heard!!! Fecal matter, yech!!!


Mike Bolte

Trad climber
Planet Earth
Oct 1, 2012 - 11:51am PT
nice photos Paul, Ed and Timid! Thanks.
yosguns

climber
Durham, NC
Oct 1, 2012 - 12:56pm PT
It was so nice to meet some of you and see some of you again. Great to put real smiling faces to names! My camera never made it out of the car, so I'm glad to see some photos here.

Another note, I was so impressed at the level of organization of Facelift and all the work that went in. Thanks, Ken, Harrison, George, etc. etc. etc. Job well done to all the volunteers and supporters. :)
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Oct 1, 2012 - 01:32pm PT
Climbski2,
I just read your post about Mr. Mark, the strongest climber on two wheels and the strongest skier on two arms. High Mark! Pleasure to have met you at long last.

I was fortunate to meet Mark's protege, Mr. O'Neill, and his mom, the lovely Mrs. O'Neill, who was visiting the Ditch for the first time. WOW!!!!!!!!!! There will be other days, no doubt, to accomplish your project. Learning curves suck but we need them, as not everyone has Mr. Corbett to generously donate his expertise.

Mike lives in Fresno Flats and may not have come since he was inundated by visitors like the Goldman clan. Speaking of which, it was a delight to share the flames and tequila, Chuck and Mary! Peyton Place, eh? And hello to the future slack-liner, Preston; and also to his elder brother,MC Goldman, USMC.

YosemiteSteve

Trad climber
CA
Oct 1, 2012 - 01:43pm PT
Here's a crowd scene from opening night. Hot & stuffy in the East Aud!


Yes, there were some great presentations, but here's the real reason for the crowds:


Also the reason for my hangovers...
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Oct 1, 2012 - 02:55pm PT
Hey, Silver. Bud, sorry, but I don't remember you. :)
Now I do. Glorious times in the pines!

Just like to point up some IDs from the above pix.

Paul, nice campfire shots, bro.

In that string, the top one is of Chuck and Mary Goldman spraying with a nameless sadhu. The fourth shot is of Travis, the Vegas Climber. I am glad he did not stay in Vegas.

On the bottom's THE TOP GUN OUT OF MONTANA, Gary Lee. Glad he came to California, through thick and thin.

Timidly Taking Pix, nice shot of BooDawg, his protege LilaBiene, and Mastadon. That's Roger Brown in back, in a cool Royal Robbins pose. An awesome, dedicated HERO!!!!!
JOEY.F

Gym climber
It's not rocket surgery
Oct 1, 2012 - 03:00pm PT
Post Facelift Blues, Go Away!!!
Trash wise, it was micro mostly, although the area between Lower River CG towards the river yielded cans and bottles, some really old wet gear. GLee found what looked to be some sort of memorial with feathers, silver, pouches and a wood carving. It was nice meeting you Greg.
Meatlift was awesome, Khanom pulled out his chef skillz quickly and no one went hungry. Everyone brought something to make and or share, Mal made drunken beans yum.
For the record, the lead bit i did was one pitch of 5.6, (tempting to keep the 5.9 prop MFM, but dang conscience...) It was my first. Thanks Murcy for your encouragement and patience. Between that and V0's we got full value...
All the stories of music, friends, laughter are true. Beautiful full moon nights at the Yeller Pines.
I took exactly 2 photos,

Take care everyone!

That Darn French Guy

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Oct 1, 2012 - 08:00pm PT
...rising from the dead, my account lives.... and emmits the funk of forty thousand years (conveniently concentrated in the yosemite auditorium) in your general direction.

Shout to the Yellow Pines Site D posse!

I'll post a few pics of what the 2012 facelift was for me soon.

Timid toprope: Great pics.
Jan

Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
Oct 1, 2012 - 11:09pm PT
Here's a bump in hopes of getting more photos posted.
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Oct 1, 2012 - 11:18pm PT
Twenty-twelve.

My second Camping Grade VI, my seasons in Camp 4 being the first.

I flashed this one, as did we all!!!

Vaoyage bra, Syster Lolli.

Lynne the Lovely Leichtfuss, how was Sunset Inn?

Chicken Skinner and all the vols, same time next year.

I'll do a lot more hauling.

Guck

Trad climber
Santa Barbara, CA
Oct 1, 2012 - 11:36pm PT
LuckyPink

climber
the last bivy
Oct 2, 2012 - 01:16am PT
yay ED! Portaledge winner!!
Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Oct 2, 2012 - 02:44am PT
Yes, the lucky portaledge winner! Of course, for Ed, this represents new opportunities and horizons for OW pro!

What's a work project without jstan moving a boulder 80x times his weight? The man has given me something new to aspire to! And love the simple engineering of the trash bag opener. Very nice!

Will see what photos I have to post up later. Mongo need sleep now.

Eric
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Oct 2, 2012 - 03:54am PT
"imminent shower of Cliff Bars."

Best in show, Guck! Enlarge this and start playing "Who dat" with your garbage-minded mates. Dirty mind, dirty mind. What on earth do you expect after inspecting the earth for garbage.

"You are above that which you seek, Luke."
you think Jstan's idea's neat? getta loada these babies:

Ken's not 100% on the idea, nor is the NPS. Possible risk of fire danger?

We could maybe trial run them down where my van's parked by the Merced. Again.

Or maybe CosmicCragsman can check them out.
Don't force it, Dwain. Time is on your side. Which side was it?
jstan

climber
Oct 2, 2012 - 03:55am PT
Just back. The early southbound 714 hit a semi while going full speed. All five cars were derailed. 50 people in the hospital. Our train was right behind but even so Amtrak managed to delay us only one hour. Phenomenal achievement! I am thinking some of the remote switches may not be retransmitting. Central control needs to hear the switch reporting back that it has made the desired setting.

Here is a link:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/programs.htm

The NPS is fully behind the Facelift model. Facelift is going big time. It is going to take some thought about how to ramp up without paying a price somewhere. Ken and his crew are really bright. They will figure it out.

There was relatively little macro-trash. A half a paper towel is now macro-trash. One of the days, (I don't remember which) I did a poop run on the Falls Trail. Rather than carry everything to the top I left three drops beside the trail. The last one was a heavy jacket covered with brown stains. Right after leaving it a passing young lady tried to figure out how to carry the unbagged poop all the way back. I hollered that I would pick it up on the way back, so she left it. But later I found the first two drops were both gone. She got them. People really want to be a part of this.

You may remember I once speculated that wearing a loincloth allows one's work output to increase by a good 30%. It is no longer a speculation. At the core meeting Heather Boothe the NPS leader told the core people wearing the official NPS shirt always to wear their pants. On the way down on the Falls Trail I had an intermittent flashlight and needed to beat the sun. Now that I had confirmation from the NPS I upped my output by 30% and successfully beat the sun. The effect is real.(It was very late so there was no risk of an embarrassing incident.)

The Valley is as clean or cleaner than I have ever before seen it. The last two days it seemed every person you saw, was carrying a grabber.


crasic

climber
Oct 2, 2012 - 07:42am PT
Plenty of "macro-trash" in the river

We walked a short stretch of the Merced from the 120/140 fork to the bridge where the loop starts and picked up 50 pounds of big heavy stuff. Including what appeared to be a part of a bench or bridge.

Can't imagine how much would be picked up if we walked more of the river, but we only had two days.
MisterE

Social climber
Oct 2, 2012 - 09:13am PT
Got back late last night from our 2-day "BANZAI!" run (as Skip is calling it). Really glad we carved out the time and energy to do the mad dash.

