Brought to you by Mr. Cheer or Die and the Vikes Geek, welcome to the
Views and Personal Photos on the Vikes from the Inaugural Hall of Fame fan.
Brought to you by Mr. Cheer or Die and the Vikes Geek, welcome to theVikings Flying High: A Special Report by Guest Author Daren Bloomquist
What a game this past Sunday! Our defense is really coming together, and our offense was very productive in the red zone against the sixth best team in points allowed coming into the game.
The day before the game, I reached the summit of the highest point here in southern New Mexico. “The Needles” in the Organ Mountains are said to reach a height of 8,990 to 9,012 feet depending on the source. Let’s call it 9000 feet.
The rattlesnakes are all hibernating now so the hike was safe, but the wind was gusting to 40 mph which made the peak quite dangerous at the edges. Lean one way too far, lose your balance and you’re toast…just like the Packer’s season…albeit a little more permanent, if you know what I mean.
I told COD and you readers of the Viking Underground that I’d make this hike and raise the Viking flag to signify our Vikings’ rise to new heights. Ron, Lonnie and I made it to the top and raised the flag.
With Ron, a retired geologist and internet sports memorabilia dealer, and Lonnie, a Pittsburg fan first and Viking fan second, helping me hold the flag bowed by the wind, we got a good picture at the summit.
There are many more peaks in the Organ Mountains here in Las Cruces, New Mexico. For every Viking win from now until the end of the season, I’ll climb a new peak and raise the flag again.
Go Vikes!
100% Cheese FreeI heard from my close, personal friend Syd this week. No, not that close, personal friend Sid Hartman....but Syd Davy aka 100% Cheese Free. If you want to see a great photo history of Syd and his close, personal friend Randy Moss head over to the Viking Update and check out those photos!
Video Test One
We're still doing some testing with the new upgrade at UThink so here is a video sent to me by The Commish to test my embedded video player
Video Test Two
Here is a Web Cam (aka "Crap Cam") test as I talk about my latest game day outfit as well as explaining about those patches on my helmet.
Over at that Other Blog
I discuss a new issue with big butts and a review a great take on the culture of corruption and incompetence by my favorite radio host.
Posted by maasx003 at November 30, 2005 06:43 AMDaren: Great job on the climb. I meant to ask, how long did you take you? Was it a 'simple' climb or did you need a bunch of mountaineering gear? Did the three of you have to hire a bunch of Sherpa's and set up base-camps? ;0
I know in my previous job, I would have the opportunity to visit Scottsdale a bunch and would often climb Camelback mountain before breakfast and then head into work all pumped up and ready to begin the day. And that Summit elevation is a mere 2704 ft! You guys must be in shape to do 9000 ft! You won't see any Packer fans climbing mountains anytime soon. They can barely climb the steps of LAMEbeau field let alone a mountain. Another reason why Vikes fans rock.....literally!
Posted by: Brian Maas at November 30, 2005 02:10 PMIt's the most technical of New Mexico's highest peaks. That said, you still do not need climbing gear. If one is nervous about climbing up cracks and ledges there is one spot where you can use harnesses and ropes, but it can easily be climbed without them.
The parking lot is at about 5000 feet in elevation, so the actual climb is about 4000 feet. But near the end we are climbing up 45 degree slopes and steeper. It's pretty tough, but I'm not a hiking machine like some people out there.
The time before this hike it took me 12 hours. This time, via a new route, it took us only 8 hours. I rested a lot more on the last ascent. This was my fourth time at the top. I'm in better shape now at 43 than when I was 28. The first time I got home and didn't leave the couch. I couldn't move for two days it seemed.
Posted by: Daren Bloomquist at November 30, 2005 05:12 PMI've got a short hike planned for this Saturday that I will take my 12 year-old daughter on, and one planned on December 10 to the second highest peak (Organ Peak). I'll raise the flag on them all! This Saturday's peak should only take a few hours round trip to hike.
On your Camelback hike, did you have to cross some large swimming pools and evade guard dogs along the way ;)
Posted by: Daren Bloomquist at November 30, 2005 05:17 PMHaHa! It is amazing the number of residences at the foot of Camelback, however.
I was always amazed at the people who showed up and R-A-N Camelback. Plenty of areas wherein a wrongly placed foot would result in said person being removed via helicopter. I would jog the bottom portion but when it got steep I wanted to be sure of my footing.
Posted by: Brian Maas at November 30, 2005 06:10 PM