Sending some birthday love to Tiff

Last night petty and I made a trip to morgantown to help Tiff celebrate her 21st b-day! We tried to get Louis to make the trip but since it sounded like we were going to have fun he decided to stay home and work on being more sesquipedalian. The night was of course tons of fun, we got rip roaring drunk with the two for one drink special (which we should all check out in the summer) and i just want to officially say happy b-day to Tiff!!!

Right now it is still pouring rain but it is supposed to get cold soon and probably turn to snow. I just finished school yesterday so i have all of winter break to ski and hang out, if anyone makes a trip to ohiopyle give me a call there is always a place to stay up in highland heights (a.k.a. club ped). Oh and lou left one little guy out of his "still in ohiopyle post" and that's tiger, the fourth member of our highland heights household(the others being myself, bob, and louis)....he is doing just great, gaining some winter weight, attacking you for no apparent reason, and he had a little surgery a couple weeks ago, yep that's right now ped lives with three girls!

Happy Holidays!
Amanda

Otter creek

Eleven boats and eleven kayakers. One of the longest class iv-v runs in WV. The squad the day before took 6 hours, our squad only 3. Johnny Regan and Mr. Weld knew where to go and the rest of us just followed. The only major mishap being a snapped paddle blade. The paddler, AJ (Garret College Student), took it in stride, and paddled the 4-5 miles left without a problem.

The creek itself is a mix of fike's and morgan's, with a little n. fork of the b. Slides with 3-4 foot drops at the bottom, boulder drops into tight slots, one 12ft? drop onto rock. The best rapid was a series of ledge drops in a tight channel, each one getting progressively higher, like a steeper triple drop? on morgan's. It culminated in a sweet s-boof, left to right and then back to the left, about an 8 ft. drop.

The put-in is a wandering stream that is draining out a swamp. Lots of rhotos and downed trees in this section. After a couple miles it begins to drop a little more. A mile or two after that you hit the first slides and the water fall. Now you are in it and committed, remember this a wilderness run once you are in it ain't easy getting out. It stays pretty active until you hit the bottom section, then it lightens up to class iii iv boogy, just watch out for the trees. Although, they were mostly blown out when we came through, nonetheless there were a couple times where we had to portage.

The shuttle is one of the longest in the state, but it goes through some beautiful country, so as long as you have the leg room, it isn't bad at all. Cold beer helps too. Warm beer is better than none.

Boaters: john regan, john weld, jeremy dicaslo, Eric martin, jake greenbaum, aj, issac (not the space cadet), Matt, jesse shimrock, brain homberg, ben scoville.

While they were vacationing

Never fails: the Martins go somewhere, and Ohiopyle gets clobbered with snow. They return and the snow's gone. Seth and I basically spent a week skiing and slacking off. It was our way of getting even for Eric, Kas, and Ben partying down without us in Reno. Here's some math: Warcraft + Internal Network + Two bored store/res guys = no hard feelings.

How about a partial run down of our cast of characters:

Amanda is working at 7 Springs teaching kids how to ski. Perfect job for her because she can converse at her level.

Bob is close to securing a job with Ohiopyle Prints, working under Rob Anderson. And, just like Rob Anderson, he'll soon be wearing fancy button-down shirts that don't really hide his gut.

Cory is tending bar and drumming up business (go Cory!). The town had its first Light Up Night a few days ago, but the decorations paled in comparison to the pink Christmas Tree Cory put up in the White House.

Ben Scoville still shows up for work every day to make the schedule. He checks the res system to see if there are any trips to staff and puts a few duckies in the Stake Bed just in case. Then he sits at his desk rocking back and forth and mumbling, "I'll show you, Ben Taylor, I'll show you..." I'm worried about him.

As for Ben Taylor, he's going to work at Hidden Valley again and avoid the hell out of tele skis. We have a pool going around the office for his next injury. $5 gets you in, and the following afflictions are already spoken for: broken fingernail, ruptured spleen, bad haircut, and clinical obesity.

And myself? I'm still putzing around the store using too many big words, over-reacting to smokers, passing up nights out, and acting just gay enough to provide fodder for good humor and to keep girls out of my hair.

Anyway, now that the snow's all melted, kayaking is on. We've been firing off runs on Drake's, Fikes, and other local stuff. There've been a few big water runs on old favorites like the Upper Yough, and an elite crew went down to Canaan to check out Otter Creek and Red Creek. All the major runs around here are still blown out but dropping, so we'll be getting on stuff as the conditions become sane.

