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caughtinside
Social climber
Davis, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 12, 2008 - 03:08pm PT
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I think I just read Clint's 7000th helpful post on this site! I don't think I've ever seen him be rude or unhelpful on here, and his climbing pages have helped me out in the past. Also love his hand drawn topos and perfect beta recollection!
Never met the guy, but three cheers for clint! I wish my posts were consistantly as helpful an on topic as his, something to strive for.
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Standing Strong
Trad climber
there's a time for every star
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Mar 12, 2008 - 03:09pm PT
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amen! thanks clint. cheers and good wishes to you and yours :)
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martygarrison
Trad climber
atlanta
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Mar 12, 2008 - 03:12pm PT
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the guy is a living google of climbing in the west.
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Mar 12, 2008 - 03:18pm PT
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Glad you guys see it this way too. In a guidebook I recently published my thanks to CC includes the phrase:
"...and to Clint Cummins,who shares a passion for detail and accuracy (truly 'the Keeper of All Knowledge')."
In many days and many climbs I've never heard a coarse or angry word from him. But I have heard him laugh a lot.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Mar 12, 2008 - 03:29pm PT
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Clint is definately an asset to this site and the climbing world.
Thanks Clint, climb on!
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Mar 12, 2008 - 03:33pm PT
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Hey, that guy is a poser!
from Lesson 7 of "How to be a Hard Man", by H. Koch
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kellie
climber
Seattle
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Mar 12, 2008 - 03:55pm PT
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I still use Clint's guide to Index.
And find his name in summit registers all over the place.
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L
climber
Malibu, baby....in a Cheetah shirt
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Mar 12, 2008 - 03:58pm PT
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Clint is one of the greats on ST.
Wonderfully informative posts, great photos, never picks on anyone or worries about ST becoming a sewing circle :-) --just really a good guy with what appears to be a lovely sense of humor.
Thanks for being a fine example to all, Clint.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Mar 12, 2008 - 04:16pm PT
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I wanna see the Winchester pump photo again.
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Mar 12, 2008 - 04:23pm PT
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Anyone who has a copy of the book Yankee Rock and Ice should check out Clint in it. The book makes it clear that he was quite on the cutting edge of ice climbing back there in the late 70s.
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Nor Cal
Trad climber
San Mateo
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Mar 12, 2008 - 04:25pm PT
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I've met Clint, only once, at Handley Rock in Redwood City (for Clint: I was the one top roping both the top and bottom rock from the same set up). I enjoyed the few minutes that we chatted. I have also read numerous post and have gained a lot of second hand info from him. thanks
-Rob
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spyork
Social climber
A prison of my own creation
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Mar 12, 2008 - 04:27pm PT
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Here's to all Clint's hard work making things safer for idiots like me. And all that knowledge he shares freely.
Cheers!
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JuanDeFuca
Big Wall climber
Stoney Point
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Mar 12, 2008 - 04:27pm PT
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Clint turned me in to the cybercops twice. Once at Caltech and another at my current job.
Ha, Ha.
Prowsolo
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Strider
Trad climber
one of god's mountain temples....
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Mar 12, 2008 - 04:59pm PT
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It seems no matter where I climb around California I will always find a register or a guidebook with his name in it. I swear the guy has climbed every where, even places where no one else climbs! And as friendly and helpful as he seems online, he is ten time more so in person.
here's to ya Clint! One of the good ones.
-n
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k-man
Gym climber
SCruz
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Mar 12, 2008 - 05:11pm PT
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Yeah Clint!! Not just an resource for the unknowns in the West, I heard he knows a bit about the East as well (as any guidebook author would, I guess).
Never seen anything but positive input here. And he doesn't just spray. Nope, just check out what he did for us in the Valley this past JULY (strike that, it was August, even hotter...)!!
Honest, we could do with more like Clint. But I've been looking, I hadn't seen another.
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Slakkey
Trad climber
From a Quiet Place by the Lake
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Mar 12, 2008 - 05:22pm PT
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A good example is the recent thread with regard to cams for the Nose with the Graphs etc. I must admit I got a bit of a laugh when I first saw that thread. But Clint just gave the person honest, straight forward input and advice as he does in other threads.
I agree that he is a real value to the forum.
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Russ Walling
Social climber
Out on the sand.... man.....
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Mar 12, 2008 - 05:24pm PT
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Clint is A OK!
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the Fet
Knackered climber
A bivy sack in the secret campground
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Mar 12, 2008 - 05:44pm PT
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Here, here.
Clint Cummins Appreciation Thread - good call CI.
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Nate D
climber
San Francisco
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Mar 12, 2008 - 06:22pm PT
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I just wanna know how he does it? In my mind's eye, he eats, drinks, sleeps, and breaths climbing. I imagine him in the wee hours of the night, hunched over, still donning rack and harness, typing frantically at his computer - never missing one detail in all those databases!
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caughtinside
Social climber
Davis, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 12, 2008 - 06:24pm PT
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Hey Clint,
repost that photo of that nut tool that looks like a prison shiv if you don't mind.
That's a good one, and a testament to getting the most out of your gear!
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murcy
climber
San Fran Cisco
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Mar 12, 2008 - 06:25pm PT
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plus he mentors the stanford alpine club...
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Domingo
Trad climber
El Portal, CA
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Mar 12, 2008 - 06:28pm PT
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He's totally humble in real life, despite having some gnarly and burly climbing experience under the belt. And you won't find a better booty-seeker!
