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Banquo
climber
Amerricka
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Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 22, 2012 - 04:03pm PT
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I sent him off to a NOLS course in Patagonia. He called me from Coyhaique on September 22 and said he was good and getting to know the others in his group. No news since. I know it would be bad news if we did hear from him but it is very disconcerting to not have any contact with him. I am dying to hear all about it. He turned 21 last week. He should be home for Christmas.
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TwistedCrank
climber
Dingleberry Gulch, Ideeho
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Oct 22, 2012 - 04:10pm PT
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I'm a NOLS grad and there are a few NOLS affiliates here as well. I was off the grid for 5 weeks once on a course. I know my parents worried hard. It's part of the job.
He's in good hands and NOLS instills a solid ethic. Be envious, but be concerned like any good parent should.
I've been thinking about sending my teenager on one of those.
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schilds
Trad climber
eastside
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Oct 22, 2012 - 05:05pm PT
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I was lucky enough to do the semester in Patagonia course 12 years ago, and at least at that time, we resupplied in the field and had no opportunity for phone contact until we were back in Coyhaique. I know I didn't shower for 80 days, so I think that coincided with phone availability too...so don't worry, he's having the time of his life! Also, they do have enough communications (e.g. radios, EPIRB, etc.) to arrange for a rescue if needed, as it was on our course, so no news is good news in this case:) I hope he takes great photos...and tell him to bring home some "manjar", which he will no doubt be addicted to by the end of the course and which is very hard to find here.
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mountainlion
Trad climber
California
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Oct 22, 2012 - 06:00pm PT
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Banquo get a grip man. Your son is a man now. He's out having fun and living life. If he calls home it's a bonus. Most likely he's to far from a phone and couldn't tell you what day it was on a bet. Catch up with him at Christmas.
Peace Eric
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Norton
Social climber
the Wastelands
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Oct 22, 2012 - 06:11pm PT
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isn't there someone you could call on the phone or email just to find out if he is ok and the adventure is proceeding according to plan?
surely there is a contact point, just a concerned father checking in?
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MissJ
Social climber
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Oct 22, 2012 - 06:28pm PT
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Banquo, as a parent who has not heard from her son in 9 months (tho he not be climbing) I know the anxiety and worry you must be feeling. I pray he is safe and just wanting to prove he can handle some situations on his own. Hope he calls you soon.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Oct 22, 2012 - 06:30pm PT
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As the mom of a son the same age as yours I know the anxiety. I hate it when long periods go by.. Hope you hear soon....but the adage "no news is good news" usually is true!
Susan
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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Oct 22, 2012 - 06:34pm PT
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I used to do that to my parents, my dad had the police knocking on my door once, that fixed the communication breakdown. Now as a parent I feel guilty about that.
I am sure your son is fine, be proud!
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Banquo
climber
Amerricka
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 22, 2012 - 06:38pm PT
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I'm not worried about him, it's just strange to not hear from him. In today's world we are accustomed to hearing from people no matter where they are.
In 1981 I decided to go on a trip. I bought a ticket across the pond. On my way to SFO I stopped by my parent's house and told mom I was going and didn't know when I would be back or where I was going. She cried and gave me a $100 bill she had stashed away. I was gone for a year and made my way all the way around the globe.
In those days there was no internet and mail typically took a week or more each way. I sent her a few letters and called her once from India. The phone call took all day to make. Not only did she not hear from me for a month or more at a time, she had no idea where I was. I think I caused her a lot of distress. She told me later that she had regularly sent letters to GPO's all over the Middle East and Asia to places she thought I might visit.
I think he is safe enough.
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Banquo
climber
Amerricka
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 22, 2012 - 07:33pm PT
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Sully, somebody has to have me murdered 1st.
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healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
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Oct 22, 2012 - 07:34pm PT
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Our daughter up in Seattle lost her iPhone and it took four weeks for her iPhone 5 to arrive. I think she and my wife only barely survived the ordeal.
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MarkGrubb
climber
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Oct 22, 2012 - 07:35pm PT
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Parents:
You raised them. If you believe you did a Good Job, instilled some personal responsibility, life skills, and helped them develop some common sense then Cowboy/girl up and have some Faith!
My Dad was gone from home during WWII for the duration of that event and another year doing occupation work in Korea. Essentially no contact with family. I used to work in the Guiana Highlands for 9 months at a time with essentially no contact.
Dealing with your own situation and living in the moment is good for people. Staying attached to that world you left behind cheapens the experience you went away to have.
Modern comm's are an addiction. Many adolescents of today can hardly take a piss without texting Mom to see if it OK....
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Banquo
climber
Amerricka
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 22, 2012 - 07:46pm PT
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Tami-
Is your son a submariner? I think I heard so anyway. He must be out of contact sometimes.
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LilaBiene
Trad climber
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Oct 22, 2012 - 09:05pm PT
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My younger brother disappears overseas for a month or two every winter...and comes back with a smile you just know means he had more fun than he'll ever let on...
I wish the same for your son! Lucky kid to have such a great dad.
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LuckyPink
climber
the last bivy
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Oct 22, 2012 - 09:12pm PT
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eek! on the other hand , I can't hide from my kids for even 24 damn hours.
really though, I hate it when I don't hear from them. hang in B. there are some good posts here.
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Anastasia
climber
InLOVEwithAris.
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Oct 22, 2012 - 10:34pm PT
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I also am guilty. I was usually too far out to be near a phone or it cost too much to use. It also was a good thing since when I did get to use a phone, I would end up having an argument with my mother. She wanted me back NOW, I shouldn't be in places without phones, I should pay the BIG amount even though it would mean leaving me without money to survive, etc.
Later in life when my Dad was alive... It was I who would call him when he was out too late. Dad thought that was hilarious.
AFS
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H
Mountain climber
there and back again
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Oct 22, 2012 - 10:51pm PT
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Banquo,I have spent a lot of time away from my folks on wild escapades. On most of my expeditions I was away for many weeks doing stuff they had every right to be worried about. Unlike my past experiences he is in good hands. My mom finally stopped asking where I have been and what I was going to do next. Now, my son is pulling the same sheet. Thank God he is a facebook addict so I can check up on him.
Not hearing from our kids usually means they're cool. Good luck and hang in there Bro.
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Oct 22, 2012 - 11:11pm PT
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Well, could be worse,
and have the first call in months interrupted by someone shooting at him!
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giegs
climber
Tardistan
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Oct 22, 2012 - 11:19pm PT
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I almost went on a NOLS trip back in the day. Bought my first car and went on a fishing trip in Alaska instead. I work with and go to conferences with a bunch of NOLS grads and still occasionally wish I had gone the other way. It's very rare I meet a grad I don't at least get along with.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Oct 22, 2012 - 11:55pm PT
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hey there say, banquo... will be keeping him in prayes, too...
say, just letting you know, you are not alone through all this...
god bless...
praying for open-doors of info, too, to come your way, soon...
:)
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