Peace and love from Ohiopyle,

Lou

Hello from Lone Pine, CA

What's up all? Hope everyones fall/winter has been going well. Mine has been busy with a lot of travelling and hanging out with Megan in Salt Lake. I'm supposed to be in Ecuador on a little paddling trip but due to a broken hand I had to change plans and meet Hartman in Vegas. So I did that, and after I saw "insufficient funds" appear on the atm screen I decided to leave; I headed west through Death Valley and into Seqouia/Kings National Park. Next I'm heading up to Yosemite then Tahoe/Truckee/Reno. I'm calling this a scout of the Sierra whitewater runs. After checking out those places I'll be swinging through Salt Lake to get my cast off of my hand, stop in Breck to see Smitty, Junker, Pat, J Rod, etc. then home (cleveland) for x-mas and back to the pyle for some winter paddling. Anyways, looks like Kas and Eric have been doing a good deal of travelling as well, anyone else? Oh yeah, I ran into Nate Craig (mouse) and he said he's waiting for his kid to get a little bigger so he can come spend another summer. Well, hope everyone else is doing well and I look forward to another winter in the pyle.

Drew

The last month or so

Hey all-
Long time, no blog. That's what winter is good for. Feels like it in Ohiopyle. Eric, Ben and I just returned from the America Outdoors Trade show in Reno. It was a great time. Excellent seminars, good food, lots for operations to buy in the big "toy store" as we call the retail side of the trade show and fun. It felt like Ohiopyle took over the show. Ohiopyle Prints had a booth, Roger and John were there to launch the outfitter side of IR - their newest company called IRS, Kaila & Abby were there with Compendium software, Laura came to represent Whitewater. It was a blast. The other fun trip of this fall was taking off for 2 weeks in Panama! Highly recommended. We took a shredder with us and got on a couple of rivers. Other than that it was just great R&R.
We miss everyone as Ohiopyle has quieted down. There are more winter folks here than ever though! So come visit if you can.

Sarah Update

Hi all,

I talked to Sarah last night and she has been having a blast hiking around for the past 24 days (I think?). The next three weeks (ish) will be climbing, and she thinks she'll be spending her 21st at the top of Devil's Tower, sipping some Bailey's. She says she misses the water though, and is stoked for her kayaking trip.

She said something about coming back to base between climbing/kayaking, so if anyone wants to send her some post-bday love, I think you'll have that option.

Oh, and Dave, if she hasn't gotten ahold of you, she enjoyed the cookies :)

- Christine

Send Sippy Some Love @ NOLS

Sarah is somewhere in the Rocky Mountains goofing off and getting college credit for it. She'll be back at the NOLS HQ for one day and I'm sure she'd love to pick up some mail from everyone. She'll be there on Saturday June 30 and leaving again on July 1. I got the impression that's the only break she'll get, so at least send here an advance birthday card since she'll be hitting the big two-one in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of geeks.

Sarah Pernick
WSS-6/04/2007
NOLS
P.O. Box 333
Lander, Wy
82520

Sippy the Genius

Our own Sippy, aka Sarah Pernick, has completed her sophomore studies at Michigan State University. The really cool part is that she closed this semester with a 3.8 and made the Dean's List! When asked how she accomplished this feat, she said, "I went to the library and studied every night." Now it's off to a NOLS semester in Wyoming and Utah. Give her a ring and congratulate her on a job well done.

Cheat Fest

Well, it's a bit late for Christine, but I just though I would let everyone know how much fun Cheat Fest was for me....and others, especially trainees(See Exhibit A). I love jumping up and down while listening to Blue Grass. Also, I've attached some evidence of the good time that was shared at the Stoney Creek Rendezvous. Note to beer vender: never leave an open beer truck around a bunch of boaters at the Stoney Creek and then leave. (I hope this is not incriminating).

What's with the lull?

Hey all,

I, for one, am getting tired of trying to procrastinate by looking at this blog and then no one else being on here. I realize that the weather is beautiful, the season is picking up, and everyone is going boating, but here in Syracuse I'm writing term papers in the library and listening to frat boys barbeque and girls with pearl earrings talk on pink cell phones. Where are Lou's sarcastic comments? Pictures of boating? Recounts of Cheat Fest antics? etc.

I also wanted to let everyone know - who already didn't - that I'll be up here for the summer. I'm taking an independent study (bad decision), relearning French, and working at the Oneida Lake park just north of the city. I tried to work on the Black, but it costs like $150 plus first aid and CPR certifications to meet state requirements for guides here, and I just don't have that sort of money to throw down up front. But the park pays well, and is excited to have me help them start their fishing and recreational kayak rental program (and lose my spirit in the process, likely), and I'll be the "shift leader" of some ambiguous duty over other summer employees. I don't get it. Hopefully I'll also learn to sail and get enough sun to keep me sane, and be able to make at least trips down to the Pyle (don't worry, I've already asked off for B&G).

So keep me posted, will ya?! And if anyone wants to come up to do some upstate whitewater, you can crash on my couch (it folds out, I'm kind of a big deal).

