Approaching a Dragon's Lair

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Messages 1 - 35 of total 35 in this topic
TKingsbury

Trad climber
MT
Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 5, 2009 - 02:50pm PT
Word has it they are out there, lurking in darkest corners of the wilderness...the places too far out for most to travel...though it's possible to journey there, and that's what we set out to do...


After hours on a crap dirt road we finally got on the trail...the time was 10pm, and we set off in the dark...the next morning we arose and powered out many trail miles...we arrived at some lakes, and took a brief reprieve...



We consulted maps and headed off...an unmaintained trail was supposed to take us a few more miles and 4 or 5 lakes deeper...this wasn't exactly the case..and eventually we were 2+ hours off trail and at our base camp...





Even from the base camp, I could see the smoke plumes....the next morning we set off, entering into a rarely traveled region...heading upward though brush, marsh, down trees, short scrambles, creek crossings, and boulder hops...


eventually(hours later) the lair and the path to it became more clear...









Soon we were face to face with the beast...





We gazed as long as one would want to look into the sun...a formidable creature to be sure...more powerful than I imagined, and actually in existence...Just as Hercules needed Iolaus, I knew it would take more support to go father. We said our goodbyes at the mouth of the cave and headed out...to return another day.



The wilds did not want us to leave so easily...and we ended up wandering for twice as long on the way out...going much farther than we realized or needed.

thoroughly off trail and off track...

though we got a nice view out of it...


Eventually we found our way back...and headed back towards the trail the following day...



They are out there my fellow adventurers, this is certain...and we shall return.



Raising the mead high...cheers!

Tom
Studly

Trad climber
WA
Aug 5, 2009 - 02:54pm PT
I spy a couple of direct sweet looking lines to the summit.
Captain...or Skully

Social climber
Boise....It's like Mars with air
Aug 5, 2009 - 02:55pm PT
That's a SWEET lookin' spot, Tom.
I feel you'll return to engage the beast in combat, no?
Russ Walling

Gym climber
Poofter's Froth, Wyoming
Aug 5, 2009 - 02:56pm PT

Grade VI approach!!!!111666

My kind of stuff! (giant lie)
survival

Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
Aug 5, 2009 - 02:59pm PT
Aye laddies!

Ye've been to her lair, and ye know she jealously guards her young!

Ye best have some sharp blades when ye return.
I'll be lookin' fer paintings of ye standing atop her stinking carcass!!
TKingsbury

Trad climber
MT
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 5, 2009 - 03:09pm PT
We will return for battle...that is for sure
goatboy smellz

climber
लघिमा, co
Aug 5, 2009 - 03:10pm PT
bitchin' good fun!
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Aug 5, 2009 - 03:12pm PT
Pulling the Dragons's tail, the stuff of life!


"I'm from L.A. I've never been this far from a car," said young Russell Walling, on the trail to the Labyrinth, Superstiton, Az, 3/8th of a mile from the parking lot, circa 1987...
Tarbuster

climber
right here, right now
Aug 5, 2009 - 03:25pm PT
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee,
Little jackie paper loved that rascal puff,
And brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff. oh

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee.

Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail
Jackie kept a lookout perched on puffs gigantic tail,
Noble kings and princes would bow wheneer they came,
Pirate ships would lower their flag when puff roared out his name. oh!

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee.

A dragon lives forever but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys.
One grey night it happened, jackie paper came no more
And puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar.

His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain,
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane.
Without his life-long friend, puff could not be brave,
So puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave. oh!

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee.
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
Aug 5, 2009 - 03:41pm PT
How do you catch a unique Dragon?




















Unique up on him.

John Moosie

climber
Beautiful California
Aug 5, 2009 - 03:41pm PT
Holy crap man. That is some beee uuuuuu tiful country.

Sure sign of monsters though. Does the map say..."Here thar be monsters" ?
mojede

Trad climber
Butte, America
Aug 5, 2009 - 03:55pm PT
I'll start talking to a few horse-packing buddies to round us up some ponies to ride when the knights return for the conquest. There are these two ladies, sisters actually, that have been in there before, but now they live up North in a cabin located at the base of this cool cirque. They know the climbing beta for the Dragon.

Great pics of a fine plateau with beautiful lakes--thanks for doing the leg work.
TKingsbury

Trad climber
MT
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 5, 2009 - 04:18pm PT
Does the map say..."Here thar be monsters" ?

LOL! How did you know!?!




Only 3 of these pics could be considered to be on a plateau...the journey only begins there...
kev

climber
CA
Aug 5, 2009 - 06:44pm PT
Bump!

When are you guys gonna take it on?

kev
mucci

Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
Aug 5, 2009 - 06:44pm PT
Good show out there T! Just got around to reading the whole thing.

