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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Feb 15, 2009 - 12:19pm PT
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Steve has been indefatigable (that means he's working his butt off) in posting on the history of Climbing, getting scans done and presentable (which is not at all easy) and searching for important bits of published pieces on climbing... both in the pay press as well as ephemera (that is, stuff that wasn't intended to last, like catalogs).
I know how hard this can be, and how stressful... yes really (but that's another topic that has been discussed elsewhere).
So I thought we haven't done this before (at least if the "advanced search" result can be trusted)...
Let's hear it for Steve and the work he does bringing value to this site for us all!
Thanks Steve!
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Jaybro
Social climber
wuz real!
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Feb 15, 2009 - 12:31pm PT
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Yeah, Cool stuff, Steve, thanks!
can't wait to see what's next.
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Gary Carpenter
climber
SF Bay Area
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Feb 15, 2009 - 12:33pm PT
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Hey Steve,
I enjoy your postings.
Keep up the good work.
GC
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Feb 15, 2009 - 12:34pm PT
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Some of the SG revivals I find most delightful are things I'd read long ago, and probably still have buried in some box in my attic -- where they haven't seen daylight in decades. Reading them again in Steve's posts, there's that shock of recognition.
What comes through in almost all these old works is the excitement of the authors, about climbing in their own time and place. That adds much to even the most contemporary threads on ST.
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'Pass the Pitons' Pete
Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
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Feb 15, 2009 - 12:36pm PT
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Always fun to re-read your old favourites, and find new ones. Thanks, Steve.
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TYeary
climber
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Feb 15, 2009 - 12:37pm PT
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Ditto Steve.
Your hard work is appreciated. I read your running " History"
with much gratitude. You have jogged my memory more than once and made me go back and plow through my back issues. It's like visiting a friend you haven't seen in a long time.
Thanks,
Tony
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east side underground
Trad climber
Hilton crk,ca
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Feb 15, 2009 - 01:07pm PT
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thanks murry, for all the cool threads, lets hook up when your in the area.
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Mimi
climber
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Feb 15, 2009 - 01:19pm PT
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Yep, he's a keeper! I met Steve in college in 1981. If the last 8.5 years of living with him indicates anything, the next 50 or so should be a real trip. We love you Steve!
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Russ Walling
Social climber
Upper Fupa, North Dakota
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Feb 15, 2009 - 01:21pm PT
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May all glories be Steves! Hoo-ray!
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marty(r)
climber
beneath the valley of ultravegans
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Feb 15, 2009 - 01:47pm PT
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A well-balanced dude with more than a passing fascination with the ephemera of our obsession:
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Thorgon
Big Wall climber
Sedro Woolley, WA
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Feb 15, 2009 - 02:09pm PT
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Great contribution to the "Golden Age", and greatly appreciated!
Kudos Steve,
Thor
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apogee
climber
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Feb 15, 2009 - 02:16pm PT
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Steve, you provide an invaluable, irreplaceable contribution to ST, and the climbing community. Thank you so much!
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Feb 15, 2009 - 02:37pm PT
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To Steve, the great historian of Super Taco!
Long may he post and bump such great threads!
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Feb 15, 2009 - 03:33pm PT
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I said in his "Yosemite climber and George Meyers apprec. thread" a couple of days ago:
"Whoever gave Stevie his scanner must be remembered in Heaven, as the guy is a veritable salt mill. Just look at all this stuff he is posting these last 12++ months.. It is effing amazing. I bet Mimi is in on it too!! Gems, never before seen by most. Incredibly invaluable contribution; you know, this stuff otherwise will vanish. "
It would be great if we could get more photos of him and also Mimi on this thread. These two people have wonderful faces, infectious energy really, lit up like "wild horses" as Tarbaby might say, since he is always trying to defend his ubiquitous cowboy hat, you know.
At the Nose reunion, Roger Breedlove and I were sitting in the bar late Friday afternoon this autumn and in comes Mimi and Steve at about a 6 mph pace headed our way like they were hiking the John Muir in 4 days. They had a box of Salathe hardware and some other similar vintage stuff and absolutely had had had had to show us right now these arcane treasures. Fabulous. Roger had never met them and was bowled over by how incredibly cool the two were. Roger puts the highest priority on positive attitude btw as obviously do Mimi and Steve. I have to imagine climbing with them would be just fantastic!
The ST would not be anything like it is currently without them and I am deeply reverent of their enthusiasm, skill and knowledge. Bring it on, friends!!
ultrahugs, ph.
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Feb 15, 2009 - 03:39pm PT
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Steve (and Mimi) for sure help keep our zany corner of the world centered. Lots and lots of good stuff. Perhaps (hint) they'll be at the FaceLift in September, and we can meet them then.
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 15, 2009 - 03:42pm PT
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absolutely agree, Peter,
Jim Pettigrew and Steve at the Nose Reunion, November 2008
he spent a lot of time behind a video camera... can't wait to view the results!
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Feb 15, 2009 - 03:44pm PT
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Yo Steve
Thanks for the constant supply of historical material to keep ST entertaining, informative and often joyfully controversial.
cheers
guido
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Mimi
climber
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Feb 15, 2009 - 03:50pm PT
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Peter, would you like some extra cheese with this...LOL! Thanks for all the kind words. And those weren't just any relics. They came from Frank Tarver and were an original Stoveleg and a Salathe ring angle plucked during the 2nd ascent of the Lost Arrow.
photo by Off White
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Jaybro
Social climber
wuz real!
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Feb 15, 2009 - 03:52pm PT
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What a great, silly picture!
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WBraun
climber
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Feb 15, 2009 - 03:57pm PT
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Yahzoooo
You guys look great.
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Feb 15, 2009 - 05:27pm PT
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Thanks for all the great work, Steve!
Cool photos on this thread, Mimi!
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Doug Robinson
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Feb 15, 2009 - 05:41pm PT
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Let's see, just a quick check of the Taco and then down to work.
Uh Oh, it's a Grossman thread. And I just have to respond. Again...
It gets worse. I need materials. I know that's around here somewhere. But where? This guy's gonna get me organized yet, something several wives never managed.
Photos? Nope, not in that box. Maybe downstairs. Oh, here's the ice piton I needed for Steve's other thread. Was that days ago? Weeks?