By the way, when I mapquested how long it would take me to get from here to Ohiopyle, it had the ending destination as Garrett Street. Turns out the WV compound is the center of town.

Oh, and Ruth, I will call you back soon. I promise.

Peace,
Christine

Non-Smoking Nights at the pub

Yahooo! Thursday nights from 6-10 PM are now non-smoking. It started in support of a friend with lung cancer and everyoone seems psyched about dining without smoke. When you need that cigarette - just head out to the front picnic tables. Come enjoy.

Ruth's B-Day

B-Day celebration for Ruth at the pub around 9/9:30. All night long baby!

Volunteers Needed for Race Trials

Wildwater Senior Team Trials
April 13-14-15

The 2007 USA Canoe & Kayak Wildwater Senior Team trials will occur on the Lower Yough in Ohiopyle during the weekend of April 13 to 15. The team will represent the USA at the 2007 World Cup events in Europe later this year.

Volunteers are needed for safety boating and to help with registration etc. We need about 6 to 8 safety boaters for both days, but we’re going to need 15 to 20 people on land to help with registration, running shuttles, and helping racers.

There will be a meeting at the Falls City Pub Friday evening, and the race events on Saturday and Sunday will run from 7:30AM to about Noon.

If you’re available for either day, please contact:
Dave Mueller
412-334-6256
dmueller@verizon.net

Signs the season's here

To quote Kat: "Ruthie's here, that must mean it's spring!"

Everyone's at the store in wet river gear trying to figure out how to squeeze one more run in before sunset.

Random river guides crawling out from random rocks, cracks, and crevasses.

Trainees!

I can wear Chacos without risking losing my little toe to frostbite.

Tighty-whitey sumo wrestling at the white house.

While driving to the take-out to run shuttle you get a whiff of something familiar near cucumber falls, that lovely eau d' "i don't know how to downshift so my brakes are on fire"

The state park parking lot is full and so is the street across from the Falls Market.

There's someone else to hang out at the Pub with besides my three best friends: me, myself, and I

Strange little yellow flowers growing in the muck along the bike trail.

Needless to say last weekend kicked things into gear for me. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again this season. So if you weren't in town last weekend, well you missed out but the season's just starting so they will be plenty more opportunities to pop in for a visit and a quick loop run.

Party down at Roger's

Roger is a blog ignoramous, so he has asked me to advertise his party for him. Here are the details:

When: Saturday, March 31, at night.

Where: Roger's house.

Who: Anyone and everyone, even trainees.

Directions: According to Roger, from Ohiopyle, drive to the blinking light in normalville and "go right. About 8 miles later, you pass a school on your right. Make the right turn immediately after the school (nebo rd). Go 0.2 miles on this road and make a right onto this driveway/private road type deal. There is a line of mailboxes at the turn and a green reflective sign with white ‘150’ numerals on it. If you cross the bridge, turn around. Follow this little road back, and it turns to gravel and then to the right. Follow it up and over a tiny little creek and my house is on the left: 724 nebo rd ext."

2007 Upper Yough Release Schedule

This should be correct.
SYOTR
http://mysite.verizon.net/dmueller/pdf/uy.pdf

Dave M.

PS: Eric, I can't work Saturdays :-)

Yet another way to procrastinate...

Hey everybody!
I'm sitting in the library right now, thinking about anything that does not involve my homework, so I thought I'd do something productive and say hello! Unfortunately, I don't have any cool trips to update you guys about. Brian, however, has been out in Washington state doing nothing but snowboarding since about Christmas. Yea- I'm jealous too. I've been super busy with school and work (people need their burritos!) but I've had enough time to get my kicks vicariously through your posts. The weather is starting to warm up here, so I'm looking forward to heading up north for some fun trips. Last week there was one day where the temperature got up to 65 degrees, and it was like a beach party on campus!
I'll be back in Ohiopyle after my finals (I'm counting down the days). I'll be in town for a couple weeks then I'm heading out west for a semester with NOLS (National Outdoors Leadership School) where I'm going to get 12 credits for backpacking through the wind river range, climbing in Idaho, and paddling the Green River in Utah! I'll be on the course from June 4th to August 10th. Can't beat that huh?
This weekend was St. Patrick's day, so needless to say, I have some catching up to do on my school work! I hope everyone had a good time and did my ancestors proud! If anyone feels like traveling up to this pleasant peninsula for some great lakes and great times, come on up!
Can't wait to see you all!
<3 Sippy
(Sarah)

What up kids; it's Roger

so, where is the staff when it is dumping rain? at least there is lou-dogg and seth-dizzle always ready to fire up a brisk morning run on the top or meadow. i can't count how many times lou and i have driven to the top in the dark. can you find seth getting swallowed in swallowtail? hint, he is a bit river left of center! finally, daylight savings is here a bit early, probably the only cool thing that george bush has done because i can boat more. anyhow, about 2 weeks ago, we went on a little canaan mission, and as did the trip that went out the previous day, we were stymied by snow. too much snow to drive to the hiking trail for either red or seneca. we had a nice little blizzard on the drive down. we ended up a sweet lap of the north fork of the blackwater followed by nice run down bear creek (the one that comes into friendsville by the park).the next day saw some sweet action at 7springs with some nice boot deep snow. yesterday had some sweet action on the loop with a nice morning session with lou-dogg at 7.5 ft, and then a night capper featuring a run down to stewarton. there are some sick wave trains in there, but here's a hint, don't always take the raft lines and avoid the hole at bottle of wine.

