Trip Report
Pulling granite with Larry Zulim on a wall near Mineral King

by Peter Amend
Friday June 22, 2012 2:00am
Hey Guys! I'm pretty new here and super stoked to be back on the rock! After my climbing partner got married a while back, I was forced to do other lame boring things like mountain biking & kayaking ;) Anyway, lately I've been super pumped to climb again and here I am for some motivation and inspiration from you crazy dogs.

I know people around here get excited about the name Larry Zulim, and rightfully so - he's an insane climber and super great guy.

Maybe this is against forum etiquette but since I already posted a short photo essay on my blog, maybe I can show it to you that way?

Here's the link! http://www.peteramend.com/2012/06/21/climbing-cracks-in-danland/

If i'm breaking rules and hurting feelings, I can repost this on the forum if that makes it easier to view.

Here's a teaser, hope you enjoy the rest of the photos!

top left corner top right corner
Larry Zulim cranks it.
Larry Zulim cranks it.
Credit: Peter Amend
bottom left corner bottom right corner

  Trip Report Views: 3,397
Peter Amend 		About the Author
Peter Amend is a photographer/climber/cyclist/surfer/bicycle mechanic from Visalia, CA.

Comments
Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
  Jun 22, 2012 - 02:06am PT
Looks fun. I've been wanting to climb on that wall since i first saw it.

Larry is the best climber I've ever had the pleasure of climbing with. His moves are so neat he never needs resoles.
Dos XX

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
  Jun 22, 2012 - 08:14am PT
Beautiful pics! There's no problem linking in a blog. It's done all the time here and your putting in a photo as a teaser is a nice touch.
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
  Jun 24, 2012 - 08:37pm PT
Zulim sighting!!

WOO HOOO!! Man I hope I get to run into that guy again someday. It's been said before, but he was pretty much the happiest, most positive guy around the valley BITD. A guy everyone could learn from.

Looks like a neat area too. Thanks!

Edit to add my name just in case anyone ever throws a laptop in front of him...heh heh...
Bruce Birchell
Roxy

Trad climber
CA Central Coast
  Jun 22, 2012 - 10:19am PT
awesome pics....love the dress socks
Radish

Trad climber
SeKi, California
  Jun 22, 2012 - 10:48am PT
Nice description of the place and Great Photos! Its good to see Larry and Dan getting some of the limelight they truly deserve. Dan is the Pioneer and has spent many solo days on that big crag putting in solid belay stations and scoping out and cleaning new routes. He's been almost living up there for the past several years. Good Job with the story and pics Peter..........
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
  Jun 22, 2012 - 10:50am PT
Nice....only good use I can think of for dress socks!
Tarbuster

climber
right here, right now
  Jun 22, 2012 - 11:12am PT
Survival said:
he was pretty much the happiest, most positive guy around the valley BITD
+1 from Roy and please tell Larry I said hello!

Lots of good memories hanging out with Larry.
Pure Stoke.
Tarbuster

climber
right here, right now
  Jun 22, 2012 - 11:24am PT
Pretty darn swell pictures!
I stole this one for my personal archives, hey Larry: Looking GOOD!
limpingcrab

Gym climber
Minkler, CA
  Jun 22, 2012 - 11:46am PT
Nice! I've boon hoping I would get to climb with Larry one of these days. Do you know if this is the same rock called "Foxtrot Dome" in the old SEKI guidebook?

From the guidebook:
On the approach to Mineral King, an obvious slab is visible to the north on the
slopes of Conifer Ridge. This is Foxtrot Dome. There is evidence of considerable
climbing activity here, although only one route has been reported (Foxtrot
Corner 5.10, three pitches). The rock is not as high quality as one would hope.
The rock faces east on a hill about a mile to the north of the road and is easily
recognized by the long, slender left-facing corner which winds up the center of
the face. Park at the creek and walk up the hill to the base.

Edit: if it is, I like Danland better and will start calling it that!
this just in

climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
  Jun 22, 2012 - 11:31am PT
You totally broke the rules. How dare you post climbing. Thanks.
Gagner

climber
Boulder
  Jun 22, 2012 - 11:57am PT
Super cool...

Haven't seen Larry or Becky in years ... tell them I said hi!! Thank you.

Paul Gagner
Radish

Trad climber
SeKi, California
  Jun 22, 2012 - 12:43pm PT
Limpingcrab............This is not Foxtrot Dome, which is much further up the road and in the pine trees. Danland is lower down, before the Lookout Point Ranger Station..........
Fat Dad

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
  Jun 22, 2012 - 01:17pm PT
Nice report. You made the mistake of marrying your climbing partner too, huh?
JEleazarian

Trad climber
Fresno CA
  Jun 22, 2012 - 01:30pm PT
Very nice TR, Peter. I haven't been out that way for a very long time, but in the mid-1970's, Tim Schiller and I climbed on a wall west of the Mineral King road that looked rather similar, but we were not the first ones there, as there were some rap bolts and other signs that someone else got there first. We climbed a neat, clean crack system near the right side in the 5.10 range.

