About

!$.org has been operating with occassional move-related breaks since 1999. This new, statically-generated version of the website is probably the fifth or sixth major overhaul I have done in that period. I’m hoping this one sticks. Previous versions have been much more heavyweight or much more minimal and content-free. This version aims to give me a place to talk about my hobbies and adventures more than previous incarnations. Those were much more focused on work.

This site is operated by me, Chris Lumens. I was born in Texas in 1979 and have since lived in Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia, and California. I am currently based out of New Hampshire. I studied computer science at Georgia Tech and currently work for Red Hat in Westford, MA.

My primary non-work activities are:

• Hiking and backpacking, primarily in the White Mountains of NH. I am currently working on the New England Hundred Highest and the NH section of the AT. I am the trail maintainer for the bottom half of the Liberty Springs Trail (a very small portion of the AT). My notable hiking accomplishments include:

  • Completing both the all-season and winter NH 4k lists.

  • Completing the all-season New England 4k list.

  • Single-day traverses of the Wapack trail in both directions.

  • Single-day traverse of the Presidential Range.

  • Kintla to Waterton in Glacier NP.

  • Old Faithful to Bechler in Yellowstone NP.

• Climbing. Typically top-rope, sometimes sport, sometimes trad. On lead I like to do pretty easy stuff on slightly more obscure cliffs. I’m no expert and won’t ever be. My notable climbs include:

  • Owen Spaulding (5.4) on Grand Teton

  • Henderson Ridge (5.4) on Mt. Washington

  • West Chimney of the Eaglet (5.7)

• Biking. This is typically easy stuff like rail trails since the roads in New England are a death trap. I also mountain bike in conservation land around my house.

• Amateur radio. I am KG6CIH. I am currently working on five band DXCC and five band WAS. I’ve recently developed an interest in the satellites and have made a lot of progress towards VUCC there. My other interests are mainly DX, VHF/UHF contests (particularly roving), SOTA, and using radio to support outdoor activities. I have a passing interest in APRS. Notable radio accomplishments include:

  • DXCC.

  • WAS.

• Homebrewing. I do all grain usually and extract sometimes. I have a cooler at home with three kegs. My favorite styles to make are porters, pale ales, and saisons. I have been known to make a lambic from time to time.

• X-C skiing. Winter only, of course. This is a rare activity but it’s still fun. We get a lot of snow up here.

I hope you find this website interesting.