2011 Climb Schedule - Climb #2

Mount Saint Helens - Climbing next week!

There is still time to jump onboard this mid-week climb.  Although the climbing permits are sold out, they can still be obtained through other means.  If you are interested, contact me and visit my Climb Schedule 2011 page.

Sue Nelson celebrates on the Mount St Helens summit in 2006

Success on South Sister

My first Chemeketan climb of the year is in the books.  Our four man team reached the summit of South Sister in perfect conditions.

See my full trip report here:  South Sister Trip Report

2011 Climb Schedule - First Climb

Better late than never!  Hopefully a window in the weather will match the window in my work schedule.  This first one is always fun, and boasts one of the best summit views in Oregon.

Enjoying a perfect summit with Glo & Rick

For additional details, click here:  Climb Schedule 2011

Enjoy the summer and we'll see you on the trail!

How Does That Saying Go?

"Idle hands are the devils work," or something like that.  Hey, I've been idle since my season-ending injury in February, and I have certainly neglected my blog.  I'm blaming it on my Achilles, but in my heart, I know better.  Trust me, I have plenty of ideas and plenty of things to post.  With any luck at all, this will get me off my duff.

Therefore, with great adoration towards the subjects of this post, I offer the local climbing society this short animation.  Please enjoy my short story entitled, "Jess & Amy Head to Smith"

Progress Report

Here's a quick update on the progress of my recovery:

Six weeks in a cast, 10 days in a "boot", nine days in a shoe.  Sadly, after eight weeks and five days of inactivity, 12 lbs gained.

The good news:  I've been cleared to ride a bike and/or swim (did I mention the 12 lbs?  I doubt I'll be swimming in public anytime soon.  Not a pretty sight).

But that's not what this blog post is about.  It's really about
When Kids Become Men.

This down time is KILLING me!

.

The Judges Score It 8 - 8.5 - 7.5 - 8 - 7.5

The results are in.  It's not a perfect 10, but I didn't crash and burn either.

 

Waiting for the Doc

Thank you to all of you that prayed for me and even for those of you that didn't.  I went to the doctor this morning and it Coulda Been A Heckuva Lot Worse (Life)

Dawg Days of Winter

It had the makings of a perfect Seattle weekend;  great weather, extra time to visit family, and tickets to two Washington Huskies basketball games.

If only it would have ended like it started!  Unfortunately, in the near future anyway, I think my "LIFE" section is going to get more action than my "CLIMBING" sections.  Find out why here:

Great Start, Bad Middle, Outcome TBD

To be continued.....

2010 Climb Schedule - First Two Climbs

It's that time of year again -- climbing season is fast approaching!  Although these two climbs have been on the Chemeketan Climb Schedule for awhile now, I've added the climb details to my blog.

My first two climbs are the Mt Saint Helens "Retro Climb" and Sahale Peak.  Check out the climb prospectus, pictures, and current climb rosters here:  Climb Schedule 2010

See you on the mountain!

It's A Wonderful Life

I have to admit, I've got it pretty good.  I have my health.  I get to do what I want and hang out with interesting people I enjoy.  Yes, I'm buried at work, but my boss is a real cupcake ;-)


I get to venture into places many can only imagine....

Fresh air!

I'm tougher than most pandas.....

Let me at 'em, let me at 'em....

I get to hang out backstage with rock stars....

What, you were expecting Snoop Dog?

I have my own Groupies....

She's a stalker, I tell you, a stalker!

A hot wife....

Aye, she's a fine wench!

And my son is a chip off the ol' block.

Confident, grounded, with a superior IQ

Yep, I'm pretty much The King!

His Majesty

Of course, the world has a way of playing tricks on us.  So just to help me keep things in perspective, I've started a new category in my blog table of contents entitled, It's a Wonderful:  Life

More Quotes From Our Climbing Friends

Thanks to everyone who responded to my request for more climbing quotes!  Sheesh, we hang out with a group of characters. 

Go to the contents on the right===>>>>
or you can check 'em out here:  Quotes and Stories  Enjoy!

The Portland Marathon & Other Adventures

As we near the "off season", I'm finally finding time to get caught up on some of our adventures from the past few months.  Our rock climbing trip to Southern Oregon, our day at Sister's Boulders -- all worthy trip reports in one state of production or another.

But here's one that found it's way to the top of the list.  While the main event isn't climbing, it's still closely related.  Plus, if you don't like it, too bad.  It's my blog!  Ha!

Portland Marathon 2009 under "Other Adventures"===========>>>>

A Time for Reflection and Humor

Gloria and I are taking a few days off from pretty much everything! We're down here in Klamath Falls, Oregon, hangin' out at the Running Y Ranch. We actually golfed this morning! First time in over a year and probably only the 5th time since 2002!








"I'd rather be climbing!"

















"I'd rather be running!"




Ah, such is life. Actually, it's pretty nice to get outa "Dodge" for awhile. It's given me time to think about, well, climbing. I found myself thinking about some of the funny things that I've seen and heard in the mountains over the years. Some of it first hand, some of it through the grapevine, most of it true.....

I thought it might be fun to share some of these things, since many of the people that actually take the time to read self-serving blogs like this are many times the stars of the show! Here's the first of (hopefully) many updates: Quotes and Stories

Mt Washington, Olympic Range NEW Climb

Hello,

Check out the latest additions to my Blog. I've added a new Chemeketan climb - Mt Washington, Olympic Range - to the "2009 Climb Schedule" ======>>>

The "Weather & Conditions" page has been updated as well.

Home

Hello and welcome to the evolution of my Rhino Ascents Blog! I think I'm finally getting my head around what I want for this site. Aside from climb schedules, pictures, and trip reports, I hope to add pages and features that will make this a viable resource for my fellow outdoor enthusiasts.

For starters, you can navigate my site by selecting pages from the "Contents" on the right ===>>>

The most recent addition is the "Weather and Conditions" page. Here you will find NOAA Pinpoint weather links to many popular climbing sites in the Western United States and Canada. Check back, because in no time you will find additional links related to climbing conditions, permits, road closures, and more!

Each time I make a significant improvement to the site, I'll announce it here, on my "Home" page. That and whenever I feel like spouting off about whatever strikes me that day. I'll do my best to keep it relevant!

That's all for now,

~John