We got 56 pounds of trash from a new spot, with hundreds more next year. Ken said he would lend us his truck for the big hauls. It's like finding a new route or something! Reminded me of the first time 6 years ago when trash was to be found everywhere - of course, one has to be willing to go a little further afield...

Great to see friends again! Sorry we didn't get to see some of you: MFM, Khanom, Lynne (we hear you have something for us, but didn't see you), Nita and TT, SCSeagoat & Ferretlegger, Dawn and Ricky, Ed and others.

Great to meet some new people, like Fletcher, Dr. Pang, and the original Madbolter (Tom Rohrer).

Highlights: Finally shook hands with the honorable WBraun; got to catch up with friend and Chief-of-Staff Mike Gauthier; stuffed ourselves at brunch at the Awahnee on Monday after climbing 2 of the 5 open books; great as always to see Ken & Bri, George, Grant and others and help with the final closing shop on Sunday; found an archaeological site with lots of bottles/cans/ceramic and reported it; and finally:

Looks like Skip and I will be hosting Upper Pines for Facelift next year, Ken totally fished us into the offer yesterday.

We had a great time, as always! See you all next year!

Foot-note: I don't know how we did it, but we made it from Canoga Park to Upper Pines in 5 hours and 5 minutes Saturday night. Mrs. Todd's short-cut?
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Oct 2, 2012 - 11:12am PT
More pictures! We demand MORE PICTURES!
Lynne Leichtfuss

Trad climber
Will know soon
Oct 2, 2012 - 12:47pm PT
Yes Erik, I do have something for you and Skip. Sorry I didn't see you guys. Send me your mailing address and I'll get it to you asap. Cheers, Lynne
dirt claud

Social climber
san diego,ca
Oct 2, 2012 - 12:49pm PT
Looks like a great time guys. Thanks for the pics. Gotta make one of these events soon.
Lynne Leichtfuss

Trad climber
Will know soon
Oct 2, 2012 - 12:49pm PT
Mouse, working away. The coast is fantastic. Wish I could have spent more time with my friends in The Valley. Cheers, Lynne
Guck

Trad climber
Santa Barbara, CA
Oct 2, 2012 - 12:58pm PT
splitclimber

climber
Sonoma County
Oct 2, 2012 - 01:24pm PT
Looks like a super fun time. Good to know the park is so clean.

My wife and I were in the meadows and did manage to pickup some trash around the glen aulin TH and a little bit at young lakes.

A beautiful weekend with no trash or climbers on Conness west face. :)
JEleazarian

Trad climber
Fresno CA
Oct 2, 2012 - 01:43pm PT
Thanks to everyone who helped, and particularly (from my viewpoint) to those who posted all the pictures. I was wishing I could be there all week, but seeing you in photos helped to ease a little of the pain.

Next year for sure!

john
Ihateplastic

Trad climber
It ain't El Cap, Oregon
Oct 2, 2012 - 01:50pm PT
Guck... Thanks for a pic that shows the 2012 Facelift shirt!




Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Oct 2, 2012 - 03:19pm PT
jstan wrote:

> The Valley is as clean or cleaner than I have ever before seen it.
> The last two days it seemed every person you saw, was carrying a grabber.

A strong second to that!

Yes, MisterE and Justthemaid have a way with finding trash stashes... heard a few of their techniques and tips in our brief but fun encounter. Was really glad to have you guys!

Eric
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Oct 2, 2012 - 09:26pm PT

You know, you'll always find Ed and Jstan where the hardest work is going on.
They're like the energizer bunny, they just keep going, going, going. . .
BooDawg

Social climber
Butterfly Town
Oct 3, 2012 - 04:38am PT
Making camp at Yellow Pines Tuesday afternoon, I took this pic of Matthew:


At the E. Auditorium, who can forget the energy that Tim O'Niell gives to the events?


And of course, without Ken Yager's vision and follow-thru, none of this would have happened:



Wednesday, Lisa and I went down to Cascade Creek and picnic area to do pick-up; she found a lovely half of a silver purse, now in the archeologist's keeping. I found a brick but left in place taking a GPS waypoint for the archeologist. Then we went up to shower at Cascade Fall:




Then the raffle that night: WHAT a GREAT TEAM!


Later, inside, the place was PACKED AND SWELTERING: Mouse, HighTraverse, BooDawg, Lisa:


Sybille and ???


Tim's high energy & enthusiasm kept the crowd always up...


Ben Lepesant WOWED US with his trip to Baffin Island.


Then Mike Schaefer kept up the energy with his climbs and photography closer to home.


Later, Conrad Anker whose story we'd seen the previous night on the Reel Rock Film first offer up the original artwork that went onto the YCA water bottles for auction:


And still later, Conrad was SO CASUAL (AND HUMBLE) telling more about his personal story and philosophy:


The next day was a real treat, one that I and many others here on the Taco had been looking forward to: meeting LilaBiene, the daughter of Bill "Dolt" Feuerer who had only recently discovered who her birth parents were. I wanted to show her some of the Ditch, especially some perspectives on El Cap. 5 or us, Lisa, LilaBiene, Mouse From Merced, Lee Ann, and I decided we'd clean up the Pohono Trail between Sentinel Dome and "Tunnel View," an overly ambitious project as it turned out. Our first stop was "Tunnel View."


Then we made a brief detour to Washburn Point:


Finally, we 5 hit the trail toward Taft and Dewey Points:


Soon we got out to the Fissures at Taft Pt.:





Eventually, we reached Bridalveil Creek where we had lunch before continuing on toward Dewey Pt.:



The view from Dewey Point was quite spectacular, and The Nose stood out in bold profile:


The gals went on to "Tunnel View" while Mouse and I took the Dewey Pt. ski trail to the Glacier Pt. Road:



From there, we hitched a ride back to Yellow Pines, tired but glad to be back to camp.

Next day, I got a shot of Superintendent Neubacher and Mike Gaultier brown-bagging their lunches while observing the Facelift proceedings. So great to feel that the climbing community has ears in the Park Service...


Later, around raffle time, Mastadon showed up with an original Dolt Stoveleg piton, and he shared it with LilaBiene and some others there. The Mad Bolter (Tom Rohrer) generously gave LilaBiene an original Dolt piton to add to her growing collection. She is SO APPRECIATIVE AND OVERWHELMED by people's generosity and caring. Her life continues to open wide!


Later that night, James Lucas gave what had to be the most hilarious slideshow, contrasting himself, a "Lifestyle Climber" with Alex Honnold, a "Professional Climber."


Alex, for his part, followed with some of his own humor ("Shall I take my shirt off?") and a Q & A session backed by some slides of him on various climbs:


The next day, Saturday, Ed and Mighty Hiker took LilaBiene up the right side of the Footstool, a climb that her dad had done the FA of, just east of the beginning of The Nose. They all had a GREAT TIME, but she was told that she'd have to write up the TR; then they would add their pictures and their own comments. So come on LilaBiene!

That night at the raffle:






Back in Yellow Pines at the MeatFest, Sentinel was all aglow as were most of the people there:


A special treat for LilaBiene was the presence of Catherine Baldridge who had known LilaBiene's birth mother since both were members of the UCLA Bruin Mountaineers. I'm fairly certain the the Facelift far surpassed all the hopes that LilaBiene may have had for this event.


For my part, I thank you all for participating in the Facelift and I look forward to seeing you next year.



Thank you Timid, Mouse, and others for your kind words.





Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Oct 3, 2012 - 12:09pm PT
That was a great post Boodawg. You told a good story and made for an enjoyable morning read. You can't be everywhere and this was a part of Facelift I wanted to see. TPFU!

