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Tom the Cop
Sport climber
Northern Virginia
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Topic Author's Original Post - Nov 7, 2007 - 04:26am PT
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Wednesday afternoon I was first to arrive at the dry lake bed.
Here is an example of the carnage left behind by previous visitors-
I explored the area for a while and had just decided to head into town for a bite to eat when Jingy arrived. Marty (climbrunride) showed up a little later and the three of us made camp in the scree at the base of one of the hills.
Sunset Wednesday night-
Thursday morning Dave (The Doctor), Tim (Pennsylenvy), Erik (MisterE), and Deidre arrived. After they set up camp nearby, everyone left to go climbing. That is,everyone but me. (Someone needed to watch the campsite.)
Nature arrived later and wisely moved the campsite down onto the lake bed itself-
On Friday morning, we headed into the park-
Here are Dave and Riley (Radical) on Dairy Queen Wall-
Schaffer (The Moose) belaying-
Chuck, Marty, and Mark Miller discussing everything from knee surgery to Sun Chips-
This is the infamous Zip. He is real and not a troll-
On Saturday, Schaffer, Riley, PhilB, and I headed into The Wonderland. We hit a few different formations there and I wish I could remember what they were called.
I don't know the name of this route Riley is at the top of, but I think it's the same one I made it to the top of later-
I think these were at Mustang Ranch-
I started to free climb an easy route to the left but decided to back off when it got a little sketchy. Fortunately, Riley talked me through it and I followed him up.
Then we hit Outward Bound which we shared with a group from a climbing school. I didn't get any decent pictures of that, though.
The sun set on us as we hiked back to the parking lot-
Later that night, Susan Peplow displayed her own sushi rolling abilities-
Sunday morning, as folks were packing up, Piton Ron put on another explosives demonstration-
(Summit the dog was secure in Nature's truck)
Riley having a look down range and checking out the optics-
Schaffer checking out the damage-
Later Sunday, I follwed Riley and Schaffer back to the park. I don't remember the name of this formation, but it was close to the road and had some challenging routes-
I was satisfied scrambling around on some nearby boulders while they negotiated their way to the top. They made it look so easy-
Until they got to this route-
I'm happy to report that they both made it but it was quite a struggle.
Sunday evening I headed back to the camp site to finish packing and get cleaned up for the trip home. The sun was just going down when I got there-
This was all that was left of the campsite-
Later that evening, Terrie (Happiegrrrl) and PhilB showed up followed by Marty and Chuck. Phil showed us a kayaking DVd ("Seven Weeks in Tibet", I think) before everyone decided to turn in. I dozed in my rental until about 2am when I had to leave for the airport.
This was my second Sushifest and it was an absolute blast. I learned a lot (thanks to Riley, Schaffer, and Phil), made some new friends, and had some of the best food I've had in a long time (At least since the last Sushifest). I have refused to try sushi anywhere else because it would be a disappointment compared to what Doug prepared for us. I arrived home Monday evening tired, sore, and almost broke. When is the next one?
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there... say, this was a really very nice share... say, thanks so much... great boulders in that jtree park...thanks again.. love that sunset, too..
sww, even that last set of the camp-remains... it lingers in the mind...even as the adventure of the camp-setting-up pic...
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Tom,
Nice climbing/hanging with you.
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Indianclimber
climber
Las Vegas
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Tom great T/R well worth the wait Thanks
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climbrunride
Trad climber
Durango, CO
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I pulled in Wednesday and found TomTheCop and Jingy camped in the middle of the shooting range - a very convienient place to find any household appliance you'd want, all shot full of holes. Plus, the ground was strewn with large gravel, making sleeping spots and landing zones for late-night drunken stumbles hard to find. But is was dust free and a bit protected from teh wind.
On Thursday a few of us went climbing. When we returned, we found that Nature wisely moved camp to the middle (almost) of the dry lake bed, and several more revelers had arrived. Some climbing pics from Thursday, at Hemmingway Butress:
MisterE on Overseer:
Radical on Poodles Are People Too:
Pennsylenvy on Prepackaged:
Diedre on Overseer:
When I got back to camp, I never thought to take pictures of the camp itself, nor the people in it. I guess that's better than SummerSushiFest, when I took camp pics and forgot my camera at the crags. But the fun was definitely started and a loud poker game broke out. Somehow I broke even, which I never expected playing against sharks like Mark Miller, Sooze, Russ, 'Stephen Hawking' (who fell asleep), etc.