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Mar 12, 2008 - 06:43pm PT
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Clint does relish the role, keeper of knowledge. And sharer. Good-humored, smart and more on-topic than 99% of us here, he's an easy guy to appreciate. (I've been appreciating his work since he wrote the first guide to Lake Willoughby ice climbs, several lifetimes ago.)
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k-man
Gym climber
SCruz
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Mar 12, 2008 - 06:55pm PT
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He's totally humble in real life ...
Are we talkin' about the same Clint?? I mean sheesh, he woulda won the SprayLord contest, had he set his watch correctly. That's because he went on and on about his real-life accomplishments. Never ending, it was. Then last time I saw him, all I could do was to cover my ears, otherwise all they'd hear was how he just did this, and just did that. Give that guy a couple of weeks off and he'll clean all the garbage around the base of Half Dome, the entire base. Even though he can barely walk. Then he'll do some cheesy photo essay bragging of his "accomplishments." About has humble as Chuck Norris, I'd say...
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nita
climber
chica from chico, I don't claim to be a daisy
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Mar 12, 2008 - 07:00pm PT
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Ditto...to all the above comments. Don't know him, but.. I love his beautiful/sincere smile.
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pyro
Big Wall climber
Calabasas
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Mar 12, 2008 - 07:01pm PT
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"Classic Clint hard as flint".
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WBraun
climber
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Mar 12, 2008 - 07:33pm PT
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Just like Chiloe said, and he's a really, really good guy.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 12, 2008 - 07:34pm PT
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Here's to Clint!
For keeping it real.
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Jaybro
Social climber
The West
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Mar 12, 2008 - 08:42pm PT
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I'd pretty much go by whatever he advises.
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Melissa
Gym climber
berkeley, ca
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Mar 12, 2008 - 08:58pm PT
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I think there was a thread a while back about the 10 people who influenced your climbing most, and Clint was on mine...although we've barely climbed together. He was a trusted early internet sensei for me and a continued source of weekend-warrior adventure inspiration. I hope I get to appreciate his company on one of my "free" fridays before the end of the spring term!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31075&l=85a13&id=1059420393
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rhyang
Ice climber
SJC
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Mar 12, 2008 - 10:15pm PT
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Even though he can barely walk.
Recently I asked on the rc.com injuries & accidents forum about people who had returned to climbing after spinal cord injury and he responded by sharing some personal experience. I was way encouraged.
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Roger Brown
climber
Oceano, California
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Mar 13, 2008 - 12:26pm PT
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Because of Clint, the summer of 2007 will be remembered as one of the best ever. High adventure and great fun. I remember lots of laughter. Can't wait for this season,
Roger Brown
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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Mar 13, 2008 - 12:59pm PT
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I always look forward to the threads Clint starts
and his contribution in total.
Clint seems to embody the spirit of the original bay area/Berkeley
based Yosemite climbers, to a T.
great job man!
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James
climber
a porch in Chinese Camp
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Mar 13, 2008 - 02:04pm PT
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Every time I see Clint, he's toting a young lady around, climbing hard in Yosemite, and brandishing an encyclopedia of climbing knowledge between his ears. Impressive.
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Mar 13, 2008 - 08:59pm PT
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I met Clint once, at the base of Five and Dime, he was belaying Joel... we talked, he asked about my photography, I gave him an example of the pix I like to take... some climber freeing the Salathe, he said "I think I know who that was" and he did!
But even though it was only once, it seems he is very much a part of climbing with me in the Valley. Don't know why... Karl would say his energy is there (I think) and in some ways I would totally agree.
This thread is too good not to be on the front page a bit longer....
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Marshall
climber
bay area
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Mar 13, 2008 - 10:09pm PT
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Clint is one of the nicest people you will ever meet, and a fount of beta.
clint on scarface, IC
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WanderlustMD
Trad climber
Lanham MD
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Mar 13, 2008 - 10:41pm PT
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Yessir, Clint seems to be a good guy from what I've seen. Sometimes good guys seem few and far between!
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Mar 14, 2008 - 01:11am PT
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Pinnacles climbers won't forget the 300 or so bolts he and his friend Bruce Hildenbrand have replaced there just in the last 3 - 4 years. Nice public service.
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durban
climber
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Mar 14, 2008 - 02:44am PT
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Clint's perhaps the most generous climber you'll meet. Whether replacing bad bolts or taking new climbers up Central Pillar for his gazillionth time, he seems to genuinely get the most pleasure from helping others find and enjoy climbing.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Mar 14, 2008 - 03:14am PT
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"Pinnacles climbers won't forget the 300 or so bolts he and his friend Bruce Hildenbrand have replaced there just in the last 3 - 4 years. Nice public service."
absolutely! glad you mentioned. that guy drills like a machine.
thx clint, i think i've told you this before. it's appreciated. u too Bruce H.
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Zander
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Mar 14, 2008 - 11:20am PT
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Thanks Clint,
Hope to meet you some day.
Zander
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k-man
Gym climber
SCruz
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Mar 14, 2008 - 11:34am PT
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Pinnacles climbers can also tip their hat to Clint for being instrumental in getting the Park to relax it's dusk closing time. Heck, I believe it was he (and BruceH) who got the park to install the gate on the West Side that automatically lets you out if you're there after the rangers leave.
I guess his motivation was too many $100 tickets for coming back late after rebolting far, far away routes.
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Mar 14, 2008 - 11:50am PT
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Always seemed like a good guy all the way back into the wreck.climbing days.
I hijacked a couple of his topos and redrew them and he didn't even seem to mind.
Hope to meet him face to face as well one of these days. Cheers Clint!
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piquaclimber
Trad climber
Durango
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Mar 14, 2008 - 12:04pm PT
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Good thread.
