That was awesome. Really interesting to see how that couloir is woven into your life. I like to think there is a relationship between places and the thoughts people have about them. Perhaps whatever ice is left in that deteriorating thing...may be hanging on because of your dreams. :-)
Thanks for the kind comment. It is all interwoven in some way. At this point I can't think of the Tetons or the Black Ice Couloir without also thinking of the crash, my family, and my friendship with Steve. Even though I've never actually even touched the thing it's a big part of who I am. I have memories of looking down on the thing, on a narrow band of ice disappearing into the abyss from the Upper Saddle and have an urge to climb it but also wonder if all of the misadventures are a message for me to stay away and savor what I have with my family and all... Anyways, thanks for taking the time to read my introspections.
Hi Rob - I was reading your trip report (great job, by the way!) and I came across a picture that looked really familiar - your crumpled car! I'm a physics teacher at Ralston Valley High School, and it seems we use data from your accident (which I assume you collected and developed into a lab?) for a momentum analysis in our classes. I'm not sure how it found its way into our curriculum ... perhaps via Kim Natale - a friend of yours? Anyways, great job on the report, and a hello from me and all the 1000+ RV students who have made the best possible use of your accident data over the years!
Cheers,
Howie Silleck
I guess that It's a small world! My wife teaches physics at Standley Lake High School, as do I. She and the other physics teachers at Standley Lake developed the accident report into a lab for the students. The pictures that they have for the lab are slightly different but the same idea. The one with the truck included was taken by the husband of the nurse who looked after me immediately after the accident. The nurse thought that I had a serious head injury when I started asking him to find my camera and take a couple pictures of the accident scene.
I think that it was Kim who brought the lab over... He and my wife worked together for many years. I'm glad that the Ralston Valley students have been able to take advantage of the lab as well. Thanks for taking the time to read the article! Rob
What a captivating story... you've eclipsed "50 Classic Climbs". The picture of the car... wow... it looks like the semi driver had a crush on Gremlins.
Thanks for the kind words. For years I've thought of getting the story down in words and finally decided to give it a shot. One thing that I can say about the car is that crumple zones work and seatbelts are good. Somehow I walked away with only 5 stitches (and a date with the car dealer.) We also couldn't decide what gear to bring so we just brought it all. I think the fact that the trunk was stuffed and the back seat filled helped us survive as well. You can see my climbing rack hanging out the back of the car... Rob
Thank you for your kind comments! As with you, the Tetons are a special place to me and one of the most beautiful in the United States if not the world. Contrary to many reports of its mediocrity, I found the North Face to be among the best I've ever done with great exposure, some nice difficult pitches interspersed between stretches of fairly mellow ground, and generally quite sound rock. Best of luck to you in your attempt!
And for some reason, the picture of that car is the scariest part of it, for me. Sorry we got cut off on the phone the other day (f-ing verizon), and good climbing with you - we'll have to do it again some time.
mvs - Feb 14, 2009 2:44 am - Voted 10/10
DudeThat was awesome. Really interesting to see how that couloir is woven into your life. I like to think there is a relationship between places and the thoughts people have about them. Perhaps whatever ice is left in that deteriorating thing...may be hanging on because of your dreams. :-)
So lucky with the car crash. (Shudder)
RobSC - Feb 14, 2009 10:33 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: DudeThanks for the kind comment. It is all interwoven in some way. At this point I can't think of the Tetons or the Black Ice Couloir without also thinking of the crash, my family, and my friendship with Steve. Even though I've never actually even touched the thing it's a big part of who I am. I have memories of looking down on the thing, on a narrow band of ice disappearing into the abyss from the Upper Saddle and have an urge to climb it but also wonder if all of the misadventures are a message for me to stay away and savor what I have with my family and all... Anyways, thanks for taking the time to read my introspections.
hhsilleck - Feb 15, 2009 11:57 pm - Hasn't voted
Wow - that picture seemed familiar ... !Hi Rob - I was reading your trip report (great job, by the way!) and I came across a picture that looked really familiar - your crumpled car! I'm a physics teacher at Ralston Valley High School, and it seems we use data from your accident (which I assume you collected and developed into a lab?) for a momentum analysis in our classes. I'm not sure how it found its way into our curriculum ... perhaps via Kim Natale - a friend of yours? Anyways, great job on the report, and a hello from me and all the 1000+ RV students who have made the best possible use of your accident data over the years!
Cheers,
Howie Silleck
RobSC - Feb 16, 2009 12:40 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Wow - that picture seemed familiar ... !I guess that It's a small world! My wife teaches physics at Standley Lake High School, as do I. She and the other physics teachers at Standley Lake developed the accident report into a lab for the students. The pictures that they have for the lab are slightly different but the same idea. The one with the truck included was taken by the husband of the nurse who looked after me immediately after the accident. The nurse thought that I had a serious head injury when I started asking him to find my camera and take a couple pictures of the accident scene.
I think that it was Kim who brought the lab over... He and my wife worked together for many years. I'm glad that the Ralston Valley students have been able to take advantage of the lab as well. Thanks for taking the time to read the article! Rob
MoapaPk - Feb 17, 2009 3:26 am - Voted 10/10
holy crapWhat a captivating story... you've eclipsed "50 Classic Climbs". The picture of the car... wow... it looks like the semi driver had a crush on Gremlins.
RobSC - Feb 17, 2009 9:43 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: holy crapThanks for the kind words. For years I've thought of getting the story down in words and finally decided to give it a shot. One thing that I can say about the car is that crumple zones work and seatbelts are good. Somehow I walked away with only 5 stitches (and a date with the car dealer.) We also couldn't decide what gear to bring so we just brought it all. I think the fact that the trunk was stuffed and the back seat filled helped us survive as well. You can see my climbing rack hanging out the back of the car... Rob
RobSC - Feb 18, 2009 10:32 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great, great TR!Thank you for your kind comments! As with you, the Tetons are a special place to me and one of the most beautiful in the United States if not the world. Contrary to many reports of its mediocrity, I found the North Face to be among the best I've ever done with great exposure, some nice difficult pitches interspersed between stretches of fairly mellow ground, and generally quite sound rock. Best of luck to you in your attempt!
Andinistaloco - Aug 21, 2009 5:42 am - Hasn't voted
Great storyAnd for some reason, the picture of that car is the scariest part of it, for me. Sorry we got cut off on the phone the other day (f-ing verizon), and good climbing with you - we'll have to do it again some time.
RobSC - Aug 21, 2009 9:17 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great storyI really enjoyed the day too... About that water bottle; I'll work on getting it to you in the next couple days.