Survey is Back

[The Gipper]

[The Gipper]

[The Gipper]

[The Gipper]

Back when the Terminal tower was the only one in town

[The Gipper]

[The Gipper]

[hoorta]

 

Sears (now called Willis) Tower, Gateway Arch, Terminal Tower.

And I got you way beat in the mountain altitude game Gip. there is a thing called the Highpointers Club. You may have been to all 50 states- now get to the top of every one. My score: Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado.

I do like the concept of the highpointers club.. I have perhaps been to a few....but only the very low ones. Just a few years ago I know I was at the "Highpoint State Park" in New Jersey. At the highpoint of the state they enhanced it by building a 200 foot tower to walk up.

In Florida, the high point is just the top of a grade at the side of a road.

I've been to Clingman's Dome, top of Mount Washington

I have "gazed upon" a few others from a distance, but never climbed to the top.

http://www.peakbagger.com/list.aspx?lid=12004

 

 

Yeah Gipper- you can drive right up to the Ebright Azimuth in Delaware, and Mount Elbert is prominently visible from near anywhere in Leadville Colorado. Speaking of Mount Elbert- it's the only time I've ever seen a porcupine in the wild- running around my campsite.

 

 

Campbell Hill- which is just outside of Bellfontaine Ohio, you can easily ride a bike to the top. At least it resembles a hill

 

 

 

 

 

Unlike Hoosier Hill, which isn't really much of a hill. (Just on the other side of the Ohio state line.) I rode my bike over there, and I could have sworn there was a spot on the road that looked a couple of feet higher- it's part of a guy's farm. You can almost drive a car to the top of Clingman's Dome, and from there it's just a short walk.

 

The others are slightly more challenging. The amazing thing about Harney Peak in the Black Hills is during the depression- they had a work crew build this three story rock fire lookout on top of a 7,000' mountain.

 

 

Gannet Peak in Wyoming is usually considered #2 in degree of difficulty after Denali in Alaska. (Though I might disagree after perusing the climbing route on Granite Peak in Montana.) A lot of people mistakenly think the Grand Teton is Wyoming's highpoint- but it's not. The Grand- been there, done that- is way more technically difficult, you had better know how to use a rope, and how to rappel. The first roped pitch, you're on an exposed boulder slab with 2,000' of air underneath you. The pine trees look like dots. Regarding Gannett- lotsa fun hiking 25 miles to Titcomb Basin with a 70 pound mountaineering pack, then going 1,000' up (and down) over Bonney Pass, and you still have to climb the booger. FWIW, I have a near identical framed picture in my bedroom I took from the the exact same spot at the top of Bonney Pass.

 

 

 

PS Gip, regarding your picture of the Twin Towers. When Bin Laden took them down- he also ruined a couple million bucks worth of high end wine that was stashed at Windows on the World restaurant that was at the top of one of them.

[The Gipper]

I have been at that point in Ohio you have a picture of. I mean, there is a house and some kind of a tank. It doesn't look like you can actually get to the apex there.

 

And Florida has just a sign there:

There may be a marker on the ground somewhere behind this sign.

[The Gipper]

I have driven the road up Mt. Whitney as far as it would take me, but it does not go all the way to the top. I did not climb the rest of the way there.

[hoorta]

I have been at that point in Ohio you have a picture of. I mean, there is a house and some kind of a tank. It doesn't look like you can actually get to the apex there.

 

 

LOL Gip- you're right. You'd have to have them let you climb the ladder to the top of the water tower to be at the "true" highpoint- but in this case, I don't think man made structures count. There's a career center there- as well as the remnants of a WW II radar station.

 

From the top- it really doesn't look like you're that high up- until you get on your bike, and motor down Ohio 540 into Bellefontaine at 30 mph.

[hoorta]

I have driven the road up Mt. Whitney as far as it would take me, but it does not go all the way to the top. I did not climb the rest of the way there.

 

 

Didn't realize there's a road going most of the way up. I have this debate if you drive to the top, you really haven't "climbed" it, like Pike's Peak.

 

Regarding Whitney- you're not taking a car up the West side. Rock jock territory.