I have never met Clint but have benefited from and enjoyed his posts for years now.
Thanks Clint.
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OldEric
Trad climber
Westboro, MA
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Mar 14, 2008 - 12:33pm PT
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Clint and John Imbrie were a very strong partnership and had a major impact on climbing in the NE all those many years ago.
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jpdreamer
Trad climber
St. Louis
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Mar 14, 2008 - 01:17pm PT
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Reguarding the "Clint lives and breathes climbing":
In June my brother was up for graduation and we decided to join in the weekly Handley Rock trip. So we show up at the regular meeting spot and pretty soon Clint shows up too. So introduce my brother and say that he's up for graduation, and ask when his daughter's graduation is as she's a senior from high school. Clint: "Oh it's probably starting about now."
Also, while the rest of the bay was watching the world series, he was hanging off a hook drilling a bolt for a new route at Pinacles during the earthquake.
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k-man
Gym climber
SCruz
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Mar 14, 2008 - 02:24pm PT
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Also, while the rest of the bay was watching the world series, he was hanging off a hook drilling a bolt for a new route at Pinacles during the earthquake.
Haha!
Clint, let's hear that story!! What'd you name the route, Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On?
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Mar 14, 2008 - 05:33pm PT
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> Also, while the rest of the bay was watching the world series, he was hanging off a hook drilling a bolt for a new route at Pinacles during the earthquake.
It was a different quake, actually. Not the 1989 Loma Prieta, but a 12/22/03 quake, with epicenter at Paso Robles.
The route was on Long's Folly.
Here's what I wrote in my trip report at the time:
------
While I was hanging from a hook to drill the
second bolt at 11:16am, a 6.5 earthquake hit! (Epicenter: Paso Robles).
It was a unique ride for about 15 seconds.
------
The way I usually tell the story is that I was hanging from the hook, drilling the bolt, and I noticed my legs were shaking a bit. I was a little scared but not that scared... I also remembered belaying earlier in the cold at the base and shivering a bit, but I wasn't that cold.... So I realized it was a quake. Pretty gentle rocking, back and forth. I remember wondering if there was anything above me about to come down (hey, it is the Pinnacles...), but I knew the Long's Folly summit area was pretty clean. So I just rode it and enjoyed the view, then resumed drilling after some joking with Bruce.
By the way, on the rebolting, it might seem like I am doing a lot, but that is probably because I like to post here with photos to "promote the cause" (see cartoon above?). Bruce Hildenbrand is the true master of rebolting at Pinnacles (and elsewhere), while Greg Barnes, Roger Brown and Chris McNamara have done so much in Yosemite that I will never catch up with those guys, either! I have fun getting out and replacing a few from time to time, because it can be an interesting challenge. Actually I don't mind climbing and hauling on 1/4" bolts, but they seem to freak out other people, and I've certainly seen a few truly bad ones.
I looked for a photo of my "prison shiv" nut tool, but can't find one and don't remember ever posting one. It looks like a Leeper hooker tool, but with the hook part worn off years ago. This shape is pretty handy for poking directly into the side hole of big stoppers, to lever them loose (like the booty stopper in my other post). Also good to insert for loosening knots. I just used it last Saturday to finally liberate the rap chains above Little John Left, which had a fixed rope tied into one of the rings since last June. Here's an "after" photo:
Previously the olive green fixed line had been tied into the lower right ring, with a very bulky knot, which resulted in the core shot.
P.S. In the above photo, you can assume (correctly) that any gear which does not look like booty belongs to my partner. :-)
[Edit to add:] Brad is right about Rock Around the Clock and the lifting of the hours restriction. But Bruce Hildenbrand, Larry Arthur, and Jerry Case (of NPS) were the prime movers on that. I did go to a meeting with Kelly, Larry and Jerry where it was discussed, and Jerry had already been working on it, so I didn't do much. Bruce got one of those $100 fines, too. The fine was not fun, but even worse was trying to run out from Machete with a heavy pack on my bad ankle a couple of times, trying to beat the stupid closing hour. It's good to be able to enjoy the sunsets there again.
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martygarrison
Trad climber
atlanta
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Mar 14, 2008 - 05:53pm PT
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Clint, with all these accolades, generous, patient, smart, brain like a search engine, great all around guy......I was just wondering can my family and I go ahead and move in with you? We don't take that much space really, a couple of rooms. A shared bathroom will be fine. I can't think of a better place to live! :)
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Mar 14, 2008 - 06:31pm PT
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k-man wrote:
"Pinnacles climbers can also tip their hat to Clint for being instrumental in getting the Park to relax it's dusk closing time. Heck, I believe it was he (and BruceH) who got the park to install the gate on the West Side that automatically lets you out if you're there after the rangers leave."
I think their newer route "Rock Around the Clock" was named to celebrate the closures being lifted. And, he was actually hit with the $100.00 late departure fine only once - but that blew his whole climbing budget for the year:)
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phylp
Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
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Mar 14, 2008 - 08:33pm PT
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I just registered to post on this forum, after years of lurking, so I could join the chorus of Clint fans. I met Clint on the regular buildering circuit we all had at Stanford in the early 80's (before gyms). He adopted me as a "partner" even though I was a complete novice, after my husband found other interests and took a break from climbing. He was a fantastic mentor and we climbed a lot together for years, until I moved up the Peninsula and the logistics got more difficult. He is an all round great guy. Clint, we'll definately have to connect for a trip this season!
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healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
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Mar 14, 2008 - 08:51pm PT
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I think Clint does a fab job as a photo contrib, a human historical reference, and in his attitude and speech on-line. Can't beat that no matter how you look at it...
