You're thinking and saying much of what is going through my head lately. I've been scanning in slides of my first trips in the Rockies and the urge to hike is still as strong. Just wish the body would cooperate.
But you're so right about keeping the joy of the mountains alive in us; that importance of setting a goal, camping with friends new and old, getting somewhere - anywhere, taking photos to share, and writing about what it all means.
Your text constitutes a fine summary of what SP really is:
"SummitPost consists of professionals, reformed ex smokers, fatties and some mid life crisis folks as well. They are hikers, bikers, scramblers, climbers and trad climbers."
"The most common denominator among this cadre of people is their insatiable appetite for being in the mountains."
"It became obvious to me that we are very lucky to be able to hit the backcountry with full force and desire to accomplish a goal."
I’d just like to add that if we're not that lucky, SP helps to satisfy this 'insatiable appetite' of ours so we can keep on living, hoping to be back in our element again some day.
. . . and also living through the lives of the more skilled hikers, climbers and story tellers. I would say that SP is a wonderful meal but being out there is still the dessert!
Thank you Radek, I have to go now and shoot up. . . He He.
One of these days I will lose the remaining wieght and some of the nervy stuff and maybe do some trad. Maybe go to the Gorge. So dont laugh too hard if you see a Donkey all roped up on a pitch.
Hey Squish, I was calling me fat. Thanks for your vote and great comment. I love Nor-Cal, might have to look you up when I go do my old Southern Oregon Home week, maybe come down thru Susanville and head southeast! You be safe too- (nice Video on your hiking page!)
Steve, that sounds like a good plan. I've got several in your part of the state so we'll need to keep the probability in mind that we can get together and do something next summer.
Thanks for the read. I grew up in western PA and discovered "mountain climbing" in Shenandoah National Park. This has led me to harder and harder climbs throughout various parts of the west and it always leaves me hungry for more. This article nails that quality of our sport and this community!
You are most welcome Justin. I appreciate your kind words and the more I read my own piece here, I too think that it hits very close to what the multi-faced sport and this community is.
To many of us it is just that. Its tough when your mind wants something your body just can't grant (i.e. a summit) But it seems addictions always come with a price. That is one of the best parts about SP, you get to vicariously live in the backcountry. Thanks for the post.
Well Eric, I am glad you and Tyler are on SP to talk about your addiction. Loved your trip report and thanks for the vote and kind words. Take care of yourself!!!
Slader - Nov 11, 2008 4:38 pm - Voted 10/10
Chelsea saysChelsea says she liked this article Dad.
silversummit - Nov 13, 2008 9:19 am - Voted 10/10
Food for thought!You're thinking and saying much of what is going through my head lately. I've been scanning in slides of my first trips in the Rockies and the urge to hike is still as strong. Just wish the body would cooperate.
But you're so right about keeping the joy of the mountains alive in us; that importance of setting a goal, camping with friends new and old, getting somewhere - anywhere, taking photos to share, and writing about what it all means.
Keep hiking, climbing and writing!
Kathy
Deltaoperator17 - Nov 13, 2008 9:39 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Food for thought!Thank you for your kind words and votes Kathy!
All my Best,
Steve
yatsek - Nov 16, 2008 6:15 am - Voted 10/10
Summary of SPYour text constitutes a fine summary of what SP really is:
"SummitPost consists of professionals, reformed ex smokers, fatties and some mid life crisis folks as well. They are hikers, bikers, scramblers, climbers and trad climbers."
"The most common denominator among this cadre of people is their insatiable appetite for being in the mountains."
"It became obvious to me that we are very lucky to be able to hit the backcountry with full force and desire to accomplish a goal."
I’d just like to add that if we're not that lucky, SP helps to satisfy this 'insatiable appetite' of ours so we can keep on living, hoping to be back in our element again some day.
Cheers,
Jacek
Deltaoperator17 - Nov 16, 2008 12:18 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Summary of SPYes Jacek,
. . . and also living through the lives of the more skilled hikers, climbers and story tellers. I would say that SP is a wonderful meal but being out there is still the dessert!
