Discussion Topic |
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 20, 2008 - 10:39pm PT
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Who is the owner of these fine specimens?!? From Mountain 24, November 1972.
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Scared Silly
Trad climber
UT
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Dec 20, 2008 - 10:52pm PT
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Ah come on those belong to Fred Beckey. He is still wearing them. I heard Komito been resoling them since '56.
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Dec 20, 2008 - 11:10pm PT
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Chouinard?
How about posting the ad from page 43? It is Saturday night, after all!
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GDavis
Trad climber
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Dec 21, 2008 - 05:35am PT
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oh, those are the new Acopa Diabloz
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Tony Puppo
climber
Bishop
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Dec 21, 2008 - 11:53am PT
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Russ McClean
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Captain...or Skully
Trad climber
The Idaho Riviera
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Dec 21, 2008 - 11:55am PT
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Those are nice....Broke in ,too.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 21, 2008 - 12:36pm PT
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Bare 46 page 43....I guess this qualifies as mystery booty!?!
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philo
Trad climber
boulder, co.
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Dec 21, 2008 - 01:53pm PT
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Now that's adverteasing!
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jgill
climber
Colorado
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Dec 22, 2008 - 12:14am PT
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Those look familiar, from the late 1950s or early 1960s. Zillertals perhaps ? Worn by Yvon? The cord knickers also. I remember he liked those in the Tetons.
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marty(r)
climber
beneath the valley of ultravegans
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Dec 22, 2008 - 02:35am PT
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Smoke Blanchard, photo by Gordon Whiltsie? [Total guess--Wilson's has a full sized shot of that in Bishop--the Rubber Room'd make them look like new! (Tony/Nan/Dan--have a great new year!)]
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 22, 2008 - 10:26pm PT
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This is an official farcing expedition as I don't actually know the answer. The truth will likely emerge considering the number of potential eye witnesses and the popularity of that image.
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mooser
Trad climber
seattle
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Dec 22, 2008 - 10:30pm PT
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I always thought that photo had to actually be two people.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 25, 2008 - 12:28pm PT
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Hopefully Mr. West Ridge will chime in and resolve the mystery.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 30, 2008 - 08:24pm PT
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DR- Any clue here?!?
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 1, 2009 - 11:23am PT
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Stump the chump for a bump!
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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We must think of a suitable thing to do for someone who posts a question of this kind, to which he does not know the answer. :-)
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dogtown
climber
Cheyenne,Wyoming
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Someone poor like me, no doubt.
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brett
climber
oregon
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Also, whose boots are these?
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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"These boots were made for walkin'
And that's just what they'll do..."
I think that is Carmel Shimmel.
I mean they're her boots.
Um, belong to... her, yes that grrrrrrrrl.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 1, 2009 - 09:15pm PT
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I just ran into Carmel at a Glen Denny slide show up here in Seattle. Sorry to sell your saddle Roy, but I don't think she's the one in your Patagonian dream$$$$$$$$
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where'stheanchor
Trad climber
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Is that a real Patagonia ad? Ha. Did they hang lifesize copies in the stores? What exactly were they selling? those shorts, I guess.
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CAMNOTCLIMB
Trad climber
novato ca
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Back in the U.S.S.R. They made climbing shoes with rubber and ballet slippers? Might be Polish just a guess
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Peter Puget
Trad climber
Washington
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Steve -
Looks like everyone was at the Glen Denny show but for some reason I didn't see anyone. Last time I saw Carmel she was bringing her new baby to the doctor for a checkup. Do you happen to have her email adress?
Happy New Year,
Peter
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 2, 2009 - 08:37pm PT
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Fattrad- how do you know that those are Lauria's feet. Who took the shot? Did a poster of that shot hang in the West Ridge shop way back when?
I don't doubt your claim but there is a story behind this picture that I am trying to uncover. Perhaps not.....
That those klettershoes have been loved to death, patches and all, makes me curious.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Peter,
Concerning Carmel's e-mail:
It would be a bit of work, but if you look into the Woodson Shindig thread, somebody said they were in touch with Carmel and would let her know that we were all eager to see her at that gathering.
I bet that avatar/person would be happy to assist...
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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I recall seeing that Patagonia ad in Climbing or Rock and Ice, years ago. The next
issue some wiseguy wrote a letter asking the question I was waiting to see here,
"Does she tape?"
I think I know who the model was, too, but since I'm not certain, I'll keep quiet.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 2, 2009 - 09:14pm PT
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Nothing you wouldn't see on the Superbowl........or Victoria's Secret.!
