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

Dean Boonstra September 18, 2008 at 5:29am

O2 is for the weak, nitrous oxide makes me giggle, but I'm happy to bring the celebratory libations.

Have set up rappels off of any GR buildings? I don't know how long your ropes are, but I will never go off a skyscraper.
Dean Boonstra September 17, 2008 at 10:41am

I just found your comment on my page. I'm pleased that you like my neighborhood.

We live near Holland, by Lake Michigan. I've climbed every mountain in Grand Rapids except for Heritage Hill. If I can find a qualified guide, I'll climb that one too.
Charles H. Rix August 26, 2008 at 5:08pm

Hi Frank,

God bless you. I don't know what's happening with you but God does and I know He'll take good care of His kid. He promises!

You, Lena and the boys are in our perfect prayers, Rom 8:26-8

The gym looks great!

Agape',

Charles
Vicki Edwards Bennett August 26, 2008 at 2:10pm

Oh my goodness, it's you Frank! I have just been smiling all night remembering old friends. I will never get my homework done, but what fun! Wow, Grand Rapids, MI. Do you love it?
Blessings to you,
Vicki
Kris Weeks August 23, 2008 at 2:25am

Frank, Thanks for the B. Day greetings! So nice to still be having birthdays! Most of the people who I knew that were having cancer treatments the same time as myself a couple of years ago - most are gone...

Sounds like you found a way to do what you love - which makes life more about daily love, - kinda like daily bread I guess.

Tell your lovely wife, Lena I said "Hi", please.
Michelle Hershey Poccia August 22, 2008 at 3:19am

Frank, we do not know each other. Just wanted you to know that I am praying for you. I have a friend who had similar surgery and had nerve damage that caused twitching and tingling in his extremities. He, too, was concerned but one day the twitching was just gone! The amazing human body sometimes just needs time to get the job done!
I also read that you have the sweet land in Keene...cool. I live in the Saratoga Springs, NY area. The foothills of the Adirondacks.
Been here since 93...just love the area, the people, the weather. So close to NYC, Boston and Montreal...no hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes...we are really blessed in upstate NY (uh, with the exception of the highest taxes and insurance rates in the US!)
Everything has a price.
I am praying for you. God is good. He will take care of you.
Michael Schiano August 7, 2008 at 2:15am

frank, don't know if you saw my reply to your question about anderson library, so--yes, it's still there. it now houses emporia state university's archives.
Steve Webb August 5, 2008 at 4:14pm

Hi Frank! Gloria and I are rolling along just fine. Living in Idaho and living the dream. We have been in Idhao now for 20 years. Things are good. I am getting ready for a 100 mile white water trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, should be fun. Glad to hear from you and tell your wife hello from us both.
Susan Youngblood Kerr August 5, 2008 at 4:08pm

Nice to hear from you. We farm what most midwest farmers farm- wheat, soybeans and corn. Our wheat was five days from harvesting- it looked about 105 bushels per acre.
Vickie Fleming Ashby August 2, 2008 at 5:57am

Frank!

Rope recall.
New England Ropes.

\\www.neropes.com\Climbing.aspx

Love, Vickie