On Friday morning we were informed that we were actually on a piece of private property and had to move the whole camp. Everyone pitched in to pack everything a quarter mile to the left and set it all back up. Then a bunch of us went over to Dairy Queen Wall for some fun crack climbing. I didn't take any pics, but we had a great time.
Saturday I went climbing with Chuck, looking for an obscure route his friend put up near Ryan Campground. We finally found the route and pulled off the second ascent of the two pitch Tribal Line. After that I looked for Riley, Schaffer, Tom and company at the North Wonderland parking, drove right past their cars and didn't realize it. So then I was wandering around the Intersection Rock parking area and I found ScuffyB. We went to climb The Flake and he pretty much 3rd classed it on lead, but did clip the bolts at the top - a very smooth and impressive ascent. On top we climbed right into the middle of a Halloween party with about 30 people, two bar-b-ques cooking steaks, chips, salsa, beer and a mini-keg. We helped ourselves to some refreshments, then descended after a very nice climb. (No pictures from Saturday either.)
Saturday night's sushi party will live on in memories forever. Burning Barn played long and loud. (Mark Miller, Tony, PaganMonkeyBoy,The Doctor, Nature, HoldPlease2, Pennsylenvy (who can play the sax while lying in the dirt!), Mike, and more...) The sushi rolled out until after 1am, thanks to Nature, Jeremy Werlin, Piton Ron, another chef whose name I forget, and even Sooze got into the act. She made her first rolls as a total novice, and by the end she was serving up hand rolls like a seasoned pro. I got to see an old friend from college and I met several new friends - lots and lots of good, fun people.
Sunday was Mtnmun's birthday, and HappieGirl, Phil_B, Chuck and I met up with him and decided to try our luck at Echo Rocks area. We found an open wall and set up several fun and hard climbs:
Chuck on some face climb:
Mtnmun on an unnmaed climb:
HappieGirl on Flake and Bake:
Happie down low and Mtnmun higher up:
The ONE shot of me on my camera:
Mtnmun and his really cool helmet (see the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GtTg-OzbMc ):
Then we moved over to Real Hidden Valley and The Great Burrito. Here's Mtnmun leading Learn Quick or Die:
Then Phil_B on Learn Quick or Die:
HappieGirl on Learn Quick or Die:
Chuck on the same climb:
And a sample bolt from the climb:
When we got back to the car, we saw a spectacular sunset, courtesy of the only clouds of the whole week:
Then we had a little BBQ for Mtnmun's b-day, over at Trashcan Rock (HappieGirl, Phil_B, Mtnmun, me, Chuck):
We drove back to the now abandoned lakebed in the dark and found our three lonely tents and TomTheCop waiting for us. After watching a cool kayaking movie in Phil's portable theater, the night came to an early end, as we were all so tired.
Monday morning I got up, said goodbye and drove away. I had a great time and met some really fun people. Thanks to everyone who made it to SushiFest - you all contributed to a most excellent party!
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climbrunride
Trad climber
Durango, CO
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And lest I not forget - a giant HIP HIP HOORAY to Nature for organizing this whole thing. Your hard work is very appreciated!!!
Also thanks to Mother Nature and all the other great volunteers - you guys ROCK!
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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WOW!
great tr and pics!
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Crimpergirl
Social climber
St. Looney
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So I sat down anxious to post all my photos only to discover that those TSA feckers didn't put my camera download cable back in by suitcase. I KNOW it was there because I opened my case to get my phone cord out at the airport.
Super inconvenience.
So, I'll hunt for someone here with a new enough machine that I can download directly off my memory card. Riiiiight.
Grrrrrrr.
Great photos so far! The sunset was magnificent.
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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If the rig is rocking, don't bother knocking, and riley, thanks for blocking!
Yes, i did finally find out what women really want. You can see the the mint milano cookies, the mug of hot chocolate, and the three fine looking ladies, with The Zip, in the chic magnet mobile!
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nature
climber
Flagstaff, AZ
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And here all along I thought women wanted sushi, my sushi in particular. But then... alas... I was so KNOTT on a roll even my dog ran away from me.
Do ya'll's realize that I drove onto the playa on Thursday and didn't leave it until sunday? All these picts of people climbing make me a bit jealous.
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Doug,
I felt kinda bad for ya not getting to climb.
have you ever thought of getting someone else to help you on preparation?
could this stuff be prepared prior to the actual serving?
I am sure you could get volunteers. i don't know anything about the process, but would be glad to help.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Part of the art of climbing dsown gracefully includes having "legitimate" reasons NOT to have to climb.
Bait preparation is high on the list,..
