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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 15, 2009 - 04:47pm PT
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which summit register is this from, BBA?
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BBA
Social climber
West Linn OR
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Dec 15, 2009 - 07:11pm PT
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Whoops, forgot a small bit - Mt. Starr King. Thanks, Ed - I added it above, too. You might also like "One armed solo ascent of Mt Starr King" which is about Eric Beck's ascent. Bill Amborn
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aguacaliente
climber
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Dec 16, 2009 - 03:43am PT
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BBA,
What you said up there about looking for your long-ago friend in the faces of people walking by is one of the simplest and most poignant things I have read. Thank you.
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Strider
Trad climber
one of god's mountain temples....
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Dec 16, 2009 - 03:58am PT
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If there is a large enough group that wants to participate then you might be able to reserve the Yellow Pines Campground. Yellow Pines is specifically a Group campsite, perfectly suited to the needs of a group like this. You could also have a slideshow/potluck/cocktail hour at the Yellow Pines before or after you meet at Cathedral Beach...
I have no idea what it takes to make that happen (regarding deposits/permits/etc..) Ken Yager would know much better as would many others here...
-n
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Dec 16, 2009 - 10:39am PT
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Jan- As far as a gathering spot for food and drink, the El Portal Community Center located right next to the Post Office is the ticket! Sticking to the wedding script again, Sal's mexican food in Mariposa has a mobile food service truck that can be scheduled so that there are no catering issues and everybody simply buys their own food. Sals shows up at least once a month for community gatherings and can easily handle 100+ people! They also do breakfast burritos!
Sals also does catering and there is a killer BBQ joint in Oakhurst, as well if that is your preference. Ken can connect you with the community rep for the Community Center rental. The Yosemite View Lodge is also right nearby and within walking distance.
Keg beer is strangely difficult to arrange and somebody coming from Fresno is your best bet for selection and price for a couple of those pups.
If you would rather stay inside the park then Ken and Jesse can likely let you know what is involved. The Cathedral Beach picnic area is a no alcohol venue as I understand it and closes by 6 pm under normal circumstances. Whether an after hours exception is possible would be Jesse's call. El Portal is hassle free and easy but may not be your preference of spots.
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rotten johnny
Social climber
mammoth lakes, ca
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Dec 19, 2009 - 11:42am PT
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are there inflatable animal rentals in fresno?
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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Dec 24, 2009 - 08:11am PT
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Regarding the register above, Chela Kunasz has confirmed that Dianne Westman was the woman whose name she couldn't think of who used to rock climb with herself and Sharon Bachman when they were all just learning.
Meanwhile, I'm hoping that once the holidays are over, I can make some final arrangements with the Park administration regarding the memorial.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Dec 24, 2009 - 08:23am PT
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yellow Pines, Would be best!
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Sport climber
Will know soon
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Dec 24, 2009 - 03:48pm PT
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Hi Jan, Happy Christmas Eve to you. I am still happy to help you in any way I can. I agree with much of what Peter suggests. Create a scenerio that you think would honor Frank. Include all you think is wonderful and approriate. Then go from there with the help of your friends here. Go for it. Take the ideas to the Park Service. Surely they will also want to help you achieve honor for this incredible person whose history touches the Yosemite Valley.
Picking a date right away I think would be important. If you'd like perhaps I can set aside time to go up there and help if you need it. Peace, Lynne
Edit: Jaybro is right, Yellow Pines is awesome and also has a really cool beach next to it. You could also do something in the auditorium Ken uses for the Facelift.
Double Edit: Peter's suggestion re: honoring the Golden Era and making this a notable event is a good one, but I think I hear you saying you feel something smaller and private is what you are now thinking of....
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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Dec 27, 2009 - 11:27pm PT
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Still working on it.
Scott Sacherer said he would talk to his father about it on Dec. 8 and I've never heard back.