 

[TexasAg1969]

 

LOL Gip- you're right. You'd have to have them let you climb the ladder to the top of the water tower to be at the "true" highpoint- but in this case, I don't think man made structures count. There's a career center there- as well as the remnants of a WW II radar station.

 

From the top- it really doesn't look like you're that high up- until you get on your bike, and motor down Ohio 540 into Bellefontaine at 30 mph.

 

I went to the top of the south rim of the Grand Canyon this summer. Had to be at least 200 ft. over from the parking lot.

 

[The Gipper]

The Portal road to Mt. Whitney only goes about halfway up. According to this map it stops at the 8340 foot mark....and Whitney is 14495. So there is still a long way to walk up. Over a mile straight.

[hoorta]

The Portal road to Mt. Whitney only goes about halfway up. According to this map it stops at the 8340 foot mark....and Whitney is 14495. So there is still a long way to walk up. Over a mile straight.

 

 

Thanks for the map Gip. I looked it up, and from the end of the road, if you're doing it in one day, it's a round trip of 22 miles, with 6,000' of elevation gain- a lot of it at over 10,000' elevation. By my standards- that's an ass-kicking hike. (The equivalent for us flat landers, @ 14,000' walking up two flights of stairs, and you'd have to rest for a few seconds.) I've only done more than 20 miles in a day once, way back in the 70s when I took a wrong trail junction in the Bridger Wilderness and had to backtrack. I was so beat- I just tossed my sleeping bag next to the car and crashed out.

[The Gipper]

 

Thanks for the map Gip. I looked it up, and from the end of the road, if you're doing it in one day, it's a round trip of 22 miles, with 6,000' of elevation gain- a lot of it at over 10,000' elevation. By my standards- that's an ass-kicking hike. (The equivalent for us flat landers, @ 14,000' walking up two flights of stairs, and you'd have to rest for a few seconds.) I've only done more than 20 miles in a day once, way back in the 70s when I took a wrong trail junction in the Bridger Wilderness and had to backtrack. I was so beat- I just tossed my sleeping bag next to the car and crashed out.

Now that you are in your 60s would you want to tackle it? Not I.

[One Post]

Oh you two get your old asses up that there hill.

[hoorta]

Now that you are in your 60s would you want to tackle it? Not I.

 

Um- probably not, unless I lost a lot of weight. Climbing Middle Teton with my nephew (Sherpa Joe) four years ago might well have been my last hurrah. 12,000' @ 60 feels like 14,000' @ 28. As you might have read, I did climb Mount Elbert back in 1978. (Whitney is only 62' higher) The difference being- you can drive up almost to the base of the mountain, and it's only 7 miles and change round trip with 4,000' of elevation gain. Even at that altitude, your mind starts playing tricks on you. Thought I ran out of film, so I dumped the contents of my daypack on the ground, looking for the spare roll of film I knew I had packed. Couldn't find it. When I got back to the car, sure enough, it was there- I was staring right at it, and didn't see it.

 

LOL, a world traveler friend of mine- who's in his 70s recently asked my opinion if I wanted to go take on Kilimanjaro with him. (He has almost no climbing experience.) Told him- you had better try a Colorado 14er on for size, before you take on that Mother. The thought did occur to me standing on top of Elbert- Kilimanjaro or Denali are "only" around another mile of thinner air higher up. Even at Elbert's level- you can clearly see there's a lot of atmosphere beneath you. Since you're a trivia buff Gip- didya know standing @ 18,500' half the earth's air is underneath your feet?

 

[hoorta]

Oh you two get your old asses up that there hill.

 

LOL, in my 50s I had delusions of grandeur. Pico de Orizaba in sunny Mexico 18,500'. Or Aconcagua, 22,000' (highest point in the Western Hemisphere) just outside of Santiago, Chile. Probably not now though.

 

Here's the current age record for Everest: Yuichiro Miura (Japan) reached the summit on 23 May 2013 at the age of 80 years 223 days. (That old fart is in incredible shape)

But researching- for me to have a legit shot at the world's highpoint, based on my climbing Middle Teton, I would have had to make that trip in 1\2 the time carrying a 60 pound pack. Not happening. Not only that- it takes a pile of loot, probably at least $50,000 on a budget tour- to take a trip up the Yellow Brick Road. Last time I looked, the Nepalese government was charging $10k + for the opportunity to get yourself killed.