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jsb
Trad climber
Bay area
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Mar 16, 2008 - 08:41pm PT
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bump for Clint! he's awesome!
as a Stanford graduate student, I've had the privilege to participate in several of the trips Clint has organized for the climbing club there. without fail, everybody on these trips always has a great time... this is due, i'm sure, to Clint's patience and great attitude towards climbing.
actually, my first trip down to the Pinnacles was with Clint in a group of about 8. we hit the Balconies area on the west side and Clint led the first pitches of a few of the routes to set up topropes for the rest of us. it was great! i remember having a blast on the Lava Falls and Conduit to the Cosmos topropes, among other climbs. If you've never done these climbs... let's just say the climbing holds sometimes break off and the 1/4'' protection bolts are sometimes a little suspect. At the time, I never would have even considered trying these climbs on my own. Recently I've been back to do them, but I doubt I ever would have even tried if I hadn't seen Clint happily climbing them for us first.
I also joined Clint on a trip to the Valley last spring to climb the Lost Arrow Spire Tip and then set up the tyrolean from the spire to the rim. I think Clint had never done this climb before and was eager to see what it was all about. Anyway, somehow the group size grew to more than a dozen people. We separated into groups of 2-3 to rap into the notch, climb the thing, and then tyrolean back to the rim. All the while, Clint helped to set things up from the rim and even belay people back over. Anyway, daylight grew kind of short, and it worked out that everybody on the trip made it out to the spire... except for Clint and his son. I was pretty bummed about that, but if Clint and his son were, they didn't show it at all! That was a great, classic clint weekend. :)
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Off White
climber
Tenino, WA
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Mar 17, 2008 - 08:43pm PT
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I've been a fan ever since his crisp and informative Index guide, took it out for a day at that crag just last year. Sorry to say some of those routes have disappeared back into the primordial Index ooze.
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the Fet
Knackered climber
A bivy sack in the secret campground
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Mar 18, 2008 - 11:39am PT
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I just saw on the climbing routes beta page that Clint installed a new set of rap anchors on the Royal Arches rap route. Thanks Clint!
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bhilden
Trad climber
Mountain View, CA
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Mar 19, 2008 - 02:10pm PT
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I have waited to post my comments in hopes of keeping this thread alive a bit longer.
What can you say about a guy who, after leading poorly protected climbing on loose rock then replacing 7 or 8 bolts then with the sun long ago set and with the rappel ropes dangling in a poison oak bush offers to go down first?
Now that's a climbing partner.
Bruce
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J. Werlin
climber
Cedaredge
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Mar 19, 2008 - 02:18pm PT
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Count me in--many many thanks for all your work and valuable posts. Legend for sure.
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looking sketchy there...
Social climber
Latitute 33
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Mar 19, 2008 - 02:27pm PT
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Clint seems like the real deal and a genuinely nice guy -- something to which to aspire.
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MisterE
Social climber
My Inner Nut
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Mar 20, 2008 - 09:28am PT
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Clint is an invaluable resource
This was the one I used most when I was in the PNW:
http://www.stanford.edu/~clint/index/index.htm
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eujin
climber
California
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Mar 24, 2008 - 12:07pm PT
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Clint brought me out to Pinnacles for my first ever outdoor climbing experience, and I had a great time climbing the easy classics that he led up. I now realise how patient he was that day as he watched a beginner flail up routes he could solo.
Clint always has a kind word to say about anyone and, as experienced by me, has great patience with beginners. Since then, we've been on several climbing trips together (with other members of the Stanford Alpine Club), including a mass assault on the Royal Arches-North Dome and also Lost Arrow Spire.
The Lost Arrow Spire tip was his last tick in the valley from the 50 classics but he gave up his chance to get on it when it started getting late.
Here's a photo of Clint organizing the Lost Arrow Spire ropes from the valley rim while other members of the party are rappelling down, and tyrolean-ing back to the rim.
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Emon
Trad climber
Palo Alto, CA
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I feel late to the party--don't check in so much.
Clint rocks! . . . and will not bypass booty gear without a fight.
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Gobie
Trad climber
Northern, Ca.
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Clint, the Billy Graham of western climbing. Preach it brother, preach it!
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Emon
Trad climber
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May 16, 2008 - 09:57pm PT
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Clint, Thanks for letting me sabotage your climbing day on Sunday so you could teach me how to follow a pendulum!
I like these pics. (Look, I posted a pic on ST! I feel like I've crossed a Rubicon of sorts)
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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May 16, 2008 - 11:49pm PT
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Clint is one of the two or three most important posters here. For years! He is just amazing. We are so lucky to have him; imagine how flappy we would be without his grounding detail, his friendly repartee. And a great climber.
best to you, PH
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L
climber
Ocean of dreams....
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May 17, 2008 - 11:23am PT
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Bump for a guy that truly deserves all of our appreciation.
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salad
climber
Escondido
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bump
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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> Clint is one of the two or three most important posers here. For years!
Fixed. :-)
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rhyang
climber
SJC
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Clint, thanks again for the encouragement !
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Floyd Hayes
Trad climber
Hidden Valley Lake, CA
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I've never met Clint but I've greatly admired both his positive attitude toward life and intellectual approach to climbing.
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Delhi Dog
Trad climber
Good Question...
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Jan 13, 2009 - 10:23am PT
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Ya, I'm coming in late too, but echo all the positive comments.
Thanks Clint for all the fine posts and the sharing of your knowledge and experiences...most appreciated and enjoyed!
