Dallas Kloke

Here are some comments about the first trip I was on with John. Actually, I can only remember two trips; there could have been a couple more. John organized a trip into the Tricouni-Primus Peak area in late May of 1972. The six of us, John, Scott Masonholder, Reed Tindall, Mike Theobald, Paul Griesman and myself hiked up Thunder Creek trail for 6 miles then took off up forest, some brush and rocky terrain to a campsite at about 5600 feet. It took us 8 hours to reach our camp. The next day we made the first ascent of the North Ridge of Tricouni Peak via easy snow slopes. It was also the 3rd ascent of the peak. We continued over to Primus Peak climbing it from the SE. I also remember John wanted Reed and I to go into the Southern Pickets with him. When we got to Newhalem it was raining pretty heavily. No way would Reed and I start hiking in there. I believe John and companions hiked in a ways but retreated.

The last time I went out with John was on December 6, 1997, on an attempt to climb Bessemer Mtn. I think we had a group of seven but had to turn back close to the summit because we had no pro for the technical difficulties. However, we did bag the South Peak. John is the ultimate peak bagger! Mr. PACK & PADDLE. There's no doubt that John has been the number one explorer of summits in the Cascades and surrounding areas over the past 40 years.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, John. Remember, age is only a number. "Old age" is not a time to coast, but climb.

Dallas Kloke

Copyright 2004, John W. Roper. All Rights Reserved.