Eric
Fish Finder

Social climber
THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
Oct 3, 2012 - 12:37pm PT



One morning I handed out some oranges to all that were in YellowPines



Still cant stop laughing from when Tom (madbolter)whom I have never spoke to before replies..

Donkey Shank

Brandon-

climber
The Granite State.
Oct 3, 2012 - 12:40pm PT
One morning I handed out some oranges to all that were in YellowPines

That's so, like, Burning Man bro.

Wish I could have made it to meet so many of you. Next year I guess.

Thanks for sharing pictures from the trenches.
LuckyPink

climber
the last bivy
Oct 3, 2012 - 12:48pm PT
Fish Finder those oranges were excellent ! :) Great to see you!
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Oct 3, 2012 - 01:43pm PT
Here's an unapologetic BUMP for the Event of the Year. Congrats to Ed for winning the portaledge!
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Oct 3, 2012 - 02:12pm PT
Great to see you again Lolli! Thanks for the chocolate! Licorice too!
LuckyPink

climber
the last bivy
Oct 3, 2012 - 02:21pm PT
thanks for the caviar Lolli!
ontheedgeandscaredtodeath

Trad climber
San Francisco, Ca
Oct 3, 2012 - 02:25pm PT
I went from site D to being in a suit in southern California for the last two days- highly disorienting! Anyway, great seeing / meeting everyone. Also thanks for all the helping hands with my little guys- they had a blast.
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 3, 2012 - 04:36pm PT
Just checking in. Report, photos, and the True Story when I get home next Monday.
Tobia

Social climber
Denial
Oct 3, 2012 - 04:49pm PT
Looks like I missed out on more than I was already bummed about missing (seeing old friends and new ones)

Any reports of Bob Finn at the facelift? Nice to see that Mastadon is so mobile.

Thanks for the pics!
SCseagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
Oct 3, 2012 - 04:57pm PT
Lolli, ohhh the salty licorice, I waited since last year, now to wait another year...I can do this.

Mighty Hiker, I'm not even Catholic but still feeling sooooo guilty about you catching Ferretlegger and I sneaking in the back door. Oh dear, you were so cool about it.

Wonderful pics everyone, unfortunately I had the dead battery syndrome. Yeah, I know, excuses, excuses


Susan
gstock

climber
Yosemite Valley
Oct 3, 2012 - 06:43pm PT
Early in the week we collected trash from probably the most far-flung location in the park:


The trash was abandoned research equipment from a study of the Maclure Glacier in the 1970's, mostly wooden and metal stakes that were placed in the ice (since melted away) to measure glacier velocity. Even though it only amounted to about 20 lbs worth of trash, we did hike it out 12 miles! I've been studying the Lyell and Maclure glaciers for several years now, and it feels good to get that stuff out of there.


I also wanted to say how much fun I had giving a talk for the Facelift this year. I knew from Timmy's introduction that it wasn't my usual scientific conference gig, but the thunderous roar at the first shot of the Captain clinched it (plus I've never seen New Belgium sponser a scientific conference). Climbing and geology are one and the same in my mind. Thanks, Ken, for the opportunity.


I live in Yosemite Valley and I can say without question that the Facelift makes a big difference in the look and the feel of the place. Even though the amount of trash may be down this year, the park feels refreshed in a way that goes far beyond the tonnage. Thanks for the huge effort everyone.

Greg
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Oct 3, 2012 - 08:54pm PT
Nice posts; keep them coming...
Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Oct 3, 2012 - 09:14pm PT
Lolli, thanks for the weird licorice. I liked it. Would work well on long slogging approaches (or walk-outs) or extended belays. Thanks too for the eggs and caviar! Awesome.

onetheedges' kids were a real treat. I had a few interesting conversations with them.

And thanks again, Greg! You're talk was truly educating, interesting, and funny. You're a good speaker/teacher.

Cheers,
Eric
LuckyPink

climber
the last bivy
Oct 4, 2012 - 04:13am PT
mouse from merced!! I have something special of yours that was left at Yellow Pines! check your email.


JOEY.F

Gym climber
It's not rocket surgery
Oct 4, 2012 - 04:48am PT
Chicken Skinner

Trad climber
Yosemite
Oct 4, 2012 - 04:52am PT
Sweet Joey. Ouch would have loved that one. Thanks for the wine.

Ken

P.S. That darn french guy. What an amazing picture that 40 second exposure is. Would make a great flyer for next year.
JOEY.F

Gym climber
It's not rocket surgery
Oct 4, 2012 - 04:58am PT
Yeah, Ouch! inspired, lucky me.
I agree about TDFG's style, would look really nice on a t.
That Darn French Guy

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Oct 4, 2012 - 07:35pm PT
Ken, i wouldn't mind if it did :)

And sorry guys, use the links to see all the pics. It was way too slow to push them here. Like 5min/pic is not reasonable... Else I would have put all the firepit portraits up.
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Oct 4, 2012 - 09:48pm PT
TDFG--
I don't blame you for c-righting. The picture #5 is great, with some of the features I love best.

The cotty-woods in the center, though, should've been cut down so as not to get in the way of your shot. I and tourists like the lady I met on the bus, agree.

"Why are so many trees allowed to stand when they are obviously burned and of no use to anyone? They just ruin the shot."

Why are you taking such great pix of useless old hulks around the campfire? :)
Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Oct 5, 2012 - 03:19am PT
Been saving these words for sometime now, knowing they'd come in handy and I think they are apropos to Facelift. On the topic, "What is Success?"

"To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—this is to have succeeded."

These words are often incorrectly attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson (who often dealt with an early young arrogant punk named Thoreau). The Emerson Society sets us straight if you are interested in where it actually came from):

http://emerson.tamu.edu/Ephemera/Success.html

Eric


mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Oct 5, 2012 - 07:12am PT
Post-Partum Red Ink Blues,
or I Wish I Said That, Said the Mouse

Fletcher,

I love the idea that we can "view our original messages in a separate reality" prompt/feature when we "enter our replies below;" by using it, following the accepted, if not intuitive, grammar, punctuation, and spelling (for example: '"It's why there are toolbars," said the Mouse."') mis-attribution might happen less frequently; if indeed it happened in the manner Eric outlined in the example given. It prevents excessive spew. It is a literary condom, in a manner of squeaking, said the Mouse.

Mis-attribution is a serious waste of scholarly time and it leads to "Wanta virus." I just don't know how this sh#t can happen in our day and age. A writer needs to protect himself, so why not literary Trojans?, said the Mouse.

I hope the literary spawn of 2012 Facelift is as epic as the story I plan on telling on our Arrow-Straight, Truth-Teling Fletcher next year around the Facelift campfire based on this year's adventures, said the Mouse.

Top that, Kerouac, said the Mouse.

Fletcher and I have become fast friends based on experiences common both to our private lives, the fact we're both climbers, and we both appreciate poetry. Aside from that we shared an adventure. His is not the only adventure I shared. I shared many, so rest easy, my fellow-travellers. I have set Fletcher a-thinking on his ST gnomen and I can tell the similes are flowin in his brain. Sing the refrain, said the Mouse.

He has two daughters. I have two.

He's a solid climber. I was.

He likes epic poetry. I like comedy.

Calliope. Thalia.

Computer genius. Shy rodent.

We are now friends in fact as well as on the net.



The foregoing has been brought to you by French Frenzz brand litcoms, when you need a hand, said the Mouse.

