WEEKEND UPDATE

[NOAL]

 It's still hot but not crazy hot. Saw no climbers in the West Side parking or on the usual things.

Saw nobody in the booth.  Did see Dan the volunteer man and we talked about parts of the park that are devoid of sound and places in the park that maybe humans have never been.  Stimulating conversation. Dan is a cool guy. In fact, a tourist asked him the best place to eat in Soledad.  His suggestion? Mariscos Puerto Angel.  Gotta put that in the new guide book.

Other new things.  Someone tagged the rock where you cut off to go to Citadel.  Shepard? Turns out they also tagged all around the entrance to the caves and in the caves.  Incomprehensible.   I have no words.

A big ass tree fell across the trail around the cutoff for the Elephant.  Big like 2ft diameter big.  It's blocking the trail and the new way to avoid the PO that goes behind the long shady rock. Now you gotta go the PO way again.  Mega debris.

Also I finished rebolting  Power Tools . Did some stick clipping and jumaring today.  Lots of ants. Did not eat any but they got all over me during sandwich break.

Until next weekend,
I bid you adieu.

[NOAL]

[clink]

 Thanks for all of that Noal, and the work on Power Tools!

[mungeclimber]

Productive and appreciate the trail update.

[JC w KC redux]

That's got to be some kind of record - one person rebolting a route that has 35 bolts.

Sheesh - nice work dude. 

[NOAL]

Thanks!

I replaced 29 bolts total. It took about 6 trips.

The 35 bolt count might come from the 3 bolt anchors.  All of the anchors are now 2 bolt Fixe hangers with rings. On a couple of anchors I left one of the old 3rd bolts as a cool historical element. You can rap the route with a 60 meter and pulling the rope is super smooth and easy.

Everything from pitch 2 and up has been replaced.  From the start it appears most folks do the variation Hand Tools to Power Corrupts to the anchor.

  I left the bolt on Hand Tools. It is a Metolius hanger with a  5 piece. There is no rust and the bolt is snug.

For Power Corrupts I replaced bolts 4,5, and,6.  I also tightened the first bolt.  It appears it was loosened by working the crux. 

It was a fun project and once we replace the rest of the bolts on M.I. The Citadels and Whitetails most popular routes will all have good hardware for years to come.

BIG THANKS to Greg Barnes at the ASCA for sending out all hardware and supplies.  Support the ASCA and make a donation if you can. Also big thanks to Brad for his helpful input , support ,and being in on the conversation with Greg.  Thanks Brad!  Also, thanks to BAP for coming out one day to patch some holes and keep me company.

[JC w KC redux]

Nobody better ask me why.
I only know I'm gonna try...

[BAP]

Thanks for all the hard work Noal!  And I enjoyed your jokes and stories.

[Brad Young]

^^^

He's always got great jokes and stories.

But that day he found a package of string cheese that had been in the bottom of his pack FOR SIX MONTHS? And he then ate it, arguing that "hey, it's sealed!"

I'd watch out for this guy....

[NOAL]

The cheese was a turning point.

[Brad Young]

The cheese was a turning point.

...in so many ways.

[BAP]

But that day he found a package of string cheese that had been in the bottom of his pack FOR SIX MONTHS? And he then ate it, arguing that "hey, it's sealed!"

Was your name Alexander Fleming in your past life?

[NOAL]

Pretty nice in the shade yesterday.  Had an interesting day.  Headed up to finish the bolt replacement on Mission Impossible.  When I got to the notch between the Citadel and Whitetail I saw a Condor perched on the rib of rock to the right of where the notch pinches down. When it saw me it flew over to around the anchor for Peons delight.

I continued up the notch.  Suddenly a head peeked down over the edge.  Another Condor.  I turned around and went back to the bottom of the notch and sat on the rocks there.  At this point I could see the first one looking at me doing the turning the head action.  He was a good distance away but was obviously curious about me.  The one at the top of the notch just stayed there looking down towards the parking lot.

I drank some water, took some photos, and waited for the one in the notch to take off.  I waited awhile.  About an hour and a half. After about an hour I heard the one on Whitetail take off. Ahh good but no not good it had decided to get a better look at me and landed about 2ft from where I was sitting. Yikes!  I then slowly stood up and walked all the way to the start of Flying None.

After they were gone I hiked up the notch and looked towards the parking lot.  They had joined about six others and were catching some air currents.

Ate lunch and replaced two bolts on M.I.

[JC w KC redux]

Thanks for the update.
I would bet money one of those birds was #92.
He came to Goat Rock when Gavin and I were there and tore up Gavin's pack and chucked one of my bolt bags about 20 feet.
He does not scare easily.
Gavin says to try and shoo them off. Sound like you were just enjoying hanging out.
We hollered and banged on stuff and he just looked at us like "What is your problem?"

If I am not mistaken, that guy in the SNL skit was Colin Quinn - former MTV Veejay (100 years ago) and good friend of Denis Leary.

[NOAL]

92 was sitting in the notch. The one that landed next to me was a youngish one too.  Pink head.


Also forgot to mention.  With all the graffiti the park closed the balconies caves.

[Tuff Chik]

Thanks for my morning story/update!  I could watch condors all day long!   

[JC w KC redux]

I seem to recall that maybe #92 had a kid with one of the other birds (#63?) a couple years ago.

Maybe he had his offspring out teaching it to be as mischievous as he is. 

[NOAL]

Gotta work tomorrow.  Too bad because it's gonna be 105. Should cool back down to the 90s by the weekend.

I guess the road has been closed to the west side during the week for repaving/roadwork.  I can't imagine doing roadwork in that heat.

[Brad Young]

^^^

I guess the upside of doing that work is that everything everywhere would feel cool after you got off work.

[clink]

 Once you’ve sat in an electric chair and survived, all other chairs are extremely cool and comfortable.