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Some Support For Our Friends

• January 2008
• Uncategorized

Hi Steph,
My best friend and climbing partner was just hospitalized with a tib fib fracture after loose boulders pinched her legs on the approach to an objective in Torre Valley. An efficient evacuation with helicopter got her to Calafete after being out less than 24 hours. Rachel will be flown back to the states in a couple of days for surgery and I hoped you could write to her via email or the Blog and wish her the best.

You are an inspiration to her and she posted a blog entry a few weeks ago and she was super psyched about your encouraging response. In her 2 weeks there she climbed poincenot and two other proud attempts on longer routes with random partners.
Her name is Rachel Greenberg.
Brent Langlinais

Dear Brent,
Thanks for getting in touch to tell me about Rachel’s trip. I’m so sorry to hear about this accident.
Rachel, way to go on your climbs. It sounds like you did a great job on your routes and really had an amazing first trip to Patagonia. I just wish you hadn’t gotten hurt! It does seem like walking is what always gets us 🙁
I’m hoping you are recovering fast, and would love to hear an update if you have the time/inclination, on your healing. I’m sending you best wishes and good energy as you mend.
xxx Steph

Dear Steph,
I am not a rock climber but have been going to Yosemite on a regular basis for 30 years. I have always admired those who can scale the Big Walls. What you have done is amazing. For many years I would see Chongo Chuck in the cafeteria and out and about. I even have helped him financially, if you know what I mean. He has always added some color to the scene. Of course, I have read about his banishment from Yosemite but never had heard how long and what conditions his court case described. Can he ever return?
I was thinking how neat it would be to have a Welcome Back reception at the Lodge. Show some slides, have some food, invite some old friends etc.etc. Kind of a Chongo Roast. Just an idea.
Thanks and hope to hear back, Doug H. ——– Southern Cal.

Dear Doug,
I worry a lot about Chongo too! He is a kind soul who exemplifies living in his own unique, harmless style. The Yosemite community was very upset when he was targeted and pushed out of the Park. Since I can’t stand waste, I was really frustrated to think of how much money was spent in Chongo’s farcical Yosemite “court case,” which I am certain came from our tax dollars!

Heinz Zak organized a special guest invitation for Chongo to the Austrian slacklining festival, shortly afterwards, because he really wanted Chongo to get the experience of visiting Europe. After that trip, Chongo ended up in Sacramento. He likes being around the climbing gym there, but we worry about him a lot, because he is even more “homeless” when existing in a city environment, rather than the more natural environment in which we are all living the same way, sleeping under the trees and stars. The most recent reports indicate that he is healthy and happy. Cascade Designs wants to send him a new Thermarest, if he needs one, so I am trying to get a current address for Chongo 🙂

Thanks for the good wishes Doug! Chongo is often on the internet, so I hope he will find his way to this post and know you’ve been thinking of him. I think the Chongo Roast is a lovely idea.
xx Steph