Roger

Gear Fetch employee promo code

Hey all-
We finally took care of that detail. The 2 minute task that took us months. So here it is - your staff discount works on gearfetch as well. As you're checking out, you'll be prompted for a promo code. The very savvy, complicated code is: wvstaff07. We do know who the shoppers are and the discount will be honored for staff only. Our sincere apologies to all your buddies.

Happy Shopping!

GEAR SWAP!

We're hosting another Gear Swap. The fall event was pretty slow and people are requesting it. This is it - we won't be doing another one in the fall, it'll be an annual spring event from now on.

Sunday April 15th from 12:00 -4. Or longer if it happens to linger. It is guide training, and the wildwater team trials, so there is plenty going on for the day. Gear Swap will be held at the store.

Spread the word, bring your goods and a favorite Sunday beverage if you like.

Matt's Video Website

Hey I couldn't figure out how to post something but I wanted to add that I am working on a college portfolio of photos and video and have a video from the Upper on there.

http://evadefilms.com/

Admin Note: This post by photo Matt got buried in the "Comments" which are really hard to notice, and hence we probably shouldn't use them. Here's a refresher in posting as a guest. Click the Create a Post link in the right sidebar, and use username: wvstaff@wilderness-voyageurs.com and password: garrettst to sign in and write a blog entry. If you have your own Google account, you can email me (lou@wilderness-voyageurs.com) to be invited to post under your own name. In the meantime, let's all go check out Matt's site.

Laudadio not to be seen much this summer, again.

Hey everyone! I just wanted to share with all of you that I am playing professional women’s football in Pittsburgh this year. The Passion competes in the National Women's Football Association (NWFA), a five year old, 40-team league, headquartered in Nashville, TN. The Passion is a member of the Northern Conference and plays an 8 game regular season schedule. Two bye weeks are built into the schedule that runs from April and June each year. The season concludes with three rounds of playoffs and a championship game during June and July. The teams play according to standard NFL rules, with the following notable exceptions; TDY size football, only one foot in bounds required following a reception and no blocking below the waist down field. http://www.pittsburghpassion.com/ The whole concept is all pretty crazy! Some of the girls could bench press me at least 107 times for breakfast. All of our home games are played at Cupples Stadium on the South Side of Pittsburgh. I know all of you are familiar with tail gaiting! Our home opener is April 21st @ 7pm. If you can’t make it, check out Fox Sports or Comcast on Demand for live television coverage. Also, Fox Sports Radio will be broadcasting. Initially, I was trying out to be a Defensive Back to due my power-lifting, bone crushing tackle tactics (all taught to me on the river by Scott during training) but I opted out for Place Kicking instead. I actually kicked for my high school football team and decided it was the safest route in this business! I am the starting place kicker for extra points and field goals. Also, I have been playing a lot of guitar lately and writing my own music. Due to football, the music has been put on the back burner but I will have some acoustic shows around Pittsburgh this fall. I’m actually looking for another guitar player to accompany me at some gigs. If anyone is interested let me know! I just made a myspace music page too. www.myspace.com/cristylaudadio

I hope this finds you all well.

Ciao,

Laudadio

Rudder (aka Iyed) is doing great! He said that he is ready for his birthday next month too! He has managed to eat an entire couch and coffee table in one sitting but other than that, he is an amazing dog! Let’s have a doggy birthday bash!

Lou's Climbing Trip

Well, guys, I just got back from climbing out West, and how could I not blog about it!? We are in the process of compiling our pictures. Check out this link to see what we have so far.

No one wants to read a long trip report, so I'll make this concise. We climbed in Red Rocks, NV for 3 days and Indian Creek, Utah for 2, mostly doing one- or two-pitch routes in the 5.9 to 5.11 range. At Indian Creek we got on some crack climbs that are really world-famous (and deservedly so). At left is a picture of me pulling the roof on The Incredible Handcrack (5.10b/c), my favorite route at Indian Creek.

