Monday, February 25, 2008

50 Days on Snow

I just checked my log ... 50 days on snow since November ... How is
everyone else doing?

Another Movie Review From Jon

A scanned copy of his weekly movie review ... click to enlarge the image.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Three Minute Video

Fantastic, your arms will get pumped just watching this guy solo this steep ice route. Click on this link for the video.

Singing and Dancing in the Rain

A new movie just out starring Ginger Rodgers, Gary, and Hock.
48 hours ago it was -20, today it was 50 degrees although as we hiked
out from climbing the temperature was plummeting.

Clubhouse Mugs

After an arduous selection process the Fossil Coffee Mugs have been
chosen. The Lake Placid Pub is proud to be a sponsor of "Team Fossil."

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Valentine's Day at NCS

The NCS tradition is that everyone dresses up in red-white-pink ... Hock
and his famous bow tie! Sitting next to him is Min Kyu, a fourth grader from Korea who is in Lucy's class.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Banff Mountain Film Festival

Click on this link details about the 'World Tour." I just saw it this past weekend and it was fabulous. The "King Line" featuring Chris Sharma deep-water soloing is outstanding.

Lake Placid Loppet

Two fossils to ski in the big race this weekend. Gary will do the 50K classical while Hock chaperones some of the kids in the picture around the 25K loop. As Brian knows, this is a very hilly course ... 1750' in climbs for each lap!(Click on the picture to enlarge the photo.)

Fossil Query

Forget sunscreen on your last 6000 meter peak? Focus in on those juicy lips! We all know that sometimes, even on a successful route you get your butt kicked. I am asking for folks to send me those flattering pictures that show the aftermath of your alpine heroics. Of course, all pictures will be posted for Fossil commentary!(Click on the picture for an exquisite closeup of those post-Peru lips.)

Scouting Big Walls

As he was solo this was not a true "fossil" trip, however fossil friend Greg just finished a field report: 2 feet of snow in Yosemite Valley and 4 feet in the high country. The "Big Stone" is "in," as is the Leaning Tower. Rumors are flying that "El Presidente" and Greg are planning an early spring ascent of the West Face. To that end, we are hearing reports of "El Presidente's" massive upper body workouts ... countless reps with the snow-blower and power sessions with the snow shovel.

Friday, February 1, 2008

Chouinard: Let My People Go Surfing

Click on this link to read a chapter from his most recent book.

Chouinard: Let My People Go Surfing

Click on this link to play the seven minute video from "60 Minutes."

Guides Wall



In the Tetons in the late 1970s. We climbed Baxter's Pinnacle, Guides Wall, one of the south face routes on Symmetry Spire, and an attempt of Blackfin on Mount Moran. (Click on the photo to enlarge the picture.)

Bivvy on Denali



South face, -35 degrees, no stove or tent, cramped lumpy ledge at 12,000,' as Mike Brochu and Mark Ewing get ready to "rise and shine." Day two of our retreat off the West Rib. (Click on the picture to enlarge the photo.)

30 Years Ago



Mark and Hock fresh from their first shower in five weeks, and hour after being flown off the Kahiltna Glacier. (Click on the picture to enlarge it for a close-up of these two studs!)

Another Michael Franklin picture



Michael at the base of the first pitch of "Dracula" (NEI IV+) which Hock dispatched with his chouinard piolet and north wall hammer with the home-made teeth. Michael took a head first dive off the crux, just 15 feet from topping out; he was held by a pound in cassin ice piton. The route is in New Hampshire at Frankenstein Cliffs. (Click on picture to enlarge it.)