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 4, 2009 - 04:26pm PT
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Back to the footwear mystery......
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Captain...or Skully
Trad climber
North of the Owyhees
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Knott for sale, are they?
Just wonderin'........
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 4, 2009 - 06:43pm PT
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Just fer speculatin' only......
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Don Lauria
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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Jan 12, 2009 - 05:34pm PT
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Okay, okay, time to clear it all up. The shoes belonged to Russ McLean. He actually wore these until he was able to afford new Kronhofers as an employee of West Ridge.
Larry Reynolds took the picture with Russ in his trademark ballet position. As I recall the picture was taken specifically to advertise shoes for West Ridge.
Hennek just called me to get me on this page. He and Russ were looking at the thread today and thought I should know about it and respond.
Hennek has a Reynolds print of the photo at his house as also do I.
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Don Lauria
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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Jan 12, 2009 - 05:45pm PT
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Adding a little more info:
I believe Puppo has the original West Ridge print that hung at West Ridge for 16 years. He inherited it from the Wheeler & Wilson Repair shop to whom I donated it in 1981.
I think we took the photo when we still had to small store (600 sq ft) on Pico Blvd circa 1966-1969. It moved to our big store on Olympic Blvd (25,000 sq ft) in late 1969.
Larry Reynolds lives in Driggs, Idaho now.
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Jan 12, 2009 - 08:38pm PT
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Well, glad that's been cleared up.
Perhaps they should be donated, at least in spirit, to the "Giving Bush the Boot" event on January 19th.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 13, 2009 - 02:14am PT
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Thanks for responding Don. You would be amazed at the range of quesses that I've heard. Russ McLean it is. Cool. Jerry Gallwas blew out a pair of klettershoes on Spider Rock alone and I wondered if these had a similar tale of toil attached.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 13, 2009 - 03:38pm PT
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Does Russ still have the boots in question?
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Don Lauria
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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Jan 13, 2009 - 07:19pm PT
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Steve,
I don't know - ask him: bblackdog1@yahoo.com
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Jan 13, 2009 - 08:49pm PT
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Hennek and McLean
get yo ass on ST
cheers
Guido
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 14, 2009 - 09:37pm PT
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Git em', Lil Joe!
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BeeHay
Trad climber
San Diego CA
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Jan 14, 2009 - 10:57pm PT
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The girl in the Patagonia ad is Marcia (Marsha?). Don't know her last name, wouldn't say anyway. Epi is watching...
It was a real ad, they got crap for it in the mag letters section, some do-gooders who thought sex and the outdoors don't mix. They never tried it, I guess.
Excuse me, I need a moment alone...
Brad
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Captain...or Skully
Social climber
North of the Owyhees
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Jan 14, 2009 - 11:38pm PT
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Wasn't sex INVENTED in the outdoors?
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Jan 15, 2009 - 02:09am PT
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McLean, aka McClinsky and other nefarious derivations was a man of many shoes and moods.
Russ in his roofing mode. Loved the contrast of red against kiln dried roof decking.
With Bud Couch and Trish in the Meadows in his laid back mode. Just a little red in the shoes for mood swings.
Trying to hustle my ex with his Big Man Mountain boots.
Sylin' again with Joe Faint in the high country. A far cry from the early days of rat shoes and funk knickers.
In Afganistan, "we don't need no stinkin shoes".
Hey McClinsky you out there?
cheers
Guido
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scuffy b
climber
On the dock in the dark
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Jan 15, 2009 - 11:44am PT
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Boche too?
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 15, 2009 - 12:28pm PT
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Ahh- Who can forget the rust red Pumas.....
I am really hoping for a modern color remake of the same shoes shot if the components are still in the world and hip flexibility still allows! LOL
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scuffy b
climber
On the dock in the dark
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Jan 15, 2009 - 01:01pm PT
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The next shot, after the Pumas, looks like the wonderful
Nike LDV. Wish I had another pair of those, for sure.
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Jan 15, 2009 - 01:24pm PT
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Yep-Boche, General Von Hennek and McClinsky
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 17, 2009 - 10:58pm PT
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Since this thread has a West Ridge slant.....What possessed you guys to open up the shop way back when?
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Don Lauria
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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Jan 29, 2009 - 12:45am PT
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In 1966 there were two retail outlets in the LA area that carried mountaineering gear - Jona's Ski Chalet in Inglewood and Sport Chalet in La Canada. Both carried nothing but imported soft iron German and French hardware. I convinced two other engineers from North American Aviation to go in with me on opening our own "mountaineering" store so that we could provide the public (that included us) with the latest and best of what was quickly becoming available - Chouinard hardware, Sierra Designs clothing, bags and tents, etc.