Back in Red Rocks, I climbed Black Orpheus (5.10a) with my friend Todd. Despite the very short crux, it was quite demanding, with a 1 1/2 hour approach, 11 pitches (including lots of 5.8, some 5.9, and plenty of runout R sections) that took 5 1/2 hours, and a 3-hour descent. Most of the pitches were between 120' and 190' feet long, but because of traversing, the route only gained a little over 1000 vertical feet. Look right for a shot of pitch 10 (5.6).

The last day we roped up for a few 50-foot boulders at San Diego's Mt Woodson, where I top-roped a sweet 5.11 finger crack.

The weather out there was insane - highs in the 70s every day. It made me wonder why people live anywhere else. As much as anything else, though, the trip made me realize that I just don't climb enough anymore. It would be great if someone on staff this year was climbing strong and wanted to really make a concerted effort to get a few decent trips in - like to Seneca, the New, and Looking Glass down in NC. Local stuff is pretty good here too, like Breakneck in Connelsville. So keep it in mind and bring your climbing gear this season.

Lou

Boatin Season is here

HEY GANG

The creeks will be running this weekend. Who is game? Top Yough? Show up at the store Saturday AM or give me a call on my cell.

Eric

Z update

Well everyone Z is doing GREAT!!!! The train took its toll on her. But things are looking up! She slowly walking up-stairs and going on 10 to 15min walks 3 times a day. She has lost alot of weight and gained so gray hairs but things are looking up!!! The Doc. said it doesn't look like she needs any opperations & the tissue damage looks like its heeling GREAT!!! So YA!!! We are keeping our fingure crossed still. Just to have luck on our side.. The next thing is I hope soon her and rich will be home. They are still living with his folks because it is much easier to get her in and out of their house. Its been alomst 2 mon. WOW!!!! Things have been nutzo but now finialy looking up!! But that is the update.. Hope all is well with you all!

smells like spring

Hey y'all (getting bob psyched up for NC)
Greetings from the mothership. Meadow was cranking this weekend, but a bit on the cold side. First Aid Update.... the class being offered by Venture Outdoors will not satisfy our trip leading requirement. i am working on pulling together a Wilderness Advanced First Aid for this spring, it will be 32 hours and cost approx $180. Class would be taught in Ohiopyle. There is a chance of an OEC class at Hidden Valley, dates, cost and details unknown at this point. The bottom line, if you can find a course that fits your schedule, grab it quick. I hope to blast out another staff email in about 2 weeks with details of classes and upcoming training weekends and boating for fun options. HEY WE STILL NEED BIOS AND PICTURES FOR WEBSITE< I will make good on my promise from the email. Very excited to see everyone staying in touch and stoked about the huge number of you we have heard from and are planning on coming back.

We are still in search of more trainees...

peace

eric

Todo Bien

What is up!?! All this conversation about Costa Rica made me(Drew)decide to make my first contribution to the WV blog. I also made a trip there this winter with a good friend named Big Dumb Dan. Just like Dave, I suffered a little weight loss while there, however, my weight loss was due to the endless flow of liqour and beer that I found upon my visit which provided for some rough mornings. I also spent a lot of time trying to hit on the ticas (costa rican women) which proved to be unsuccessful due to the language barrier. Unfortunately we did not hook up with Josh and/or Kaila while there (BTW, I'll be back so if you guys are still there we'll connect) but we did meet several of Eric and Scotts friends there which made our trip that much more enjoyable. We even saw a bumper sticker that said "Surf Ohiopyle"!

As for my internship here in Ohiopyle, as Lou mentioned, I have discovered that being a marketing intern doesn't have the same perks as being a raft guide. Lou is trying to charge me more for Gatorades out of the cooler and noone we'll let me demo the new splash fleet that has arrived. Oh well, I'll be a raft guide soon enough!

Well I just wanted to say what's up and let everyone know that I don't bring girls back to the white house all the time like Lou said; I go back to the chicks house (one of the rules of being a crasher).

Oh yeah, Todo Bien is Costa Rican spanish for "it's all good" in a nut shell.

Peace Out,

Drew

WORST CITY, EVER.

Hey All,

I'm just writing to send you a picture of my current state of affairs. Syracuse is a cold and miserable place (Ray, what the hell were you thinking coming to school here? You wacky bastard.). Although it is a whopping 21 degrees out (much warmer than the single digits in previous weeks), my car is still this covered with snow. Bitch-bitch-bitch, yes, I know. Really I suppose I'm just angry that the snowstorm coincided with an especially egregious selection of weekly readings for school and a horrific cold, and so I didn't get to play in it. If it's still here on Thursday, I'll try to do something cool and post pictures making me look like less of a whiner and more of a bad-ass. I will accept suggestions for what to do with ridiculous amounts of snow, because I don't really know what to do with myself here.

