You're welcome. Thank you for your kind comments. Climbing Triple S was one of the highlights of my second visit to Seneca. That and completing Soler with Dan who was with me the year before when we bailed from the harder line. I still think that Soler is one of the best 5.7 routes in the country.
Thanks Mikus. The credit for the first photo goes to Tim Howard. When Dan and I were on the Gendarme, he started wandering back away with both his own and my camera. I couldn't figure out what he was trying to accomplish. When I got my film developed this is the photo that he'd taken. It's always been one of my favorite pictures.
Thanks Juh33! I've written several versions of this story over the years. One of these included an attempted climb of Finger Rock a couple months before the Seneca trip where I contemplated soloing the summit spire without a rope, decided that that would be foolish and returned a few days later with one to make the ascent.
Thanks for the kind words. I've contemplated your question often. I remember a hike I took with a friend a couple years ago up Mt. Isolation in Rocky Mountain park where I made the comment that it was nice without the risks of more extreme objectives. My friend said something like there's always risk and a couple hours later lighning arced a couple miles over from a storm over Long's Peak and struck about a hundred feet from us as we hiked out through Wild Basin.
Yes this whole thing of risk isn't as clear cut as we all think. I remember my Mother always telling me to be careful when I went on solo backpacking trips in Scotland, especially in winter, and the risks there are obvious. But then it dawned on me that the 900 mile round trip in the car was at least as dangerous, especially the trip back late at night when I was knackered! I was also in Glen Coe one winter weekend when 4 people died on the hill. But none of them died on epic ascents of top grade climbs. Two slipped on icy paths and banged their heads. The other two fell through an unseen snow bridge on low moorland into a rocky stream bed, and died from their injuries.
And my memories of Glen Coe are a wonderful hike over several summits with the peaks coming in and out of the clouds. They might not be tall, but it was one of the most beautiful places that I've been.
Augie Medina - Jan 17, 2008 1:14 pm - Voted 10/10
Nicely Writtenmemories. Enjoyed.
RobSC - Jan 17, 2008 11:47 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nicely WrittenThanks for the comment (and the vote). As you say, Seneca holds a lot of memories for me, many of them very good.
RobSC - Jan 21, 2008 12:42 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Oh the fond Memories...You're welcome. Thank you for your kind comments. Climbing Triple S was one of the highlights of my second visit to Seneca. That and completing Soler with Dan who was with me the year before when we bailed from the harder line. I still think that Soler is one of the best 5.7 routes in the country.
RobSC - Jan 21, 2008 12:35 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: AThank you for your kind comments. Seneca was really the first trip where I did much lead climbing. It will always be a special place to me.
mikus - Jan 20, 2008 1:44 pm - Voted 10/10
Nice!Especialy the first photo... =P
RobSC - Jan 21, 2008 12:49 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice!Thanks Mikus. The credit for the first photo goes to Tim Howard. When Dan and I were on the Gendarme, he started wandering back away with both his own and my camera. I couldn't figure out what he was trying to accomplish. When I got my film developed this is the photo that he'd taken. It's always been one of my favorite pictures.
pablo - Jan 21, 2008 10:12 pm - Voted 10/10
GreatGreat report, memories and photos. Congratulations ! hope i'll go sometime there to share more the experience !
RobSC - Jan 21, 2008 10:53 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: GreatThanks Pablo! The Alps in your photos look wonderful as well.
Andinistaloco - Jan 24, 2008 11:31 pm - Voted 10/10
Great read....and the pictures go along well with the story!
RobSC - Jan 26, 2008 1:38 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great read....Thanks Juh33! I've written several versions of this story over the years. One of these included an attempted climb of Finger Rock a couple months before the Seneca trip where I contemplated soloing the summit spire without a rope, decided that that would be foolish and returned a few days later with one to make the ascent.
johnloguk - Jan 26, 2008 10:19 am - Voted 10/10
Nicely donewell written and great photos. How fine is that dividing line between success and total failure? Lady luck can be very fickle.
RobSC - Jan 26, 2008 1:48 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nicely doneThanks for the kind words. I've contemplated your question often. I remember a hike I took with a friend a couple years ago up Mt. Isolation in Rocky Mountain park where I made the comment that it was nice without the risks of more extreme objectives. My friend said something like there's always risk and a couple hours later lighning arced a couple miles over from a storm over Long's Peak and struck about a hundred feet from us as we hiked out through Wild Basin.
johnloguk - Jan 27, 2008 4:38 am - Voted 10/10
Re: Nicely doneYes this whole thing of risk isn't as clear cut as we all think. I remember my Mother always telling me to be careful when I went on solo backpacking trips in Scotland, especially in winter, and the risks there are obvious. But then it dawned on me that the 900 mile round trip in the car was at least as dangerous, especially the trip back late at night when I was knackered! I was also in Glen Coe one winter weekend when 4 people died on the hill. But none of them died on epic ascents of top grade climbs. Two slipped on icy paths and banged their heads. The other two fell through an unseen snow bridge on low moorland into a rocky stream bed, and died from their injuries.
RobSC - Jan 27, 2008 5:10 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nicely doneAnd my memories of Glen Coe are a wonderful hike over several summits with the peaks coming in and out of the clouds. They might not be tall, but it was one of the most beautiful places that I've been.
MoapaPk - Jan 27, 2008 12:55 am - Voted 10/10
fondness......for mountains that no longer exist.
rickford - Apr 5, 2008 3:13 pm - Voted 10/10
TouchingA somber but meaningful read; Thanks RobSC for sharing this!
silversummit - Mar 28, 2009 7:24 pm - Voted 10/10
Beautifully composedand a very moving, heartfelt piece. I truly enjoyed reading it. Hope you continue climbing and writing.
Kathy
RobSC - Mar 30, 2009 12:11 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Beautifully composedThanks for the kind words. I haven't done as much climbing recently with kids and all but still get out from time to time. Rob