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nature
climber
Flagstaff, AZ
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OK well... I can give or take on the climbing part. After 20 years of it I realize there is always next week.
Problem is I didn't get a chance to meet some people. There has to be a way I can work it so that I can socialize and flirt. I can't leave all the flirting to zip, after all... But then again... I didn't have a warm camper. :-(
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Riley,
WOW!
Great video and commentary of a porta john on the back of a truck.
That will definitely enhance my memories of this event.
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Tom the Cop
Sport climber
Northern Virginia
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 7, 2007 - 11:49am PT
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Thanks for the pics and video Riley. Is cranking another way of saying "holding on for dear life"?
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Phil_B
Social climber
Hercules, CA
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Tom,
Thanks for hanging out around camp on that last day. Terrie and I had images of tweakers running off with our stuff.
Here's my own limited set of pics from my first SushiFest. Dudes, I had a great time and would really recommend this to anyone who hasn't been to one.
I rolled up Thursday afternoon after a very long drive. I got caught in traffic in Palmdale and then caught the evening rush east of Redlands. Gack, I'd forgotten how bad the air can get there. I went to grad school at UCR too.
After watching poker for a while, I had to crash. Got up the next morning and put my coffee press to work as we hadn't gotten the generator together yet and that big urn needed a lot of juice.
After hanging out, folks decided that the Dairy Queen wall was the place to be. That's where I learned that zip was not a troll. Not only that, he could put the moves on a 5.7d
That night, we went back and I got my first taste of Nature sushi. Wow, what great stuff. Doug, I really loved your special sauce. That stuff rocks!!
Here Nature works his magic as the hungry crowd is barely keeping it together:
We stood with sticks held up for each helping of sushi. If you weren't at the front, you went hungry. I'm amazed at the amounts of fish that kept coming out of the cooler.
Saturday climbing was spent at the Wonderland. Riley (Radical) had some places he wanted to check out. I had to get gas, so I drove in. Zip and Happie were following, but didn't see us head into the Circle K for some supplies and then drove around trying to catch up, when they were in front of us. Sorry!!
At one place, I led a little chimney-ish thing and Tom followed. Schaeffer (the Moose) took this pic:
That night, I went into town with Terrie (happiegirl) and we picked up a very expensive 2 gallon gas can and filled up some water bottles. No trip into 29 Palms is complete without a stop here though:
Again, I couldn't stay up too late and crashed to the sounds of Burning Barn in the near distance.
Next day, we had the coffee urn going, but folks were playing poker and getting ready to blow stuff up. I'm not really into that, so we went off to climb. Terrie hopped in my car and we followed Marty and Chuck into the monument where we met up with Jude. We climbed at Echo and then headed over to the Burrito. Marty has good pics there. Thanks!
Only bummer for me there was that I pushed a cactus spine under my fingernail about a 1/2 inch when putting my gear away. I found some tweezers when I got home and pulled it out pretty easily.
It was really fun doing that last climb. Then Jude invited us to have dinner with him. With no site to cook at, we snuck behind Trashcan rock and grilled up some mighty tasty burgers. Jude provided all the food, as well as beer and a really good wine. Thanks a lot!
Back at the lake bed, everyone but Tom was gone. I thought I had some climbing movies in my car, but just had some whitewater kayaking stuff. Plugging the iPod FM transmitter into the notebook, I had a pretty cool little camping theatre going on with the sound coming out of my car's speakers.
Terrie didn't quite make it to the end of the movie, but that's OK. I told her that's the tradition I have with these movies too. We always play hard during the day and then when we get back and try to watch a movie, it's lights out.
We really knew the SFJT was over when the Porta-Potty guy came out and took it away. We said our goodbyes and took off. Everyone that is, except for Chuck, who was probably a bit surprised when he woke up and saw that everyone (and everything) was gone.
All in all, I had a great time there and it was really nice to meet you all in real life.
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Hardman Knott
Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
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Tom the Cop
Sport climber
Northern Virginia
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 7, 2007 - 02:03pm PT
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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i don't know how to copy/paste in the little bubbles, but i can tell you what dwaine appears to be thinking.
"Doesn't this guy ever run out of gas? Shut up already. I think I'm getting a F@#king Migraine"
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Locker,
It was nice to meet you. i am sorry that we did not have more time to talk.
I dropped me beat up Aces at Nomad for you yesterday. Are they ready yet?
