Who is Desert Frank?

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Chicken Skinner

Trad climber

Yosemite

Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 5, 2007 - 12:38am PT

Anybody know the identity of this partner of Warren's on Keeler Needle?

Thanks,
Ken

Loom

climber

The Whiteboard Jungle

Jul 5, 2007 - 12:46am PT

I just googled this.

10b4me

climber

bitd

Jul 5, 2007 - 12:47am PT

just the story. he was a hitchhiker that Harding picked up. had never climbed before, but ended up on the fa of Keeler Needle.

Jaybro

Social climber

The West

Jul 5, 2007 - 12:52am PT

Yeah "A hitchhiker who went farther than he ever dreamed," or words to that effect.

Steve Grossman

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jul 5, 2007 - 01:03am PT

If any of you Banff or Canmore folks have a chance to ask Tim Auger about the mysterious Frank, it would be interesting to hear his recollections. The warden might know.

Chicken Skinner

Trad climber

Yosemite

Topic Author's Reply - Jul 5, 2007 - 01:09am PT

I know what he did. I would like to know who he really is (real name)and talk to him. Any clues?

Thanks,
Ken

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Jul 5, 2007 - 02:52am PT

this is a better link to the AAJ article..

Chicken Skinner

Trad climber

Yosemite

Topic Author's Reply - Jul 5, 2007 - 04:07am PT

Ed, Do you know him or who he really is? I have seen the write-ups, thank you so much for your help,

Ken

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Jul 5, 2007 - 11:18am PT

Ken - I don't know the identity of "Desert Frank" and the number of people who might is getting smaller...
...Rowell didn't seem any closer to knowing back in 1973. The only other person who may have an idea might be Beryl Knauth, but I have no idea of her fate. My guess is that Harding didn't know himself.

Another thought would be that Steve Roper might know or have researched that bit of climbing history.

Have Harding's climbing papers, etc, been collected by someone?

Chicken Skinner

Trad climber

Yosemite

Topic Author's Reply - Jul 5, 2007 - 12:06pm PT

Ed, Are you going to the East Side C4 reunion July 13-15? Beryl will be there. Thanks for your suggestions.

Ken

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Jul 5, 2007 - 12:44pm PT

won't be at the reunion, July is brutal for me at work, I feel especially guilty already trying to procrastinate on what has to get done.

but this is just whining...

Jaybro

Social climber

The West

Jul 5, 2007 - 02:34pm PT

That would be amazing if you could really find that guy. I wonder if he's still alive.

Chicken Skinner

Trad climber

Yosemite

Topic Author's Reply - Mar 8, 2009 - 01:21pm PT

Guido, DR, BBA, anyone?

Ken

Steve Grossman

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 9, 2009 - 11:09am PT

I wonder if Powell would know? I never asked him about Frank.

Gene

climber

Mar 9, 2009 - 12:00pm PT

Ken,

Does Glen Denny know?

This is from the history of the route written by Roper in the ST High Sierra guide.

Any peak as spectacular as Keeler Needle is
bound to attract the big names in climbing.
Warren Harding, the most accomplished
big wall first ascentionist in Sierra Nevada,
was joined on the first ascent in 1960 by
Glen Denny, Rob McKnight and Desert
Frank. The ascent took four-and-a-half days
in 1960. Twelve years passed before their
route was repeated.
The ascent led to much gossip, especially
concerning how Harding coerced Desert
Frank to join the expedition. Rumor had
it that Frank never climbed before the
ascent and Harding solicited him from a
local bar for the sole purpose of carrying
the team’s wine. Harding staunchly denied
these allegations, saying the two actually
met in Yosemite’s Mountain Room Bar and
that he “personally gave Frank quite a few
hours of instruction.” Harding could never
remember Frank’s last name, though.

gm