Oh yeah, I was looking for slides. Not in this stash either. Only ten thousand images to go.
Hey, look what I found here! This is cool! I should start a thread. Yeah, right after I post up the stuff I started in on after a conversation with Steve months ago.
It's a day and a half later; what was the question again?
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Feb 15, 2009 - 06:00pm PT
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You know Doug, maybe you are smoking too much. Or is it possible not enough?
cheers Guido
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eeyonkee
Trad climber
Golden, CO
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Feb 15, 2009 - 06:04pm PT
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Ya get my appreciation for sure, Steve. Keep it up!
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Mimi
climber
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Feb 15, 2009 - 06:06pm PT
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DR is da man no matter how much he's smoking!!!
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Zander
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Feb 15, 2009 - 06:12pm PT
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Thanks Steve!
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JOEY.F
Social climber
sebastopol
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Feb 15, 2009 - 06:34pm PT
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Thank You!
I just read the Norman Clyde interview,
and am thankful for your post. History and
education together, good stuff.
Cheers!
edit,
caption?
the joy of climbing?...what a couple of great smiley mugs!!!
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Mimi
climber
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Feb 15, 2009 - 06:57pm PT
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Cheers back at ya, Tami!
Takes one to withstand one!
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BASE104
climber
An Oil Field
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Feb 15, 2009 - 07:23pm PT
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Yep. I get to see all of those old articles that I used to lay on top of my textbooks in accounting class all over again.
He picks some good ones.
I raise a glass of milk to ya. It would have been wild turkey, but my wife will put the leaches on me again.
And look at Doug. Hasn't changed one bit from the neck down in over a hundred years.
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Largo
Sport climber
Venice, Ca
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Feb 15, 2009 - 08:14pm PT
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Steve makes this site GO.
You the man, Steve!
JL
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drljefe
climber
Old Pueblo, AZ
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Feb 15, 2009 - 09:44pm PT
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SG-
Thank you, from a native Tucsonan.
Jefe Bret Harte
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Feb 15, 2009 - 10:19pm PT
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Thanks for the warm and fuzzy, folks!
I try to cast a wide net while digging and posting in order to keep five decades of experience engaged here on one thread or another.
For every article I go after, ten show up worth posting. Over coffee and evening beer I make it through a couple. Some of the historical threads are monumental when people with direct experience weigh in. I try to set the stage and see what happens!
And Ed--Don't Crush That Dwarf--Hand Me The Pliers! Love that link!
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Feb 15, 2009 - 10:42pm PT
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good Guido.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Feb 15, 2009 - 11:43pm PT
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Mari and I were climbing at a fairly obscure little crag at Index on a damp, cold day a year and a bit ago. Had the place to ourselves for a bit, until a party of four showed up. Two guys, two women.
It was a small crag, so we were all kind of in each others laps for the day. They turned out to be really nice folks. Pleasant to talk to, good company for an afternoon at the crags. No idea who they were, but seemed like our sort... You know, kinda like homeless people in ancient clothes.
The afternoon wore down, and eventually Mari and I decided to head home. After we were out of sight, and almost out of hearing, I faintly heard one of the guys say, "mumble mumble mumble Mimi mumble mumble"
Mimi? Could it have been?
So I emailed them the next day, asking "Was that you guys?" And sure enough, it was.
The point of this little story is that it's easy to say nice things about your old friends, and easy to say nice things about people you know only virtually, or people who treat you well becuase there's something in it for them. But in this case, there was nothing in it for them, no need to be nice to two strangers. But they were. So here's a toast to S & M.
Oh, yeah, the other guy was Off White. He was nice, too.
D
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bachar
Gym climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
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Feb 15, 2009 - 11:51pm PT
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What's Steve's old variation to the Salathe called?
It's like six pitches long, 5.11+ and runout.
We were horrified when he put it up....
Has anybody repeated it?
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Feb 15, 2009 - 11:59pm PT
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Steve and Mimi, it was grate to meet you both at the Nose Reunion. You are fun and special people. I have mentioned before on the Taco how much Steve's great, quality and informative posts are appreciated (specially by us neubies). Super pic of yo both. Cheers and Peace, Lynnie
Edit: anytime you're in the SD area mi casa su casa :D
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Feb 16, 2009 - 12:02am PT
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Steve Grossman !!!
Our personal savior where *all things climbing history* is concerned.
I am mildly ashamed to realize we hadn't done this appreciation sooner...
And because it's tradition for me to steal Off White's terrific photographs, AND post them:
You two look ... well, Mah-veloussss!
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Jello
Social climber
No Ut
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Feb 16, 2009 - 12:13am PT
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Marvelous, indeed, Tarbuster! Steve is always digging for gold, then giving it up to all of us. And Mimi...she has her opinions, for sure! Two confident, giving and creative people. They've earned our love and respect. I really hope to have some hang time with them in the near future.
-Jello
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Feb 16, 2009 - 02:47am PT
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jb,
> What's Steve's old variation to the Salathe called?
> It's like six pitches long, 5.11+ and runout.
> We were horrified when he put it up....
> Has anybody repeated it?
Do you mean Turning Point, which climbs right of the start of the Salathe' / Free Blast?
It goes more than 6 pitches - it goes to the top, sharing some pitches with the Muir along the way. I don't know if it has been repeated.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Feb 16, 2009 - 10:57am PT
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The Turning Point is still unrepeated at 5.11+ A4+. I have some work to do re-working the freeclimbing at the bottom to get it right and all free at around 11d/12a.
And what you mean we, JB, were horrified at the runouts?!? Certainly nothing you wouldn't have done yourself. LOL My best face climbing efforts went into the Turning Point and the Competitive Edge (aka Real Nose).
People are so addicted to information.
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bachar
Gym climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
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Feb 16, 2009 - 11:02am PT
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Turning Point.... yeah.
That thing is insane. When did you finish that?
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Feb 16, 2009 - 11:06am PT
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It was the first route that I did in 84. Up there for two weeks and left it all on the playing field!
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Roger Breedlove
climber
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
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Feb 16, 2009 - 12:58pm PT
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Kudos to Steve and Mimi.