Cheers,
DD
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Studly
Trad climber
WA
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Sep 11, 2009 - 02:21pm PT
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Bump for a guy who always seems to have the answer. He must climb a ton! Kudos!
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Alexey
Trad climber
San Jose, CA
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Sep 11, 2009 - 02:43pm PT
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this is a good bump. I missed this tread before. Thanks Clint for your explicit and quick answers. Your knowledge of the Valley plus willingness to share made amazing combination.
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Cpt0bvi0u5
Trad climber
Merced CA
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Sep 11, 2009 - 02:47pm PT
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Clint is a cool guy. Got to hitch a ride out with him to Yosemite and he even gave me some draws! Major props.
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L
climber
Rebel L rides again
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Sep 11, 2009 - 02:48pm PT
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Clint is another one of those fabulous Tacovians who holds a wealth of climbing information, is a source of awesome pictorial TR's, and is simply nice to everyone, all the time.
You rock, Clint!
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Inner City
Trad climber
East Bay
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Sep 11, 2009 - 02:53pm PT
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Clint adds huge value. Thanks!
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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Sep 11, 2009 - 03:10pm PT
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I'd like to add my thanks too. Clint's great with all kinds of details regarding anything remotely related to climbing. He's uncovered other valuable info on the internet that I would never have found myself and he even corrects my spelling if it's something important!
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Sep 11, 2009 - 03:12pm PT
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"It's a little known fact ..."
from http://www.cheersboston.com/pub/main_cheersfans_cast_cliff.html :
Cliff Clavin
Clifford Clavin was the know-it-all mailman who was best known as being Norm’s sidekick. Cliff may have been the biggest fountain of useless information to ever walk the face of the earth. What Cliff didn’t know, he made up.
:-)
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kev
climber
CA
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Sep 11, 2009 - 03:12pm PT
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Clint's a cool cat. He taught me how to repair/replace trigger wires among other things. Plus he replaces old bolts and is fun to do FA's with.....
Clint Rocks!
kev
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Sep 11, 2009 - 03:13pm PT
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Clint,
love your posts. Let me know the next time you're in IC- I'd love to hook up for a climb.
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Mike Bolte
Trad climber
Planet Earth
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Sep 11, 2009 - 03:27pm PT
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Yes! Same as the Chiloe thread. Clint is so modest that you have to take care to note while reading his posts that this man, in additional to all that other great stuff already noted, climbs hard and apparently every weekend.
Jim - IC = intensive care? Next time i'm in for chronic old guyness I'll look for you.
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Ben Emery
Trad climber
Bay Area
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Sep 11, 2009 - 03:42pm PT
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An amazing font of information, generous and modest to boot. A rarity in the climbing world! Anyone interested in collaborating in a project trying to clone him? We could have a Clint at every crag…
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Sep 11, 2009 - 04:07pm PT
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Whoh! Shoulder belays! Woot!
I'd tie in with Clint any time he'd have me.
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cragnshag
Social climber
san joser
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Sep 11, 2009 - 04:33pm PT
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To REALLY show your appreciation to Clint, give him a pair of tube socks next time you see him at the crags. Last time I saw Clint his socks had more holes than a wiffle ball! :)
Seriously though, he's one of the best persons you could hope to be tied in at the other end of your climbing rope. Clint is a walking encyclopedia of Yosemite climbing history, and shares his knowledge freely with everyone.
When Ken gets the Yosemite Museum up and running, there needs to be an interactive "Clint Exhibit" where Clint is stuffed into a display case- the museum patron pokes at Clint with his "prison shiv" nut tool (hanging from a wire attached to the exhibit) to get his attention, and then asks any Yosemite climbing related question. Then Clint would reply with the correct answer.
Example:
museum patron: (pokes Clint in the ribs with the shiv to get his attention)
Clint: ouch!
museum patron: Hey, who did the FA of Book of Revelations?
Clint: Gordon Webster and Chuck Ostin in October 1965. The first free ascent was by Bob Finn and Chris Falkenstein in 1974.
museum patron: cool!
Clint: (looking famished) Hey you got any Little Debbie's in your pack?
museum patron: (holding up the shiv) Hey buddy, I'll be asking the questions here!
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Sep 11, 2009 - 04:44pm PT
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it should be Chris Falkenstein and Bob Finn in 1974.... my bad
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Sep 11, 2009 - 05:49pm PT
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Holy photoshop, Ben! Looks scary.
I checked my "beta files" and found the original photo from 2/08.
It's not a shoulder belay - I'm really just pulling up the slack
before setting up the real belay.
Top of Sacherer Cracker.
My dad likes to use a shoulder belay, but I'm too much of a pencil neck to be able to deploy one safely.
I've used that style to haul a pack a couple of times, though.
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G Murphy
Trad climber
Oakland CA
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Sep 11, 2009 - 05:51pm PT
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It's a fact that Clint eats only out of cans. If he were to loose his can opener, he would starve!
Clint weighs all of 120 pounds and made some homemade rivet hangers that conservatively hold 122 pounds. I borrowed some for the Shield and found myself gettting some big air when these time bombs blew.
Clint is a fountain of Yosemite knowledge and a voice of civility and reason on Supertopo.
Thanks Clint!
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Melissa
Gym climber
berkeley, ca
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Sep 11, 2009 - 06:23pm PT
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Nice bump.
Clint was one of those internet folks that we recognized without ever seeing a picture or hearing a physical description of him.
J and I were going up the lower (ill advised) part of Awahnee Butress trying to skip ahead in the Serenity Crack conga line one weekend so that we could do an FA that we'd scoped and cleaned some the day before.