In other news, I'm wondering, specifically, where you (Bob and friends) were planning on heading for spring break (well, my spring break). Are you doing the TN side of NC (with like the French Broad and stuff)? Is there another side of NC to boat in? I'm an idiot when it comes to geography. I'm just trying to make travel plans. Any details would be much appreciated.

Yours Truly. All of yours, really.
Christine

Guides we have known

Mr. Clean Cut Used Car Guy:



Dave M

Worked my ass! I was entertaining the guests!

BTW, the rapid Kaila is talking about is called Lower Huacas (sounds like wok-us, which rhymes with womp-ass). Huacas means funeral, cemetery, place you gonna die, etc. The best way I can describe it is a cross between Bastard and National on the UY, but without the easy lines. The entire left canyon wall is undercut, and that's the sneak.

I'm glad you're both enjoying Costa Rica. I'm finally able to eat solid food again and gained back some of the weight from my gozinta/gozouta diet I was on for about a week. Imagine me not eating a meal in three days! I haven't boated in a month now, that's a record for me (sorry Bob). Spent a few weeks in NYC and wonderful Reading PA this year already, and had a trip to S Korea cancelled.

Congrats to Lindsay and Cas on their great news, I hope everyone is doing well.

SYOTR
Dave M

Feel the force Ray

I'll always be there Ray! Look over your shoulder right now and you might see me. I am very sneaky, like Emilio from Mr. Deeds, but I don't like feet. NC is so on baby, I have off the week of the 9th ish-17th ish. I am hoping to go boating this weekend, it is supposed to be in the 30s, so I am going to take advantage of the heat wave and start my on water rehab. Quit picking your nose Ray, yeah I see you! Start bloggin people, this is fun. Yeah that means you too Rich. By the way if anyone needs bowling lessons, I know Jen is open for business. I recently went bowling with her and Rich and let me tell you, you've never seen better style and form in your life.
take care all
bob

You are with me Bob....Everywhere I go.

When I woke up last Friday morning I checked all the levels and looked at the weather report. I realized that the conditions were just right......for washing my car. I drove the thing to my favorite place of all time, Clean Town USA, and got in line behind some hippie in a subaru...(no offence Rich). The salt content was high and the wait was long, so I turned up the Doctor Dre re-mix that was already blasting out of my speakers and took a glance at how cool I looked in my rear-view mirror with my hat on sideways. Just when my loud bass was about to win the affection of the hottie next to me, the guy in front of me decides to turn around and wave me down. All I see is Bob......everywhere I go. At the car wash.... Walking down Walnut street with the greatest of intentions (get drunk) I am unable to avoid Bob as he finds his way into my path. Christmas shopping as Dick's for those Carhartt overalls my brother will never wear and then give back to me, I cannot avoid you Bob, you are everywhere. Everywhere I go. By the way, NC is looking good. Really good. Casselman, not so good.

First aid class

Can someone tell me what is going on with the Wilderness First Aid class with Venture Outdoors! I hear that it is not a good enoug cert. That is fine with me because that way I will just work the lower and be able to go to the upper and such on my days off. I would like to tl and work other rivers but $150 is a little much especially for a class that I can't even use. If scott or eric or someone could call me asap to let me know what's going on I would greatly appreciate it. If anyone else is having the same problem then let me know. What happened to getting our resert right at WV for free, is that still an option these days. NC is right around the corner so if anyone interested then let me know. I can't wait!

take care everyone
bob

WV Blog Sees Action!

I knew you guys had it in you! It's really fun reading all your posts, and also enlightening to discover that perhaps some of you are in sarcasm withdrawal.

Might as well post some news from the 'Pyle. Seth has moved into the whitehouse, living with BenT in BenT's room from the summer. That makes 6 total winter residents, but it's more like 6 and a half, because marketing intern Drew nearly always has a girl over. Drew, by the way, is working at hidden valley and pulling shifts at the pub. And Nick is showing admirable resistance to the stir-craziness that I was sure he would suffer from his house arrest. Krash is, of course, working at Seven Springs and is still putting on make-up every morning (no, seriously) to cover his facial tats. Be sure to make fun of him for it when you see him.

A reminder that Gearfetch is live and operational. Alas, it still needs quite a bit of work, but we welcome visitors, and especially submissions of photos and reviews, as per the Staff Line newsletter.

I have to confess that I haven't been doing much lately besides reading Harry Potter. Thankfully, I am almost finished with the sixth book, and will be able to get back to my life once that's done.

Might as well also mention that I've become obsessed with a singer songwriter named Regina Spektor, who I would describe as being what Fiona Apple should be. It's all preggo Lindsay's fault. She had me track down a song she heard on Grey's Anatomy. Anyway, if you're curious, and you should be, go to reginaspektor.com, where you can listen to absolutely all of her published music (still trying to wrap my brain around that business model).

