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Blitzo
Social climber
Earth
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 1, 2006 - 02:02am PT
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Al Swanson. From Monument Manor, Joshua Tree, CA., in the USA, located on planet Earth.
Al's been around for awhile. He's done a lot of stuff, but doesn't get a lot of recognition.
Here's some humble photos.
Al's a great belayer.
He's a musician and a pretty good one!
He knows that every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man!
Momma Cat Boulder.
.
He likes to drill. Sometimes by hand.
First ascent of "Fight Fire With Fire" 5.11a.
First ascent of the"Mojo Hand" 5.11a.
Moments after I shot this, The head flew off the hammer, almost smacking my dome! He tied off the 1/4" drill bit and lowered, for another one.
Sometimes he likes to use power tools.
First ascent of "Golden Shower" 5.12a. 1990.
First ascent of "Country Boy" 5.10d. 1988.
He can climb some pretty hard stuff.
First ascent of "Unknown Soldier" 5.12b. 1986.
He doesn't only climb slab, as many folks think. Even though he says "If the rock touches the back of your hand, it's not climbing!"
First ascent of "Run and Gun" 5.11c. 1987.
First ascent of "Hold On Loosely" 5.10c.
First ascent of "Shy Boy" 5.11 something. Late 1980s.
Some times he climbs at The Leap.
Al is "The Dude"!!!
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WBraun
climber
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Yes I agree Blitzo
Aldude one hell of a cool guy. And one hell of a great climber.
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Loom
climber
167 stinking feet above sea level : (
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Nice pics Blitzo. Al is appreciated.
Scott
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can't say
Social climber
Pasadena CA
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dude's The Dude,
dang Al you sure had a lot more hair back in the day.
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426
Sport climber
That one arete, HP40, AL
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Hail Al Dude.
I love his 11d/(12a?) arete at Clark Canyon. Great moves on that thing.
Happy New Year!
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Bruce Morris
Social climber
Belmont, California
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But wasn't he awfully afraid, Blitzo, drilling above a roof on "Mojo Hand" 5.11a? Why didn't he just rap bolt it?
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Minerals
Social climber
The Deli
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Bad Ass!
Thanks for sharing those classic pics, Blitzo!
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Spinmaster K-Rove
Trad climber
Stuck Under the Kor Roof
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You COMPLETELY overlooked his coffee drinking and Looney Bean Spray skills! I don't think i've ever been climbing with Al Dude, but man have we slurped down some coffee together. That guy can put it away!
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aldude
climber
Monument Manor
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Wow - what a trip! Thanks Blitzo for waltz down memory lane. No matter how ripped you were you always managed to get the money shot. Classic shots from my " Docker " period.
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rob kassell
Trad climber
san jose, ca
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al dude,
wasn't you who did the fa of krokus (sp?) at castle?
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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I've run into Al at J tree a time or two but know more of him through rumour and chat.
I have an old Yosemite friend (Carol T) who always seemed to be saying "Al Dude sez.... and Ad Dude said...."
So I'm glad another tribe member is getting sucked into ST world
Peace
Karl
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
one pass away from the big ditch
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growing up in J-tree for climbing face climbs I whole heartedly felt this was true...
"If the rock touches the back of your hand, it's not climbing!"
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Bruce Morris
Social climber
Belmont, California
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No, David Caunt did the FA of "Krokus" (5.11d), an arete on the back of Indian Rock in Sanborn-Skyline County Park across CA35 from CRSP.
However, during Iraq I, Al "Dude" Swanson did the FA of the "Al Hussein" (5.10d) on the north side of the Platypus in CRSP.
No added sardonic commentary, just the facts, Werner.
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WBraun
climber
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"He'll be glad to know that I have seen two climbers take grounders off it in the intervening years."
Now why would someone be "GLAD" that they have seen people take grounders on their routes?
Bruce you are a strange person ......
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aldude
climber
Monument Manor
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Bruce, what was the name of the other route on that formation? Al - ? 11a? Names of Scud missles I think.
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Bruce Morris
Social climber
Belmont, California
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Al, I don't think it's another route, but rather the same one. The "Al Hussein" has a 5.10d way to start it and another, less scary, 5.11a left hand alternate start. Watched a couple of beginners take falls off the 5.10d start and just brush the ground with their toes.
Remember, D. Caunt didn't like the "Al Hussein" name because he said it was "too political" - i.e. the name of an Iraqi scud missile?
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rob kassell
Trad climber
san jose, ca
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bruce,
who did ayatolla's (sp?) nose on cal cliff?
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Bruce Morris
Social climber
Belmont, California
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Can't remember exactly, but it was probably Dave Caunt (although it might have been Dimitri Barton).
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Bruce Morris
Social climber
Belmont, California
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The fog cleared as the rain lifted this morning: D. Caunt did the "Ayatollah's Nose" (5.11 c/d) and Dimitri did "California Five-Eleven A" (5.11a!), both on California Ridge (i.e. Cal Cliff) in CRSP. A couple years ago, a crucial hold broke under the roof on "California Five-Eleven A" and it's much harder today. So much for history . . .
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aldude
climber
Monument Manor
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Bruce, I remember now - Al Mohammed Variation right? Whatever happened to Dave - does he still climb/ live there?
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