J sort of barked at me (uncharacteristically) to haul ass up the bolt ladder bit where the routes come together and ordered me up the last layback pitch as soon as I hit the belay. While I was racing a guy on the SC crux pitch up the ledge, J could hear calls ringing down to "Clint".
When J got to the ledge, he said "I think that's Clint Cummins down there." As a tried and true Yosemite obscurista and lover of the Cathedrals, his statement had that edge of excitement usually reserved for encounters with the more broadly famous.
Moments later, A lanky and somewhat British looking fella easily pulled himself onto the edge. Everything that he was wearing or carrying appeared to have been climbing a lot longer than me. J asked if he was Clint Cummins. He was.
We told him that we were headed to the right and would only be near them on the 1st pitch. Clint asked about the nice hand crack up higher. The strange patch of extreme cleanliness was his very own handiwork, a potential FA to which he'd never returned. Small, small world it was right there on Sunset Ledge.
Sharing that bit of knowledge and appreciation for the line made it more fun to do. Unsolicited, Clint took pictures from the parking lot, drew in the line, and e-mailed it to me.
I love it when people from computerland turn out to seem very much as I imagined them from their postings when the way that I imagined them was kind, interesting, and admirable.
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Sep 11, 2009 - 06:42pm PT
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> I love it when people from computerland turn out to seem very much as you imagined them from their postings
Ditto for Melissa and J - nicer than could be imagined, and pretty cool floating that FA.
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Melissa
Gym climber
berkeley, ca
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Sep 11, 2009 - 07:03pm PT
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Thanks, Clint.
BTW, I wasn't sure I was referencing the right ledge, but according to the first hit on my Google search, your web page, I had the right one. ;-)
Do you track your web traffic stats? I'm curious how many hits per month your fact and TR pages draw.
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kev
climber
A pile of dirt.
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Aug 18, 2011 - 12:59pm PT
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Bump - since I was just hunting down some old info he'd emailed me in the past!
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Patrick Oliver
Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
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Aug 18, 2011 - 01:32pm PT
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I guess it doesn't mean too much to say someone is a nice guy,
because there are lots of nice guys and lots of intelligent ones.
More specifics perhaps would help. I had the great fortune of
staying with Clint and his family when I gave a show at Stanford
about a year ago. Imagine a somewhat wild-haired thin gentleman...
storms into the train depot late, to pick me up. He's smiling,
takes my bags. We take off in a rickety old car that doesn't
seem it will make it anywhere. He assures me it goes to Yosemite
regularly. His home, an extremely quiet setting. Mother works. Daughter
in college, son as quiet as Clint. Pictures all over the bedroom
walls show these are fine students and very good athletes.
His family and I enjoy a very good supper Clint's wife prepares,
very still setting, simple easy conversation....
And Clint spends a great deal of time at the computer, in the
little cluttered office in his house and at his office at the
campus. His work at the campus, I was never sure, but much is
his labor-of-love research and data building in climbing. He took
me on a little walk through the Stanford campus, showed me around,
set up the show originally of course, with the kind of competence
one greatly appreciates, a first rate gentleman all around. I was in the
middle of ending a relationship and was in a deeply pained place,
so I wasn't too much fun to be with and snapped at people in subtle
ways who didn't deserve it. But the nights, I slept so peacefully.
He helped me with my computer, showed me how to work a dvd projector,
in fact then loaned me his projector for the remainder of the little
tour. Always willing to help, not a discouraged word at any turn,
and whether he remembers me or not, I will never forget the gentile
effect he had on my soul.
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tolman_paul
Trad climber
Anchorage, AK
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I haven't met Clint, but I've been impressed by his selflessness in replacing so many manky old bolts. His tr's and pics of his re-bolting adventures are a highlight of the taco, and his knowledge of the valley is beyond impressive.
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tahoe523
Trad climber
Station Wagon, USA
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The annoying thing I find about Clint is that he has too many climbing partners. Booking a weekend with him would be, I imagine, like reserving a spot at French Laundry- you have to know someone that knows someone to get bumped up the list.
Most of us aspire to be as helpful and as kind. And if you happen to catch this yourself, don't forget- me and my two #6s are waiting (im)patiently. I look forward to holding a rope for you sometime this fall.
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cragnshag
Social climber
san joser
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Tahoe-
Charlie don't surf
and Clint don't do OW (not unless you disguise it by putting it in the middle of a long route...)
Maybe put away the #6's then see if one of his weekends magically opens up :)
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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"I know somebody, who knows somebody ... who robbed somebody." - Snoop Dog
My favorite line from the remake of Starsky and Hutch.
I haven't forgotten about the ow project - your lead once the temps cool down! :-)
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J. Werlin
Social climber
Cedaredge, CO
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The Machete Direct TR reminded me of all the rebolting work Clint has done. Not to mention his generosity in providing copious route info whenever someone asks. One of the best citizens on this forum and in the climbing community.
Many thanks for your efforts Clint. Appreciated.
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Clint is one of the tops here, Fo Sho.
Rock On!!!
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Thanks, but the rebolting is really a team effort. If it wasn't for Bruce, Roger, Bob, Greg, etc., I wouldn't be out there to share in the glory.
Bruce bounced back from a near-fatal bike crash, but he is back and he is picking great projects and also getting more bolts than me, every time!
Plus he is always carrying the crowbar and the chains.
Somehow I neglected to mention on our last trip that one bolt took me 2 hours to drill, at Pinnacles! Apparently I found a very tough rock under the surface? Bruce replaced about 4 while I was beating madly to finish the one. My wrist is still a little tender, but getting better.