'"Use litcoms and "Say 'Amen'" to mis-attribution. I do, said the Mouse."'--Ike Hahn

I echo the Broken Down One: "More More Pictures Pictures."

Way too many faces and new friends for old brains to cope with. A round of golfs, at the least, for all the photogs! How you say, BUMP!
Marlow

Sport climber
OSLO
Oct 5, 2012 - 07:33am PT
MisterE

Social climber
Oct 5, 2012 - 08:37am PT
Harrison Hood and I became fast friends at our first Facelift together, as well - through experiences related during the process of collecting trash in our Yosemite Park.

Volunteerism creates a special opportunities in life, I have cherished that place and the doors it opens for many years.

Selflessness begets selflessness. The simple act of giving.

Thanks for the reminder, Mouse - hope to meet you next year.

The Wolfe in the Park
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Oct 5, 2012 - 10:17am PT
The Jobless Report, I mean the Jogs Report, this morning listed some positive news. You can read up on it. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-jobless-rate-falls-7-123110106.html
What they won't say is that the 'doing stuff for free even though you have a job index," or the volindex, as staffers call it, has gone up consistently at the end of September for the last several years and is directly proportionate to the number of Facelift volunteers and participants. This is from a Romney staffer I spoke with at the El Cap bridge the other day. He is sorta burned out on job creationism and was seeking brelief, he said to the Mouse.
He looked just like Bruce.This Bruce.

GLee

Social climber
Missoula MT
Oct 5, 2012 - 12:00pm PT
What a great time @ FL2012. While using the facilities in the Tuesday AM darkness in YP, I met Lolli for the first time, who was still on Swedish time. And among the other old & new friends, the honorable Audrey posing as LilaBiene.

Thanks to H & Lucky Pink, and HighTraverse for the transport to/from YNP.

Here is another shot of OnTheEdge's wonderful kids in YP.

Jack (aka Jackbot) & sis Isabella (aka Izzie)

Hoping to make it next year....

GLee

Edit for HT: You're right. That second sentence does sound kinky.... But Lolli & I politely introduced ourselves as we exchanged hello's on my way back from said facilities.....
HighTraverse

Trad climber
Bay Area
Oct 5, 2012 - 01:40pm PT
While using the facilities Tuesday AM in YP, I met Lolli for the first time
Sounds like a real story there! Enquiring Minds must know!

Greg, good to meet you, glad to help out. Kathy got to her interview on time and Got The Job!!

Too many new acquaintances and old friends to name. Sorry I missed meeting Guido (again), and the Bruce Anchor smack down. Also missed meeting Lile Bene (have I got that nick spelled correctly?)
Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Oct 5, 2012 - 01:53pm PT
And I thought "Locker" and "weird" were synonyms! You learn something every day! Ha! :-)

Eric
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Oct 5, 2012 - 02:59pm PT
Bummed I couldn't make it this year. The pics are awesome.

Matthew looks bored w/o me there around the fire.
That Darn French Guy

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Oct 5, 2012 - 06:21pm PT
Mouse,

I take pictures of old hunks because it amuses me, just like I found it entertaining to see a drunk man confuse port for henessy and bicker with Loli about trifles.
Vegasclimber

Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV.
Oct 5, 2012 - 06:40pm PT
Time for me to chime in on this I guess.

Sorry that I don't have any pictures to share, my camera is kinda out of commission at the moment...turns out it doesn't like hitting granite haha. Christina may have some, if she does I will post them up later.

This was an important trip for me...not only because I feel that Facelift is a critical event both for climber/ranger relations and the conservation effort, but also because a week and a half earlier I had left the Valley on life flight.

Someone asked me not long after I got there if I was "done" and I am glad to say that the answer is no. Climbing means far too much to me to walk away from it. I still have my goals (I'm looking at you, Nose...) and I still want to accomplish them.

The Valley's healing powers did wonders for me, as did hanging around a lot of friends both old and new that were damned happy that I was still alive. Spending time at the Bridge and hanging out with fellow climbers reaffirmed my love for the sport and the people in it.

I met a lot of new people this year, or met them in person for the first time in the real world. I don't want to list everyone in fear of leaving someone out, but I had a great time hanging out with all of you. Hanging around the fire in YP, jamming on guitars or just talking about climbing, Life, the Universe, and Everything - all while enjoying a good cigar - was just what I really needed right now. It was a wonderful experience.

I will say a special thank you to Ken and his tireless efforts to make this event the largest of it's kind in all of our parks, and to Harrison for another year of taking the time and effort to cat herd all of us for the week.

If things go as planned, we will be missing out on next year due to an attempt on Kilimanjaro - but if that falls through we will be there ready to lend a hand.

Thank you again, my friends, for being there to remind me why I love the Valley and love what we do.
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Oct 5, 2012 - 08:32pm PT
The hardest part of Facelift is having to call it "quits" and head home. It's also kinda' hard to learn two names for everyone--the Avatar name and the "real" names. I especially enjoyed hanging out with Mouse, Ontheedge, Vegasclimber, and Harrison Hood (cat herder par exellence!). I don't want to forget Sybille, and Anders, too. Irrepressible Maldaly and his fabulous beans by another name were there to lift our spirits, as well. I won't dare miss the next Facelift!
okie

Trad climber
Oct 5, 2012 - 08:58pm PT
The archeological info given at the facelift was amusing. They showed you examples of bits of trash that assh*les had littered back in their day. Any bit of garbage over 50 years old is now considered "an artifact" and somehow very special. So the stuff y'all missed will someday become part of the treasured historical record of the park.
Lots of fixed gear out there now qualifies as artifact, such as ring angles and the like, placed no doubt by some of the folks on here. Ha Ha!
I also saw the sign at camp 4 that said all persons ages 3 and up must stand in line to register for a site. Impressive new level of fascism: just when I thought they had it dialed in they found a way to turn it up a notch. What are they worried about? That Mr. Dugger is going to pay for one person and then his 25 little heathen are going to charge the site?
corniss chopper

climber
breaking the speed of gravity
Oct 5, 2012 - 09:36pm PT
Yosemite is still full of 'Historical artifacts'. Found these
years ago wandering around looking for a route. They looked undisturbed
as of a month ago and I only passed them again cause we'd left the GPS at home. Fouled up the approach like before.

neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Oct 5, 2012 - 11:07pm PT
hey there, say, all...

thanks so much for all the share... will go back and read more, but i am babysitting tonight, :)
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Oct 5, 2012 - 11:27pm PT
I met a lot of new people this year, or met them in person for the first time in the real world. I don't want to list everyone in fear of leaving someone out, but I had a great time hanging out with all of you. Hanging around the fire in YP, jamming on guitars or just talking about climbing, Life, the Universe, and Everything - all while enjoying a good cigar - was just what I really needed right now. It was a wonderful experience.

I will say a special thank you to Ken and his tireless efforts to make this event the largest of it's kind in all of our parks, and to Harrison for another year of taking the time and effort to cat herd all of us for the week.

If things go as planned, we will be missing out on next year due to an attempt on Kilimanjaro - but if that falls through we will be there ready to lend a hand.

Thank you again, my friends, for being there to remind me why I love the Valley and love what we do.


This is what Facelift does! I keep trying to tell people that the garbage is only the half of it.

