Facelift 2012 Reports from the Ditch

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Fletcher

Trad climber

Fumbling towards stone

Oct 24, 2012 - 12:49pm PT

I'm working on getting my pictures up.

Gotta get those damn kids off my lawn first!

Eric

Fletcher

Trad climber

Fumbling towards stone

Oct 24, 2012 - 01:56pm PT

OK, finally!

The way my schedule worked out, when I was out Faceliftin' I was pretty much on my own. But I rather enjoyed the time on my own. Sometimes a man just needs to process. Especially if you are a classic Type B underachiever. And I was able to get in plenty of socializing later in the days and evenings (and also with early AM yoga practices in the duff at Yeller Pines!).

The obligatory first view as you come through the Wawona tunnel. Yes, it's almost cliche, but who cares? I've been here scads of times and still get blown away every time I see this view on entry. I don't think it will ever get old.

My first day was picking up on the Mirror Lake trail and perimeter. This had a lot of evocative and contemplative moments like this one:

Hanging with the guys by the check-in area. Ben the climbing ranger, Jon, his intern (you know you're doing pretty good when you get an intern!) and Jon's dad who came all the way from West Virginia I believe. Shortly thereafter, we went with Jesse to see about removing a culvert from the old River campground. Much fun was had. But I can't tell you anymore. Sworn to secrecy.

The masses gather for the raffle at 5 pm. Every kid that participates wins something. I wish Ken was my dad! :-)

View from my office as I ate lunch one day:

Evening program. I think this was the second night (Wednesday). Not as crowded, but sweatfest was still crankin'.

Another evening raffle. Look closely and you might find one or two of the usual suspects.

Obligatory reflection shot in river. Road my bike past this spot a zillion times. Did not get old.

Lunch at the office, working west of the Pohono Bridge this day. It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it. Actually, since this section had a bunch of turnouts and a river, the TP factor was very high. Ick.

More inmates at the evening raffle. Look closely and you might spot the affable glee. I do need to visit Missoula some day!

A world famous photographer and self-styled wanna-be-has-been-who-never-was. NOT! tyeary is too modest. We had many good conversations and an equal number, if not more, good beers.

Short term dementia has set in. Can't remember if this was Jesse telling us to keep in line and be careful out there or James Lucas, one of the world's best storytellers. I'm sure I will be corrected and promptly whipped for my transgression. [Edit: thanks to Khanom it is Jesse. My kids have cooked what's left of my brain these past few days!}

Morning commute. Nuff' said!

Yes, Virginia, bears do sh#t in the woods. On the Pohono Trail. Given the amount of bear poo seen here, this must be their equivalent of the 405 freeway.

Having a great time cleaning up others people's crap on the Pohono Trail. The spirits of some magical and amazing beings passed this way just days earlier. But you'll need to contact them to hear their tale. Maybe you already have!

Will I be back next year? You betcha!

Eric

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Oct 24, 2012 - 04:19pm PT

(This is what it looked like at 5:30 PM each day, pre-mayhem.)

10b4me

Ice climber

dingy room at the Happy boulders hotel

Oct 24, 2012 - 06:52pm PT

some nice shots there Eric

That Darn French Guy

Trad climber

Santa Clara, CA

Oct 24, 2012 - 08:05pm PT

Cool stuff Eric. There's even a pic with me woohoo!

Fletcher

Trad climber

Fumbling towards stone

Oct 25, 2012 - 02:31am PT

Thanks Khanom. Yeah, I think not having the tool suit threw me. :-)

Eric

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Oct 25, 2012 - 06:24am PT

That's not bad, Fletcher, if it is Fletcher. You don't know whit from whinola if you can't spot a Ranger, with or without his uniform, but you do know bear sheeit.

You simply have to take the opportunity to talk with them climbing rangers and work with them (the climbing rangers). They are good people, doing a job lots of you would be sick with envy to have. And if they are tools, at least they are Craftsmen.

Khanom, that wasn't a worthy statement. You obviously know wit when you see it, though. He wasn't as funny as he hoped he'd be. Nobody could top Lucas!

Bottom line for me about Facelift: I will be at Facelift every year until they pry the plucker from my dead fingers. Its reward is palbable: Its reward is itself and getting to look forward to the next.
Everyone, thanks for the pictures, even that darn Frenchie.

That Darn French Guy

Trad climber

Santa Clara, CA

Nov 2, 2012 - 04:23pm PT

Mouse, I would've embedded your pic, plucked from the links, if it wasn't for how tedious it is... and also I don't want to scare people from coming to the next facelift. After all what you just posted is a threat to all the future newbees o_o.

*raises glass*