At Parkline Bob and I each got 4 on Friday, then he got another 5 on Sunday. It would have been more, but I left the tuning forks on the ground by mistake on Saturday.... Bob also ground the slots in the tile chisels last weekend (still to be taper ground by me).
And Roger is several thousand bolts in front of me. :-) But it takes a team effort to get it done, and I'm happy to be able to contribute.
Thanks to Greg for keeping us supplied with quality gear, sponsors, and other folks who have fixed ropes on stuff I couldn't do!
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Mark Sensenbach
climber
CA
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Clint/ Bruce/ Roger/ Bob/ and others thank you for the help.
Thank You!!
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Darwin
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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When I moved to Seattle in '93 I was a little worried that the rock climbing options would be minimal. But Mountain 145 had story on Index Town Wall that got me to the town, and then in the Index General Store I ran across Index Town Wall Climbing Guide by some guy name Clint Cummins. The guide really fascinated me with its hand drawn maps and topos that gave away just the right amount, but let my imagination fill in glorious climbing riches. And it had far more complete coverage of Index than any other guide. Anyway thanks Clint!!!. I hope you got rich off of it! ;-)
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Elcapinyoazz
Social climber
Joshua Tree
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Missed this before, but cheers to Clint.
Helped me out both directly with great beta and pics for finding the top of something I needed to rap into, and indirectly via all the info and stories on his climbing webpage and topos/annotated photos. Like Dingus said, BITD it was Clint and Tuan's site and rec. that were the center of valley climbing info on the net.
Still need to get on the Ho Chi Mihn.
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bhilden
Trad climber
Mountain View, CA
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Clint was nice enough to accompany me to Tollhouse Rock in early February to help rebolt several routes I put up there 35 years ago! After the rebolting was done we were hiking out when we came upon what looked like a rollover crash by a 4x4 vehicle. The vehicle was gone but there was a bunch of debris and also a couple of windshields.
Clint folded up one of the windshields, dumped everything out of his pack and loaded the windshield in. The other windshield was too shattered so I had to pick up all the broken pieces of glass. We had quite a haul of debris coming back from the top of Tollhouse Rock.
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Kalimon
Trad climber
Ridgway, CO
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Thanks Clint!
Your efforts on behalf of the climbing community are beyond compare. We appreciate your positive example.
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RyanD
climber
Squamish
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Was hoping there was one of these already.
Just want to say how much I respect Clint's ability to sidestep all the BS & constantly contribute positive climbing content. He posts great answers/pics/topos/beta to almost every climbing related query or discussion, even the n00b questions get a serious answer from him. When you are jonesing for climbing content just click on his name & search back in his posts to find solid gold every time, just don't forget to bump it.
Cheers to you Clint, one of the great sages of the taco!
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mynameismud
climber
backseat
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The Betaman is a working legend.
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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over the years I've been honored to work with him on a mammoth project that ebbs and flows with interest... he is a motivator and a positive force propelling it forward many times..
not only that, but to see him around the Valley doing all the things he does...
he's a force of nature, but one of those subtle forces that always seems to be around...
I'm appreciative, and a bit of an admirer, here's to you Clint!
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Aaron McDonald
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, CA
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May 13, 2014 - 01:23pm PT
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Clint,
We need to do another trip!
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WBraun
climber
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May 13, 2014 - 01:36pm PT
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Clint is the best.
He's awesome .....
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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May 13, 2014 - 01:41pm PT
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Clint is one of the foundations of this crazy site, much appreciated.
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Avery
climber
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May 14, 2014 - 01:23am PT
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Thanks Clint, for keeping me honest.
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Stewart Johnson
climber
lake forest
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Jun 16, 2014 - 09:43am PT
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Clint provides crucial climbing facts here.
Thanks!
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wstmrnclmr
Trad climber
Bolinas, CA
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Jun 17, 2014 - 06:45pm PT
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What people may not know about Clint is that he's not only a walking encyclopedia of climbing, but also has a vast catalogue of bad 70's songs in his head.
Here's a sighting at Parkline last winter when he and Bob Steed where gracious enough to let me crash their party. Thanks for putting up with me.
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
extraordinaire
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Oct 24, 2014 - 09:12pm PT
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Rajko
Trad climber
Cambridge, MA
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You can now also find here comprehensive texts about Lake Willoughby and Mt Katahdin written by Clint in the 1979 and 1984 editions of Harvard Mountaineering respectively.
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LilaBiene
Trad climber
Technically...the spawning grounds of Yosemite
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Wicked awesome. :D
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Cool poster - a blast from the dusty past.
Crater Club - check. (I "founded" that when I plunged from Low Exposure in the Gunks into the Frog Pond, ending a bogus free solo attempt in sneakers).
"I dreamed a dream, in time gone by...."
RIP, Nick - who was ticking the climbs in the 50 Classic Climbs book, and didn't return from the Wishbone Arete (with partner Francis, summer 1984).
Thanks for scanning the old journals - nice to share those, as other journals have gone online as well.
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zBrown
Ice climber
Brujò de la Playa
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^zactly what the OP said!!!
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MisterE
Gym climber
Being In Sierra Happy Of Place
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Oct 11, 2015 - 07:47pm PT
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Just a bump for the man that does the hard work behind the scenes.
Big fan since the Index Guide.
So, wait... is the chevron an arete or a dihedral? LOL.
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Bushman
Social climber
Elk Grove, California
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Oct 12, 2015 - 05:49am PT
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Hi Clint,
Thanks for posting the Cobra pics on the 'Days of Yore' thread. What year were they taken? Have you ever done a trip report for it?
-bushman
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clinker
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, California
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Oct 12, 2015 - 05:59am PT
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He is Mr. Yore.
