HikeArizona.COM

Just read the climbing piece in the new National Geographic. Very interesting, and superb photography by noted climber Jimmy Chin. You people are still crazy, however. I'm hoping to see some climbers going up El Capitan in 2 weeks when I'm in Yosemite.

I just got done reading that article. It's crazy that people are doing that now without any ropes. The one picture of the guy hanging from underneath a horizontal overhang is cringe inducing. More power to the people who can do that, but even if I had the athletic ability to do that, I would never have the nerve.

I bet everyone who falls -- in their last few seconds of conscious life -- thinks "Damn, wish I had a belay ..." :stretch: That's the reason skydivers carry a reserve.

I don't get the rope free thing either. It seems like the article is glorifying stupidity.

I hope I don't see anyone taking the Nestea plunge when I'm @ Yosemite this weekend.