Sure, it's essential, but getting climbers together and motivated is AWESOME!!!!!
JOEY.F

Gym climber
It's not rocket surgery
Oct 5, 2012 - 11:31pm PT
Reflecting on the wonderful experiences Facelift provides, I believe that we are living a reincarnation of the Sierra Club outings in Yosemite of days past. A large camp, communal fire and food, daily activities. I think we are the luckiest people on Earth to have that experience. :)
mite

Ice climber
New York
Oct 5, 2012 - 11:48pm PT
I never take wild tour but i have lot of experience and ideas about wild touring. My friends like to get accommodation in Thailand during their wild tour.

http://www.siamvisit.com/
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Oct 5, 2012 - 11:48pm PT
Reflecting on the wonderful experiences Facelift provides, I believe that we are living a reincarnation of the Sierra Club outings in Yosemite of days past. A large camp, communal fire and food, daily activities. I think we are the luckiest people on Earth to have that experience. :)


Yeah, he said it better than me!

Sorry I missed ya, Joey. You know where I'm at.
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 6, 2012 - 12:21am PT
OK, just a few highlights. I have tons of photos, but not the wherewithal to downwhatchamacallit them until I'm home.

MeatFest: Rodger's burgers would cause Werner to repent of his vegetarianism.

Evening events: I was mostly helping with preparations, and in the back pouring beer with the gang, so missed most of the speakers. (It was also too hot for this northerner, not just in the auditorium but generally.) But I did see a few of the speakers/films that I wanted to see.

Greg Stock's talk on Thursday was fantastic! Hopefully we can have a "natural history" type talk once each year, e.g. weather, rescues, etc.

The Camp 4 concierge job went OK, as I was asked to help manage the seven FaceLift sites (= 50 campers). Issuing tent and car tags after hours, and leaving the evening events after the intermission to be where needed. There were glitches - people not showing up as promised and such - but we worked it out, and have ideas for next year. Thanks to Pinkie and Lori for their help and patience with it!

Had lots of fun sharing a site and equipment with Sybille, and doing a moderate climb with her. Plus Leo, Bill Rosenburg the coffee guy, Steve West, and of course jstan.

As always, jstan, Leo, George, Jim and a few others arrived a few days early, to help with preparations. After a day or so we had the bright idea of FaceLifting Ken's red truck, and did so, with help from the garage. They let us borrow their shop-vac and pressure washer, and when we were done, it was almost like new. Almost...

Delightful climbing with Audrey and Ed, and I'll have more to say later.

Nice to see everyone again, as always the two weeks went really quickly, and I can't remember half the people I met - I'll have to look at the thread.

Nice to meet John Penca finally, benefactor of Canadians and others. And so many others.

Lolli and I conquered Lembert Dome on Tuesday, and it was nice and cool up there. We spray painted "Donini was here" on the summit.

Passed on some backcountry graffiti removal equipment and tips to Jesse and Ben, for use if/when. Roger Brown says he may know of some.

Thursday I did the regular route on Higher Cathedral Spire with a Canadian friend. Very impressive for 1934, and quite stout for a "5.9". Today we did the Commitment before I left.
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Oct 6, 2012 - 12:53am PT
Thursday I did the regular route on Higher Cathedral Spire with a Canadian friend. Very impressive for 1934, and quite stout for a "5.9". Today we did the Commitment before I left

Well done! I haven't tacked that yet. I hear it's a blast.
Anastasia

climber
InLOVEwithAris.
Oct 6, 2012 - 01:11am PT
All of you are awesome folks. Sad I missed it but also knowing how difficult Aris was this week, (he is teething) we did good. Hugs and Love from ME! Yes, facelift is so much more and on top of that even better than anything else besides the act of climbing itself.

AFS
maldaly

Trad climber
Boulder, CO
Oct 6, 2012 - 01:23am PT
Anastasia, here's a picture of Mason's first Valley trip:
He was 10 weeks old. Not much climbing was done. You made the right decision but I got the picture!
Mal
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Oct 6, 2012 - 02:33am PT
Holy shit! Ana had a kid? I need to tune in more!

My boy is 4 now, and he climbs like a little monkey. Radz!11!
SCseagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
Oct 6, 2012 - 12:08pm PT
Geez Bluey.....YOU have been too long gone from the Tribe. Ana boy is doing Algebra
now and I even have hair!


Susan
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Oct 6, 2012 - 12:17pm PT
Cheers, Susan! I'll check in more often. Glad to hear you're doing well!
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Oct 6, 2012 - 06:33pm PT
Geez! I met more people than I could count--lost track after 21! ;)

I'm planning to raise another steer and bring even more burger next time. Glad you enjoyed it, Anders! Next year promises to be a "fly-in" to Mariposa, too. I checked out that lovely little airport not too far from The Ditch, before driving home.
Anastasia

climber
InLOVEwithAris.
Oct 6, 2012 - 06:53pm PT
Bluering!
Yeah and I have somehow created a good solid man child too.

Taken this week!!!!


Hugs!
AFS
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Oct 6, 2012 - 07:18pm PT
Cheers Anders and thanks for the mention. I tend to be a lone wolf as it were; not much into the party crowd scene.

Gracked me up to come around the turn in C4 and see you talking with Ben. Good to finally shake hands.

I think Ed thought I was a looney; I saw that unmistakable head of hair heading up the path and introduced myself. His response was pretty much "who the frick are you; I'm busy". Too funny!

Good Times
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Oct 6, 2012 - 07:30pm PT
I really didn't know how many appetites to plan for...but thankfully Phylp came through with her great burger patties to supplement my paltry contribution. I didn't get to try any of Khanom's delicious-looking and smelling chicken. I don't know who to thank for some excellent slaw to compliment Mal's beans?

Did anyone get some sort of head count? There must have been 60 people there, if not more. So, if this is to become an annual event, we need to start planning for ~75 climber-trash-picker-upper appetites NOW!
SCseagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
Oct 6, 2012 - 09:49pm PT
I'm planning to raise another steer and bring even more burger next time

Gawd I love you Rodger but this just so totally squicks me out.

Susan
Chicken Skinner

Trad climber
Yosemite
Oct 7, 2012 - 11:58am PT
Anyone have photos they can send to me? I don't have any trash shots, could be because there is not near as much as there used to be. I am trying to write up the results and would like to add some different photos other than mine. I posted the photos I took on the Yosemite Facelift page. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.425166690863685.92569.120770414636649&type=1

Thank you volunteers for making this such a great event.

Ken
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Oct 7, 2012 - 12:09pm PT
Not enough trash means you've been doing a good job over the year, Ken.

Congrats on a diminishing haul! Sorry I missed it this time, hopefully you guys found someone to take my spot in Yeller Pines.

Next year!
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Oct 7, 2012 - 04:39pm PT
God lovya Rodger, and the steer ya plan on raisin for our benefit.

I looked up "SQUICK" and it pretty much means what it sounds like:

To shock with outrageous behavior.

As in, "We totally squicked some tourons."

Like I said, Meat. Then you said, Meet.

We'll meet over the meat together next Facelift and light some coals under the vegans, total squick, we'll really wind them up. I'll see ya in Mariposa.

Hudon's nephew, Phil, I think it is (?), said he really looks forward to more burger flipping, too.
SCseagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
Oct 7, 2012 - 05:01pm PT
Hey Mousey, fun meeting you! As for Hudon's nephew flipping...I think he took care of the second batch from Phyl which totally worked for me.

The whole thing about "AssHole" (the bbq'ed heifer's name as per Rodger), well, just cuz he didn't like him he sends him on the one way trip and comes back all wrapped in nice neat little white packages...just seems like bad karma. Just sayin'


Susan
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Oct 7, 2012 - 10:56pm PT
Hey Susan!

I never give obnoxious names to my STEERS; I'd never do a heifer that way, anyway!

