Frank Abissi

Grand Rapids, MI

Birthday: July 20

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Frank Abissi commented on John and Janet Ruiz's blog post Woodstock, Aug. 15-18th, 1969...Were you there?

"Oops. I already posted in this thread, sorry?"

Frank Abissi commented on John and Janet Ruiz's blog post Woodstock, Aug. 15-18th, 1969...Were you there?

"I was there, 12 years old. I told my parents I was going camping with some friends in Kent Connecticut and instead we went to Woodstock. I drank my first quart of beer there, tossed my cookies for what seemed like an eternity. Saw my first naked…"

Frank Abissi commented on John Richeson's blog post The Sky is Falling! Or "Mal-Pak" Remnants for Sale?

"Very well said Ric Cox."

Frank Abissi commented on John Richeson's blog post The Sky is Falling! Or "Mal-Pak" Remnants for Sale?

"I remember it seemed like every week we got a new and improved MAL oak list. I had everything on the list once and was so proud of myself then we got another list that had some weird stuff on it that I had never heard of. I remember also the grief…"

Frank Abissi commented on W. Scott Higdon's blog post To All

"Lena and I are sad to hear this, I am really glad we have the return to look forward to when we will all be back together. I would run into him from time to time here in GR and it was always like a breath of fresh air to see him. Would you keep me…"

Frank Abissi left a comment for david r. bedard

"Hi Dave:
God's great love and blessings to you. Lena and I live under the bridge in Grand Rapids. We have been here since 1985 and will probably be here for quite a few more. God is doing great things for us here If you ever come out to visit the…"

Frank Abissi replied to John Richeson's discussion In Memory of Kas Mancini Anderson

"I cried the day I heard she fell asleep. I am so thankful for the return of Christ, I just wish I didn't have to wait so darn long for it to occur. Kas and I were WOWs together in 1981/82. We changed the world by shouting out God's Word. She was one…"

Frank Abissi left a comment for Jeff Stanley

"Hey Jeff, I just looked at your pictures were we all that young once? WOW!!! I can't wait till we are all tougher again when the Lord returns
Lena and I send our love to you."

Frank Abissi left a comment for Anne C. Richards

"Hi Anne,
God bless you, It's been too many years. I've been to Maine a couple times in the past years (Katahdin). Next time I'm up there I'll call you. Hey, My Niece, Katie Gassman, is a med school student in Maine. I'm not sure exactly where, maybe…"

Frank Abissi left a comment for David Bailey

"God bless you my Brother. Have a wonderful day on your Birthday. Remember the chats we had back in Emporia so many years ago? I do and they were some great times."

Frank Abissi replied to Ric Cox's discussion What to bring

"You have to realize that I work in a "recreational" setting as a mountain guide. My clients as far as I am concerned are my only priority. If i wasn't a hard ass every peak I've gone to would see me forfeiting my ascents with my clients to help…"

Frank Abissi replied to Ric Cox's discussion What to bring

"I've been in the mountains have seen people unprepared so many times it's frightening. A few years back I was climbing a 20,000 foot peak and at base camp one morning There was an idiot on the rope team ahead of us that was wearing jeans and a…"

Frank Abissi replied to Ric Cox's discussion What to bring

"I still have my MAL pack. I would never use what I have in it or the pack itself for that matter but It's still packed in the attic and ready to go. I think that I could put it into a museum."

Frank Abissi left a comment for Mike and Lisa Tracy

"Hi Mike and Lisa,
Hey I would love to get your song of the week. My Email is Frank@higround.com if you need it.
Glad to hear your still in Iowa."

Frank Abissi left a comment for Nancy Louise Kegley Moran

"Happy Birthday to you Nancy. You are the apple of God's eye!"

Frank Abissi left a comment for marshall cheek

"Hi Marshall, God's blessings to you. It's great to hear your still out there. Love to you from Lena and Me"

More…

Location

Grand Rapids, MI

Birthday:

July 20

Way Corp group(s) I was in

11th

Where I live

Grand Rapids, MI

Married or Single

Married

About Me

Lena Nardone and I were married right after Graduation in the Corps Weddings.Lena and I are blessed with two wonderfilled boys (Andrew 30 and Paul 27), Dog - Pearl and are still hanging out in Grand Rapids. I work a whole lot but really love what I do and Lena comes with me quite often on my trips. I just can't get enough of the deep things of Gods Word. Life is Good. I was ordained to the ministry of God's people on January 10th 2010. My latest project is consulting new climbing wall setups, Helping to write a book for climbing wall instructors and I am also working as an expert witness on court cases involving climbing. I am having a blast. December 12th, 2009 I completed the world record for the most number of feet climbed on artificial climbing walls in a 12 month period, 251,040 feet or 47.348 miles of vertical. The previous record was 110,000 feet in one year. In June of 2014 I graduated from North Western with a M.Th in Biblical studies and Roman culture. I then completed my Th.D in Biblical Philology in December of 2014.The following year I began a very intense program and received my Ph.D in Biblical Philology with a minor in Biblical Studies. I graduated for what i am hoping to be the last time in December of 2015.

My Interests

Still reading the Bible (It's my favorite book). I retook up Banjo playing. In my spare time I'll watch a movie or mess around in the garden with my black thumb. Lena and I bought some land on Owls Head Mountain in the Adirondacks (Keene NY) We hope to put a cabin on it sometime soon and later retire there. In July I attempted to climb the Eiger in Switzerland. We reached a height of 1300 feet above the Eiger windows (about 12,000 feet) I am going back in the Summer of 2016 I am returning to give it another try. If you look on line you will see the Eiger is the most dangerous mountain in the world to climb.

