Gary:
I will look at my calendar and see what we can work out. I may email you a couple of dates to see if you, John, and I can make it happen. In an afternoon or two you can probably learn to belay a leader, clean a pitch, take apart an anchor without turning it into a cluster, rap, and most importantly we will have some fun. We will get you "ready for Bob".
While I share your sentiment that "West is best" when it comes to mountains, views, etc, don't think that everything East of the big river is "wimpy"....certainly not our college football. Mt. Wasington in NH is home to what many describe as the "Worst weather in the world" and has killed more people than any other mountain in North America to include any mountain in AK and Canada. The day I summited Mt. Washington the wind chill on top was -46 or about average. There is little wonder the North Conway, NH area has produced some of the finest climbers in the world from old timers like Henry Barber to modern prodigies like Kevin Mahoney and plenty in between.
We even have some pretty wild stuff in the South...check out NC's Laurel Knob which is about 3 hours from your house:
http://www.osiny.org/images/content/pagebuilder/20311.jpgLocal NC ethics call for bolts to be placed only where no other options exist and they are typically very far apart often making for some very spicy climbing.
Anyway, it is all good...just so long as you get out to enjoy it!
Hope to see you guys soon.
Kent