Chouinard suggested talking to Doug Tompkins at The North Face in San Francisco (a stone's throw from Carol Doda's Condor Club) for some tips on getting started so we did - West Ridge Mountaineering was born into 500 sq ft of retail space on Pico Blvd in West LA right next door to The Arsenal - a bar that served great food, but we mostly drank their beer (all we had to do was knock on the wall and the owner would show up to take our orders). Within two years we grew into a new location, a stone's throw from our Pico site, with over 25,000 sq ft of floor space on the corner of Qlympic Blvd and Bundy Dr. I managed the place from 1969 through 1980, got bought out by a non-climber, and I moved to Bishop - West Ridge went belly up in 1986.
Left out a lot of details, but that's the short of it.
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Anastasia
climber
Not here
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Jan 29, 2009 - 01:00am PT
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The black and white picture was Warren Harding's footwear?
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Don Lauria
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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Jan 29, 2009 - 01:50am PT
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I refer you to the 40th entry on this thread.
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Anastasia
climber
Not here
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Jan 29, 2009 - 04:24am PT
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Argh, another Russ! Sorry, I was skipping over the girl pictures for some reason...
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Bldrjac
Ice climber
Boulder
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Jan 29, 2009 - 09:11am PT
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Russ McClean. I worked at the store back then and I'm pretty sure that Don took the picture with Russ in those shoes.
Steve. Got any pictures of Chouinard's Yard? Classic!!!
Where IS McClean these days anyhow?
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Tony Puppo
climber
Bishop
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Jan 29, 2009 - 10:48am PT
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Actually the print resides in Wilson's Eastside Sports, it's in the office so it's difficult to view.
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Don Lauria
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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Jan 29, 2009 - 01:55pm PT
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Hey Bldrjac,
As stated earlier in this thread, Larry Reynolds took the picture! McLean (lean not clean, obvious from Guido's photos) lives in Chatsworth overlooking Stoney Point, although I think he and his wife are looking to move.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 29, 2009 - 10:19pm PT
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And presenting the ever popular Chouinard's Yard series (in part).
Summit June 1970.
Summit July 1970.
Summit September 1970.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 30, 2009 - 11:09am PT
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Who were the shaggy participants in the Yard shoot, two and four legged?
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Don Lauria
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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Jan 30, 2009 - 11:54pm PT
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Hennek and Guido know the climbers and the dog.
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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I think we should leave this one for Hennek to answer. So General Von Hennek, this would be a most opportune time to make an entrance. Please!
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 2, 2009 - 10:39am PT
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Cmon, don't be bashful there Dennis! All the girls are askin' after ya ever since they saw you workin' that lip on the NA!
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#310
Social climber
Telluride, CO
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Steve,
I know that there were many Chouinard's Yard photos and ads. Chuck Kroger was in one. It might be the dog leg one. Last night, I looked for his copy of the photo/ad and did not find it. It is probably in the stuff I gave you in August. I have no idea who the dog is...
Kathy
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Bldrjac
Ice climber
Boulder
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Don,
Thanks for straightening me out on the details. I've been enjoying your stories on ST. Those stories are so full of the climbing life as it was. It's good to be reminded of the fact the at one time the climbing community was much smaller and less mainstream. Keep them comin' Hope you are well. Is Tom Limp around?
best,
Jack
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Bldrjac
Ice climber
Boulder
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Steve,
Thanks for posting the photos. They are hilarious!
JR
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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knock knock, Hennek you out there lurkin' ?
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 2, 2009 - 10:27pm PT
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Kathy- A Class 5 ad came out around the same time with a similar look. I wonder if Chuck was hooked up with that shoot?
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#310
Social climber
Telluride, CO
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Steve,
Chuck worked for Chouinard from about Dec. 1970 to April 1971 and I thought the photo/ad I saw and is probably buried here in our house somewhere was from that time. It might have been a Class 5 ad but I do not remember Chuck ever talking about that.
Kathy
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 4, 2009 - 11:35am PT
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Thanks Kathy.
Does anybody know what these Dolt shapes looked like????
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 6, 2009 - 11:47am PT
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Another flash from the past!
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 6, 2009 - 12:09pm PT
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The ST harangue is priceless!!! Post up or we will haunt your slumber too! LOL
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Doug Robinson
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Awfully shiny new boots Dennis is sportin' there, for a thread that started out where this one did.
I mean, most threads hereabouts show a trend that's distinctly downward bound, if ya know what I mean.
This one, ever since Dennis showed up, has upward mobility.