As Peter reports up thread, I had never met Steve or Mimi, but after our initial meeting at the Nose50 reunion, we chatted as if we were old friends with long personal connections. Steve and Mimi are both high energy and very positive--it was easy to fall right in with them. (I was there with Peter, so I had some bone fides by association.)
Many of the old articles you dig up I remember reading when they came out but some I missed. Nice to re-read them and the comments of others. It is such a small world we live in.
I hope we meet again.
All the best, Roger
Great picture of the two of you (in some sort of a duo belay stance, I guess.) Doug's post and the picture of him rolling are classic.
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Anastasia
climber
Not here
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Feb 16, 2009 - 06:35pm PT
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Steve and Mimi are very easy to love. If you have a problem with them, something is immensely wrong with you. Thanks for the hard work and just being "you."
:)AF
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#310
Social climber
Telluride, CO
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Feb 16, 2009 - 07:26pm PT
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I love reading the history that Steve posts - thank you for all the research and effort and energy. Following the comments & controversy on some threads is wild and fun. Thank you to Mimi for allowing Steve to put so much energy into ST. I hope to meet Mimi someday. Thank you for documenting so much about Chuck Kroger.
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pk_davidson
Trad climber
Albuquerque, NM
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Feb 16, 2009 - 07:45pm PT
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I was going to start just this thread but was waiting for
April Fools Day, because that's Steve's Birthday.
I'd guess that many of you here know Steve only by his fabulous posts.
What you probably don't know is that Steve is a dancer on the stone.
A Zen master of run out, a magician at pro, the guy you want on the
other end of the rope, be it sharp or belayed.
Personally, I don't think there's a bigger kudo's on this thread than
for Steve to hear the great Bachar speak with fear in his voice about
Steve's free climbing. Is there any greater compliment for a climber
to receive than to hear the elite crowd of one's peers speak in awe of
one's ability ?
And to put it in perspective, for those that don't know,
the Turning Point was solo.
I'm trying to think of which story to tell.
Is it those jaw dropping firsts on the Big Stone (Turning Point,
Jolly Rodger, The Real Nose ?
(He'll have to tell those stories, I was no where near)),
is it some of the soft stone mastery in Sedona,
the huge body of work in Tucson, the Stronghold ?
There are numerous climbs all over Arizona that have probably
never had repeats.
Stories forth coming....
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drljefe
climber
Old Pueblo, AZ
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Feb 16, 2009 - 10:07pm PT
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Can we pitch in and pay to re-up your Photobucket account?
BANDWIDTH EXCEEDED!
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Ammon
Big Wall climber
Capo Beach
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Feb 16, 2009 - 10:27pm PT
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Nice thread Ed!
I’ve never met Steve but he (his ascents) has influenced my climbing quite a bit. His and Cole’s FA’s on The Captain were visionary at the time and helped propel the bigwall game around the globe. He’s a straight forward player and I even get a kick out of him ribbing me about the clean game.
So… HERE’S TO YA MATE!!
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F10
Trad climber
e350
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Feb 16, 2009 - 10:48pm PT
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Keep up the GREAT posts
They keep the taco running
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yo
climber
I drink your milkshake!
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Feb 16, 2009 - 11:24pm PT
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Shook the man's hand this summer.
I said, "What's the story on Turning Point? People afraid of it or what?"
Steve shrugged and looked here and there like talking about it made him embarrassed. "The bolts are bad," he confessed. "I gotta get up there and get the bolts right."
I said, "Well, you get your bolts figured out and I'll go up and downrate it."
And a slow smile spread across his face into a grin.
(Then I apologized to Mimi for internet crimes.)
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Feb 18, 2009 - 12:26pm PT
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Thanks for the glowing words Paul! You certainly were around for lots of the serious fun.
Regarding the "bad bolts" on the Turning Point. Mostly 3/8" split shafts with plenty of old Leeper hangers and therein lies the problem. As Paul well knows, those rusty old Leepers can be deadly and split shafts are simply not reliable even if 3/8"!!!
A bolt failure on any of the Superblast start would be very bad.
The TP is hands down the best bolted VI anywhere. I only mucked up two or three holes on the entire route! The only exception is a drilled angle that I was forced to place just below the connection point with the Muir up high (just past The Point of Caring). All my drilling gear was toast by then and few options were available. Anyone doing the Muir with a 1/2" drilling setup please pluck the drilled angle and put in a better bolt here. Lots of parties likely have their traversing hauls hang up on that silly pin so I would love to see it cleaned up.
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MisterE
Trad climber
One Place or Another
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Feb 18, 2009 - 12:48pm PT
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Kudos to Steve for all his archiving work as well as his many other contributions to the climbing community.
It is, and we are, richer from your presence.
Erik Wolfe
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aldude
climber
Monument Manor
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Feb 18, 2009 - 04:15pm PT
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" the best bolted VI anywhere ".......huh ????
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deuce4
climber
Hobart, Australia
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Feb 18, 2009 - 05:26pm PT
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Of course we all love Steve, but I have noticed that although he's published so much of historical works and published articles--very interesting of course, but there's been very few pictures, stories, topos, and other information about some of his own mysterious first ascents on El Cap.
Steve, time to come out with it! Let's see some pics of Turning Point, or perhaps a topo...?
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Mimi
climber
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Feb 18, 2009 - 10:51pm PT
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John, take my word for it, since the route was a solo, the photos are pretty boring but we'll get them scanned anyway. Lots of rock with no one around. Interesting for the sake of features of course. But you're right, he does need to tell more stories. Too bad the Colon doesn't chime in too. His slides are even worse. LOL!
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deuce4
climber
Hobart, Australia
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Feb 19, 2009 - 01:33am PT
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Fantastic!
Never thought we'd get a glimpse of that testpiece. Looking forward to the pics.
(just kidding about the topo!)
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Tom
Big Wall climber
San Luis Obispo CA
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Feb 19, 2009 - 03:39am PT
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I click, to get more.
and want more.
Always, a need for more.
I've been on The Wall, but I want your take, how it was for you.
You're among the best, ever, so, how was it for you?
This sort of thing plays out as the . . .
It's your personal thing, and we can't ask you, unless you want to talk about it.
