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#195207 - 05/02/16 11:01 PM New member introduction
Bob Chiang Offline
member

Registered: 11/05/10
Posts: 23
Loc: New York, USA
Hi all,

I just found BackcountryForum.com and am especially pleased to find this topic forum for geezers. This seems like the most appropriate place for my introduction:

I was born in Minnesota where my introduction to wilderness sports was via a YMCA canoe camp, Widjiwagan. Our third trip was 21 days unsupported.

Did occasional backpacking trips during high school and college. After college I took a month trip with two friends to do multi-day backcountry ski trips in the Wind River range, Tetons, and Yellowstone park. When we skied out from the Yellowstone trip, someone in town told us it had been 37 below the night before. I still use that same sleeping bag for winter trips (sewn from a Frostline kit about 1972).

My girl friend (now wife) and I did several backpacking trips in the Northwest while going to school. We moved to Colorado where I did a multi day backcountry ski trip in the San Juans and we climbed our first 14er. Then came kids and work and moving to Ithaca, New York.

Fast forward to 2009 when my wife and I took a cruise. The ship had a climbing wall, and I fell in love. Followed up with climbing classes through the Cornell University (where I work) Outdoor Education (COE) program, became an instructor, and found new outdoor trip partners (down to 1/3 of my age, but what the heck).

Last year I had the outdoorsiest year ever! including celebrating my 60th birthday with a family trip to Colorado. You can see a summary of the trips here: 2015 outdoor adventures

I was looking forward to another great year of hiking and climbing in 2016. The year started out nicely with helping to lead a COE winter mountaineering class in the Adirondacks. Then in February, I picked up one fateful shovelful of wet/heavy snow...

So here I am months later recovering from a hurt back. I'm finally hopeful that it might one day be fully functional wink

It made me wonder if I had waited too long to return to backcountry trips, but you folks have provided inspiration and reassurance that I may have lots of years and adventures in store.

Thanks! and Have Fun,
-Bob

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#195209 - 05/03/16 03:31 AM Re: New member introduction [Re: Bob Chiang]
Glenn Roberts Online   content
Moderator

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 2208
Loc: Southwest Ohio
Welcome, Bob - we'll try to provide more inspiration, or at least some "so, there I was..." stories for your amusement. smile

Sounds like you've rediscovered an adventurous life - and doing it with folks 1/3 your age will help keep you feeling younger.

We're looking forward to hearing more from you.

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#195210 - 05/03/16 10:02 AM Re: New member introduction [Re: Bob Chiang]
4evrplan Offline
member

Registered: 01/16/13
Posts: 913
Loc: Nacogdoches, TX, USA
Welcome Bob. I love your pictures!
_________________________
The journey is more important than the destination.

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#195216 - 05/03/16 07:53 PM Re: New member introduction [Re: 4evrplan]
bluefish Offline
member

Registered: 06/05/13
Posts: 680
Welcome, and thanks for sharing your adventures. I recognize some, as I live at the base of the 'dacks to the east of you. I wish you fast and complete healing and a quick return to your passions.
_________________________
Charlie

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#195669 - 06/05/16 10:59 AM Re: New member introduction [Re: Bob Chiang]
wandering_daisy Offline
member

Registered: 01/11/06
Posts: 2865
Loc: California
After a bout of sciatica in my late 30's, I never again picked up a snow shovel. I bought a house where the wind swept the snow off the driveway, a 4wd truck, and let the neighbors complain about my un-shoveled sidewalk. Climbing is safer than shoveling snow, and a lot more fun.

Then in my late 40's, I moved to California - no snow! And the Sierra at my doorstep.

Hope your back gets better. You have many years of hard core backpacking and climbing left to enjoy.

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