​

“My partner and I are beginning to do longer and more remote climbs, but we are uneasy about getting ourselves in trouble. We need to work on basic self-rescue skills.”

 

Yes, things can go wrong. And it feels really good when you are confident about handling any contingency. Self-rescue starts with having good rappel skills. Then it’s being able to prusik up a rope (much harder than you might imagine!), tie off a loaded anchor, and set up 3:1 mechanical advantage pully system. You don’t need a come-along and a pair of jumars. With a couple of slings and biners, plus a knife and a headlamp, you can get yourself out of just about every problem situation. I won’t just talk. I’ll throw you into situations and let you practice building solutions.

​

 

“I’d like to become a 46er. Can you get me started?”

 

Sure. But ultimately, you’ll probably want to be independent of a

professional guide. I can join you for an introductory sample of hikes

and tell you quite a bit about what you’ll need to complete the list on

your own. I can write up a gear list and a recommended sequence of

hikes. Maybe I’d join you for the more remote ones, like Allen or the

Santanonis. Then, how about saving a great slide route or the

Trap Dike for your celebratory finish?

 

 

​

“Your clinic Steep Ice for the Weak and Chickenhearted is always booked during Mountainfest.”

 

I’m happy to offer that course any time. You must be willing to try some new thinking, and you must be ready to laugh at my jokes, regardless of whether they are good or tasteful.

 

 

“I taught my daughter to climb when she was young, but she’s sixteen now and I can’t keep up with her. She needs to be challenged.”

 

I can probably do this. I can work her on longer, multi-pitch routes, introduce the possibility of leading, and show her a host of principles about technique and safety. If, however, she needs to be on 5.12 sport climbs, I’m not the guy, and maybe the Adirondacks aren’t the venue.

 

​

“I’m planning a trip to the Tetons (or Rockies or Sierra). What do I need to know?” 

 

This is a fun one for me.

There’s a lot of information to pass, and it’s exciting to focus on a clear objective. It will be even better if have done the route you have in mind.

 

 

“I want to learn to lead ice.”

 

We have lots of good places to get

used to being on the scary end of the rope.

It’s best to start easy. It’s also good to mock lead –

that is to have a top-rope present while you are

working out your systems. Another method is to have

me just hanging nearby as you and your partner

do a lead and follow. I can inspect screws, offer advice,

and come to the rescue if you get shaky. 

​

​

“I want to work on crack climbing (or thin face or

any particular kind of technique improvement).” 

 

The Adirondacks has enough variety, so as long as I know the

kind of techniques you have in mind, it’s pretty easy finding

the right place and planning an effective day.

 

 

“I can clip bolts, but I want to learn to lead trad.”

 

That’s a good one. Oddly, I feel a lot better above a solid nut than a shiny bolt. And this assignment hits me at my own particular strength. I understand leading – the safety, the strategy, the challenge – very well. It’s partly                                                                                     athletic, but it’s also very intellectual. There’s a lot going on and a                                                                                  lifetime’s worth of wisdom to gain.

 

 

                                                                                    “My kids and I want to backpack the Great Range, and

                                                                                      we’d  feel better with a guide.” 

 

                                                                                       Sounds like fun. But I prefer to sleep in my own bed after a                                                                                           day’s work. 

 

 

                                                                                     “I am planning to climb Rainier and then Denali. I need to                                                                                       learn about snow conditions, avalanche dangers, and                                                                                               crevasse rescue.”

 

                                                                                        So do I! I have not been in those kinds of mountains, and so I’m                                                                                   not qualified to teach that kind of stuff. But I’ll be very happy to                                                                                     connect you with some real pros in the field.

​

​

                                                                                       “I want to do a particular Adirondack route – Power Play,                                                                                         Wallface, Fastest Gun, Moss Cliff.” 

 

Again, when there is a clear challenge, the day usually goes well. I will, however, make sure that you don’t get in over your head. You could either give me a list of climbs (in the Adirondacks or even around the country) that you have done and then I’d have a little perspective about the appropriateness of the request. Or, better, we could to a warm-up day to make sure things were in place and the choice was right.

 

 

“I have a group of 75 campers from downstate who want to hike Whiteface.”

 

Believe it or not, I took this job many years ago. Let’s say that I have matured, grown more discerning….No, on this one, unless 72 of them call in sick.

​

​

                                                                                   “I am a member of the police/fire department/military/first                                                                                    responders, and I want to know more about technical                                                                                              rescue work."

​

                                                                                  I love the technical side of things. We can cover the basics and                                                                                       then follow up with a real-life rescue scenario. I’ve had a lot of                                                                                       experience up here, and even though the missions can be tense                                                                                   and difficult, it’s really satisfying when you’ve put the pieces                                                                                           together well and the outcome is a happy one.

 

 

“I work at a camp (school, college outdoor program, Scouting group) and I want to learn about safe group management.”

 

Having done the school thing for 43 years, I know this area pretty well. Caring for personal safety is, of course, paramount. But it’s also vital that participants finish their experience with a win. There’s a lot to talk about here. Especially for kids, there is an emotional and developmental aspect that’s often more important than the climbing itself.

 

 

“I just want to go climbing.”

Let’s go!