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wayne w
Trad climber
the nw
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Feb 19, 2009 - 04:29am PT
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Steve, thanks for keeping me awake many nights after checking out the Taco before bed and reading your posts. With those stories and images running through my head, some I had never read, and others I hadn't read in years, the inspiration provided by same invariably caused much tossing and turning before finally getting some zzzz's. Now I only read them earlier in the day...ha!
Seriously, I really appreciate your hard work and effort in regard to putting them out there for the community, especially those younger climbers who likely will only get a chance to see them here.
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pk_davidson
Trad climber
Albuquerque, NM
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Feb 19, 2009 - 08:41pm PT
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Steve alluded to problems with Leeper hangers.....
Stung by a Wasp
(or was it The Evil Eye)
I've known Steve for a very long time now. All the way back to Mansfield Jr. High.
We would go on to be debate partners for my Jr and Sr year at good ole Tucson High School.
We were pretty decent, winning a few tourney's here and there, making
it to 1/4 finals in the regional tournament.
But we weren't climbing partners, yet that is.
It wasn't until May 31st 1975 of my senior year that Steve talked me into going climbing.
My life would never be the same.
I go off to school in Flagg and major in climbing.
Steve and I climb together off and on over the next six years.
A few climbing trips here, a few there, a lot time on a rope together in Tucson and Flagstaff.
Now, it's spring, early '80s and I'm back living in Tucson for a 4 year stint so my wife can get slammed by Med Skool.
It's bloody hot in this town and the crack climbing is marginal but s'OK.
Tucson has great climbing, great friends and a tight knit group of climbers.
One warm spring day Steve suggests that we go up and try to free the Wasp. A long standing aid problem in Sabino Canyon.
(or was it the Evil Eye, they're next door to each other...)
We talk John Steiger into joining us and an out of town climber (whose name I can't remember) tags along.
Hey ho, hey ho, it's up the trail we go...
The climb is back up in Sabino at the end of the trail, and then hump up the hill.
Sabino rock is some weird stuff. They say (or at least used to) that it's a peraluminous granite.
The Oracle Granite formation to be precise with intrustions and contact layers of the Wilderness Granite.
It's been described as rock bands that alternate from fairly good to incredibly bad.
It's a beautiful, dark, swirled rock with stripes and bands floating across it and pieces of Mica lenses here and there.
An hour of humping and we're perched up on a ledge overlooking Sabino.
We're some what lacking in motivation, this thing is steep, has discontinuous cracks and flakes and well, just looks Evil.
JS says he willing to give it a go so up he goes and down he comes about 70 feet later.
He's a bit spooked by the rock and the climbing.
It's crispy flakes interspersed with hollow sounding cracks, and the subsequent gear that goes with such.
John says it looks like it might go another 15 ft or so but then looks pretty blank to the belay.
Now this is pretty early spring, we're not in the best of climbing shape, certainly our lead heads are not super tuned.
But I offer to give it a look. Pay my dues so to speak.
Up I go, another 10 or so feet, damn, this is steep up here, this rock is marginal, the pro has run out and I think it needs a bolt.
JS agrees, Steve calls BS. Zip, down I come. I offer to belay and bzzt, up Steve goes.
JS starts to trundle (that's another story... someone's wedding party almost became a funeral procession) and
Steve places a couple of manky pieces and says it looks like he could make the belay but he'll have to run it out about 20 ft
and the pro here is not the best. JS and I just look at each other and start yelling at Steve to drill the damn bolt.
He hyms, he haws, he does a few moves out, a few moves back.
Says he thinks it will go without the bolt. We keep yelling, drill it.
Neither of us on the ground liked the pro or the rock. It was just nasty.
Finally, Steve surrenders to the insistent belayers and pounds in a nice 3/8"er.
A few shakes of the arms and the feet and he heads off towards the belay at the bottom of a big corner with water streaks (a clue.)
He makes the belay area and is saying something about how he could have done that without the bolt
(anyone remember those days, bolting was only done out of absolute necessity.)
He reaches out and clips the first hanger, an old black Leeper.
Grabs the runner and swings out onto the anchor in order to reach the other bolt.
"Ping......"
I look up and see the soles of a pair of 5.11 Fires rocketing toward me.
I lock the belay, get yanked into the air and totally freak out.
It feels like the belay is failing. I bear down with both hands.
I'll stop this fall by shear strength. (A portend for Steiger's winger off the North Face of the Grand years later.)
Damn, I was a dumb ass. It was just slack in the system getting taken up and when you clamp down on the
lead end, you can get a pretty nice rope burn !
Steve continues to fall for what seams like forever until the rope starts to stretch
and Steve damn near hits touches down on the belay ledge.
Fortunately, the climb starts out left of the ledge so when the dust settles, Steve is hanging 20 feet up with
a sling in one hand and half a Leeper hang attached to the other end.
JS is running around the ledge sqwuaking like a chicken headed for the pot.
I'm looking at a white streak across my hand with some raw meat showing and
the visiting climber is sitting there in stunned silence.
Steve says, "humph" and starts yarding up the rope back to the new bolt where
he has to repeat the moves again and gingerly clip into the other old manky belay bolt while staring at
the top half of the original Leeper sitting there still attached to an old button head.
Swinging onto the other bolt was a testy moment, let me tell you.
A couple of new bolts later (drilled out away from the water streaks as much as possible) and Steve
cleans the pitch on his way down. We pack up and head out of Dodge.
Sometime later, a couple of visiting climbers (Webster and Becker ?)
go up to free the upper pitches and while setting up the belay, they turn over this rock and find
"Black Death" scratched on the underside. Steve's gallow humor strikes again.
They get the hebie jebies and high tail it off to find another climb.
Moral of the story:
Listen to your friends when they suggest you really should drill that bolt.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Feb 19, 2009 - 09:04pm PT
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It certainly altered my decision making afterwards! A bolt can be a many splendored thing if you are going for fifty feet!
I don't even recall going back up to finish the lead.
The recipients of the Black Death calling card were from Colorado somewhere but not Lil'Eddy or The Hobbit.
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drljefe
climber
Old Pueblo, AZ
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Feb 19, 2009 - 09:07pm PT
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I went to Mansfield.
Good story. Thanks you two!
Jefe Bret Harte (perhaps you knew my siblings?)