His name: Baloney Butt! He weighed in at 1850 pounds before he took his one-way trip to the butcher shop. He was 29 months old at the time, and most of it was spent on the free range, so he had a longer life than a commercial steer. I raise my animals in the most humane manner possible, given their predetermined outcome.

On the other hand, I have some of my cows that I raised from tiny calves that are now 14 years old; I seldom sell them, and I've buried many that spent their entire lives here.

If I have a true Asshole cow or steer, I simply sell them to an unsuspecting buyer at the cattle auction.
nita

Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
Oct 7, 2012 - 11:17pm PT
Brokedown, This was our third or fourth Meatfest, it already was an annual tradition....The last several meatfest- Fattrad took care of most of the food....

Mr K, we do need to assign more people to help with the food...Around 75 to 100 usually show up hungry for grub.

Big thanks out to Khanom, Brokedown, Malcolm, Phylp, PocoLoco, SCseagoat, Lolli, Murcy,**JoeyF and all the folks who brought stuff....who made the good coleslaw ?
I'm sure i forgot someone....?. edit: .weird, i didn't highlight those names...

Thanks everyone!!!.... it was delicious....and.. a fun Party.....

Edit, Brokedown, Fatty called it Meatfest...... http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/920780/Announcing-MeatFest-Facelift - 2009

edit: I miss having the big camp Breakfast...(.Pancakefest ) that was good eats fun....


SCseagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
Oct 7, 2012 - 11:25pm PT
Oh yeah, that's right. Baloney Butt. RIP


Susan
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Oct 7, 2012 - 11:39pm PT
Nita-

I was at last year's Taco Fest orchestrated by Fattrad. My contribution was a case of Negra Modelo. I love these get-togethers!
nita

Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
Oct 8, 2012 - 12:35am PT
Facelift is always big fun. ...Great to see old friends and it was so cool to meet.. Miss Audrey, Miss Phylp, Fletcher, Miss Karen, Mouse, Guck and his Lovely Wife, that Darn French Guy and Paul Martzen.. dang, who else?

So sorry to miss meeting Johntp and a bunch of other folks....)-: ........MrE & Miss Skip and Jaybro, bummer our paths did not cross...

One of my favorite parts of Facelift ..is seeing old friends from BITD..So very sweet to hang with, Mastadon, Chuck Goldman, and Mark Hudon...HOOT!

The YellowPines greeter .
Prayer Flags in camp.
The other French Man/Pope.
Climber Van for sale...Hey Happigrrrl
My Most favorite Eastside girlfriend.
Fletcher, Karen and Malcolm ..

Lastly...Check this out...Miss Karen Daly.. flying around.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnySp0YoT_E

Thanks Ken!!!

Edit...Fletcher, it was JoeyF....

H, those pears were yummy-juicy.....maybe a fruit plate next year...i can bring the apples..


Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Oct 8, 2012 - 12:35am PT
Somebody made some excellent pickles that worked perfectly on the burgers. I should remember who, but have forgotten this fine soul's name.

Eric

Edit: I posted this after I saw Nita's last photo. Behold, the pickles as we waited for the burgers to be ready!
H

Mountain climber
there and back again
Oct 8, 2012 - 01:38am PT
Cat herding has never been so easy! Too many great encounters to name them all. I truly look forward to doing it again next year.

For me its more like a reunion and a celebration of earths bounty. Thank you everyone for making another successful event memorable. It is an honor to serve our community. Hopefully it wont be a whole year before we meet again.

Great posts one and all.
murcy

Gym climber
sanfrancisco
Oct 8, 2012 - 10:43pm PT
The pickles were created and supplied by notorious mobster Joey Pickles (JOEY.F), who styled his first trad lead the same day ("Sorry, but I'm going to sew it up," followed by placing a piece every 50 feet).
Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Oct 9, 2012 - 03:35am PT
Well whattaya know! Pickles were from Joey F. Good on ya Joey!

Eric
JOEY.F

Gym climber
It's not rocket surgery
Oct 9, 2012 - 11:57am PT
Pickles checking in. Ha Ha...I think I will buy a comb...
Murcy, aren't sew it up and run it out the same thing? I should have paid more attention...
Glad you all liked the pickles, they're sugar bombs ya know.
Fish Finder

Social climber
THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
Oct 9, 2012 - 12:53pm PT



I can still taste the clove from those pickles Joey!
HighTraverse

Trad climber
Bay Area
Oct 9, 2012 - 01:08pm PT
most of it was spent on the free range, so he had a longer life than a commercial steer. I raise my animals in the most humane manner possible
No wonder Baloney Butt tasted so good!
I guess I missed that you had provided the beef.

Was a great Yeller Pines party. Sorry I got there late and didn't get to chat with as many people as I'd have liked. Somehow I spent too darned much time this year climbing and facelifting. Will have to schedule my time better next year.
Facelift #5 for me and each one is more fun than the previous.
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Oct 9, 2012 - 01:19pm PT
Additionally, I use no growth hormonal implants, antibiotics, or any other growth stimulants in my animals. They're not "organic" but 100% "naturally raised." They get lots of good feed (hay and grain) during the winters, as well as all needed mineral and vitamin supplements.
Fish Finder

Social climber
THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
Oct 9, 2012 - 01:40pm PT





And like an eagle I was circling until just the right moment and Roger himself flipped me my burger.(cooked by Eric)



Ah! as american as apple pie but better , Cheeseburger-as good as it gets!


You could tell that animal ate well and was loved.
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 10, 2012 - 12:41pm PT
Events like the FaceLift are apparently now sometimes described as voluntourism. More commonly used for work in developing countries, but it seems applicable.
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Oct 10, 2012 - 02:51pm PT
Well, "Mighty Voluntouron," and how do you like that? :)

Kina wierduh!

I like the work and the word does apply.

Nobody particularly wanted to be called a "human," either.

"Monkey" was all that back then.
GLee

Social climber
Missoula MT
Oct 10, 2012 - 04:00pm PT
While telling murcy during Meatfest that I had flown non-stop with Allegiant Air from Missoula (MSO) to Oakland Airport (OAK) on my way to Facelift2012, he mentioned that he had always wanted to visit Montana.

Here is my spiel for Allegiant (http://www.allegiantair.com/);, the no frills travel company.

With Allegiant, non-stop flight from OAK to Kalispell (very near to Glacier NP & Lake Koocanusa);Bozeman (near to Yellowstone & the Beartooths);Missoula (near the Bitterroots);or Montrose, CO (near to Gunnison & Telluride) can be had for a fraction of the price of the major carriers.

It's worth it for anyone to see if Allegiant can get you to were you want to go at a non-stop discounted price for a no-frills flight.

Until next year,

Montucky GLee



Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Oct 10, 2012 - 05:00pm PT
Allegiant also "serves" Casper, WY...if you can call it "serves." It's really a no-frills way to travel.
GLee

Social climber
Missoula MT
Oct 10, 2012 - 06:50pm PT
Dirtbag that I am, it got me to Oakland non-stop for less than I would have spent in fuel round-trip to Yosemite in only 1 hr 45 min.



Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Oct 10, 2012 - 06:53pm PT
They don't go to razor city (Gillette, gateway to devil's tower) though. Though I could probably get a ride if I get as close as the friendly ghost....
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Oct 11, 2012 - 11:51am PT
Bump, for the thread that's too good to die...
nita

Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
Oct 11, 2012 - 11:59am PT

Hey Chicken Skinner,

I saw Patty Garza yesterday, she said to say Hello and she hopes to join in on the facelift next year. I enjoyed hearing her story about you giving all the female ski instructors red roses... What a sweetheart! (-;
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 11, 2012 - 11:53pm PT
One of the early pre-FaceLift projects, before we could even start. With a heap of help from the guys at the garage. (I'll omit the "before" photos - maybe NSFW.)
Hey, Ken said he wanted photos of people actually cleaning stuff up.
WBraun

climber
Oct 11, 2012 - 11:55pm PT
You failed.

