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Carichey
Aug 28, 2011, 8:28 AM
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I don't post much (hardly ever in fact), but I thought I'd share some of my recent experience. My name is Craig Richey. I'm a firefighter/paramedic from Kansas City, MO. I also serve with the Missouri Army National Guard, and have been deployed to Afghanistan for the past 3 months or so. My job here takes me all over eastern Afghanistan.
During my travels, I have witnessed what I believe to be some of the most amazing crag on the planet. All of which... is completely untouched. These that I'm about to show are just the very tip of an iceburg. The landscape out here puts 'The Red, HSC, and Shelf Road... hell the entire state of Colorado in the shade.
I haven't been able to take many photos because there are these guys here who like to shoot at us... but I'll share a few of what I have so far. I'm sharing these from my facebook, so I appologize if they don't show up.
Now I'm not the strongest climber (5.11-5.12), but I would LOVE to have my rack out here to start bolting some of these faces. If this country is ever safe enough for tourism, these eastern and northern provinces of Afghanistan are must-sees... just bring a rifle.
(This post was edited by Carichey on Aug 28, 2011, 8:30 AM)
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sungam
Aug 28, 2011, 9:58 AM
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Hey dude, sick photos! What's the rock quality like? Some of the shots make it look like it could be pretty chossy - is it solid?
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Carichey
Aug 28, 2011, 11:16 AM
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It depends on where you're at, but most of it's rather solid. They would need some development, for sure, but the rock is there.
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j_ung
Aug 28, 2011, 1:38 PM
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I just jizzed in my pants a little.
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singletrackmike
Aug 28, 2011, 3:53 PM
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Nice pictures. Whether you'd be top-roping or free soloing, probably wouldn't make much difference as far as safety is concerned with a few of the indigenous with AK's lurking around.
I look forward to your posts when you can get back home and on to friendlier rock. Thanks & be safe!
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dontjinxme
Aug 28, 2011, 5:40 PM
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Is that the Pech River? I was in Afghanistan from '09 to '10. A beautiful country indeed.
Jinx
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dindolino32
Aug 28, 2011, 7:50 PM
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Thanks for the pics! It does look awesome! I bet there is plenty of stellar routes! Btw 5.12 makes you a strong climber. Even without a rack can you find some short bouldering probs? Btw ignore the dick heads on this site. People always want to chime in and say dumb stuff without thinking! Thanks for putting ur life in danger for the sevice of our country!
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kiwiprincess
Aug 28, 2011, 8:55 PM
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Here is a woman's mountaineering trip to Afghanistan this year.
www.patdeavoll.co.nz
The blog hasn't been updated... but she just got back so soon!
EDIT: blog updated now!
(This post was edited by kiwiprincess on Aug 30, 2011, 2:56 AM)
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gblauer
Moderator
Aug 29, 2011, 12:25 AM
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Thanks for your service.
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Carichey
Aug 29, 2011, 10:38 AM
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Wow... interesting sidebar some of you have developed.
To answer some questions:
1) Yes I did in fact ask a few afghans about climbing in their country. A few of them thought I was crazy and said something along the lines of "Why? No Ali Baba up there" (Ali Baba = bad guys)... I don't think they understood what I was asking. One of our linguists, however, did know of a few mountaineering expeditions into Afghanistan, but nothing recent. He has no idea if there are any developed sport/free routes in the country though.
2) That's the Kabul river along A01 heading to Jalalabad. Lake Panjsher is it's headwater, and that lake is as beautiful as the rest of the river.
3) Disregard. Thank you moderators.
(This post was edited by Carichey on Aug 30, 2011, 1:50 AM)
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blondgecko
Moderator
Aug 29, 2011, 8:39 PM
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I've detached and moved a bunch of off-topic material to the Soapbox. Further posts in this thread relating to conspiracy theories etc. will be hidden, and the posters given time-outs without further warning.
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Carichey
Aug 30, 2011, 3:18 AM
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Thankyou sir.
I will do my best to collect more photos and info of the crags and bluffs here.
I can't wait to see it in the winter. I'm also a rather devout skier.
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petsfed
Aug 30, 2011, 4:14 AM
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I'll bet, based on how the Kashmir looks, that northeastern Afghanistan will be mind-blowing in winter.
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Carichey
Jan 21, 2012, 4:40 PM
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Suppose I'll add a few more.
Afghan Department of Transportation.
Still alive! Can't wait to get home and climb!
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singletrackmike
Jan 21, 2012, 5:30 PM
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Wow! What a stark landscape! Still, there's beauty peeking out in places. Looks a bit more like winter than the mid-Atlantic region has had this year. Thanks for being there. Thanks for the pics. Get home soon & safe!
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sungam
Jan 21, 2012, 6:59 PM
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Please keep posting.
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Urban_Cowboy
Jan 22, 2012, 3:51 AM
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sungam wrote: Please keep posting.
You've gotten some great pictures. I had my shoes with me when I was there and never put them on.
Stay safe.
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j_ung
Jan 23, 2012, 6:50 PM
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I love seeing this stuff. Definitely keep taking pics and posting!
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majid_sabet
Jan 27, 2012, 7:40 PM
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great photos
I am still thinking about climbing from Afghanistan in to china and I do not think anyone ever done it.
and watch out for those Afghans
they are naturally born fighters mixed with DNA of every fighter in the world since 5000 BC
(This post was edited by majid_sabet on Jan 27, 2012, 7:41 PM)
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markcarlson
Jan 27, 2012, 8:03 PM
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Carichey wrote: 1) Yes I did in fact ask a few afghans about climbing in their country. A few of them thought I was crazy and said something along the lines of "Why? No Ali Baba up there" (Ali Baba = bad guys)... I don't think they understood what I was asking. One of our linguists, however, did know of a few mountaineering expeditions into Afghanistan, but nothing recent. He has no idea if there are any developed sport/free routes in the country though.
I talked to an old-school mountaineer a few years ago who said that going to Afghanistan in the 1970s was his favorite trip he'd ever been on. I didn't think to ask him if he climbed anything, unfortunately.
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evosteve
Jan 28, 2012, 1:10 AM
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I found some nice spots in the northern mountains of Iraq on one of my 4 deployments, but yours take the cake that place looks sick. Maybe one day climbers can safely visit places like this. Stay safe bro.
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wankel7
Feb 5, 2012, 1:39 AM
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http://www.feedit-global.com/dirtbag-trips/osama-bin-leadin-climbing-in-the-stan/
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