I have the impression that a large part of the Park Service goes on vacation for a couple of weeks at Christmas and I also have been very busy. The woman that climbing ranger Jesse McGahey recommended answered an email within three days and then referred me to someone else who hasn't responded in two weeks??
The venues Jesse's friend suggested were Cathedral and Sentinel Beaches, the outdoor amphitheater, or the meadow in front of the superintendant's beach, near the chapel. Anders emailed me a map of the park so I know where these things are now. They did not mention an auditorium. Some kind of speaker system would be useful especially if a lot of people come. As for photos and slides I only know of maybe 10 of those altogether.
Right now I'm trying to find out from the Park Service the following which maybe you guys can help with.
1) What is the capacity of the venues they have suggested?
2) What dates are open?
3) Whether or not we can use the Yellow Pines campground?
From the email I've received, this thing has taken on a life of its own and Lynn's right, it will not be a small gathering. I believe Peter was right when he said that it should be a celebration of Frank's life within the context of the times.And it should be a reunion of old friends who have not seen each other for a long time.
Monday California time, I am going going to start calling the Park Service until I get some answers. I have the phone numbers now of two people in the Special Operations department. One of the problems is the big time difference between the U.S. and Japan. I can only call after midnight my time which is morning there.
If I can't make contact within the next few days, I think I will have to ask some of you to call to at least remind them to answer their email but let's hold off on that until after the New Year.
Thanks!
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flyingkiwi1
Trad climber
Seattle WA
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Dec 28, 2009 - 01:41am PT
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Jan,
You might want to look into one other possibility - the Lower River Campground Ampitheatre. The Park Service allowed Climbers4Kerry to use this awesome venue for slideshows five years ago; I don't know about subsequent use. The campground itself was decomissioned after a flood years before, but the ampitheater was totally functional in 2004. It seats a couple hundred, easily.
Feel free to email me for more info.
Ian
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Sport climber
Will know soon
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Dec 28, 2009 - 06:17am PT
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Jan, I feel very badly that you are having such difficulties in getting your project off the ground. Thinking and Trying to get some ideas for you as I review the Bachar Memorial in Camp 4.
I think first and foremost you must pick One for sure date and two alternates and present them ASAP. You won't be able to accomodate everyone.
Next come up with a simple format of exactly how you see this playing out.
Then present it via email and phone call to who ever is in charge OR is willing to advocate for you.....a park service person or both would be better still.
I say this because I think the C4 Memorial would not have happened if there were not succinct details posted about it that those in charge could sink their teeth into. And It is way easier for them to check their calendar when you give them a date than visa versa......for many reasons.
So I say do this and then worry about details like food, lodging etc. Let's get some Helium in this.....:D Smiles !!! Lynne
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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Dec 28, 2009 - 07:43am PT
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Lynne-
Good advice. However, if no one in the Park Service answers their email or the telephone, there's not much I can do. It's not like I can drive over there.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Sport climber
Will know soon
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Dec 28, 2009 - 08:03am PT
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I sense your frustration. If you would like to email me names and numbers I would be glad to help you track down the people. I did read that you were going to tackle this afresh after Jan. 1. Probably a good idea. But like I said, I would be more than happy to help. Peace, Lynne
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Dec 29, 2009 - 08:16pm PT
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I recently found this website and came across this forum. Although I remained in climbing for many years, old age and encroaching decrepitude finally took their toll just a few years ago.
Janice Baker, Joe O'Laughlin, Roger Dalke, Robin Rich and I made an epic journey to Yosemite in early June of 1965, driving out from Boulder in my old 1956 Chrysler. Jan remained in the Valley and married Frank later that year.
It really saddens me to have lost touch with so many of my old and very dear friends, many of whom have left this mortal coil. Climbing remained a real passion for me up through 1992 when my climbing partner and wife left me in order to deal with a family tragedy. I still do some high peaks, my health permitting.
Finally, I'm writing this specifically to Jan, whom I have missed often, to express my support in her endeavor to have a memorial to Frank. To all my other old friends and climbing partners: Berg Heil!