Peace from the river,

Lou

Baby News

Hey All! Cas and I have got some very fun and totally CRAZY news. We're pregnant! Well, to clarify a bit, I am pregnant and he got me in this prediciment!! :) Just kidding! We're both really excited. ETA: sept 2nd. But i am hoping the little thing grows mighty fast and ends up early so I don't have to sit through August fat and hot. Yikes! So far both baby and mommy are healthy. Thanks to Kas for all the fun support. Thanks to Lou for not throwing out the, "I wondered why you looked so fat!" comment the second he heard. (Although he did say he was saving it.) Also, thanks to Kara for the fun prego books!

I hope hope hope everyone else is wintering just great. Josh and Kayla I am so glad you are loving it down there. cas and I totally thought it was beautiful. We got married at Turrialto in Turrialba (its up on the hill). If you haven't already made it there, its a cute little place with great food. Ben and Laura, hope things are a blast in CO. Sweaty Petty, I may be getting fat but I might actually be up for a trip to NC. As long as you don't mind a slightly overactive bladder. For us it would have to be a weekend though. I am sure CAS is in also. He just got a new job in Kingwood so he'll be at the cheat all the time if anyone needs a boating partner. I think Fuscelli is also looking ot take a weekend trip soon.

Give us a ring!
Lindsay and Cas

nc trip

I wish that I could afford to go to costa rica this year but that is not possible for me. In regards to you Chrisine, your boating skills are more than up to par for this trip. I have not kayaked in years so I am going to take it very easy and you will probably be busy cleaning up my mess. Your presense is more than welcome. I talked to Rich R and he is definetely in for at least a couple of days. So who's comin with me! Good luck and be safe Josh and Kayla, I hope you are having a wonderful time and make sure you see the rooster show while in Costa Rica.
Take care everyone and hope to talk to you all soon!
Bob

Pura Vida!

Buenos mi amigos! Josh and Kaila here! Just wanted to fill everyone in on how AMAZING Costa Rica is and how you should ALL come down here and visit! The country is beautiful as are the rivers! We are currently working for Rios Tropicales out of a small town called Cairo. Here we are guiding on the Pacuare (class 4) and the Reventazon (class 2/3) Rivers. We also do jungle kayaking, mountain biking, and canopy tours - as well as overnight trips on the Rio Pacuare to the Rios´ lodge! It is all amazing! As for kayaking.. Josh has kayaked most of the class 5 runs on the Carribean side with our Argentinian friends and I just did my first run on the Pacuare. Which also included my first ¨window shading¨ experiance.. that ended in me swimming and being recirculated in a huge hole with my boat - it was great! (Note to Rich Jenn and Dave: this was the same whole Dave got worked in and made it out of!)

As for other news Josh and I are getting to travel alot too. We are picking up Spanish and figured out how to navigate ourselves to the Pacific side where we tried to learn to surf. (and i say TRIED because it ended in a lot of crashing and burning!) We have also been bird watching ALOT - and we have seen over 200 species! As well as Sloths, Monkey, Iguanas, Snakes, Cuoti, Armadillo, Anteaters and so much more!

Everything is an adventure here and we cant wait for whats next! I hope that this note gets some of you interested in coming down because you wont regret it! If you want to check out our pictures you can go to: www.flickr.com - go to ¨find photo of: enter my screen name: climbnkayak. After it takes you to a new page make sure you are searching under ¨people¨ - there are lots of pics with much more to come (including Josh, Jenn, Rich and I flipping in a huge hole called Semaronies!)

Hope everything is going well with the rest of you! See you all soon!

Pura Vida!! (it means pure life and you can hear this at least 10 times a day here)
Kaila and Josh

response to Lou's last post

so Lou... you were in pittsburgh and didn't hang out with us?!? what ever could you have been up to saturday night? ;) Hope everyone's doing well and hasn't been going too crazy with not being able to boat cause of all the cold weather.

Astrid

Admin Note: Lou has absolutely no idea what Astrid is talking about and would like to remind everyone that for people who are not wimps, it is never too cold to boat.

Greetings from California

Hello all,
Your furry, fat photog here. I have recently finished grad school so I am currently taking a little cross-country road trip to celebrate. I am in northern California at the moment. I have already visited Smitty and Scoville in Buena Vista, Co on the way out. I may go visit our good friend Barrett in Montana in a couple weeks, and I am most definitely visiting Pat, Junker, and Mike in Park City, Utah very soon. I have not gone skiing in many years, but I may try my luck there. Wish me the best Lou. I miss your sarcasm as the deserts miss the rain.
Anyway, I will most likely be back to the area in April with nothing to do. So, Eric and Kas, if you need photog this season, I'm in it for the long haul. I even have my own camera now! (Nikon D80) So, to all WV staff, I miss your antics and your individual smells. I may see you soon, do not despair. Remember above all to DO YOUR DISHES!!! ...or else. Give me a shout at jjohans@mix.wvu.edu

_Jason Johans

Redstone Rocks

Hey all-
Greetings from Redstone. E & I have been hanging at my folk's house south of Glenwood springs for the last 2 weeks. Skiing, working and loving the break from Ohiopyle (thanks Lou & Seth!). Ben and Laura came over for a couple of days and we dragged Laura out for her first back country ski and first colorado hot springs experience. No complaints. See ya soon. Love - Kas & Eric.