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mooser
Trad climber
seattle
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Feb 19, 2009 - 09:49pm PT
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Hey Steve and pk, I was a debater in high school, too...same years--in San Diego (Poway High School). Went to state finals in SF, and got food poisoning. Puke my guts out for two days straight. Also started climbing in high school ('75).
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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Feb 19, 2009 - 10:19pm PT
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Steve,
I’ll add my thanks for your major contribution to the ST community and especially your inspired thread-hosting. Hope to see you at the next ST get -together.
Love those vintage Arizona tales, too!
Rick
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Feb 21, 2009 - 01:03pm PT
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Here is a glimpse into what goes on up there. From Alpinist 25.
The TP went up in 84 not 85.
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BluntMan
Gym climber
Wild Omar, CA
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Feb 21, 2009 - 01:23pm PT
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As a frequent lurker and occasional poster, I genuinely enjoy the historical element that Steve brings to the forum. I didn't start climbing until I was 46 (1995), so I missed out on the history that was made in the 60's-80's. I remember the television reports of Harding's FA of the Nose when I was 9 but that's about it.
Thanks for all your hard work. You elevate the tone of the forum and make it a better place.
Bob A.
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graham
Social climber
Ventura, California
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Feb 21, 2009 - 01:32pm PT
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Steve, always enjoy what you pull out from the archives.
looking forward to the next installment.
Cheers
mike
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Feb 21, 2009 - 05:46pm PT
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The hanger that nearly ended it all! I keep it around as a reminder.
The top 1/4" was clean steel at the break.
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east side underground
Trad climber
Hilton crk,ca
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Feb 21, 2009 - 06:09pm PT
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glad you escaped that one murry, sure you have had some more, please do tell. :)
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deuce4
climber
Hobart, Australia
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Feb 21, 2009 - 07:10pm PT
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Could be an interesting case of galvanic corrosion failure
EDIT; yah, clearly a stress fracture most likely caused by impact along the diagonal there, but you infer the top was not as corroded(?). Interesting case, even though the metals of the bolt/hangar are not too dissimilar. Would have to have a close look at the break line to confirm, though.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Feb 21, 2009 - 08:26pm PT
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I believe the phrase is hydrogen embrittlement brought about by stress deformation from that last mandatory blow to seat the hanger. Classic stress fracture. Major bummer since there are loads of those non-stainless steel pups still out there.
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jstan
climber
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Feb 21, 2009 - 08:36pm PT
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Nothing is what it seems. Something to keep in mind when you are looking at protection.
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pk_davidson
Trad climber
Albuquerque, NM
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Feb 21, 2009 - 08:52pm PT
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Damn, that is freakin awesome...
I didn't know you'd kept that hangar.
What a POS that is !
Steve, you should turn that into an earring for "special" occasions.
Debating and booting, reminds me of a few stories...
Naw... Let's keep the mystique.
Although the story of Larry's boot and the false Mendel
is almost too good to pass up.
But Steve (or Larry, who is lurking here at times),
you should tell the story of that climb. I don't
remember the details well enough to do it justice.
Damn,I'm LMAO remembering this and I just can't help myself...
Maybe it will goad Steve into telling the story of the actual climb, which is a truly wild story of a couple of guys out on a limb in a big way.
While Steve is a true rock hard man, his stomach has been known to not always be quite in the same ball park.
Lets see, it's fall of 81 or so.
I'm in the best aerobic shape of my life, having just tried to run Hump to Hole with Jim Haisley and Scott Baxter.
That's another story...
Steve and I have also just done a rather long run, Esperero Towers to Sabino a week or so before so he's certainly not couch potatoing it. I have to admit though, Steve did that 30+ mile (?) run without doing any training. Go figure...
A number of us, Steve, Larry Coats, Mark Axen, Tom ? (not really a climber but a very serious hang glider) and myself are on the east side and are going to go up and do the Mendel (or at least attempt, I guess that Elden ice story didn't really do me in.)
Being in fit shape, I just start blasting up the trail as young dodo's are sometimes want to do. Steve of course is not about to allow me to dust his ass in a hike so he follows right behind.
We blast up the trail in good time to a high saddle where we make a camp and await the rest of the crew. That evening a storm starts to blow in and we realize that 5 guys in a 3 man tent is a bit of a stretch. I offer to bivy in the rocks because I have my new -20 down bag. I'm glad I did. I can't recall if Axen also bivied outside or if it was 4 in a 3 man tent. Regardless, it was a tight squeeze.
Sometime late that night, the altitude and the blast up wakes up Steve who finds himself in a rather nauseous state.
I mean, this is a hurling moment and it's gonna happen now!
Steve tries to make the tent door without flattening his tent mates. He somehow makes it to the door with all beets intact.
He starts fumbling with the tent door trying to find the damn zipper all while fighting the urgent need to retch.
He finally finds the zipper, or so he thinks, and starts tugging on it with the frenzy of the mad booter and it's just not moving. Things are getting really serious about now, I mean things are about to happen so Steve starts feeling around and his hand grabs a boot sitting by the door.
Yeah, you know what's coming. Steve manages to direct the projection into the boot while his tent mates slumber away. After the deed is done, Steve passes back out, zipper still intact.
Now the problem is, this is no ordinary boot.
No, this is one of the those brand spanking new Koflach plastic jobbers that Larry has just bought and has been most proud to show them off to the rest of us dirt bags who are stomping around in leathers. Of course, he'd pulled the liners while bedding down so there was a wonderful shell just waiting for Steve's moment of angst.
In the morning, Larry was up before Steve and after putting his feet into his liners, he finds that the one foot slides into the shell just a bit too easily.
To Larry's credit, his Humingbird stayed in his pack and after some un-pleasantries with a snow wash, he and Steve go on the next day to partner up and do a rather amazing climb.
I'm sorry Steve (naw, I'm probably not, I'm laughing too hard.)
But now, you have to redeem yourself with the rest of the story!
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Feb 22, 2009 - 12:36pm PT
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That may take a little while as that epic was, epic!
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Feb 28, 2009 - 08:26pm PT
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A few more shots from The Turning Point FA.
Out in the smoothness on pitch three. Blinnyphoto.
John Steiger luxuriating on Desert Rat Ledge. Other desert rats had been here first! Some post of late...>>>>---------------------->
Days end. Blinnyphoto.
