Archive for September, 2006

Fossil Falls – Trip Report

Saturday, September 30th, 2006

Upper FF with Evan & Rebecca The Peanut Gallery

On Saturday, Dennis & I drove up to local crag Fossil Falls. By the time we got there (9:30am) the gang was all there. They were finishing setting up 4 top ropes. And, a group of highschool students on a fieldtrip were hanging about gawking at the gear/ropes. Their instructor informed us that they would quickly be out of our way. Good, because it’s hard to communicate to your belayer with 30 highschool seniors mulling about below!

Tim V. accompanied by his step son and a friend had set up ropes on Bird$hit Crack (5.7) and the 5.10 directly to it’s right. Greg, Rebecca, Evan, and Matt were finishing up the ropes set up accross the East side of the canyon-one on the 5.7 arete and one on the 5.11 crack (thin up top). I set up a rope on the 5.8/5.9 wide crack to the left of Bird$hit Crack, then Dennis & I rapped down into the canyon. (more…)

Fargo

Wednesday, September 27th, 2006

Last night, we had no Netflix movies. So we took a movie out of our VHS collection. It had been awhile since we watched Fargo, and it was great to see it again. One of the best things about Fargo is the character development. The filmmakers kept it simple, Fargo in the wintertime is a blanket of whiteness. The absence of scenery makes the other elements stand out.

Frances McDormand is fantastic, playing a pregnant police chief. She’s brilliant-and is made even more outstanding by the endearing role of her loving artsy hubby. His devotion to her and their future gives the otherwise brutal movie a soft edge, and the viewer a chance to take those deep sighs. The violence of the crimes committed keep escallating, until the fabulously dark yet funny scene with a chipper shredder. By the end of the movie, I am always in awe of this heinous crime, that it actually happened, and how this one woman was able to piece it all together.

Mt. Whitney via Main Trail-Trip Report

Friday, September 22nd, 2006

Earlier this week, Walter informs me that they have permits available to hike the main trail of Mt. Whitney. It is another China Lake Mountain Rescue Group trip, but with vacancies, I get an invite! Happy to be included, I think for a nanosecond before responding, “YES, I’ll go!!!”.

Proof of Summit

I’ve heard from several people how demanding this hike is, but it just never registered. I’m excited, because I’ve only ever summited by 5th class climbs, so this will be a challenge. Since I’m not much of a hiker, the 11 mile one way trip up with 6k feet of gain is sure to push my limits! To see Bob Rockwell’s pictures, click on photo album. (more…)

Flightplan

Sunday, September 17th, 2006

This is a proposterous plane movie. It reminds me of a sophisticated Con-Air, without the flare. At least Con-Air had all those great huge explosions and out of this world special effects thanks to Jerry Bruckheimer. Throughout the movie, I kept thinking, “No way would this ever happen”.

This movie relies too heavily on the talents of Jodie Foster. No matter how great her acting is, she can’t cover up the holes in the plot, the absurdity of the airplane (one of the decks below looks like the center of the death star), and the weakness of even her own character. (more…)

Alabama Hills-Trip Report

Saturday, September 16th, 2006

View from top of The Loaf

Saturday morning comes like molasses in the winter. The workweek gnawed away at Dennis & I, leaving us feeling lethargic. We left for Alabama Hills at 9am (late in the morning). The drive was slow going-wind was picking up the desert sand and blowing it around so it looked like the Owens Valley was full of SMOG. But it was indeed full of SAND. We hoped it would not be so up in Lone Pine. (more…)