[One Post]

LOL, in my 50s I had delusions of grandeur. Pico de Orizaba in sunny Mexico 18,500'. Or Aconcagua, 22,000' (highest point in the Western Hemisphere) just outside of Santiago, Chile. Probably not now though.

 

Here's the current age record for Everest: Yuichiro Miura (Japan) reached the summit on 23 May 2013 at the age of 80 years 223 days. (That old fart is in incredible shape)

But researching- for me to have a legit shot at the world's highpoint, based on my climbing Middle Teton, I would have had to make that trip in 1\2 the time carrying a 60 pound pack. Not happening.

 

I'm sure if you had to it would be a different outlook. I'm chickenshit of bears.

[Taco918]

If anyone wants to change their answer to number 3 from the Cavs to OKC, I'd understand.

[wargograw]

Glad OKC took care of Mexico's team. Now go Cavs.

 

Still pissed the Stars didn't even show up in game 7 last night.

[The Gipper]

Oh you two get your old asses up that there hill.

Carry me brother

Except I am 6'3" 265 lbs

[The Gipper]

 

Your weekly survey is back. Here are some questions. Give your opinions:

 

1. Two part: Which of the recent Browns draftees do you think will have the best career ultimately

....and which one will win the Vince Mayle award by not making it through training camp before getting cut?

 

None will have a career that will be comparable to anything. Every player taken is low impact, low talent.

Is that your belief....or your hope?

 

 

2. Are you in favor of the now Oakland Raiders moving to Las Vegas?

 

I am moving to Vegas. If the Raiders move, I am done with this shit franchise. New lease on life for me.

So? You are a FRAK?

(and what happens if you move to Vegas, but the Raiders don't? Its not a done deal)

 

3. Of the current active teams in the NBA playoffs, who do you WANT to ultimately win it all?

....and who do you think WILL win it all?

Teams: Cleveland/Atlanta/Toronto/Miami/Golden State/San Antonio/OKC/Portland

 

Thug sport. Boring as Fuck to me. I hope they all break their fucking knees. I would rather watch Herman Munster. Seriously, I could give a flying fuck about the NBA. If Kobe Bryant brough wings to my house, I woudl tell him to get the fuck out and shove the wings up his stupid ass. Ok, so I would say, your stupid black ass. But that's just me.

What sports do you like....besides football? Baseball?

 

 

4. Of the current active team in the NHL playoffs who do you WANT to win it all?

.....and who do you think WILL win it all?

Teams: Tampa Bay/New York Islanders/Pittsburgh/Washington/San Jose/St. Louis/Dallas/Nashville

 

Dumb Sport. Boring. I hope they all break their fucking legs and I get to see lesbian movies instead. Seriously, If I was given frint row seats to a Stanley Cup game, I would throw the fucking things in the trash and not even waste the time to see if some asshole wanted them. Hockey doesn't suck as much as the NBA, because at least some hockey players can fight. Basketball players are all pole smoker, transgender, aids ass fucking homos.

You know that from personal experience?

 

 

5. I don't want this to get political....just give the names: Who do you think Hillary should choose as her VP Candidate. Who do you think Trump should pick as his running mate?

 

Hillary is a cunt. She should put a gun to her fucking head and do us all a favor. I guarantee you Bill would cheer her on. Trump should pick Kasich. The head-to-head with Hillary is already surging for Trump and up in Ohio over the cunt. Hillary will not be President. Her own party fucked her in 2008 and you can already see the media turning on her. It doesn't matter who she picks, she loses.

She will be your next POTUS.

Trump is a live version of Putney Swope. He never really thought or intended to win....and he is completely incapable of actually doing the job.

 

 

6. This extra question comes from a travel board I patronize:

A. What do you think is the most beautiful college campus you have been to? (feel free to give several)

 

The University of suck my Ukrainian Cock. Youngstown State University was home to me for 4 years plus a couple quarters. It looked great while I was fucking off all the time, and it looked good when I graduated and got the fuck out. Seriously, how can a university be beautiful? Other than the young pussy, what is to fall in love with? "Oooooh, look at that fucking architecture, it reminds me of Benito Mussolini when he got hung upside down dead in Italy"

 

Fucking college is filled with scum bag liberal asshole professors and pussy assed liberal students who want their asses kissed. I paid for my education by playing in bands, teaching music and painting with my uncle. Colleges aren't beautiful. You see all thos buildings and landscaping? yeah, that's right, my mother fucking tax dollars paid for all that shit. Fuck em all.

