Hold The Presses

Mike Johnson on Creature Feature
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That's right! Mike J on Creature Feature. Of all the climbs that Mike has done in his life and at the Red he has never been on (in my opinion) one of the best 5.9s at the Red.

Mike, Janet and I spent Sunday at Phantasia. We led Pogue's Ethics, OverLord, Creature Feature (several times) and Mike finished off on Count Floyd (11b).

Yes, it was 90+ outside, but to be honest it was rather cool and nice under the trees. I was pleasantly surprised at the low humidity, but of course, the Deer Flies were relentless.

We're Back!

Day One - 14 hours into the drive and Liem is already climbing TeePees.
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I thought this photo represented the whole trip. Here we were - deep into South Dakota. Liem's climbing the walls, Jean and Ken are cleaning the windows and I'm taking photos.

Thanks again for reading and letting us share our experience. We'll probably put together a cool DVD for the Dr Steve October party and put a ton of photos on the crackclimbing.com site and Liem's website. (www.lieminator.com)

Also, we took a boat load of photos of the Durrance route and plan to put together a kick-ass beta report from the scramble to each belay stations and what to avoid or how to get out of the final rope caught crunch. So, once complete we'll put it on the crackclimbing.com website and feel free to print and enjoy. It is a route you must do. Although, I would recommend having Liem climb the 2nd and 3rd pitch for you. :) That dude is a monster!

Also, he onsited Super Crack on lead!!

So, although we didn't get to do the Flat Irons we did virtually the entire pre-itinerary and had a blast. We covered nearly 5k miles and 15 states and 3 time zones. I vow to stay away from Mc Donalds for at least a month and man I am dying for a real pizza. Zion National Park was just too cheezy, yes, even for me.

I hope all went well in Seneca and look forward to hearing the stories and checking out the photos. Meadows are you still camped out at the Red? Give me a couple weeks to recoup.

Lastly, I want to thank Ken not only for the use of the van, but he put up with a lot of our crap and especially with helping us to get off the tower. I think I would have freaked even more had he not been down there to call the ranger for us and to then have the lights at the end of the tunnel so we could see the path to hike down.

As the Lieminator would say, "We've got options!"

911 - Again?

Me, just hours before the 911 call.....
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Yep, we had to call 911 again, but this time for something different.

Thursday, June 2nd, we set out for Sedona and did a 2 1/2 hour hike / scramble up some area "Morning Glory" it was fun and then passed by the Mace. It looks a lot more menacing than in the pictures. We were all too tired to climb it and clearly that would be a primary Liem lead. Give me crack and crimpers over that sandstone sloopers.

Anyway, near Meteor Crater I started to feel ill, but didn't think too much of it. My stomach started to hurt and I thought it was last night's dinner. Yes, I know, Chad - Don't want to hear it.

Well, about the time we got partly through Painted Desert I started to loose my lunch. Yes, quite exciting isn't it?

We got down the road and into Gallup, NM and I asked to pull over to get something to drink. I bought the drink and then went back inside to go to the bathroom. First, I blacked out in the bathroom and again as I was about to leave. I remember looking up at the clerk and he asked, "Are you okay?" I said, "Yeah, I've just been sick and I'll be okay". I then proceeded to stumble out the gas station and asked the gang if we could stay the night. They agreed knowing full well that we were now way too far away to make a run for Denver the next morning.

Well, as Jean was driving around to get to a hotel I blacked out again and of course lost my drink all over myself. You get the idea. She pulled over at some chicken stand and asked to call 911. They said there was a phone outside. She tried it and it didn't work. She went back in and they said try again. Thank God I wasn't like dying or anything!!

Finally she went back in a little more peturbed, and got them to call 911. The whole gang from Gallup showed up and checked me out. I was fine. They said just dehydrated. I think it was a mix of bad food, altitude and dehydration, but I let Dr Jean take control.

Thanks Jean!! and thanks to the Gallup, NM Fire Dept. And yes, I did not want to go to the hospital, but now that I think about it there may have been some cutie candy stripers there. I must have really been sick to not have considered that until now. :)

Grand Canyon

Hiking down in the canyon
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Liem was not feeling well today, but Jean, Ken and I drove up to the Grand Canyon. We hiked the Blue Angel Trail but only a mile and 1/2 of it because it's a 24 mile loop.

The weather has been perfect except for the thunderstorm we had while getting down Devils Tower. Tomorrow (6/02) we start heading towards Denever.

When I get home I will add photos to this blog and then have a larger photo album posted on Liem's website and Crackclimbing.com.

Submitted by Spud for Rod.

McDonald's in Kanab?

10 years later - Eating at Kanab's McD's
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Ten years ago was the first time I passed through Kanab, UT with my sister and my cousin. It was late and we were hungry and nothing was open. We asked the hotel clerk what was up and she responded, with much enthusiasm, "Next month we are getting a McDs".

On May 31, 05 I again passed through Kanab and low and behold they have built it!

I know you are all excited, but I thought we would share. For those who went climbing at Seneca, we hope you had a great time.

Submitted by Spud for Rod