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Cosmic obviously figured out that I'm a redhead. lol
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Boltgrl
Ice climber
Winslow, AZ
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(if this doesnt work, i officially give up.)
i had a great time and enjoyed meeting everyone (and seeing old friends from BITD - manny & mike the vet), but i have to say: there really is too much climbing and not enough partying at these fests :-P
anyways, here's the best of the few pix that were on my camera:
thursday in Jtree:
forget the name of this route:
marty... on belay again ;-)thanks
doc on overseer:
jingy and p.envy (aka the photoloser)
the dr, representing:
new jack city friday - fun climbing! thanks sooze!!
jingy the crazy toproper (we're close, right? ;-))
On our way back to the thunderdome saturday afternoon, p.envy, misterE and i had the amazing fortune to bear witness to the crochet museum and it's evil twin, the rubberchickendildo show. please see afore-posted pix of these
Oh MistersweetiE: thanks for the trip!
OMG!! IT FN WORKED!!! HALLELUJA!!
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nature
climber
Flagstaff, AZ
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Tom the Cop wrote: made some new friends, and had some of the best food I've had in a long time (At least since the last Sushifest). I have refused to try sushi anywhere else because it would be a disappointment compared to what Doug prepared for us. I arrived home Monday evening tired, sore, and almost broke. When is the next one?
ah man.... that is quiet the compliment. But if you find a recommended sushi bar you should try it.
I too am happy I made new friends and enjoyed everyones company as much as I could. I meant a lot to me to get out of here and get my mind off of some sh#t that has me a little down. I can't wait for Indian creek. Just gotta keep the chin up and keep plugging away.
You know... there were a few people that really voiced their opinion on what these events mean to them. I'm sure it is fair for me to assume you all feel that way. But hearing it first hand means a lot. I know many know that I have a job now and so when I made the general comment (a few times) that I'd keep putting these events together a few folks expressed their opinion on how that was great news to hear. I'm glad for that. You all are a very special group of people and I'll say it many times over how honored I am to do these events. Seriously.
So my promise to ya'll's is to do 4-6 of these per year. They are getting easier that's for sure.
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Thank you all for the photos. Finally!
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Had to do it...it was screaming out for it!
Sorry Marty! :-)
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Boltgrl
Ice climber
Winslow, AZ
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oh my god. marty, i am so sorry!
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Don't sweat it Diedra...happens all the time around here. :-)
You can slug me next time you run into Felicia and I.
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Boltgrl
Ice climber
Winslow, AZ
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nah, greg, i think im going to take a really "good" pic of you next time i see you at jacks, then 'shop the hell outta it and post it. yeah. thats what im gonna do. remember, im a graphic designer, too.
:-P
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Duke-
Trad climber
SF, aka: Dirkastan
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Wonderful post!
-Dirka
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Bring it on baby. Photoshop at 60 paces!!! :-)
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Having trouble getting photos uploaded here at the Beatnik....But I have a feeling this one will go over well....
Captions, anyone?
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nature
climber
Flagstaff, AZ
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excellent work.
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Boltgrl
Ice climber
Winslow, AZ
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i see i will have my work cut out for me, cosmic... you are very talented, indeed!
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climbrunride
Trad climber
Durango, CO
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Way to go Cosmic - that's awesome!
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MisterE
Social climber
Across town from Easy Street
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Thanks for posting pics up, everyone!
The one of D bouldering Zip's van is hilarious! (Zip: I guess my van was more appealing than your van in the end. Sorry, Dude.)
Thanks to all! Sue and Jingy for the New Jack Tour, Nature for awesome fish again, Doc, P.Envy (Mr.Photodrop), Marty, Riley and oters for a great day at Hemingway, all the members of Burning Barn for kickin' out the jams. A special thanks to Boltgrl for making it a very special Sushifest for me. You're terrific, D.
Erik
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Zander
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Nov 10, 2007 - 12:16am PT
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Hi All,
I wish I'd been there.
PhilB,
I was wondering why you gave me the high sign across the room at the gym the other day! You had some tales to tell. Looks like you had a good time and did some good climbing.
See ya soon,
Zander
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Jingy
Social climber
Flatland, Ca
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Nov 11, 2007 - 05:43pm PT
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Boltgrl - Great TR Boltgrl. You're the best. Keep up the great wit and always remain as cool as you are now.
Why do I feel like I just wrote something in a yearbook?
Anyway, it was really nice to meet you.
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Nov 26, 2007 - 09:08pm PT
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Locker and the Cragman
Kook,Kook,achoo
Peace
Karl
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Nov 27, 2007 - 03:04am PT
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Nah, but I figure one of you might be the Eggman and one the Walrus
KookKookachoo
;-)
Karl
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