Even his haircut. Sheeesh!
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Hennek
I know you are back from Hemet.So...............................to keep all this hysterical chronology in proper perspective we need some input from one who was actually "there". McLean don't get too comfortable with your absence, we will work on you next. Although I do like the new derivation presented here of your name,ie. McClean. Is that an oxymoron?
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Bldrjac
Ice climber
Boulder
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That picture of Dennis at Stoney Point makes me feel dated. That flake he's pullin' on isn't even there anymore.....fell off with old age............
Common Russ. Make an appearance. We know yer lurkin' out there!! Where's Ken Boche?
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 7, 2009 - 12:30am PT
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What is the story behind the ad photo on this typical page from Summit October 1970? Looks like Tahquitz for sure.
Love the Dolt ad!
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nutstory
climber
Ajaccio, Corsica, France.
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Bonjour Steve Grossman!
Some of the Doltchocks mentioned in the ad are showed in a two page advertisement in Summit / March 1969 - Bashchock, Cablechock, Nuggetchock, Saddlechock, Superchock, Bellchock, Kerlnchock, Cornchock, Teechock. This ad in Summit says “Lopchock (see photo)” but there is no photo of this nut… The Trunut is not that rare.
You can also see the Spidernut or Crudnut in Summit / June 1969.
The advertisement that you posted here says: “DOLTCHOCKS / THOUSANDS IN STOCK”. I must confess that very, very few moved to Corsica…
Stephane / Nuts Museum
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 7, 2009 - 12:05pm PT
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Thanks for the citations, Stephane. I have been trying to source images for a while. I will dig and post 'em up!
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 7, 2009 - 10:31pm PT
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The mystery solved! As described......
March 69 Summit.
June 69 Summit.
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Captain...or Skully
Social climber
North of the Owyhees
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Gettin' to be a lotta miles on them boots.
It's true, ain't it?
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Dennis Hennek
climber
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I have this photo in my home as Don Lauria said, and have kept it as the treasure it is since the 60's when it was taken. It's on any wall of any home i've lived in since then. The shadow in the background behind Russ' beautiful feet is from Rock 2. Larry Reynolds did take the photograph, and if I remember correctly Don Lauria, Ken Boche, and others were there at the time. From Rock 2 we could easily pick La Fuma pack's, full of great navel oranges from the field directly south of the boulder. The juice from these oranges on our hands combined with the dirt from the ground was the first substance that we used that was something like caulk. It kept our hands dry and seemed natural. We had this thing about the environment back then, it probably lead to the cult of the blue cagoule. Another photo of the climbers from the 2nd Ascent of Chouinard's Yard can be found in Tom Frost's website (frostworksclimbing.com/photo gallery). Look for "Skunk Works" gang 1969 . The climbing leader on the 2nd ascent was Tony Jessen, a master carpenter and surfer who now lives in Montana. The belayer was Terry King , a farmer and artist from the mountains of Santa Cruz California. Otis, the black labrador, And crucial to the route, lived in a Volkswagon bus in Chouinard's Yard with Tony Jessen and the rest of the dirtbags working their at the time.
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Dennis Hennek
climber
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Adding a little more info:
In Frost's photo the leader is the person sitting, and the belayer is the person just to Yvon's right. Otis, the Lab, wasn't in this shot
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 8, 2009 - 10:10pm PT
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Welcome Dennis! I hope you can forgive the badgering. LOL
Thanks for the boot shot background. Was Chouinard's yard a popular place to hang out after hours in the old days?
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Yo
So cool, Hennek has jumped aboard.
Welcome Chief!
Guido
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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All hail and welcome to Dennis, another initiate of the Cult of the Blue Cagoule. A subject which has a thread of its own that has just reappeared.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 19, 2009 - 11:38am PT
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So, what fine alpenstock produced this ubermensch?!? From Summit November 66.
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Don Lauria
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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Feb 20, 2009 - 04:11pm PT
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The little girl is Amy Flickinger. She was my neighbor's daughter in Canoga Park circa 1966. We use many shots of her in a West Ridge calendar. If I can find some time I might post that calendar.
Larry Reynolds was the photographer.
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Feb 20, 2009 - 05:34pm PT
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Geeeez Don
Your retired, quit watching so much TV, put down the Bon Bons and entertain us!
cheers
Guido
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Don Lauria
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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Feb 20, 2009 - 06:03pm PT
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There was a picture for every two months in the calendar.
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scuffy b
climber
just below the San Andreas
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Feb 20, 2009 - 06:26pm PT
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Those are delightful, Don.