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skcreidc
Social climber
SD, CA
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Oct 12, 2015 - 06:49am PT
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Damn straight bump. I appreciate his no bullshit responses too. Thanks Clint!
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Patrick Sawyer
climber
Originally California now Ireland
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Oct 12, 2015 - 07:03am PT
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Bump.
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Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
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Oct 12, 2015 - 10:18am PT
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Awesome guy that contributes nothing but great info and positive vibe to threads. Thank you!
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mynameismud
climber
backseat
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Oct 12, 2015 - 04:27pm PT
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Clint, thanks for climbing with me when I was a maladjusted idiot. Wait...
And thanks for being an incredible resource to the climbing community.
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Todd Eastman
climber
Bellingham, WA
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Oct 12, 2015 - 08:12pm PT
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Harvard! So glad you overcame that handicap...
... great efforts with route information and sharing information!
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tornado
climber
lawrence kansas
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bump
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Alexey
climber
San Jose, CA
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Recent poetry meltdown with Horni drama Quinn on Maxine wall bring back this tread of Clint appreciation immediately. Clint not only did huge work of replacing old bolts , but did a lot of removing of fixed gear. One potz left #6 camelot stuck in the crack few years ago and Clint bring it back unsolicited. Thank you Clint to teaching me how to remove fixed gear with tire iron .
And thank you for sharing your vast knowledge of Yosemite climbing with us
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ElGreco
Mountain climber
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Nov 19, 2018 - 10:25am PT
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Clint, as someone who has benefited from your rappel route work, I'd like to voice my gratitude and appreciation for the thought, physical effort and expense that has gone in them.
The work will have already reached thousands of people, and will keep growing every year.
Thank you!
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Zay
climber
Monterey, Ca
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Nov 19, 2018 - 05:40pm PT
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Clint's trip reports have been some of my favorite things to read over and over again when Im wondering what to aspire towards.
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Zay
climber
Monterey, Ca
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Nov 19, 2018 - 05:49pm PT
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I once "met" Clint at Pinnacles. He was doing some rebolting on the Discovery Wall with Bruce Hildenbrad. I think they were rebolting Wet Kiss...
As I remember, I was walking underneath them and yelled up, "You guys having fun?"
Clint, who I didnt get to meet in the parking lot like I did Bruce, immediately responding with a stern, "No!"
While I remember feeling sheepish at the retort, Ive since gotten a tiny bit of hands-on rebolting Kung Fu, and now I chuckle at the memory- knowing how much of a pain in the ass that sh#t can be.
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i'm gumby dammit
Sport climber
da ow
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Nov 27, 2018 - 01:59am PT
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I think I just read Clint's 7000th helpful post on this site! I don't think I've ever seen him be rude or unhelpful on here, and his climbing pages have helped me out in the past. Also love his hand drawn topos and perfect beta recollection!
Never met the guy, but three cheers for clint! I wish my posts were consistantly as helpful an on topic as his, something to strive for. (fast forward 10.5 years) I searched before starting a very similar thread and found the exact same sentiment i wanted to express so i'll just leave it there
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NutAgain!
Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
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Nov 27, 2018 - 02:03pm PT
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Can't believe I didn't add in my voice of appreciation sooner! I've never met Clint in real life (actually maybe I did at a picnic table in Upper Pines with the rebolting crew nearly a decade ago?) but I have been amazed on countless occasions how helpful he is here on discussions of obscurities. Hearing so many other people's positive experiences with him is heart-warming.
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Nov 27, 2018 - 04:37pm PT
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I once "met" Clint at Pinnacles. He was doing some rebolting on the Discovery Wall with Bruce Hildenbrad. I think they were rebolting Wet Kiss...
As I remember, I was walking underneath them and yelled up, "You guys having fun?"
Clint, who I didnt get to meet in the parking lot like I did Bruce, immediately responding with a stern, "No!" I was just trying to be honest!
Most of the time, rebolting is fun, but the original bolts on Wet Kiss were really good,
so I was unable to remove them and was not sure if were doing more harm than good....
I recall we basically replaced the hangers.
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BruceHildenbrand
Social climber
Mountain View/Boulder
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Nov 27, 2018 - 05:33pm PT
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Yes! The key to removing wedge bolts is:
1) get the old nut off
2) get the bolt stud spinning
3) remove the old stud
4) re-drill the hole
5) put in the new bolt
As Clint mentioned, on many of the bolts on Wet Kiss we couldn't get the old nut off(existing threads on the stud were damaged - these were 30 year old wedge bolts without the cone to protect the threads which are found on most wedge bolts these days).
And once we did get the nut off by either filing or hack sawing off the damaged threads we couldn't get the bolt to spin. We were spending up to two hours per bolt and basically only able to replace the hangers.
BTW, we did replace two of the bolts and I had the old studs tested at Colorado State University. The 30-year old studs tested to new specs(5000+lbs) in shear strength!
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Nov 27, 2018 - 06:02pm PT
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P1 of Called On Account Of Rains. This is done in one long pitch these days . It was Much Thinner, 2 pitches and mixed when Clint was part of the FA P3 is usually Fat, steep and sustained! Called is one of the most Bad assed climbs in the North Eeast US. The start rarely comes in as fat as it was the day we did it.
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Fritz
Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
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Nov 28, 2018 - 09:48am PT
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I appreciate all that Clint has done & is still doing for the climbing community. On a personal level, his interest, expertise, & collaboration in identifying old climbing gear has been of great help, & his keen eyes & sense of detail are much appreciated too.
He is truly one of ST’s few renaissance men.
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