Recent Reads: Mountaineering Books

Daniel Leave a comment

My online store selling climbing guidebooks and mountaineering literature has really taken off. I just passed my 100th online order at Dirtbag Dan Books, accounting for over 500 books sold! This has been an engaging and exciting project. It has also been bringing all sorts of interesting climbing books to my door. I’ve been trying to read the ones which interest me quickly, in case they sell.

Mountaineering literature is a specific genre, but broader than you might think. Here’s what I’ve been into lately:

Continue reading →

Dirtbag Dan Books

Daniel Leave a comment

If you know me in real life, you’re probably aware that I’m always slinging climbing books – buying and selling guidebooks. Over the years, this has proven to be a pretty reliable small business for me. I was selling mostly via forums and social media – good venues to reach interested customers, but they require an active effort. Since I had some time on my hands after my climbing accident, I decided to build an online store for selling climbing books. That website is now complete! You can check it out at DirtbagDan.com.

(in climbing culture, being a ‘dirtbag’ is considered a positive thing)

Some rare books I have in stock currently:

If you’re a collector or a climber, I think you’ll enjoy it. New books will be added on a rolling basis, and all orders ship USPS media mail. Check it out and buy some books! Thanks.

Recent Reads: Broken Foot Edition

Daniel 1 Comment

A broken foot begets a lot of free time. My climbing accident gave me the most spare time I’ve had since Covid – at least the most spare time with no athletic activity to fill it. At first I read a couple climbing books – since I’ve been buying and selling this genre, I have a tremendous amount on hand. But most climbers aren’t great writers, and the genre does not excite when you can’t actively dream. I turned to fantasy.

The Witcher is a Polish fantasy series, although it really reach an international audience through the video game adaptations, especially The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which was a worldwide hit. Indeed, playing The Witcher 3 during Covid quarantine is what got me interested in the world.

Embarrassed after such cheap fare, I finished up my recent reads with a more nutritious Roberto Bolano novel, in Spanish.

A bit more on each of these, below.

Continue reading →

iWalk Crutch Review — you need it

Daniel Leave a comment

I recently took a large fall rock climbing and broke my foot in two places. Doctor’s orders: no weight for six weeks. I ended up trying four mobility devices, all of which had some utility, but my favorite by far was the iWalk 3.0, a.k.a. the “peg-leg.”

I was recommended and loaned this device by a friend of my sister who had rehabbed a similar injury, so I’m going to pass along the favor by writing a short and to-the-point review for other people who may have a broken foot, broken ankle, ACL injury, etc. Short version is: this thing lets you walk around at a fairly normal pace, and carry things while you do so. It is far more maneuverable than a knee scooter, and handles stairs with ease (although you may have to go down backwards!).

I think in 20 years, everyone will be using these.

Continue reading →

First They Came For the Illegals

Daniel 1 Comment
A stencil depicting an upside-down American flag

Today, as an American, I’d like to share with you this powerful poem written by German Pastor Martin Niemöller.

First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me

You can read a short but concise biography of Pastor Niemöller at the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.

P.S. – some good news: today I am allowed to start walking in my boot!