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couchmaster
climber
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Ha ha - great stuff. I'll confess to knowing the asian kid in your first story Don. He's a young 20 something year old named Chris. I don't know his last name, and should, as he was over drinking at my home not long ago. I call him "broken leg Chris" as his girlfriend had dropped him in the gym. He's a pretty good guy, and gets his features from being half Chinese.
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james Colborn
Trad climber
Truckee, Ca
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Unfortunately I have to head out to work, I read only the first story, but psyched to read the rest. Thanks for the stories! James
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Dick_Lugar
Trad climber
Indiana (the other Mideast)
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I'm with James on this too, I only read the first story about Becky/TM...hilarious! Unlike most the other posts around here that can be read in a just a few secs during work breaks, I'm going to have to set aside some quality time. Looking forward to it, it's like campfire stories without the campfire (unfortunately). Thanks Don.
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Gary
climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
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Absolutely wonderful writing.
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MisterE
Trad climber
My Inner Nut
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Wow. I just spent the last 45 minutes transported to another time on the wings of fine prose.
Thank you so, so much, Don - and welcome!
A breath of fresh air you are.
Erik Wolfe (Borghoff)
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scuffy b
climber
On the dock in the dark
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When I was a beginner, in 1971, college student, we took a trip
down to Stony Point.
The most experienced member of our party, a Freshman who had
already done some Grade VI climbs, was telling us Stony tales,
mentioned a guy called Muscles a lot, and pointed out some little pockets on Rock 1. He called them Muscles' Fingerprints.
A while later an older guy, really really really fit looking,
goes traversing by in a dress shirt.
So I say to Black, "Is that Muscles?"
He says, "Nah, that's just McNutt."
Welcome, Mr. L.
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Delhi Dog
Trad climber
Good Question...
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Nothing better than sitting back with a cold one and "hearing" the tales...
Love 'em!
Thanks!
Cheers,
DD
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Wade Icey
Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
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Thanks. Best Monday morning ever.
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james Colborn
Trad climber
Truckee, Ca
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The snow came early and we wrapped things up as soon as we rolled out, so no work! Don thanks for sharing. With the limited climbing posts and the endless political sparring this comes as a most welcome read. thanks again.
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Largo
Sport climber
Venice, Ca
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Man, I'll read all of those things you can possibly write! They're fantastic.
JL
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hobo_dan
Social climber
Minnesota
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These are wonderful stories Don. Thanks for sharing
murf
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Jeeeeze Lauria
I like lobster and caviar too, but can only eat and digest so much in one sitting. Parcel those wonderful tales out. Make them salivate for more. Dangle the hook but don't ever set it.
On a long marathon drive from Santa Cruz to the Tetons for the Pratt Memorial a while back I made the mistake of asking Don if he had ever wrecked a car. Two hours later he was still talking! Lauria is a treasure trove indeed.
See you at the Reunion
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Jaybro
Social climber
wuz real!
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Amazingly cool. Thanks for the stories and welcome aboard!
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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To further your point about Fred Beckey:
Great stories Don!
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Don Lauria
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 3, 2008 - 01:34pm PT
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Just an attempt at posting a photo. I taught computer science at Bishop High School for 17 years. Photoshop was part of all my courses, of course, I had to wait a few years for Adobe to come up with it.
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Don Lauria
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 3, 2008 - 01:35pm PT
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Okay, that worked. Now to supply the story that goes with it. I'll start a new thread.
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marty(r)
climber
beneath the valley of ultravegans
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Don,
Thanks a million for bringing those stories to light and the web. I don't know if you remember but I was a friend of your old neighbors Steve and Barbara over on Sierra. I got you to sign my copy of "Vertical World..."--the hook page--after your NA Wall show in their backyard. It's one of the coolest 'things' I have from climbing. When I worked at BUHS it was a treat hearing from others about you and your adventures, both back in the day and present. Keep posting, especially stories about Allan Bard. I could tell by the way you honored his home that he meant the world to you.
Take care,
Marty
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Nefarius
Big Wall climber
somewhere without avatars.........
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Awesome tales, Don! Thanks for sharing!
hahaha Came in here reading the awesome tales of Don, LOVING the Fred story and there's one of my images of Fred. Too funny. I suppose there's kind of a story behind that photo, as well...
Long story, short. I get a call from Ammon McNeely, asking if I am interested in shooting a project he has.
"Of course I am, Bro!"
"OK, well, we're taking Fred Beckey up Lurking Fear, on El Cap!"
"No sh#t,?! Awesome! I get to spend a week with Fred Beckey!!!"
The first couple of days were spent in camp, while we carried loads to the base, purchased last minute items and Fred sorted through his candy bag. Already sensing that this climb might not happen, I needed to get some really cool shots of Fred before we even started climbing. Each morning, I noticed Fred went through the same routine - his alarm would go off and there'd be a rustling in his tent, as he got dressed/changed clothes and then he'd unzip the fly just a little bit, poke his head out and look all around. "THAT'S the shot", I thought!!! A total classic!
So, that evening, when Fred let everyone know what time he wanted to get going in the morning, I set my alarm for half an hour earlier. My alarm went off the next morning, and I went over to my car to get my gear out of the trunk. I'd bivied out the night before and it was pretty damp, being that it was October... I get my lens and camera body out and get back inside my sleeping bag, with the mummy hood over my head, all sniper/ninja style! Then I lay waiting... Waiting... Fred's alarm goes off. Waiting... I see the tent moving around as Fred rustles around inside. Waiting and more rustling. Finally!!! I hear the zipper on the tent - ZIIIIIIPPPPPPPP! More rustling. Waiting.... Then suddenly, the zipper on the fly starts to unzip and Fred pokes his head out!!! He starts looking all around. I start shooting. Fred finally gets sight of me... He kind of grimaces, but I keep shooting.
Fred never made it up Lurking Fear - which would have been his first time up El Cap, and would have made him the oldest person to have climbed El Cap. He did provide everyone involved with a super memorable experience tho and he did make it a couple of pitches up. It was simply amazing watching Fred jug a fixed line!!! Who'da thought? While carrying loads, he insisted on carry stuff (we kept it SUPER light) and would throw some stuff in his pack. Going uphill, he moved at one steady, constant speed. Even at his age, he'd only take a single break to get to the base of LF and never slowed down.
I think I moved the link on my site to the Fred stuff... I'll dig it up and post a link with more pics of the trip...
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stevep
Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
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Great stories Don. A perfect example of what makes this site.
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Brunosafari
Boulder climber
Redmond, OR
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I'm going to savor these, Mr. Lauria.
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