I hope her descendants have these photos.
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Feb 20, 2009 - 10:28pm PT
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Knock Knock,
Who's There?
Little Old Lady.
Little Old Lady Who?
Gee, I Didn"t Know You Could Yodel!
How many of you Super Topians have worn Leiderhosen? Come on, be proud.
Ok how many have sucked vino out of a Bota Bag?
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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Feb 20, 2009 - 11:16pm PT
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Guido,
Leiderhosen: no
Bota Bag: yes
Steve,
The photo to the right of the Doltpeg is the Green Arch at Tahquitz.
Rick
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Mimi
climber
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Feb 21, 2009 - 01:19am PT
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So who is the little nimrod? Too adorable for words.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 21, 2009 - 11:31am PT
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Thanks Ricky- So many people in that shot, I thought it might have some historical connection to opening up the route. Shamelessly fishing for a tale, as usual.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 15, 2009 - 02:16pm PT
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Would you buy a used bivouac from this gent? From Summit May 1966.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 19, 2009 - 10:08am PT
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How about a steak sandwich?!?
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Steven Amter
climber
Washington, DC
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Mar 19, 2009 - 01:55pm PT
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Hey does anyone remember PLASTIC stoppers, made in france? My Buddy bought one in Paris in 1973. It was about an inch wide, slightly pyramid shaped, slung 3 or 4 mm sling.
As it was obvious that it had little or no shear strength, we regarded it as a death piece, and never actually used it. I can't image the manufacturer could have sold many of them.
Off-topic to Steve Grossman:
I don't know if Steiger told you, but we will be heading to join you in Yosemite on May 21, staying thru May 31. I can't wait! (Still working on the camping tho.) What is your time window?
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 19, 2009 - 02:48pm PT
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Other than a blue plastic Foxhead, I haven't seen one.
Stephane ,the Corsican Nutstory man has a few ,I bet.
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nutstory
climber
Ajaccio, Corsica, France.
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Mar 20, 2009 - 04:52am PT
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Bonjour Steve Grossman,
Here is the list of the “plastic” nuts in the Nuts Museum:
 Peck Climbing Equipment (England): Ny-Chock (circa 1965) and 1 big prototype Ny-Chock, bigger than the marketed Ny-Chock.
Mammut (Swiss): Bi-Keil #1 #2 #3, made of red plastic (1969). I suspect that Steven Amter’s buddy bought such a nut in Paris in 1973. To my knowledge, other than home-made epoxy resin hexes, I do not know any plastic nuts made and marketed in France in the seventies.
Forrest Mountaineering (USA): Blue Foxhead #3 (1971).
Forrest Mountaineering (USA): Roll-Your-Own (1984).
Coyote Mountain Works (USA): Coyote Nut #9 (1985), never marketed.
Altitude Equipment (Australia): prototype Poly-Hex's #10 #11, Poly-Hex's #9 #10 #11 (1998), 5 Poly-Nuts (2000), 5 Poly-Nuts on wire (2000).
I saw recently a set of 8 plastic nuts, made in Ukraine, on eBay. They are an almost exact copy of the DMM Wallnuts. Unfortunately, I have not got these nuts in the Nuts Museum and I only downloaded the photo in my computer.
Stephane / Nuts Museum
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - May 12, 2009 - 11:49am PT
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Anyone know the personnel in that Green Arch photo?
A party of four, nose to ass crack, on that route seems a bit unusual.
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Chip
Trad climber
Sittin' Pretty in Fat City
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May 12, 2009 - 12:19pm PT
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I'ld never seen most of those Dolt chock pieces. Which came first, the Teechoch or the T-nut from Forrest? Either way, very fun thread.
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Don Lauria
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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May 12, 2009 - 02:58pm PT
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The Green Arch photo was obviously a West Ridge ad. Since I did all those ads (with Larry Reynolds doing the photography) I should know who was in it, but I can't remember. The top man looks like Bud Couch, maybe. Tom Limp and I used to climb that route regularly and it's possible that we are in the picture - I just don't recall.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 8, 2009 - 10:38pm PT
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Thanks for responding ,Don. Did You guys ever carry any Leeper angles?
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 21, 2009 - 08:07pm PT
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Don- Do you recall the very first ad that West Ridge ever ran in the mags?
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 7, 2010 - 01:35am PT
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Was a West Ridge add ever turned down by the climbing magazines?
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Wonder
climber
WA
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Three for three
I forget who taught us how to yodel "mes co leeee to"
Tried on the lederhosers once, they suck.
Boto bags, damn, I wish I still had one.
any more ?