Ya didn't wax and buff it ......
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 12, 2012 - 12:02pm PT
Well, jstan and Leo did a fair bit of detailing, but eventually we had to move on. A project for the next FaceLift, perhaps.

Memo to self: Rig draws at FaceLift next year, so that jstan wins a new (modest) daypack. Even if he doesn't enter the draw.
Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Oct 12, 2012 - 02:58pm PT
I love the shot of jstan and the pressure washer. Suitable for framing and an autograph!

I'm not kidding!

Met him in Idyllwild early this summer on a trail project. He's my new inspiration. If I'm a quarter as strong and hardworking when I'm his age, I'll be very pleased! Got boulder to move? Call John!

Eric
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 12, 2012 - 03:06pm PT
Another photo. A day or two before the FaceLift began, Tom Evans and the "Ask a Climber" program were on the front page of the Fresno Bee. Here he is on the bridge, with his paper.
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 12, 2012 - 05:43pm PT
John Heine and Monty the dog. Ruth and John look after Yellow Pine for six months every year, plus make substantial volunteer contributions in other ways.
WBraun

climber
Oct 12, 2012 - 07:21pm PT
John Heine is one of the hardest working volunteers in the park year after year.
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 12, 2012 - 09:34pm PT
Sunday morning climber (ranger) coffee at Camp 4, near a large rock. Ben Doyle presiding.
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 13, 2012 - 05:26pm PT
Another key FaceLift figure, and sometime ST lurker, Ed Whittle, maestro of the East Auditorium.
Ed has just had surgery in Fresno, and I hope he's doing well.
MisterE

Social climber
Oct 13, 2012 - 06:44pm PT
As always, jstan, Leo, George, Jim and a few others arrived a few days early, to help with preparations. After a day or so we had the bright idea of FaceLifting Ken's red truck, and did so, with help from the garage. They let us borrow their shop-vac and pressure washer, and when we were done, it was almost like new. Almost...

During the break-down and haul to the SAR-cache, Skip and I commented on how clean the truck looked compared to past years - impressive job Gentlemen!

How many artifacts/Kleen Kanteens from bygone years did you find? ;)
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 13, 2012 - 10:01pm PT
We found $1.39, which we put in the donations jar. The odds and ends we put in a plastic bag on the front seat. I'll omit the photo of jstan and Leo having a water fight, though - those rascals!

An interesting thingie seen en route to the FaceLift. The largest of its kind in the world. What is it? (Ringers DQed.)
Ed Hartouni

Trad climber
Livermore, CA
Oct 13, 2012 - 10:11pm PT
i'd say but I already posted my image of it...

mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Oct 13, 2012 - 10:13pm PT
The Shadow knows.
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 13, 2012 - 10:31pm PT
You can see how jstan might have gotten ideas about spiffy transportation.
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Oct 13, 2012 - 10:51pm PT
I give up Mighty.

Looks like a do-it-yourself suicide facility,...
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 14, 2012 - 01:09am PT
You're just envious because AmTrak doesn't go through Toquerville.

A lot goes on behind the scenes to make the FaceLift happen, much of which is barely visible. One being preparations for and running the evening events. Ken and Chicken Skinner Unlimited Enterprises stripped, cleaned, and triple waxed the auditorium floors this year, which made a huge difference. (Clever marketing, too...) Still, every day volunteers cleaned the auditorium and kitchen, brought in beer and supplies, got everything organized, and then served the sweaty masses starting at 6:30.

Here are two key individuals, Amy and Kelly from New Belgium, in the pouring area out back. The company provided 21 kegs of beer this year for the FaceLift, and in the end we used about 26 - they had to rush some in.

And here's one of the occupants of site 30 in Camp 4, early in the morning. Flanders, perky as ever. Just like old times.
jstan

climber
Oct 14, 2012 - 09:40am PT
How Doug can sit up like that after lying on stones all night and then get up smiling, is beyond me. I was barely able to do that when in my twenties.
m_jones

Trad climber
Carson City, NV
Oct 14, 2012 - 05:55pm PT
We did our small part cleaning off all tat from Lost in America the week after face lift.
Figured out how to lower out from fixed gear with out leaving tat. 25' of 5mm - just run it through the fixed piece back to a carabiner on your harness and with a munter lower yourself off.
Leaves the route with out trash.

Also cleaned a bunch of deadheads off the route as well as any copperheads we did not use.

johntp

Trad climber
socal
Oct 14, 2012 - 08:26pm PT
Also cleaned a bunch of deadheads off the route

Jerry Garcia is rolling on the floor....
johnboy

Trad climber
Can't get here from there
Oct 14, 2012 - 08:46pm PT
Jerry Garcia is rolling on the floor....

Or, in his grave.

lol
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 14, 2012 - 09:54pm PT
Our guy Tom, the mad bolter - the original, genuine mad bolter, that is. Tom Rohrer, being shy.

See no evil - hear no evil - speak no evil. Or was that "Monkey see, monkey do"?
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 15, 2012 - 01:43am PT
MeatFest Fotos.
Rodger, Mal, Harrison, with Eric in the background.
Quest for Fire - they were rubbing sticks together or something.

Phyl, Mark (murcy), Greg.
Mark H, Paul, Travis.
Scott, Mark H.
(Glad we ran into Mark earlier, and invited him.)
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Oct 15, 2012 - 02:28am PT
Also cleaned a bunch of deadheads off the route

Jerry Garcia is rolling on the floor....

Seriously, many thanks to Ken, the park and organizers. As has been said; we meet people on these things.
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 15, 2012 - 02:47pm PT
Greg L, Phyl P, Mark (murcy).
Ed H, Sybille H.
Murcy, Mouse from Merced, Grant. Cait and others behind.
Doug (Flanders), Lolli.
More Meatfest photos. I took a bunch while it was still light, which worked quite well. But, not getting home until a week or more later, am only now getting them here.
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 15, 2012 - 04:17pm PT
Mal at work.
Hey! It's Grant and that Flanders guy again!
Catherine, Ken B, Ed H.
Greg Lee.
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 15, 2012 - 05:05pm PT
Ranger Heather Boothe, at the hantarchaeology training session at Yeller Pines. (Behind - an archaeologist whose name escapes me.) It was her birthday not long after the FL, too - she was heading for a week's holiday. Jesse, on the other hand, is soon to go off for LEO training (irreverently called "tool school" by a few malcontents) somewhere like North Carolina, for six months. Part of developing one's NPS career, apparently.
The FaceLift counts on help from NPS and DNC help to make it all work, and it's good to have peeps like Heather involved. Plus she gave us tee shirts and pins.
Vegasclimber

Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV.
Oct 15, 2012 - 05:08pm PT
Really awesome shots M.H.!

Thanks for posting up the one of me talking to Mark about my "Epic Adventure!" - I stole it for my FB page but gave ya credit :)
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Oct 15, 2012 - 05:27pm PT
Anders! There must be still more to come? Keep them rolling in!
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 16, 2012 - 12:55am PT
Nope - just had time to wander in the park a bit, and see the bridge.

And more photos.
Cait, Christina, Lolli.

Mastadon (purveyor of fine, aged wooden wedges), ?