Way to go on the hump a lump.....FARRRR

Cheers,
Mucci
survival

Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
Aug 5, 2009 - 06:46pm PT
Whoa...I HAVE been here already!

You had me worried there TK!

This is waaay better than any old invisible spammer thread anyway.

When do you plan to go back TK??

I want pix of you struggling with the dragons teeth!!!
survival

Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
Aug 5, 2009 - 06:50pm PT
Believe me bro, I know what it feels like to have a hard fought thread get no traction!!

I'd much rather see your stuff.

I'm an approach master myself!

BITD, when the Oregon Bong Team (largo gave us the name)was taking on the big stones in the YO, we walked faaar to all the waaay out there stuff. We were monikered the Approach Masters!
(Also a largo given handle)
TKingsbury

Trad climber
MT
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 5, 2009 - 06:58pm PT
hahah!

Thanks y'all!

"When" is the big question...and hasn't been answered yet..there's a seemingly pretty short window out there though...maybe this season, but it might be nice to get some funds/time together for an extended trip with some horse packers...

EDIT: LOL!! Approach masters!!
kev

climber
CA
Aug 5, 2009 - 06:59pm PT
Haha,

A friend of mine did that in Wind Rivers just to pack in enough beer!

kev
Chiloe

Trad climber
Lee, NH
Aug 5, 2009 - 07:12pm PT
That wall looks sort of ominous to me. Sort of medieval too.
Captain...or Skully

Social climber
Boise....It's like Mars with air
Aug 5, 2009 - 07:37pm PT
Maybe call in a professional, like St. George?
I dunno.
I think you've got what it takes to take it on.
Zander

Trad climber
Berkeley
Aug 5, 2009 - 09:21pm PT
That is some beautiful country but i don't see no dragons. That is unless they be wearing a baseball cap.
Z
goatboy smellz

climber
लघिमा, co
Aug 6, 2009 - 01:14pm PT
What kinda rock is that anyway?

Looks similar to the precambrian chossy gneiss of the Indian Peak’s…frightening.


casual approach
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Aug 6, 2009 - 01:16pm PT
I'm guessing igneous Intrusions sandwiched in the overthrust.
mojede

Trad climber
Butte, America
Aug 6, 2009 - 01:20pm PT
It's 3.5+ billion year old Basement rock--very old granite, I believe.


edit: NOT granite--much older and harder Quarzofeldspathic gneiss. Archean basement complex.
hooblie

climber
Aug 6, 2009 - 01:51pm PT
get the loads off your back, save your knees for skiing. you guys need some packin stock. those equine hesitate, the llamas don't fit your image. raise you up some mutant size goats. you won't need as many beasts once the dragon has been dispatched. investigate the culinary arts of the middle east. aquire exotic spices. bring sharp knives. fashion a spit. stay another week. suspend the meat from a float in the lake. are you guys buccaneers or not?... grizzlies don't swim do they?
TKingsbury

Trad climber
MT
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 6, 2009 - 02:08pm PT
LOL!

I was actually reading about goat packing recently...sounds like a good way to go about things.
goatboy smellz

climber
लघिमा, co
Aug 6, 2009 - 02:10pm PT
I'm gonna chopper in and rap bolt it...it's Montana no one will care.
mojede

Trad climber
Butte, America
Aug 6, 2009 - 02:13pm PT
Goat, aside from breaking a few Federal laws for your proposal, I'd be happy to climb the route after you've done all the work on it:-)
TKingsbury

Trad climber
MT
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 6, 2009 - 02:15pm PT
didn't you read above Goat?

You're carrying all our sh#t in!
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
Aug 6, 2009 - 02:30pm PT
That looks like a project or 2 back in there.

Definately chopper in though, f*#k I hate hiking in....
goatboy smellz

climber
लघिमा, co
Aug 6, 2009 - 02:34pm PT
Damnit, I'm so screwed.

Llamas sound better plus they provide warmth when snuggling at night.
mojede

Trad climber
Butte, America
Aug 6, 2009 - 02:34pm PT
Air drops and animal-aid are all that's legal. Finding a pilot who'd land the ship in pirate fashion could be the crux for your desires, Blue:-)


edit: I s'pose technically that you could rap from the chopper if you had a long enough line (say 500+').
klk

Trad climber
cali
Aug 6, 2009 - 08:15pm PT
you know, if you put a beef or two at the end of the pack train, you could have fresh steaks in basecamp.
hooblie

climber
from out where the anecdotes roam
Dec 15, 2016 - 06:16pm PT
bumpin' up one by the kingsbury boys. miss those guys
Messages 1 - 35 of total 35 in this topic
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