Climb Schedule 2011

Chemeketan Climb Schedule (scroll down for details):

1. South Sister - August 9-10, 2011
2. Mount St Helens - Sept 6-7, 2011
3. TBD


1. South Sister, South Side, August 9-10, 2011

South Sister from just above Moraine Lake

This climb is where opportunity and desire meet. I have to be in Bend on business the week of this climb (opportunity), and I've been asked to help a few new climbers get their first ascent (desire). Given that I'm coming off an injury that has had me on the climbing shelf for over a year, it seems like just the right time to dust off the ol' boots and hit the trail.

If you find yourself in Central Oregon next week and want a fun two-day climbing adventure, this climb could be for you.  Although most climb South Sister in a long day this time of year, we plan to take an extra day and enjoy a greater climbing experience. We'll set our base camp above treeline near Moraine Lake. The next day we're up, down, and out.  Is there a better way to spend a work day? Download and print details here:    (Prospectus)

Current Climb Team:

1.  John Petrie, Leader 

2.  Aaron Smith 
3.  Dylan Petrie 
4.  Randy Solansky 
5.  
6.  

Additional South Sister Recon:

South Sister Weather - NOAA Pinpoint 
Route description - Summit Post 
Additional Info - USFS Climbing Page




2. Mount St Helens, Monitor Ridge, September 6-7, 2011

Mount St Helens, 1980

With any luck at all, we'll face better conditions than this!  Where were YOU when Mount St Helens blew?  It's been over 30 years, and if you've ever wondered how the areas is recovering, this is your chance to find out first hand.  This climb offers something that very few people will see in their lifetime - the chance to personally witness a mountain in the midst of rebuilding itself.


We plan to head up Tuesday afternoon and spend the night at the climber's bivouac.  Our plan is to get up early Wednesday morning, summit, and return the same day.  I was able to secure five permits for this climb, but others may be available on the secondary market here: Cascade Climbers Permit Exchange  Download and print details here:  (Climb Prospectus)

Current Climb Team (alternates on file):

1.  John Petrie, Leader 

2.  Gloria Petrie, Assistant Leader 

3.  Dylan Petrie 

4.  Rick Slezak 

5.  Aaron Smith

Additional Mount St Helens Recon:

St Helens Weather - NOAA Pinpoint

Route description - Summit Post 

Additional Info - USFS Climbing Page

....

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!

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When Kids Become Men

To bring you up to speed, I'll need to refer to an earlier post regarding the basketball game I missed as a result of my injury earlier that day.  UCLA vs UW, second row behind the visitors bench, Senior Night.  I entrusted the tickets to my nephew (and team manager assistant, who got me the tix in the first place) in hope that they would find a good home.

Feb 22, 2010:  "As a side note, I told Matt he could give my tickets to Quincy Pondexter, the sole Husky senior that was playing his last home game before entering the NBA draft (expected to be a first round pick).  On my way home, I was listening to his post game interview, and the radio announcer asked Quincy what was the most memorable part of his final home game experience.  Without hesitation he replied, "Not only did my mom and dad get to see me in my final game, it turned out my brother and sister got to come too."  Since those were my tickets, I had to smile to myself knowing that in the greater scope of things, I may have missed out on the largest margin of victory any Husky team has ever hung on UCLA (97-68), but for the Pondexter family, the memories of Quincy's final game will last a lifetime."

So there you go.  I miss the game, but this kid's siblings get to watch their brother say goodbye to Husky Nation.  As silver linings go, that's a good one.

So you can imagine my surprise when my nephew sent me a text message four weeks later.  "Yer not goin 2 beliv wht I hve", he wrote. "What?", I replied.  He wrote back, "Yul hv to c it 2 beliv it."

A week later my sister dropped off a package on her way to Ashland.  I opened it up and just as Matt said, I cdnt beliv it.  A framed 8 X 10 photo of the young Pondexter, flying towards the rim, ready to send the ball packing.  Inscribed with a gold Sharpie, read the following:

"To John,  Thanks a lot for the tickets.  It really meant a ton.  (signed) QP #20,  Go Dawgs"

Say what you want about these kids -- that is one decent young man.  Thanks Q!  You too, Matt ;-)

 My man, Quincy.  He's a good one.


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