Fred.
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Oct 16, 2012 - 01:47am PT
Bravura accomplishment for the guy from the North!

"Errata"
Catherine is the unidentified lady who knew Odd's birth mom, Sheila; and that is Christina, the intended of Vegas Climber, with Kate and Lolli.
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Oct 16, 2012 - 02:33am PT
Hey Anders, sorry I missed you this year. Thx for the pics. Lots of my friends in those pics. I regret not making it.

Hang loose, eh?
Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Oct 16, 2012 - 02:52am PT
Yes, Vegasclimber's s.o. Christina was a delight. We shared a yoga class and later had a fascinating discussion about her work.

Eric
Anastasia

climber
InLOVEwithAris.
Oct 16, 2012 - 02:53am PT
You washed a truck??? Aren't you afraid of washing away what keeps it together?

Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 16, 2012 - 05:21pm PT
Mo, Mark Wellman.

Kathy from the AAC.

I seem to have missed a lot of people...

Photo names updated.

Ken's truck is nothing if not robust, and it seemed a safe bet to clean it.
jstan

climber
Oct 16, 2012 - 07:19pm PT

Bob Steed. The shoulder at the far right is Erin's.

Bob was in the first work party I went on seven years ago in the Cookie area.
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Oct 17, 2012 - 11:45pm PT
http://www.thereporter.com/ci_21705292/yosemite-volunteers-remove-5,000-pounds-litter?source=most_emailed
From Nov. 5, 2012 Vacaville, CA.
Not much there, but it's "ink."
nita

Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
Oct 18, 2012 - 12:12am PT
Mouse , Audrey and new facelifters....

This Facelift video was from 2008.........has my favorite facelift tee.....well tied with Tami tee..
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video?id=3703797



This facelift thread has some funny ..Ouch classics...
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=455197&tn=0

Still missing.. *Ouch.....He Died 2& a half weeks after Facelift 2009...or was it 2008.


That Darn French Guy

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Oct 19, 2012 - 08:20pm PT
OK, it took forever but here are the last pics...

some raffle and YP pics:
http://hike.mooo.com/Climbing/2012-09-29_Four_mile_trail/

no facelift specific pic:
http://hike.mooo.com/Climbing/2012-09-30_Sequoias/

Enjoy guys!
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Oct 20, 2012 - 07:59pm PT
Bump! Let's get some more pictures up!
Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Oct 24, 2012 - 12:49pm PT
I'm working on getting my pictures up.

Gotta get those damn kids off my lawn first!

Eric
Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Oct 24, 2012 - 01:56pm PT
OK, finally!

The way my schedule worked out, when I was out Faceliftin' I was pretty much on my own. But I rather enjoyed the time on my own. Sometimes a man just needs to process. Especially if you are a classic Type B underachiever. And I was able to get in plenty of socializing later in the days and evenings (and also with early AM yoga practices in the duff at Yeller Pines!).

The obligatory first view as you come through the Wawona tunnel. Yes, it's almost cliche, but who cares? I've been here scads of times and still get blown away every time I see this view on entry. I don't think it will ever get old.

My first day was picking up on the Mirror Lake trail and perimeter. This had a lot of evocative and contemplative moments like this one:

Hanging with the guys by the check-in area. Ben the climbing ranger, Jon, his intern (you know you're doing pretty good when you get an intern!) and Jon's dad who came all the way from West Virginia I believe. Shortly thereafter, we went with Jesse to see about removing a culvert from the old River campground. Much fun was had. But I can't tell you anymore. Sworn to secrecy.

The masses gather for the raffle at 5 pm. Every kid that participates wins something. I wish Ken was my dad! :-)

View from my office as I ate lunch one day:

Evening program. I think this was the second night (Wednesday). Not as crowded, but sweatfest was still crankin'.

Another evening raffle. Look closely and you might find one or two of the usual suspects.

Obligatory reflection shot in river. Road my bike past this spot a zillion times. Did not get old.

Lunch at the office, working west of the Pohono Bridge this day. It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it. Actually, since this section had a bunch of turnouts and a river, the TP factor was very high. Ick.

More inmates at the evening raffle. Look closely and you might spot the affable glee. I do need to visit Missoula some day!

A world famous photographer and self-styled wanna-be-has-been-who-never-was. NOT! tyeary is too modest. We had many good conversations and an equal number, if not more, good beers.

Short term dementia has set in. Can't remember if this was Jesse telling us to keep in line and be careful out there or James Lucas, one of the world's best storytellers. I'm sure I will be corrected and promptly whipped for my transgression. [Edit: thanks to Khanom it is Jesse. My kids have cooked what's left of my brain these past few days!}

Morning commute. Nuff' said!

Yes, Virginia, bears do sh#t in the woods. On the Pohono Trail. Given the amount of bear poo seen here, this must be their equivalent of the 405 freeway.

Having a great time cleaning up others people's crap on the Pohono Trail. The spirits of some magical and amazing beings passed this way just days earlier. But you'll need to contact them to hear their tale. Maybe you already have!


Will I be back next year? You betcha!

Eric
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 24, 2012 - 04:19pm PT
(This is what it looked like at 5:30 PM each day, pre-mayhem.)
10b4me

Ice climber
dingy room at the Happy boulders hotel
Oct 24, 2012 - 06:52pm PT
some nice shots there Eric
That Darn French Guy

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Oct 24, 2012 - 08:05pm PT
Cool stuff Eric. There's even a pic with me woohoo!
Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Oct 25, 2012 - 02:31am PT
Thanks Khanom. Yeah, I think not having the tool suit threw me. :-)

Eric
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Oct 25, 2012 - 06:24am PT
That's not bad, Fletcher, if it is Fletcher. You don't know whit from whinola if you can't spot a Ranger, with or without his uniform, but you do know bear sheeit.

You simply have to take the opportunity to talk with them climbing rangers and work with them (the climbing rangers). They are good people, doing a job lots of you would be sick with envy to have. And if they are tools, at least they are Craftsmen.

Khanom, that wasn't a worthy statement. You obviously know wit when you see it, though. He wasn't as funny as he hoped he'd be. Nobody could top Lucas!

Bottom line for me about Facelift: I will be at Facelift every year until they pry the plucker from my dead fingers. Its reward is palbable: Its reward is itself and getting to look forward to the next.
Everyone, thanks for the pictures, even that darn Frenchie.
That Darn French Guy

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Nov 2, 2012 - 04:23pm PT
Mouse, I would've embedded your pic, plucked from the links, if it wasn't for how tedious it is... and also I don't want to scare people from coming to the next facelift. After all what you just posted is a threat to all the future newbees o_o.

*raises glass*
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Nov 2, 2012 - 06:27pm PT
Out for an amble with Lolli, after the FaceLift.
Lynne Leichtfuss

Social climber
moving thru
Nov 2, 2012 - 06:33pm PT
Well now, since the thread is still alive and I've made it home, I'll have to see if I have some pics to share. smiles, lynne
Fletcher

Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
Nov 2, 2012 - 07:08pm PT
Love the handbag Lolli! Now that's doing it with style!

Eric
Anastasia

climber
InLOVEwithAris.
Nov 2, 2012 - 07:46pm PT
Lolli, you are my hero.
Lynne Leichtfuss

Social climber
moving thru
Nov 2, 2012 - 10:46pm PT
No worries, Lolli, any time yo are in town you are welcome to stay at Casa Leichtfuss. Cheers Gal, lynnie
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Nov 4, 2012 - 05:03pm PT
One more slightly post-FaceLift photo. Hanging around the campfire with other Canucks, Leo B just out of photo to left.
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