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 22, 2010 - 11:11pm PT
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Bump for Boots!
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BooDawg
Social climber
Polynesian Paralysis
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Sep 22, 2010 - 11:16pm PT
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I haven't seen this whole thread, but I KNOW IT'S Russ McLean! TRUST ME ON THIS ONE! Larry Reynolds was the photographer! I was there!
Edit: Ok, so I should have read the whole thread since Hennek & Lauria told most of the story of Russ McLean's shoes. Jgill got the brand right; they were Zillertal's one of the early klettershue in this country and were largely replaced once Kronhofer's were available. Kronhofer's were made in Innsbruck, Austria, and I remember Don/West Ridge had some difficulties setting up the account for importing them. I think they didn't have a real distributer in the USA.
I visited the Kronhofer "factory" in 1968. It was very difficult to find on a back street of Innsbruck, even tho my German was passable at the time. It was very much a hand-made operation; I have vivid retinal images of it, but probably no photographic ones, tho I'll look later.
Russ McLean and I met Larry Reynolds shortly after we made the first ascent of the N. E. face of Mt. Brewer (see elsewhere on S.T.). We'd approached Brewer over Kearsarge Pass, encountered Hennek at Bullfrog Lake and continued onward. After the climb, we hiked out westward to Cedar Grove (walking in our too-tight-for hiking Kronhofers. Going along at a good pace, mostly downhill, we caught up with two backpackers, Larry Reynolds and Dick Grantham. After a pleasant rest stop with them, Russ and I continued on at a faster pace. After dark we'd covered the 20+ miles to the trailhead and, since it was after Labor Day there was little traffic at the Cedar Grove trailhead. While waiting there for a random ride to get to the campground, some miles away, Larry and Dick arrived, and we shared some food and speculated about the possibilities of a ride. No cars had yet come by.
Finally, one car came by, and the guy rolled down the window of the car and asked us, "Where is the tree that you can drive through?" In my politest and most desperate tone, I informed him that that tree was in the Grant (or Sherman) grove in another part of the park and could he please give us a ride a few miles to the Cedar Grove campground??? Without a word, he rolled up his window and drove off into the darkness, leaving us stranded there. At that point, we started walking on the paved road, and eventually reached the campground. But Russ and I, whenever there was a STUPID F*#KING TOURIST that had to be dealt with, would ask, "Where is the tree that you can drive through?!!" It became our little inside joke.
The next morning, I don't remember too well, but we exchanged contact information with Larry, and he began to join us for our weekend climbing sessions at Stoney Point. He was welcomed into our group and he was generous and humble and was truly included, even tho he wasn't really a climber on a par with the rest of us.
He did his photography with a Hassleblad 2 1/4" format and had EXCELLENT UNDERWATER work that we REALLY APPRECIATED at our slideshows which were mostly held at Lauria's house in Canoga Park where Dennis, Russ, and I had grown up and had attended high school. The "Shoes" picture, I'm sure, was shot with the Hassleblad which is why it could be blown up to 16" X 20" which is the size of the prints that Lauria and Hennek have to this day.
Edit #2: Don had 3 kids, and one of the MAJOR reasons that he opened West Ridge was because he couldn't find kids' sizes of hiking shoes and clothing at the other stores in L.A. I also remember that when they were trying to decide on a location, in the L.A. area, for the store, they plotted the locations of the residences of all of the Sierra Club trip leaders on a map, and the answer, (duh!) came up, W. L.A.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 23, 2010 - 12:10am PT
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It didn't take long on the front side either!
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mark miller
Social climber
Reno
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Sep 23, 2010 - 01:43am PT
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Wow Steve thanks for that post, now I don't have to turn on private broser and check out Literotica....
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 25, 2010 - 05:35pm PT
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Story behind the OP please, Boodawg!?!
You were West Ridge Sports first employee. How did you get that job and was that about the same time as the OP photo?
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BooDawg
Social climber
Polynesian Paralysis
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Sep 25, 2010 - 09:22pm PT
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Dennis Hennek & I had been buddies from 8th grade when, in 11th grade (1961 or ’62), we met Russ McLean who was walking randomly down the hall at our high school and overheard us talking about some mountain (perhaps it was Bloody Mountain that Dennis had climbed while attending a boy scout camp) while we were purusing the Blue, 1954 Edition of Hervey Voge’s “Climber’s Guide to the High Sierra.” Dennis and I didn’t immediately click with Russ, and he felt a bit rejected at that first meeting, though once Dennis and I started climbing regularly at Stoney Point, we began to see Russ on a regular basis, and our friendship was born there. Then we began hanging out during lunch at school.
