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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jan 31, 2014 - 08:06pm PT
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Spider Rock
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jan 31, 2014 - 08:09pm PT
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spider Rock.....Chinle/Tsaile, Ariz.
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jan 31, 2014 - 08:10pm PT
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My neighbor, Tyler
Lukachukai, Arizona....
.....Thanks to my bros Quintin and Alex for keeping it real...I hope we are moving towards more freedom to explore and climb on the Rez;...it's a magical place.....big thanks to the handful of Navajo climbers who are working to make this happen;.....
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bvb
Social climber
flagstaff arizona
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Jan 31, 2014 - 08:44pm PT
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Those are awesome photos Todd. And I don't throw that word around much.
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jan 31, 2014 - 08:49pm PT
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The Pole
(Thanks, BVB;...the American Legend.......you know that neck of the woods well.......it IS magic...)..
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jan 31, 2014 - 08:50pm PT
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Going my way?.......Rock Point, Arizona...
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jan 31, 2014 - 08:54pm PT
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Spider Rock, pitch one....
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jan 31, 2014 - 09:16pm PT
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Dave Evans near the top of Arachnid Mesa, Canyon de Chelly. His eyes are red from the chlorine in the pool.....(really.....)......
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jan 31, 2014 - 09:31pm PT
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Poor Gumby;.....stuck forever on top of The Pope, Round Rock area, Ariz.....wedged behind a 12" nail....(part of the anchor on one of the raps)..
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jan 31, 2014 - 09:35pm PT
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The natives...(and teachers ) are restless. Lukachukai, Arizona...
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jan 31, 2014 - 10:08pm PT
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Psyching up for the Totem Pole......
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jan 31, 2014 - 10:10pm PT
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Hipster fancy-ass Rez climber in his fancy-ass expensive clothes.....
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the albatross
Gym climber
Flagstaff
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Jan 31, 2014 - 10:14pm PT
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Todd,
What are your thoughts on an influx of climbers on the Rez? Should hundreds of hommies head out there for several weeks long climbing trips bagging all those sweet spires?
From what I've been reading in the mags, climbing regs have been relaxed out there? I saw some vimeo videos about some radical dudes just cranking the gnarls!!
Do you think that the fact you were mostly climbing out there 25 years ago (when there were hundreds of thousands less climbers around) and that you worked out there helping the locals had anything to do about your access privileges? Or should we just drive up to the nearest hogan and offer them a can of Ranch Beans and $10, would that help secure permission?
Just curious,
Albert
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jan 31, 2014 - 10:42pm PT
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I climbed out there alot through the 80s and 90s....I had fun;.....but it's not the sort of climbing that appeals to many;......Who knows what the future holds for climbing on the Rez.....it's been super "restricted" for a long time now. I seriously doubt if there will be a mass invasion of climbers to the Rez........maybe more climbers interested in climbing on the Rez will encourage the Navajo Nation leaders to start thinking about opening up the Reservation to some climbing possiblities........I sure hope so...that would be cool.......climbers climb elsewhere in the Southwest;...why not on the Rez......
I also think with some Navajo climbers "stirring the pot" .....so to speak;...this is a new game;......I personally think it's a great time to make some changes about climbing on the Reservation!......We can only hope for the best, Albert;....it's a big mystery as of now.....with Quinton and Alex and others at the helm.......I think the future of climbing on the Rez looks good!....I'm psyched and hopeful!....
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jan 31, 2014 - 10:58pm PT
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Local hopeful.....
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the albatross
Gym climber
Flagstaff
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Jan 31, 2014 - 11:30pm PT
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Thanks for the reply Todd.
I like crappy rock, too. Thank goodness most climbers don't like to hike, don't like to be cold or hot or thirsty or eat sand, and prefer rock that can take a decent bolt that might hold a fall. Those factors are the best protection for areas like the Rez. That is not to mention the exploding handholds and super soft rock.
I sincerely hope that scammers like Jeff Jackson and his minions at R&I don't screw it up for everyone with their dramatic headlines. I believe persons who publish this sort of garbage that encourages illicit climbing activity do a serious disservice to the world climbing community. I try to understand that narcissist's like that are just doing whatever, anything, it takes to make a dollar (and perhaps some publicity and a few hits on the blog or youtube).
A couple decades ago I was scouting some bouldering potential perhaps 40 miles NE of Flag on the Rez. We found some interesting rock and as we were leaving a local drove up on a 4-wheeler with a shotgun strapped on the front. He made it clear we should make our way back to the truck as quick as possible. I suspect he thought we were artifact hunters, but you never know, maybe he was doing some gardening back there? Either way, it was an eye opener and made me realize that perhaps I should be a little more careful and considerate in my exploits on this sovereign nation.
I hope people understand that these desert wastelands are communities of sorts and that some families have been living in these areas for tens of generations. The few persons I have been fortunate enough to meet that still live the traditional ways have an entirely different view of the earth than us white folks. While some people have made their way into these spots (legally or illegally, still waiting for an answer) we all need to remember that being on the Navajo Nation is not like roaming around on USFS or BLM or even NPS land.
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Well said, Albert. Time will tell what will become of climbing and climbers on the Reservation. Where we are at now aint' so bad a spot;.....a few Navajo climbers testing their skills and heuvos in thier own backyards, some outsiders climbing certain towers with permission from "landowners" and caretakers, and some wild ones visiting the Rez and rolling the dice against the elements, the stone and The Man........seems like a healthy balance and something for the few who find themselves inclined to "get down to the business " on a Navajo desert tower.
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weezy
climber
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wow, todd! TFPU!!
great photos!
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