I will re-scan these larger soon.
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pk_davidson
Trad climber
Albuquerque, NM
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Badda Happy 51 Bday Bump:
I've been running through my demented brain cells trying to find the perfect story to catalog Steve's climbing mastery. But there are so many of them. Seems like almost anytime Steve and I tied into a rope, something special happened.
Maybe that alone is adequate tribute but there were so many great first ascents...
BITD in AZ, if you scored an ascent of many of Steve's routes, you were a made man. I'd bet that still holds true for some climbs: As The Wind Cries, Lucky Goes to the Creamery, Bridge of Khazadum, Baradur, Coherent Excitation and the list goes on...
(not to mention The Stone walls...)
I know here in the Sandias, The Grand Apagio has never seen a second although 2 or 3 sport routes have sprouted up beside, on and over it. The locals didn't really know any better as we had never documented the route very well.
But still, it is interesting that 25 ft of 11+ run out face climbing was later turned into an area of top sport climbs.
These kinds of climbs weren't so much about nailing numbers as they were about nailing the zone. About tuning into the rock, adapting your moves to the moment.
Steve is a master at standing around on the lead and getting in really tricky gear. Mastering pro is (was ?, still is ?) an Arizona tradition. Baxter was teaching us nut throws long ago, bolts were rarely even a consideration, much less an option.
Steve came from this tradition and broke the mold with his tricky opposition nests placed off a desperate sloper.
A lot of the mystique and fear that grew up around Steve's climbs was often because others either didn't see the gear or didn't have the same ability to hang out there long enough to work out a complex system of pro.
Steiger wrote about Kahazadum:
"To make things a bit more reasonable, figure a way to positively attach runners to lipless chickenheads." What he neglected to say was, then run it out 15 feet across steep, crispy critter 5.11 face climbing, stand around on micro edges, try to work out some oppo placements up and under a roof and then turn the roof while looking back at that runner held in place by a nut jammed against the sling.
But what really sets Steve apart is that he is an artiste on the rock. Steve doesn't really climb, he dances across the stone. When you watch him flow up a face climb, you immediately understand that here is a guy who is just in tune with the rock. He's in his zone and the viewer is being treated to wonderful performance art.
I cannot count the number of times I was sandbagged following some 5.11 climb thinking it was going to be a bit of 5.8 Steve just makes it look easy.
Happy 51 Steve!
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Thanks for the heap of praise, Pablo!
Looking back at all the adventures what strikes me now is how few times we got shut down or failed on any of these projects. Lots to choose from and "plenty of meat to throw at the cracks" as Baxter used to say!
Few people know that I used to haul an enormous rack up practically every route unless you could see the entire thing from the ground.
To my amazement, you usually did your best to carry and place the pile and I have to take clear responsibility for enabling your protection habit early on! LOL
No takers for The Mudshark Arpeggio (a lovely little arpeggio) among the young guns?!? Tsk, tsk, they have redlines on their funmeters, don't they?
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BBA
climber
OF
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May 13, 2012 - 12:38am PT
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Time for a bump to show appreciation for Steve's continued posting of really cool history threads. Shiprock was great.
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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May 13, 2012 - 02:20pm PT
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Nice bump BBA
Sun morning always seems to be the best for Steve as he cranks up the "Oldies but Goodies" after what must be a coffee IV drip to accelerate the day.
We are fortunate to have our own climbing rendition of Art Leboe on ST to keep us informed and enlightened with a seemingly never ending supply of historical data to chew on.
Cheers to Steve.
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LilaBiene
Trad climber
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May 13, 2012 - 06:55pm PT
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Seconding the "nice bump", just wanted to say a huge thank you to Steve for welcoming those of us on the fringe and posting with so much humor and grace.
I've learned so much in such a short time and spent such a huge percentage of that time laughing my a&& off, too! That's genuine talent.
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
merced, california
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May 13, 2012 - 07:18pm PT
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Steve is "museum quality," and I am not referring to his age. He's a young man yet.
He is indeed a funned of knowledge and I mean it. I bow to anything he wows. But I am an impressionable frosh and haven't climbed with him.
I am the sedulous ape
But so unworthy
Pearls mixed like metaphors among the swine, Steve
But we thirst for even your worst.
Attaboy--Attabump!
My partner Muskrat told me long ago, "Mousie," he said, "you can't know a woman lest you slept with her. You can't know a man lest you worked with him."
Those might be called "Mathis' postulates one and two."
I propose this:
You can know a man better by climbing with him than by working with him because it is generally more fun.
--Rodensius' corollary
It would be fun to share a rope with you.
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east side underground
climber
Hilton crk,ca
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May 13, 2012 - 09:45pm PT
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Murry hope you are getting the kind of weather up in the northlands as we have had lately here on the Eastside- epic! Cheers , love you man! Hope to see you and Mimi soon. Murry
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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May 14, 2012 - 12:01am PT
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Thanks for the bump - I'm missed this thread in the past. What a great contributor to ST and climbing in general. Plus a genuinely nice guy. Much appreciation and thanks for all you do Steve!
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drljefe
climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
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May 14, 2012 - 02:16am PT
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drove right past a sh¡tload of your routes today Steve!
edit: yep, just kept on drivin'.
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justthemaid
climber
Jim Henson's Basement
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May 14, 2012 - 09:59am PT
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If anyone deserves an appreciation thread it is Steve. The climbing community is very fortunate to have such a gifted and passionate historian, and the sheer # of his rarely to unrepeated climbs is a testament to how friggin bad ass Grossman is. He's one super nice guy to boot. The Coats photo of Steve's FA of Lucky Goes to the Creamery is one of my favorite pictures in the new Sedona Guide. (not sure if it's cool to publicly post).
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Scott McNamara
Social climber
Tucson, Arizona
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May 14, 2012 - 10:34am PT
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Thanks Steve for all the inspiring routes and posts!
It seems important that this history not be lost.
It was nice to see you and Mimi at Murdock's Stronghold slide show.
Maybe some time you will think about moving back to Tucson?