Rodger Raubach Ph.D.
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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Dec 29, 2009 - 08:48pm PT
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Roger! Thanks so much for posting!
I've been trying to track you and Joe O'Laughlin down for over a year now. I've only been tuned in to the climbing scene again for about that length of time - ever since Cam Burns asked me to write up something to help him with his biography of Layton. That's how I discovered this website.
Of course I will always remember you as the guy who made my first trip to the Valley possible. You were about the only one of our crowd to have enough money to own a car as I remember.
I've had my own health problems in the past. I was misdiagnosed with asthma and on heavy duty steroids for ten years until Nat. Jewish in Denver came up with the correct diagnosis. Also a bad car accident that screwed up my neck. I'm doing much better now and have promised Layton I will go climbing with him this spring on the days he's not doing dialysis?!
I'm going to be in Colorado this spring so I'll send you an email and see if we can get together.
Meanwhile, I keep leaving phone messages and emails, trying to get the Park Service to set a date for the memorial. It's like pulling teeth!
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Dec 31, 2009 - 04:36pm PT
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Hi Jan!
It's really great to regain touch with you after all the many years since the Valley in 1965!
My climbing career was on hold for quite a few years of Grad School, postdocs, etc. and resumed after my divorce in 1980.
Anne Carrier and I went to the Valley in 1981 and pursued many of my old grudge matches, which seemed pretty easy after getting in shape in Eldorado and at the Lumpy Ridge.
My real love became Joshua Tree, as it was possible to climb there in the Winter--weather permitting.
Stuck around Boulder until 1985, then moved up to Wyoming. Continued climbing in Joshua Tree whenever possible, but mostly at Fremont Canyon. Also went up to Devil's Tower on occasion. About 1989 developed severe tendenitis in both knees; after medical treatment continued thru 1992--lost my climbing partner to a divorce.
Went to the Gym in Casper several time up until 1998. Too painful for me to continue the difficult rock climbs.
In 2000, I had an industrial accident--slipped on a wet floor in the laboratory and ruptured my left quadriceps tendon. My kneecap was about 8" lower than it should have been. After knee surgery it took 2 years to rehab. In 2002, I climbed Mt. Princeton and Missouri Mountain with Phil Ottiger (one of my professional colleagues). I've been doing some peaks and high mountian hiking since.
I really miss the thrill of high exposure that leading on trad rock gives, so I've taken up flying and have a private pilot certificate--working on both Multiengine rating and Instrument Rating at this time.
Once again, to all of my old friends in Colorado, I miss ya'.
Rodger
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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Here's a photo of Dianne Westman, one of the girls Frank climbed with in his early days, along with Chela. She's also the one listed on the mountain register above.
In 1969/1970 Bruce Albert worked as a page at the Seattle Public Library where Dianne worked as a librarian.
They went climbing in Leavenworth once or twice and she described having climbed in Yosemite with Frank, Steve Roper, and others & related having been somewhat terrified by stuff Frank did unroped. She was also apparently present when Steve Roper showed up in the coffee shop with bones from the climber who died in the Lost Arrow Chimney.
She also gave Bruce two or three old Chouinard carabiners which are stamped "KLR".
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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I just wanted to announce that the Yosemite Park Office has notified me that the Lower River Outdoor Amphitheater has been reserved for Frank's memorial and old timer's reunion for the afternoon of Saturday, May 22.
With any luck, Tioga will open early this year making a short trip for those who live on the East Side. With an afternoon reservation, if they do have to drive around, at least they can do it in the daylight.
This is the minimum that will happen but we're also working on other events for that weekend. Ken Yager is helping me with those and believe me, one phone call from him is worth three from me and a few emails besides!
More info to follow.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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What an amazing thread! I love how it grows and odd, unexpected things come up. Douglas Wyoming? Gateway to Wright and Reno Junction, haha!
I for one will try to be there on 5/22.
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