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Fluoride
Trad climber
Hollywood, CA
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Jan 11, 2008 - 11:50pm PT
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Scared Silly, ABC World News Tonight did a piece on that kid and named him their person of the week.
Very well deserved. What a remarkable young man.
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Scared Silly
Trad climber
UT
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Jan 12, 2008 - 12:45am PT
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I saw that as well and why I decided to post it as it was a nice contrast. The kid was very humble and just wanted to do good.
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yosguns
climber
San Francisco, CA
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Jan 12, 2008 - 01:44am PT
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Chilean wine? Last I saw them, Aconcagua and the park were actually in Argentina, no?
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nick d
Trad climber
nm
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Jan 12, 2008 - 01:50am PT
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Bones to Capt. Kirk: "Damn it Jim, I'm a climber, not a geographer"!
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Tan Slacks
Social climber
Joshua Tree
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I just thought I would let you all know that Jordan has now summited Denali. That's five of seven! Great work Jordan.
As I said above, Jordan and his family are good friends of mine. He is a great kid involved in many interests outside climbing. But here is the swell part, he pursues all of them with a great attitude. So how about some "props" for Jordan. He is doing all the things I dreamed of 30+ years ago. Stay safe.
Dan
photo of Jordan on the summit
http://www.jordanromero.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/ks-pics-0191.jpg
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Which route did he do?
What did he lead?
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s. o.
Trad climber
academia
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Is he small enough to fit in the sherpa's backpack or did he have to walk some?
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GDavis
Trad climber
SoCal
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That kid has done a full load, thats for damned sure. It is impressive and he kicks ass any way you look at it.
With that said, Tan, I have to start with the whole armchair alpinist thing...
"Seven Summits" is a horsesh*t game for the rich and self absorbed. Jordan is probably too young to realize it, but going up the seven summits is not something to do, but something to said you've done. Working at a gear shop I see time and again rich, pompous maladjusted litigation lawyers spraying about their next seventh summit adventure, like its some kind of a big deal. Its not, its climbing. Climbing should be important because YOU THINK its important, not because its some invisible goal to attach a name to and call a resume. The Seven Summits should be called the 2.5 Summit Credit Card Race ($70,000 to climb a snowslope in antarctica? How about you spend $100 bucks in gas and do an FA in the cascades). Having not climbed serious mountains myself, I can only speculate the objective dangers and hazards of climbing Denali and Everest. Despite the latter's poor reputation, I will grant that I see it as a difficult peak and a magnanimous undertaking, as well as its Alaskan counterpart.
I have seen Seven Summit-ers. Most of them haven't lead a pitch in their life and were short roped up each and every small technical section. To me someone claiming to have climbed some of these peaks guided like this is reminiscent of watching a guide nearby dragging two Insurance salesmen up After Six. Yes you got up it... if that means something to you than it is justified, for sure. Guides need the money and its great to experience the outdoors. But you didn't do it, someone allowed you to do it.
Its sad seeing that the bond between ropemates is now a one way street. Something once held sacred is paid for full price by those thirsty for success. I don't mean to fart on Jordans Parade (Denali at age 11/12? Holy crap!) but he should be climbing mountains because he loves them and they mean something to him, not because he will have the first one arm ten year old pogo stick ascent, or whatever. And for gods sake, get on the sharp end.
There is an idea I've had for awhile, a proposed change to the "seven summits." Most of the peaks are the highets but not the most difficult, and there is no rule garnering which route. Not once will you hear someone say "I climbed the seven summits, and here are the routes I did..." Its besides the point, unfortunately.
The real seven summits would be the highest and hardest routes. Maybe not even the same mountains. Like the great enchainments of the north faces of the alps, these might even garner real respect. Everest? Try the Magic Line. Elbrus? There are a few routes on the Grandes Jorasses or the Eiger that may only be a few hundred meters shorter but a little more deserving. Cassin Ridge, you get the idea... the goal is always to climb because its important to you, but if you're going to spray, fer crissakes have something to spray about.
and congrats to jordan someday when he grows up he will climb for aesthetics and not statistics.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Apr 15, 2010 - 02:47pm PT
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congratulations on climbing a meaningless pile of choss, young man
marky, they're ALL meaningless piles of choss, trust me.
So what? We like to climb them anyway...
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clode
Trad climber
portland, or
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Apr 15, 2010 - 02:53pm PT
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As long as he stays away from the Glacier Point Apron, he stands a good chance of not growing man boobs.
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GDavis
Social climber
SOL CAL
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Apr 15, 2010 - 03:57pm PT
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Wow, I was drinking hatorade last year!
Though I have the same opinion as two years ago, I don't think I should have been so harsh :D Jordan seems like a cool kid.
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