Hey!

Hi guys!

First of all, to Lou, you little beam of sarcastic sunlight. I think the WV newsletter didn't make it to my new place, do you think you could arrange for one to be sent to my new address? If you want to save a tree, you can email it to me... either way. Thanks.

Kind of in response to Bob... I have spring break that very week (including weekends, March 9-17). I was kind of hoping (if money permits) to actually do down to Costa Rica to visit Josh and Kaila (since it's pretty consistently like 11 degrees here in Syracuse). SO if anyone wants to do that, or if anyone who's gone down there thus far wants to share some Costa Rican travel knowledge, I'm down. You can email me at cshanaberger@gmail.com. I guess that, however, I'm not opposed to ANY sort of south-bound travel, so I could be talked in to NC - not sure if you want someone of my meager boating skills tagging along, but it's an option.

Hope everyone (who reads this?) is doing well, and if anyone wants to come visit Syracuse for some reason (the black? moose? skiing? - there's plenty of snow) I'd love visitors.

Christine

north carolina trip

Hello everyone,
I hope this blog finds you well. I was wondering if anybody would be interested in a boating trip to North Carolina during the week of March 12. Simply boating, camping and boozin. I haven't had much time in a boat in the past few years so I would like to treat myself with a trip down south. I am not going to be getting into anything to crazy seeming that I am still rehabing but nothing to mello either. I am just sending the invite out there and hope some of you will consider this trip before the busy summer gets its start. I hope everyone is doing great and am looking forward to seeing you all soon. You can call me at 412-728-2112
take care
bob
P.S. This trip is not going to revolve around not being able to boat somewhere because the shuttle road is to bad. Get the picture!

Admin Note: Congrats to Bob "Schweaty" Petty for the very first non-Lou Blog post. Thank God someone else figured it out. For all you would-be bloggers out there, it's as easy as clicking the Create a Post Link on the right. See it, just there? Then use the username and password provided and Blog away. No personal Google Account required (ahem, H Eric Martin).

Ripping at Springs

Gearfetch is finally turned on - amazing! Of course it's still full of bugs and issues and problems and headaches, but what are online stores for if not all that?

I just got a new hangboard, which is a training device for climbing. After much strife, and lots of tool borrowing, I have managed to hang it shoddily outside the store on the front porch. It's actually been a big hit with the whole staff, as I've seen everyone except Eric go out and give it a whirl or two. Many of them are looking forward to working up to their first pull up.

We've finally had some cold weather and that means that the slopes at Seven Springs are actually worth hitting up. I skiied my little brains out this past weekend, going Friday night, most of Saturday, and stopped off Sunday on my way back from the 'burgh. My legs felt like gummy worms on my last run, but I'm really forward to going again some night this week.

That's all for now.

Lou

Paddling in the New Year

I'm told that we're expecting Winter any day now . . .

On January 1, Eric, Lou, BenT and Rich did some laps on the Top Yough, which had some good flow. Some of us were supposed to go someplace a little more adventurous, but some of us also partied like rock stars the previous night. No matter, the Top was still a blast, especially the always-exciting Swallow Falls. On the way back to town, Eric stuffed the bed of the F-150 with as much firewood as it would carry, and then some. This guy really likes his wood.

Drew is in town, doing a marketing internship at WV, and living it up in the whitehouse. He's been showing us that, no, it's not too cold to go playboating, so long as you don't mind getting sick. He'll be picking up a creek boat in the very near future.

Yesterday the Big Sandy was just high enough to be worth the drive out and the beat down on your car that the shuttle provides. Lou, who's turning into a real cfs snob, tried to rope Astrid into going to the Top, but she was Lame, and went to a "farm show" instead. Astrid, I hope you got rained on and that a donkey shat on your shoes. No I don't. Nobody deserves to get rained on.

Anyway, the Big Sandy turned out to be a wicked cool time. Lou, BenT, Rich, Dave, and two of BenT's friends bumper-boated their way down the slalom-o-riffic whitewater of West Virginia's best class IV run. We ran into Wade, of Yoga fame, at the put-in, and he showed us that you're never too old, and it's never too cold, for Big Splat.

Well, that's all for now. Expect updates soon, especially about the progress of the online store, due to launch any day now, and Lou's impending suicide owing to his frustration over the appalling lack of snow.

Lou