Ca³y mój lepszy wy i wasz rodzina
Cheers!
Steve
rpc - Nov 17, 2008 8:23 pm - Voted 10/10
nice write upinspirational. Feed the addiction!
Deltaoperator17 - Nov 18, 2008 1:30 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: nice write upThank you Radek, I have to go now and shoot up. . . He He.
One of these days I will lose the remaining wieght and some of the nervy stuff and maybe do some trad. Maybe go to the Gorge. So dont laugh too hard if you see a Donkey all roped up on a pitch.
mtybumpo - Nov 19, 2008 3:18 pm - Voted 10/10
Nice!It's great to see more Idaho people writing good articles! Good job! I enjoyed it!
Matt
Deltaoperator17 - Nov 19, 2008 3:27 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice!Thank you Matt, it is an honor to receive a compliment from you. Your piece on Idaho’s Rugged community was VERY good!
All my best,
Steve
Deltaoperator17 - Nov 20, 2008 10:04 am - Hasn't voted
Re: fattiesHey Squish, I was calling me fat. Thanks for your vote and great comment. I love Nor-Cal, might have to look you up when I go do my old Southern Oregon Home week, maybe come down thru Susanville and head southeast! You be safe too- (nice Video on your hiking page!)
nickkarl - Nov 20, 2008 8:40 am - Voted 10/10
Good StuffGood stuff Steve, I think you summed it up right there. Hope to get out on some mountains with you.
Deltaoperator17 - Nov 20, 2008 10:11 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Good StuffThank you Nick for your kind words and vote. Hey maybe we can convince Dean to go do something when he is in town.
All my best,
Steve
Dean - Nov 20, 2008 10:17 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Good StuffSteve, that sounds like a good plan. I've got several in your part of the state so we'll need to keep the probability in mind that we can get together and do something next summer.
Deltaoperator17 - Dec 3, 2008 5:59 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Good StuffOh yea, count me in. I would love to hike or scramble with you (Bring Mr Bolton if he will come)and some of these wonderful Idaho SPers.
I am training for Adams now, will be doing two 14ers in Colo. in Late June so let's do something late May early June!
I am so excited I cant breathe, wait, I have to breathe cough cough. There, much better!
All my best,
Bob Bolton - Dec 16, 2008 8:36 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Good StuffCount me in -- if you're planning something I want to do and can get away. Gotta focus on the top priority stuff when you're old like us, right Dean?
Deltaoperator17 - Dec 16, 2008 9:27 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Good StuffYea Yea Yea, I am just a wannabee. I might have you both beat at something...I have had 7 strokes.... LOL.
I would love to count you in. It might shape up as a Washington/Idaho/Utah SP gathering... he he
Judd97 - Nov 20, 2008 10:17 pm - Voted 10/10
ThanksThanks for the read. I grew up in western PA and discovered "mountain climbing" in Shenandoah National Park. This has led me to harder and harder climbs throughout various parts of the west and it always leaves me hungry for more. This article nails that quality of our sport and this community!
Happy trails (or walls, peaks, couloirs, etc),
Justin
Deltaoperator17 - Nov 21, 2008 10:06 am - Hasn't voted
Re: ThanksYou are most welcome Justin. I appreciate your kind words and the more I read my own piece here, I too think that it hits very close to what the multi-faced sport and this community is.
Rock On!
Steve
eric b - Dec 2, 2008 2:02 pm - Voted 10/10
AddictionTo many of us it is just that. Its tough when your mind wants something your body just can't grant (i.e. a summit) But it seems addictions always come with a price. That is one of the best parts about SP, you get to vicariously live in the backcountry. Thanks for the post.
Deltaoperator17 - Dec 2, 2008 2:58 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: AddictionWell Eric, I am glad you and Tyler are on SP to talk about your addiction. Loved your trip report and thanks for the vote and kind words. Take care of yourself!!!
Cheers!
Steve