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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May 14, 2012 - 10:44am PT
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Scott,
All those people up in Seattle and the Pac Northwest may complain about the weather but they enjoy so many other great aspects of the region making it hard to leave. My mother and grandparents and greatgrand parents were from there too. It is almost as if these people are Canadians, like a cult of Tami's. NWsters love the generally prevalence of the lakes, rivers, straits, the outdoors, the endless forestation and sociologically the calmer means of living with the vast carpets of seafood they have up there. And there is a great climbing community of there too, goes way back. The birthplace of REI and all those mountaineer characters in our history. Many great rockclimbers too.
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jogill
climber
Colorado
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May 14, 2012 - 07:35pm PT
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Nice history threads, Steve. Keep up the good work!
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scuffy b
climber
heading slowly NNW
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May 14, 2012 - 08:30pm PT
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Thanks for unearthing all these overlooked old pieces, Steve.
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RyanD
climber
Squamish
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May 27, 2013 - 10:19pm PT
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Bump for Steve. Never met him, but I love climbing & the history of climbing. I have learned a lot about both by reading what he posts. So much invaluable information that we are so lucky to have as a resource here. Thanks.
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old toad
Trad climber
yosemite, Ca.
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May 28, 2013 - 12:12am PT
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Keep up the good work, your posts are among the few I read on this forum. Most of the posts are B.S. and completely unrelated to climbing.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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May 28, 2013 - 12:27am PT
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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May 28, 2013 - 01:10am PT
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This place would pretty much suck without his posts.
And I am inspired by that picture - some day I hope to be able to quaf left-handed.
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Jennie
Trad climber
Elk Creek, Idaho
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May 28, 2013 - 02:10am PT
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Steve and Mimi= the best of people
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BooDawg
Social climber
Butterfly Town
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May 28, 2013 - 02:43am PT
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Hard to believe that I haven't seen this thread before tonight! Steve certainly deserves recognition, not only for his climbs and the historical threads that he posts, but also for his generally positive attitude and for the all the energy he puts into tho Oakdale Climbers' Festival! Thank you SO MUCH, Steve!
I first met him in Seattle when I took my daughter there to check out colleges, and had a lovely dinner with him, Mimi, Wayno, Ghost, and Mari.
What was REALLY hard to believe is that although I took about 300 pictures (mostly portraits) at Oakdale last fall, I didn't even view them until tonight! (I was too busy hosting LilaBiene and her Muppet!) Going through the pictures, I am ever so grateful to Steve that he created such a successful gathering of rock-climbing pioneers who not only got opportunities to speak in a casual yet formal setting, but we also had ample time to visit very informally during meals and other breaks. Those one-on-one and small group connections were as fulfilling as the more formal presentations. And Steve also gathered an incredible collection of vintage climbing hardware and displayed them for all to see and touch! I can hardly wait for this October's Oakdale event!
From last fall,
Thanks again for all you do for our climbing community!
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Wayno
Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
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May 28, 2013 - 03:34pm PT
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Hanging out on the I90 bridge watching the Blue angels.
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Roots
Mountain climber
SoCal
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May 28, 2013 - 05:05pm PT
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Big Bump for SG!!
Haven't met you yet, but our email exchanges have already changed my collection habits and perception (for the better). Thank you!
...now if I could just figure out how to pry a 9cm Marwa from you I'd like you even more : D
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Fossil climber
Trad climber
Atlin, B. C.
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May 28, 2013 - 05:07pm PT
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Great stuff, Steve. Class act.
Wayne
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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May 28, 2013 - 06:59pm PT
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I just sent Steve my old set of Leeper Z's. I got some nice new stuff I'm making good use of in return. It's great to see the old historical stuff being conserved. Keep up the great work Steve..!
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jabbas
Trad climber
New River, AZ
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May 28, 2013 - 10:13pm PT
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My appreciation comes through the form of Steigers"Sabino Canyon And Mount Lemmon Highway " guidebook.Back in 83 and 84,5 we seeked out SG routes and MM routes ( Mike McEwen). These routes delivered adventure , boldness and the unknown. My pants were filled on more than one occasion! Damn you guys were good... Thank you
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jabbas
Trad climber
New River, AZ
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May 28, 2013 - 10:25pm PT
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Before getting hammered with wrong dates I must include that my climbing partner(Bob Jacobs) professed in knowing and attending High school with said Author John Steiger and having access to the famous "Summit Hut" journal , or shall we say " black ops route book", ( my emphasis) . All in all Mt Lemmon was and still is one cool "Sky Island".
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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May 30, 2013 - 12:08am PT
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Thanks for the Stoke Folks!
I have so much fun poking around and posting here on the ST and seeing what comes of it.
John Steiger, Bob Jacobs and I went to the Valley long ago to get schooled in the art of crack climbing. We battled our way around and I rode home to Tucson with stone bruises on both heels from taking a fifty-footer and ledge striking after flunking the rattley fist section on Midterm.
The fall involved a lot of rope stretch and was held by a chockstone about the size of king-size Snickers bar cut in half and placed sideways!
School of Hard Knocks. I also chose to wear a helmet that one day alone and slammed the back of my head hard once I flipped at the end of the dive.
Curious how important a tiny bit of intuition can sometimes be...
This classic Peter Noebels photo greets me every day at the top of the stairs.
The FA of Steve's Arete on a toprope WBITD. Now a fun lead route with a couple of bolts. The yoga of ancient stone...
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murcy
Gym climber
sanfrancisco
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May 30, 2013 - 12:53am PT
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Cheers to Steve for many wonderful posts of magazine scans here. Really awesome stuff.
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Steve, you consistently have great and interesting historical finds. Thanks for sharing them so as to put it out into the cyber world for the next generation and those whom follow forever.
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Dec 28, 2013 - 02:19pm PT
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Well, he's a keeper of a Leeper and an Oakdale sleeper...once a year.
You're the cutest thing
That I ever did see
I really love your history
Want to shake your tree
No joke, STeve, you get it like nobody.
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Marlow
Sport climber
OSLO
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Dec 28, 2013 - 02:50pm PT
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I can think of no one who is contributing more climbing history than Steve. He's making ST a richer, more meaningful ... and friendly... place to be...
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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We have lots of heroes in climbing, especially on aid.
Thanks again, STeverino, for what you know and sharing it.
