Frank Abissi

Grand Rapids, MI

Birthday: July 20

Activity Feed
Profile

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

Comment Wall

You need to be a member of Way Corps Site to add comments!

Join Way Corps Site

Comments are closed.

Comments

Susie Behlen November 9, 2007 at 7:48am

Ahhh, now I remember---the alphabetical order seating. God forbid we sat elsewhere. I remember our first yr in residence with the 10th Corps I had to leave a vacant seat for Barry even though he was always in AV. Go figure!!!
Marilee LaMattina November 9, 2007 at 5:36am

Hi Frank,
I don't remember LEAD quite so fondly but I do remember you fondly! Chuck are I were in the city of Chicago from 1986 - 2001. The real estate prices got so high, we're now about 45 minutes north of Chicago in Lindenhurst IL. We'd love to see you some time. Our church meets in Lake Forest IL every Sunday at 10:30 if you're ever in the Chicago area over a weekend.
Susie Behlen November 8, 2007 at 2:45pm

Hi Frank & Lena,
Please remind me of some of the things we did together! Having been in the 10th and 11th I tend to mix the two together and the people. I need something to jog my memory! Thanks mucho!
George M. Hendrix November 8, 2007 at 6:21am

Frankie!!!!!!!!!!! Gosh!!!! dear brother and old friend...what a joy to hear from you. If you standing here now I would wrap my arms around you and give a great big bear-hug! Dude, you sound the like wonderfully supportive non-pretensive loving friendly good-humored brother I always appreciated being around...........and yep, that smile.......you still got it, praise God! It brings joy to my heart to know that all is well with you, sir. Please stay in touch, if you come to the Atlanta area...give me a call. If I head toward Grand Rapids, I'll do the same.
George
Cell: 678-230-4162
dan van allen November 7, 2007 at 6:52pm

Frank were did you guide out of. Did you have specific regions that you worked. Did you ever get in to the eastern sierras ? Have done many trips in to the back country of those mountains. You asked what california is like. i live in paradise bro. Santa barbara is one of the great places on earth, if you enjoy outdoor activities and the weather to do them year round.
dan van allen November 6, 2007 at 4:13am

Hey frank good to see your smiling face, can still hear your laugh. Vicky and i are no longer together, 10 years now. But still see her, gave her the info on the site hopefully she will get on. Does lena still run ? I do a hand full of races every year and a member of the local running club. My wife Jill is a marathoner. Great you are the climber. I still do some backpacking, went to switzerland last year to climb a couple of mountains. My two kids are 23 and 21 my daughter is soon to be married, how is that possible , yikes!
JIM MURRAY November 6, 2007 at 4:12am

Hi Frank,I didn't have much exposure to either you or Lena while in the Corps but have read most of your posts on another website. So good to see familiar names and finally faces to go along with them. Your life sounds very fulfilling and with your children a true blessing. Lets keep in touch.Becky
Patti Hornung Reilly November 5, 2007 at 8:23am

I would recognize that face anywhere!! It was awesome to see, and hey I did not have to wait for the return. I was with Michele and Jim Davis this summer and was wondering what ever happened to you. Great to see all is well and the same with me God is so great--biggest unerdstatement ever. Love you and hope that you remember me from the summer of 1978 in Norristown Patti Hornung (Bill's :little sister).
Janie (Webster) Sohmer October 25, 2007 at 3:23pm

Well, Frank, I completely understand the need to recover. Blessings and peace to you, Janie
Barbara Gluckin Tompary October 24, 2007 at 3:12pm

Hi Frank. Thanks for writing. Those b-day parties were a great time; so glad that you came to one of them. Glad that you are playing BlueGrass - it's fun music. I like Allison Kraus and Union Station and they play gospel also. Love to you and yours, Barbara