Where is this weekend's Pinnacles Trip Report??

[Brad Young]

Many years ago Winston Churchill was at an embassy party. During the course of the evening he drank too much. The hostess reprimanded him, pointing out "Why Mr. Churchill, I believe you are drunk." Winston replied: "Yes, madam, I am drunk. But you are ugly, and I shall be sober in the morning."

[mynameismud]

Buddhism

Sutta Nipata
"What is it that smothers the world and makes it so hard to see?
What is it that pollutes the world and seems to threaten it?"

The Buddha answered: "It is ignorance that smothers, and
it is carelessness and greed that make it invisible. The
hunger of craving pollutes the world, and the pain of
suffering causes the greatest fear."

[joe]

with "The."

??

yeah, back to the valley.  I was told this past week when I was there that the 120/140 mess should be done on 5/23.  but I think all the one way roads (n side and s side) will still be 2 way.

[mudworm]

Was it just me? I found myself turn down the volume control on my computer while reading Brad's rant. 

[mynameismud]

Turned mine up to 11

[Brad Young]

Joe, you met Jim When we climbed on the Cookie. Years ago I was hanging with his brother Bill in Josha Tree, climbing. Katie and Vic joined us for a few days. Katie has known Jim since she was born, but not Bill. On that trip she asked me "Daddy is Jim Lundeen here?" "No Katie, it's his brother Bill." Three or four times she asked. I always told her it was Bill, not Jim. Finally she said "Daddy, is The Lundeen here." So I call him "The," now and then. Gonna join him tomorrow afternoon.

Maybe some weekdays are a partial solution to the traffic mess? We should compare calanders.

And, sorry Mudworm, about the volumne. I rant once a year, whether I need it or not.

[mudworm]

Brad, don't mind me. That was just one attempt of mine trying to be funny.  I laughed really hard at Mud's come-back though, even before he explained to me where "turned the volume up to 11" came from.

This morning, I had the thread up on my computer. Mud walked by and paused a moment. Then I heard him mumble, "once a year?" 

[squiddo]

ouch, god bless america. Sorry about the checks Brad but enjoy J-Tree. I've lost myself many times there and the rock is healing. Well ,mostly except for the cracks! Tape up.

[salad]

Brad I hear ya...the tax man has screwed me on a few financial dealings in the past.

Oddly, this year was ok.  I owed very little for my corporation (only in existence since Sept).  Im not sure what my accountant did (havn't seen everything yet) but I was expecting much worse.  This year, with 4 qrtrs of revenue, will probably be much worse.

[joe]

Brad, if you're into a bit of hiking, two of my new favorite J-tree route/areas:  Perfect Fingers and White Rain at Walt's Rocks on Queen Mountain.  Great hike, beautiful terrain.  Maybe one of the best j-tree hikes.   I also loved Firewater Chimney, approached from Rattlesnake Canyon.  You can also put a rope on a 4 star 12a if you lead Firewater.
Some very fun multi-starred easy 10's on East Siberia in Outer Mongolia.
Have fun.  Yeah, let's get back to the valley.
Just got home for the West Side of the Pinns.  Ended the day on Romper Room, a new route for me, very fun.

[karl]

Brad,

You should climb Tax Man.

[joe]

Bloody Tax Break to the right of Tax Man.

[squiddo]

You guys are making my hands sweat. Tax man is a fun route indeed.

[mynameismud]

I second Queen Mountain.

[F4?]

Dear Brad, thank you for paying extra to support our country's endeavors.

PS, you need more deductions. Maybe form a guidebook company?

[Brad Young]

Did Tax Man and No Tax Break on a day warm enough to climb in the shade. Fully realized the irony while doing so. Then saw Joe and Karl's posts when I got home and laughed. Rant is over. Stress is gone. Bill and I had, as usual, a great time in Josh. I went over 400 leads there, perhaps as many as half of those have been done with Bill.

By the way, 400 leads at Josh. Doesn't that make me a local there from my ankles to my waist (or something equal to 40% of my height)?

Joe, you were prescient in more than one way. We'd planned on exactly those climbs on Queen Mountain for Saturday. But winds kicked up and I had a bit of a shoulder issue the day before, so we stayed in sheltered areas instead. I've only led Treasure of the Sierra Madre up there (and several routes near it). That climb is overrated at 5 out of 5 stars. But the area is fabulous. Bill's done the crack routes past there and wanted to do more stuff.

[squiddo]

Brad,

Sounds like fun. You got me thinking about "treasure". I recall the hike, the location and the overall beauty. I was a tad shocked to find another party up there (this was ten years ago) but enjoyed the route never the less.