Sgt. STeve "Rock" Grossman in the recent epochal battle of the Iron Wars, sometimes called The Potato Masher Raid, sometimes called Operation Rim Fire.
Quite a lot up to which to live.
He makes it look "Easy."
Tha's ma boy, running to the danger!
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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May 26, 2014 - 06:52pm PT
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Turnabout bump for the master of ceremonies.
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drljefe
climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
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May 26, 2014 - 07:11pm PT
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Great shot of the FA of Steve's Arête, Steve!
It was my first 5.11.
Here's a friend on the most photo'd climb in Arizona.
Thanks for all the great routes and necky leads here in Tucson. It's cool to have the opportunity to follow in your footsteps(although I'm not that dumb anymore!).
Also, thanks for bringing together all those original southern Arizona climbers for the Heart of Stone gathering. Good stuff!
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Smiles all around! These Festivals are so much fun once it's showtime!
Thanks for the stoke folks!
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hobo_dan
Social climber
Minnesota
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May 25, 2015 - 01:05pm PT
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Steve you are the total Bump Master!!! Thanks for digging up all of the great relics around here.
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Avery
climber
NZ
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May 25, 2015 - 02:45pm PT
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Many thanks, Steve. your the definitive "go to" man.
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FRUMY
Trad climber
Bishop,CA
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May 25, 2015 - 02:49pm PT
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Thanks for the history & all the things you do.
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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May 25, 2015 - 02:52pm PT
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he's ok
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Mark Force
Trad climber
Ashland, Oregon
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Dec 23, 2016 - 03:02pm PT
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Here's to Steve Grossman a class act, good guy, brings to the table more than he takes, good conversation, good heart, always game to share, and solid inspiration.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Dec 23, 2016 - 03:28pm PT
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Thumbs up for Steve! He pioneered some great climbs and now he's keeping the fire burning so that we don't forget others who blazed the trail.
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the albatross
Gym climber
Flagstaff
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Dec 23, 2016 - 05:28pm PT
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Cheers Steve!
I appreciate all of the Granitica get togethers in AZ and am grateful you let me tell a few tales this Spring. All the best in the new years.
Albert
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Scott McNamara
climber
Tucson, Arizona
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Dec 23, 2016 - 05:32pm PT
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Merry Christmas, Steve & Mimi!
Thanks for all your good work.
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BrassNuts
Trad climber
Save your a_s, reach for the brass...
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Dec 23, 2016 - 08:37pm PT
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Steve is both a master historian and burrito maker :-) Cheers Steve!
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Dec 23, 2016 - 10:20pm PT
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There are times when you find out who your friends really are. You know the old saying: When winter comes, you find out which trees are the evergreens.
Or, here in the first world: When the prime rib is frozen, you find out who has the Sawzall...
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Wayno
Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
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Dec 24, 2016 - 08:22am PT
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I could never give enough thanks to Steve for all the help he has given Masha and I in acquiring a new home. Last summer we bought a new old house in Republic, WA. It has been a several year process and Steve has driven the six hours a few times to look at property, has studied Home Inspection reports, has given his expert advice and now he has even helped to get the new place in shape. Always positive, he has never asked for anything in return. I owe him a great deal. Besides all the great stuff he has done for our community, he is also a good carpenter and contractor, a hard worker and a fun drinking buddy.
Many cheers, my friend.
Wayno
The thunder and lightning was just starting to rock so Steve took a little break. It was hot and muggy up there but Steve just kept plugging away until he was finished. Determination.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Dec 26, 2016 - 10:43am PT
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Thanks for the holiday bumping folks!
Yup, it was hot enough up on that roof that my Prana nylon shorts weren't the ticket and I burned my ass a bit clearing off those pine needles.
I hope everyone had a nice Christmas.
Cheers!
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karabin museum
Trad climber
phoenix, az
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Dec 27, 2016 - 04:12pm PT
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Steve - Thanks for all of your help over the years with dialing in the climbing gear history! The Karabin Climbing Museum appreciates it! You Rock!
Merry Holidays!
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Fossil climber
Trad climber
Atlin, B. C.
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Aug 18, 2018 - 03:06pm PT
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Thanks, Steve, for doing so incredibly much to hold the climbing community together and for preserving its history. You've been the centre of things for a long time, and I hope for a long time hereafter.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Aug 18, 2018 - 07:07pm PT
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That means a lot coming from you, Wayne, and thanks for the appreciation and respect all the way around in this thread. Warms my heart, it does.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Aug 18, 2018 - 07:50pm PT
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Bump for Steve, the Historian!
Hooray!
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Aug 18, 2018 - 08:23pm PT
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Yeah, I thought he was a great guy, but what kind of great guy won't go out for a beer-and-food-truck night with a friend because he "has a cold."
Real men don't let wussy sh#t like being sick stop them from carrying their share of the load!!!!!!!!
And besides, the cure for colds is plenty of vitamin H (hops) dissolved in plenty of vitamin B (beer).
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Aug 18, 2018 - 08:40pm PT
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I'll be joining you for a restorative session tomorrow.
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F
climber
away from the ground
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Nov 27, 2018 - 08:30pm PT
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Steve -
I recently had the opportunity to repeat some of the routes you did in Cochise Stringhold. Much respect for your vision and determination.
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i-b-goB
Social climber
Nutty
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Nov 28, 2018 - 07:05am PT
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And he did the old soft shoe on walls too!
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Fritz
Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
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Nov 28, 2018 - 09:36am PT
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I just reviewed this thread & somewhat to my senile surprise, I had not posted some much deserved appreciation to Steve.
Of course I really appreciate all that he has done to help remember our climbing history & his superb historical knowledge of old climbing gear is 2nd to none.
His charitable work for climbers in need is exceptional too.
A very nice person to be around & a good climber too.
He is Truly one of the few renaissance men of Supertopo.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Thanks again for the stoke folks!
F- Which of my Stronghold routes did you get on?
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F
climber
away from the ground
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Steve- Great Gig in the Sky (I’m a sucker for Pink Floyd route names) and Days of future past
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Cool! Both great routes even if lots of bolts have shown up on either side of the Great Gig which originally had only three. Days is an old school classic with a great story behind the FA that you likely have read on the Abra or Arizona Appreciation threads. Did you do the direct finish or the over bolted one to the left?
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