Employment or Career

Mountain Guide, Rock Climbing Gym Owner, Professional Rock Climber, I also am the owner of a company called Emergency Care Training Services LLC. which teaches CPR and First Aid to groups. I am trained as a high rope access technician and do such things as fix clocks on sky scrapers, Light bulbs on cranes. and removing parts of buildings that can only be reached from the outside of the building. The name of my main business though is Higher Ground Rock Climbing Centre Ltd.

Music I Like

James Brown is some of my favorite. I also like classic rock, bluegrass (But I hate country music). My son Paul is an extremely fine concert violinist so I have gotten to enjoy classical. Right now Bob Dylan is playing on my iphone. Lena and I got to JAM with Rusted Root the beginning of August 08. It was really great, lots of fun and the absolute height of my musical career. I have been taking Guitar lessons for the past 5 years, playing mostly Bluegrass.

Books I Like

Just too many too recount here.

Television I like

The BIG knob has always gotten my attention. I especially like to watch anything with a lot of action, like Criminal Minds or Bear Grylls (I am sure he and survivor man make this stuff up as they go). So if anyone wants to stop by sometime I am home (which isn't too often) We can both grab a root beer and watch something with our feet up. Don't forget to bring the chips and dip.

Movies I like

On my days off, which are very rare I like to go to the movie store and find a couple new releases, Eat Potato Chips and Onion Dip and generally make myself into a real slob. My favorite movie of all time is Ishtar with Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman. It got the worst ratings I think of all time but it's stupid enough to make sense.

Sports Teams I like

I used to work in Professional Baseball as a Human Resource Director. I saw 170 games of baseball one summer. I don't watch or go near baseball at all any more. DETROIT PISTONS My favorite team though is the "Higher Ground Youth Climbing Team".

Website 1

https://www.higround.com

Website 2

https://www.RockandIceClimber.com

My Email Address:

Frank@higround.com

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Comments

John Lynn February 12, 2008 at 12:27pm

Don't worry. I will remember I'm in Pistons' country--and I will be armed. Speaking of which, I spoke this week with Larry (Rambo) Ramberg, who tried to cuff me over the phone.
Love!
Holly Kennedy February 11, 2008 at 9:43am

Frank , Just saw the comment you made on my blog. A little slow on my part. Thanks for the kind words.
LewEllyn Hallett February 11, 2008 at 9:04am

Thanks so much for the response and good info. My daughter is 15 and she has worked hard to make big strides. she's only been climbing two years. Her first year with the climbing team she came in near to last in every comp. One year later (2007) and she was 1st in her age group in the Northern New England Region and 6th at the District Championships. She just loves it--and she'd love to climb with you. One reason for her big gains is that she goes with her coach every chance she gets. They climb outdoors a lot at Rumney near Plymouth NH, which you may know of because it draws climbers from all over. I've got to take it up one of these days--I think I'd love it. Good to be in touch. Hope our paths cross sometime.
LewEllyn Hallett February 10, 2008 at 5:31pm

I just noticed your rock climbing connections and thought I'd send a note. My daughter (15) is a competitive rock climber and went to nationals last summer in Ann Arbor--were you there? I loved rock climbing onLEAD and was good at it, but with all the time I spend in climbing gyms, I'm mostly on the floor looking up. I keep telling myself to get on the wall, why not? That's how I learned to downhill ski. I kept taking my kids to the slopes, and finally decided I might as well learn and have some of the fun myself. My daughter goes to White Mountain School here in New Hampshire, which has a unique outdoor-environmentally oriented curriculum where rock climbing is a sport two seasons of the school year. Cool, huh?
Vickie Fleming Ashby February 9, 2008 at 10:33am

Frank:

Thanks, very much. Where did you go ice climbing? I appreciate your understanding of my current state of mind. Love, Vickie
Vickie Fleming Ashby February 9, 2008 at 6:28am

Hi, again, Frank! You asked in a previous message if you'd know my husband - no, he's not a recognized climber; he's just a Chemistry professor who loves to climb. He's been up most of the night, in Melbourned, Australia, preparing the gear with his best friend and climbing buddy, Charlie. They leave tomorrow for Tasmania, to hike up to Federation Peak. I've got the prayer flags out in the back yard, and would genuinely appreciate some prayers on his behalf from you, because you get the importance of the whole climbing thing in someone's life. This will probably be his favorite two weeks of the entire year. But since he's the love of my life, and since they still haven't decided whether "ropes or no ropes" is best on "that part" of the climb, prayers are in order. Thanks, man. Love, Vickie
susan cahoon February 9, 2008 at 3:16am

wow frank...what a wonderful surprise to hear from you. I thought of the miracle of your healing the year we lived together. And of the fun we had in PA...lots of love and laughter. Be well....lets keep in touch....Sue
Bernie Smith February 7, 2008 at 9:00am

Thanks for the heads up, Frank! We're definitely always keeping our eyes open.
Roz Cohen February 6, 2008 at 3:31pm

Dear Frank. Thanks for the kind words. Hawaii definitely resonates with me. I think you would love the hiking and climbing. I am delighted for you, Lena, andyourboys--almost same age as my kids.
Aloha,
ROz
Bernie Smith January 21, 2008 at 7:33am

Hi Frank:

God bless! I heard some rock climbing gear clanking just this morning. The kids are into it and Donnie and I look forward to a time where we can have a "camp/resort" and host people once again. We do it on a mini scale now.

I see that you own a rock gym; I don't think I ever knew you well enough to realize this was such a passion of yours.

Thanks for your note.

Bernie