I hope to read (and see) more from you. By the way, your last name is famous and revered in Fresno High circles from my time.

John
chez

Social climber
chicago ill
  Jun 22, 2012 - 03:07pm PT
Larry Zulem, super cool dude. I worked w/ him at the Awahnee in the valley back in the 80s.
ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber
ne'er–do–well
  Jun 22, 2012 - 03:17pm PT
http://www.supertopo.com/tr/Afternoon-Bouldering-with-a-Golden-Age-Crack-Master/t10912n.html
Peter Amend

climber
Visalia, CA
Author's Reply  Jun 23, 2012 - 02:20am PT
thanks for the feedback guys!

I'll definitely pass on all your greetings, I usually stop by the farmers market to say hi during the week.

Like many have said, he IS definitely an example of a personality you wish you saw more in the climbing world. Super casual guy, loves to talk with anyone, and just super stoked to climb in general. I feel lucky to climb with such a legend.

I've bouldered with him before as well in Orosi at the 440 boulder field - and it's amazing watch him free solo 20 foot boulder problems with such precision.

Although I have to say, he could stand to replace some gear a little more often. Was a little apprehensive jugging a few pitches on his 30 year old pot metal Jumars ;) heh heh

I actually didn't expect to climb as much as I did, but somehow was able to make it up a
5.10a crack with less scrapes on my knuckles than I expected. Climbing with legends definitely makes you stronger!

definitely a great story teller too, hearing all kinds of great stories about 'crashbud' and rolling joints in fig newton wrappers at the top of El Cap.

you guys are fun, i think i'll stick around.
Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
  Jun 23, 2012 - 09:35am PT
When I first met Larry in the late 1980's he was still using the ancient Forest harness. I still have a piece of blue tat' that fell off the deteriorating leg loops one day while we were climbing.

If you are reading this Larry, please join us here on the forum. It would be great to have you around this virtual campfire.
Peter Amend

climber
Visalia, CA
Author's Reply  Jun 24, 2012 - 08:31pm PT
i doubt you'll see larry around these parts, he is so off the grid that he doesn't even have voicemail set up on his home phone. but i'll make sure he sees your greetings and knows that he's welcome around the 'fire'!
Tarbuster

climber
right here, right now
  Jun 25, 2012 - 12:25pm PT
No voicemail?
I must say I love that!

I will PM you with my telephone number. If you could please pass it along, I would love to speak with Larry about days old and new.

Please let me know if you don't get my e-mail through the supertopo function.

'Tanks again for sharing your fun times with Larry.
Cheers,
Roy
Francesca Drake

Trad climber
California,Truckee
  Jun 25, 2012 - 04:43pm PT
Big hello to Larry from Gene and Cindy Drake HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
wayne w

Trad climber
the nw
  Jun 25, 2012 - 04:55pm PT
I did my first wall with Larry (Zodiac) and have spent many, many great days climbing and bouldering with him over the decades. I can't remember ever having anything but a good time when hanging with Larry.
JEleazarian

Trad climber
Fresno CA
  Jun 25, 2012 - 05:54pm PT
Although I have to say, he could stand to replace some gear a little more often. Was a little apprehensive jugging a few pitches on his 30 year old pot metal Jumars ;) heh heh

I resemble that remark! Well, mine are now more than 40 years old, but they still work. ;>)

I still use a few Chouinard Camalots, too, leading to similar comments from some of my climbing partners.

John
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Jun 26, 2012 - 10:23pm PT
Awesome, thanks!
phylp

Trad climber
Upland, CA
  Jun 27, 2012 - 11:47am PT
Peter, these are fabulous photos! Thanks
Peter Amend

climber
Visalia, CA
Author's Reply  Jul 12, 2012 - 09:05pm PT
Hung out with Larry tonight at the farmers market and read him all your wonderful comments, while he sold his fresh picked zuchinni, tomatoes, and plums.

Heard many great stories as he reminisced about trips with the names he remembered, and in his usual humble self he asked that I remove his title as 'one of the yosemite greats'. I told him that those weren't my words but those of many people who remember climbing with him in the 70's, but if he really wanted I would change the title to something 'more appropriate'.

Any suggestions as to the 'proper' title of this great guy?

I still agree that he could be named one of the 'greats', but what do I know :)
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