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UPSTATE NEW YORK "GUNKS" VENUE
Mohonk Nature Preserve, New Paltz Shawangunk Mountains, Gunks Climbing Area

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  • Mohonk Preserve Ranger, Andrew Bajardi, is attendant on this raising up out of a deep "crevasses"-type fissure in the stone of "The Lost City" in 2013 MRW (Mountain Rescue Workshop). An Arizona Vortex "jamb pole" and guyed A frame are the high directional frames erected to assist in this difficult evolution, employing an eventual skate block to the ground. 

  • Andrew preparing to descend at the top of the fissure at Lost City in the Gunks

  • This fissure at Lost City is quite narrow at the bottom where Andrew had to package the patient

  • Close up of the jamb pole and rigging above the 100' deep "crevasse" fissure. Lots of AZTEKs and awesome riging in use.

  • Ranger Andrew Bajardi in the fissure with the patient hanging

  • Seasonal ranger, Hellen Curran has just picked off Mohonk Ranger, Frank Tkac, with #2 of the Seven Minimalist Rescue Archetypes at Broken City, in the Gunks during 2013 MRW (Mountain Rescue Workshop).

    Obviously, it is the final day of the program as everyone is in Hawaiian Shirts! This photo of Helen (and her infectious smile) and Frank (sinister) is the cover for the RTR The ART of Clean Rigging Manual. See later photo. 

  • A Lost City gin pole at the Mohonk Preserve during 2013 TSRW (Mountain Rescue Workshop)

  • Seasonal ranger, Hellen Curran has just picked off Mohonk Ranger, Andrew Bajardi, with #6 of the Seven Minimalist Rescue Archetypes at Lost City, in the Gunks during 2013 MRW (Mountain Rescue Workshop).

    Hawaiian Shirt Day! 

  • RTR Assistant Instructor, Keith Thorne on lead on a trad 5:8 classic line at the Trapps Wall along the carriage road during the 2013 MRW (Mountain Rescue Workshop).

  • The Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center is a perfect venue for the outdoor classroom instruction on the Arizona Vortex. The dry stacked wall allows many great oportunities to place rock "pro" and build systems in a benign setting. At the Gunks during 2013 MRW (Mountain Rescue Workshop)

  • RTR Assistant Instructor, Keith Thorne, teaching proper Arizona Vortex set up for an SA frame. Students go about it with vigor.

  • RTR Assistant Instructor, Keith Thorne, pontificating a point. Students absorbing and taking it all in. The Visitor Center is such a rich playground for learning.

  • During a Mohonk Preserve ranger-only refresher training in 2013 at the Trapps Wall in the Gunks, RTR Assistant Instructor, Keith Thorne watches as rangers perform #5 of the Seven Minimalist Rescue Archetypes (7MRA). 

  • A litter raising after a litter scoop in one of the deep fissures of The Lost City at the Gunks during the MRW (Mountain Rescue Workshop)

  • Rob Mecus from NY State Division of Forestry law enforcement attends the litter on a deflection line offset operation employing an Arizona Vortex SA frame at The Lost City in the Gunks duringthe 2013 MRW (Mountain Rescue Workshop). 

  • Senior RTR Instructor, Reed Thorne, waiting and watching in his customary tricorne

  • Here, the use of many AZTEKs comes into play during a steep angle raising and lowering through an almot vertical slot in the rock feature at Lost City. The tree is being used as an NHD (Natural High Directional) guyed by several anchors and AZTEKs. There is one dynamic directional in the tree holding both main lines in these two-tensioned rope operation during the 2014 TSRW (Team Skills Rescue Workshop)

  • Here, the use of many AZTEKs comes into play during a steep angle raising and lowering through an almot vertical slot in the rock feature at Lost City. The tree is being used as an NHD (Natural High Directional) guyed by several anchors and AZTEKs. There is one dynamic directional in the tree holding both main lines in these two-tensioned rope operation during the 2013 TSRW (Mountain Rescue Workshop)

  • "Liz" Elliot, student in the 2014 TSRW (Team Skills Rescue Workshop), prepares to descend into rock fissure for a pick off rescue at Lost City in the Gunks

  • A delta guyed gin pole atop a rock fissure at the Lost City

  • Lost City at the Gunks is favorite playground for technical rope work

  • A guying-intensive Arizona Vortex gin pole in 2014 TSRW at Lost City

  • Ropes That Rescue "Adopt-A-Highway" on Hwy 89A

    RTR has been 'sponsoring' (Adopt-A-Highway) a two mile section of Arizona scenic highway 89-A in Oak Creek Canyon since 1993. This beautiful scenic section is just above Midgley Bridge and includes a spectacular vista of the red rock Mitten Ridge and famous Teapot Rock (just behind the right sign post). 

  • This John William Waterhouse painting illustrates Alfred Tennyson's poem The Lady of Shalott. Draped over the boat is the fabric the lady wove in a tower near Camelot. But she brought a curse on herself by looking directly at Sir Lancelot. With her right hand she lets go of the chain mooring the boat. Her mouth is slightly open, as she sings 'her last song'. She stares at a crucifix lying in front of her. Beside it are three candles, often used to symbolize life. Two have blown out. This suggests her life will end soon, as she floats down the river.

    From Reed Thorne: The classic Brittish Pre-Raphaelite style John William Waterhouse painting of The Lady of Shalott from the Tenneyson Poem. The painting is my favorite classical piece found in the Tate Museum in London. I stood in awe of it when I visited the Tate in 1974.