Russ had been rock-climbing for perhaps a year before we met him and already was climbing in klettershue, probably the pair in the picture. Soon Dennis got his own pair of Zillertalls, but I continued to rock-climb in my clunky mountain boots for maybe a whole other year! I sure got a lot of razzing over my footwear during that time! I think Holubar was the original source of Kronhofers for us, and certainly by early ’63, we were all using them tho Russ may have been the last one of us to get his which partly explains the condition of the shoes in the picture. Part of the explanation is also that Russ LOVED those shoes, his first pair, so he kept on climbing in them (tho I don’t think he ever had them re-soled), patching them, and giving them ever more character.
Since, as I said earlier, Russ and I met Larry Reynolds in Sept. of ’63, my best guess is that the picture was taken during the winter of ’63-’64 when Larry was most active in our climbing circle, but it may have been a year or two later.
Getting the job at West Ridge was a no-brainer for all concerned. Don wanted West Ridge to be THE PLACE for potential customers to come for advice and information about climbing, hiking and camping as well as the gear that was sold there. After they opened in 1966, I was attending UCLA just a few miles away, and they were only open during the late afternoons & evenings on weekdays, so I could easily walk there after classes and catch a ride back to Westwood, once the store closed. Dennis was hired about the same time; his employee # was 002. With Don, Dennis and I coming up to the cutting edge of climbing in those years, and with one of Don’s partners, Tom Limp, leading Freelance Alpine Research Team (FART) trips to S. America, Sierra Clubbers and independent climbers and backpackers, alike, learned that they could get the best gear as well as reliable information if they’d come to West Ridge. Plus, it was a fun social scene where we’d sometimes have wine, etc. and a VERY relaxed, homey atmosphere. The West Ridge ads spoke to that audience. Another marketing situation that led to West Ridge’s early success was the social scene at Stoney Point where if anyone wanted to know where to get certain gear or books, the answer was always, “West Ridge.” And it also helped that we had a wider circle of climbers that we bouldered with that included Kamps, Higgins, Couch, Powell and whoever else happened to come out to climb on any given weekend.
We certainly had a lot of good times before, during, and after hours during those years when West Ridge was on Pico Bl. There are some stories that would best be told around a REAL CAMPFIRE, at least for now. After the move to Olympic Bl., the intimacy of the old store was gone, tho the gear and information remained the best for quite a while. As Don says in his 1/29/09 posting above, the original name of the store was West Ridge Mountaineering. After the move to Olympic Bl., it became West Ridge Sports.
OK! One story: Don’s other original partner in West Ridge Mountaineering was Don Nagy, a Sierra Club backpacker, somewhat older and less active than Limp & Lauria. There were some basic personality and philosophical differences between Tom & Don, on one hand, and Nagy on the other. As time went on, the rift between the factions grew wider. While Lauria & Limp kept a lid on their displeasure with Nagy, Dennis was a trouble-maker: There was an ashtray in the store to accommodate smokers during the era when second-hand smoke wasn’t an issue. Nagy would always empty it and wanted to keep the store clean. One day, Dennis glued an old, mostly-smoked stogie and a couple of cigarette butts into the ashtray, so that when Nagy would try to empty it, the stinky refuse would cling to the ashtray. Nagy eventually just threw the ashtray out in the rubbish, but Dennis’ mission was to retrieve it and replace it on the sales desk where Nagy would find it again, try to empty it, throw it out, and the cycle repeated itself for weeks & weeks. It was the basic rift between Limp & Laura and Nagy that eventually was solved by a new partner buying out Nagy, and the store then moved to Olympic Bl. That was the beginning of a new era and new problems, but I’ll leave those stories to others.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 25, 2010 - 10:03pm PT
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Thanks for the background!
That ashtray story is too funny!
Do you recall any celebrities coming in?
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 21, 2011 - 10:51pm PT
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A little bump on the West Ridge...
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - May 1, 2011 - 01:40pm PT
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What was Tony's story?!?
I just saw one of the old Class 5 posters with him in it at a used gear store yesterday.
Glad to see images leaking out of your slidebox, Dennis!
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BooDawg
Social climber
Butterfly Town
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Hey Dennis! Did you get your scanner going? It'd be GREAT to begin to see your VAST collection of slides and to hear associated stories!
We should scan and post the pictures of our day, "Running Naked in the Sagebrush" Day that was in Descent's recap of the careers of those who'd done F.A.s on Sentinel's N. Face! I don't seem to have my copy of that issue of Descent. Anyone out there have that issue or article? Otis, the black lab owned by Tony, who appears in the Chouinard's Yard photos was with us that day. What a great retriever! My scanner and slides are now in CA while I'm in Hawaii today and for this month making my transition to CA and preparing Briana for college after she graduates in a few weeks...
