I got a form letter last week from the AAC letting me know that I was not one of the 10 members chosen for the Climbing Exchange Program with the Iranian Alpine Club (See previous post Sight-seeing and mountaineering in Iran – maybe ) I was REALLY butt-hurt about the selection process, but if it were meant to be then I would have been included. I can only wish the best for those members going, hope they have in incredible time, touch new stone, see places and things that are new to western eyes, leave their hosts smiling, pray that they all return home safely, and are better people for having made the trip.
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Man, I am really sorry to hear that. I know you were really looking forward to it. look at the positive side though – this means more time to spend in the mountains of WA!
I was pulling for you. Sorry. My plan was to slip into your duffle and get a free ride. I applied as well, but when they changed the date from September ’09 to Spring ’10 there was no way I could do it: the trip to Chile is already booked and paid for. I will buy you a beer after a gym session to help you grieve the loss 🙂
Beer would help. Giving me your set of CCH Aliens would make the pain go away for good – just a thought…
That sucks, sorry. Did they tell you why you weren’t chosen?
No not really. It was just a form letter from the secretary at the AAC. I am not sure what the selection process consisted of, but bitching won’t change anything. I am thrilled that it is happening at all and hope that the members chosen will have an amazing time and no one does/says anything negative or gets roped into a pointed argument about religion or politics while there.
I wondered how that was coming for you. Sorry, but there will be other trips to other cool places. What are your plans for and with the kids this summer?
Yeah, maybe since Iran has fallen through I will be able to convince my wife that I can go back to Morocco and climb/board in the Atlas.
Kids this summer: climbing, camping, a Vancouver to Seattle bike trip, reading at night, laughter, making stuff in the shop, movies, etc…
Speaking of timely – there is a TR on the front page of Summit Post this morning about a Moroccan Atlas trip. Similar to your last one? Glad you are not going to Iran: there is NO WAY that I would even think about going there. {edited}
I had to edit your commit a bit – be nice…
It is really not like that. Imagine if the citizens of the US were judged on the asshats who protest soldier’s funerals, the snake handlers of Appalachia, or by separatists dug in on western ranches? These guys/girls are going to have a killer time climbing and leave friends in their wake. I will send you some pics from my Saudi trip a few years ago – I had a blast. Dubai wasn’t as cool, but it as because of all the bougie shoppers and their poor manners, but I can say the same thing for Berlin, Paris, New York, Tokyo, etc…
Bwahahaha… he said asshat….
Talley, you never had a chance… I just saw this on the AAC site:
Jim Donini: Immediate past President of the AAC
David Thoenen: Chair for the AAC’s Southern Appalachian Section.
Brandon Bargo: Well-traveled climber and adventurer cyclist who leads corporate team building programs and a non-profit focused on fighting malaria in Africa.
Marilyn “MG” Geninatti: An emergency room doctor and an experienced climber and world traveler.
Nick Martino: An elite rock climber with notable first ascents, first free ascents and hard repeats around the world.
Jeff McCarthy: He has 20 years of experience in all kinds of climbing.
Ann Piersall: A Fulbright Student Scholar
Lydia Pyne: An anthropologist involved in the development of “vertical archaeology,” a methodology combining technical rock climbing with archaeological surveying.
Jack Tackle: Current AAC Treasurer
Bo White: Speaks, reads and writes Farsi.
A climbing ER Doc is a must have as is the guy who speaks Farsi, a ropegun is nice to bring, but three AAC staff members and a vertical archaeologist/anthropologist?? I have seen you climb, you have mad rope skills, and you vertical resume is impressive, but…. as I read it there were three positions that 150+ regular climbers were vying for. Hence Fulbright scholar, a team building coach, and the one “regular” dude. Have you ever looked up “boondoggle” on urbandictionary.com?
I was also somewhat disappointed with the selection process, but what can I do? To bitch about it at length wouldn’t add any prospective or change anyone’s mind and would just seem to be sour grapes. I like what the AAC does for its members (the great library, AAJ, insurance, etc…), for the climbing community, and if just a couple regular guys get to have a once in a lifetime trip – then great! I think that I am going to close the comments on this topic as some of the responses to Bill’s comment, no matter how well meant or placed, have been vitriolic.