 

FYI....most of the ones that I mention are ALL private.....not a single penny of tax dollars went into paying for any of these buildings.

 

 

B. What famous tall towers or buildings have you been to the top of?

 

Original WTC, CNN tower, Burj Khalifa, CTF FInance Center, Zifeng Tower, Eiffel (Paris and Vegas) Sears Tower

I'm gonna call Bulshit on you going up the Burj.

 

 

 

 

[Tour2ma]

1. Two part: Which of the recent Browns draftees do you think will have the best career ultimately
....and which one will win the Vince Mayle award by not making it through training camp before getting cut?

Just a feeling that Nassib breaks out...

Drango... PS is his upside.

2. Are you in favor of the now Oakland Raiders moving to Las Vegas?

While I empathize with OAK fans, I really don't care.

3. Of the current active teams in the NBA playoffs, who do you WANT to ultimately win it all?
....and who do you think WILL win it all?
Teams: Cleveland/Atlanta/Toronto/Miami/Golden State/San Antonio/OKC/Portland

 

Hope? Duh...

Think? GS...

4. Of the current active team in the NHL playoffs who do you WANT to win it all?
.....and who do you think WILL win it all?
Teams: Tampa Bay/New York Islanders/Pittsburgh/Washington/San Jose/St. Louis/Dallas/Nashville

StL... used to love watching the Plager Brothers play. All were masters of the Hip-check... but Barclay was King.

6. This extra question comes from a travel board I patronize:
A. What do you think is the most beautiful college campus you have been to? (feel free to give several)

 

St. Andrews... nice golf course, too.

Stateside... Miami of Ohio... helped a HS friend move there his freshman year.

B. What famous tall towers or buildings have you been to the top of?

 

Terminal... I was a locked door away from accessing the flag pole.

Empire State... back when it was the tallest.

 

Would have added Sears Tower, but 911...

[wargograw]

Well, you nailed the political analysis at least.

[Tour2ma]

Yeah.... awesome...

 

There is classless and then there is Ghoulie...

[StinkHole]

4. Of the current active team in the NHL playoffs who do you WANT to win it all?

In order of preference: Washington, Nashville, St. Louis, San Jose.

 

.....and who do you think WILL win it all? Stupid fucking Pittsburgh will probably win it.

That would be just the shit of things.....Cavs make the NBA finals and lose, Pisstown wins another tile.

To paraphrase Dean Martin: How lucky can one town get?

Teams: Tampa Bay/New York Islanders/Pittsburgh/Washington/San Jose/St. Louis/Dallas/Nashville

Uh-oh...Pens up 2-0!

 

How cool would that be if both Cleve and Pit had back to back downtown parades!

 

I don't think two cities this geographically close to each other ever had back to back champions.

 

Don't think the Cavs cant' win this. Do two things...protect the damn ball, and continue to dominate the boards.

The Cavs are the top rebounding team in the NBA.

 

[The Gipper]

Who cares about the Penguins. Cleveland may in fact have both a basketball and a hockey championship:

 

2016 Calder Cup Finals – Series “O” (best-of-7)
A1-Hershey Bears vs. C2-Lake Erie Monsters
Game 1 – Wed., June 1 – Lake Erie 4, HERSHEY 1
Game 2 – Fri., June 3 – Lake Erie at Hershey, 7:00
Game 3 – Mon., June 6 – Hershey at Lake Erie, 7:00
Game 4 – Sat., June 11 – Hershey at Lake Erie, 7:00
*Game 5 – Sun., June 12 – Hershey at Lake Erie, 6:00
*Game 6 – Tue., June 14 – Lake Erie at Hershey, 7:00
*Game 7 – Fri., June 17 – Lake Erie at Hershey, 7:00

Lake Erie Monsters play at the Q.