One Tony Jessen story: He was one of the dirtbags who lived in and around Chouinard's Yard after Chouinard's move from Burbank to Ventura. One day he was driving his truck (van?) onto the Freeway near Ventura, and there was a young woman at the on-ramp hitch-hiking. Tony pulled over and offered her a ride. She got in and immediately lifted up her loose-fitting blouse and said, "I'll go anywhere and do anything with you." Tony didn't come "home" to Chouinard's Yard for 3 days! Such was life in the free-love days of the 60's...
Tony also had a sailboat and was enchanted by a woman whose love was not returned. Those are stories that Dennis is more qualified to tell than I.
Steve, perhaps the most "famous" international celebrity to pass thru West Ridge was Doug Scott whom Dennis had met on his first trip to Baffin Island and who had a slide-show scheduled at Long Beach State Univ. I've forgotten why I was delegated to take Scott to the show, tho I didn't know the way. After a fine meal of Mexican food from a restaurant about 2 doors east of West Ridge on Pico Bl. which Doug REALLY ENJOYED, we got lost and were very late for the show, but no one had left and Scott showed his excellent slides to a full house and to much appreciation.
Probably equally famous to come through the West Ridge Scene was Ken Wilson, "Mountain" magazine Editor, whom I'd met in England in 1968 when he was directing the transition from "Mountain Craft" to "Mountain." Ken stayed with me at my apartment when he was in L.A., but I've forgotten what year that was, probably after West Ridge moved from Pico Bl. to Olympic Bl.
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can't say
Social climber
Pasadena CA
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Guido:
"How many of you Super Topians have worn Leiderhosen? Come on, be proud.
Ok how many have sucked vino out of a Bota Bag?"
Yes to both of these, though the bota bag was a common drinking tool back then. When I was working in Garmisch Germany for the army as a climbing instructor/guide, most of the guys I worked with wore lederhosen. They were ideal for whenever a dulfersitz rappel was needed, never wearing thru from sitting on the very rough limestone in the Wetterstein range we worked in and of course you didn't have to wash them. I think I still have mine in my relics bin.
As for the plastic nuts, I remember seeing the red ones in a Stuttgart sports store in 1973 or 74. I had thought they were made by Edelrid but now that I think about it, they could well have been made in France.
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Old photo from Pattagucci:
Remember, "you can pet your pussy but you can't pat your gonia", I said that.
Good to see Hennek posting without any threats from his mates.
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Dennis Hennek
climber
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Hey Boo,
Michael Cohen and "Miyamoto Musashi".
Evening at camp 4 on the Intergal.
No scanner as yet, but still looking.
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Hennek "prepin" for a Baffin trip with Doug Scott in Chouinard's Yard. Jessen's VW.
Yep, Genuine Formica!
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - May 1, 2011 - 06:59pm PT
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Nice shot Guido!
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Hennek sent me the photo-me thinks Jessen is the photographer?
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - May 1, 2011 - 08:27pm PT
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The Psychedelic Hessian Look!
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 12, 2011 - 12:25pm PT
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Mystery Bump!
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 23, 2012 - 07:58pm PT
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Last seen high on the West Ridge skirting a bump...
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jan 23, 2012 - 08:16pm PT
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Did the VW make it to Greenland?
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Jan 23, 2012 - 08:26pm PT
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I was visiting General Von Hennek this past weekend and the original photo of those beautiful shoes is hanging on a wall along with many other historical treasures. Knickers were the thing!
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 10, 2012 - 03:08pm PT
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It was a blast to hear about the West Ridge days straight from the man himself at the Oakdale Festival this year. With a bar right next door the good times were rolling!
Summit October 1966
The list of of quality climbers that worked for Don would be fun to check out sometime. He wouldn't hire anyone unless they were competent and solid.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 6, 2015 - 12:10pm PT
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Mystery Bump...
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Mystery bumps can be treated successfully, Steve.
(See "Doc" at berth 666, Berkeley Marina...he's also got a new batch of "Old Tennis Shoes" at five bucks a bottle.)
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 4, 2016 - 11:45am PT
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Sounds like a sports cologne to rival Old Spice, Old Sport! LOL
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 4, 2017 - 06:45pm PT
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Bump for the Hole in the Wall Gang...
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 16, 2018 - 02:04pm PT
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Tis' the Season for Mystery...
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