Bachar Memorial Defaced?

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Hoots

climber

Mammoth Lakes, CA

Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 18, 2016 - 07:26pm PT

Not sure if this has already been brought up, but went up yesterday afternoon to the Dike Wall and noticed that the prayer wheel placed at the Bachar Memorial had been pulled apart and the wheel removed. The holder was still attached to the wall, though had been bent to take out the wheel itself. Didn't take pics so hope that makes sense.

Pretty lame if it was done on purpose.

apogee

climber

Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy

Jul 18, 2016 - 07:27pm PT

I doubt it. Most likely some doofus touron hiker who happened upon it.

rottingjohnny

Sport climber

Shetville , North of Los Angeles

Jul 18, 2016 - 07:52pm PT

Could have been the deep snows of winter pulling it apart...?

phylp

Trad climber

Upland, CA

Jul 18, 2016 - 08:15pm PT

Could have been the deep snows of winter pulling it apart...?

Freeze/thaw as the annuaI snow accumulation pulls away from the wall? I sincerely hope this is the answer. It would be awfully disturbing if it was a deliberate act of vandalism.

Hoots

climber

Mammoth Lakes, CA

Topic Author's Reply - Jul 18, 2016 - 08:27pm PT

That's what I might have thought, but it was pretty solid, and nothing found around the talus in the vicinity.

rottingjohnny

Sport climber

Shetville , North of Los Angeles

Jul 18, 2016 - 08:29pm PT

Time for a repair...

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Jul 18, 2016 - 08:31pm PT

I noticed that too, which only reaffirmed my stance on climbing memorials... Cool but not too appropriate because they get messed with : /

Wade Icey

Trad climber

www.alohashirtrescue.com

Jul 19, 2016 - 08:35am PT

As for where it ended up, who knows.

Appropriate.

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Jul 19, 2016 - 12:03pm PT

The memorial is gone but bachar is all over that place... camped and climbed in Clark, Benton, the lakes... the east side is such a magical place and you can't help but be inspired by those that found these gems and made their life up in those hills.

climber

Jul 19, 2016 - 12:17pm PT

Every year, since we put up the prayer wheel, we have had to repair it, due to snow and ice damage.
This season the wheel itself is gone and I am unsure whether to replace it. If I decide not to, we will remove the mount that is still attached to the wall.

I would appreciate some input from the community...do people want it there, not just as an offering to Bachar, but as gesture for the spirit...or, do people prefer it removed?

Given the inevitable maintenance that it does and will require in the future, I am of two minds about it.
Also, bringing flowers or tobacco or whatever might be a less invasive way of honoring the place.

Let me know and thank you :))

Paola

k-man

Gym climber

SCruz

Jul 19, 2016 - 12:51pm PT

I think that the location deserves a Bachar memorial. However nice, a wheel might not be the very best type of memorial. Especially if it needs yearly repair, and it's prone to having folks screw with it.

Might there be a more permanent, and less obtrusive, way to memorialize the area, and Bachar?

ron gomez

Trad climber

fallbrook,ca

Jul 19, 2016 - 12:54pm PT

His spirit will always be there and many other places we visit. Tenaya is one place I feel his presents. A material thing is always good to have just to stimulate the senses and bring memories up...a reminder of sorts.
What ever you decide.......Bachar and his spirit will always be in those place.
Will be up to walk PA
Peace

WBraun

climber

Jul 19, 2016 - 05:19pm PT

Might there be a more permanent, and less obtrusive, way to memorialize the area, and Bachar?

A brass plack of some sort bolted onto the rock?

covelocos

Trad climber

Jul 19, 2016 - 09:15pm PT

When I climbed there last summer I thought it odd that the wheel was attached to the rock. As I understand John, he advocated for minimal impact. Perhaps a Derek Hersey style bench to sit, puff and contemplate would be better suited. I'm sure John would approve!

rottingjohnny

Sport climber

Shetville , North of Los Angeles

Jul 19, 2016 - 11:22pm PT

Brass plaque on the rock seems appropriate....Gives one the chance to stop and think good thoughts about John...

Tom

Big Wall climber

San Luis Obispo CA

Jul 20, 2016 - 01:07am PT

Might there be a more permanent, and less obtrusive, way to memorialize the area, and Bachar?

A brass plaque might invite scrap metal thieves.

I am not an expert in machining hard rock, but what about a rubbery stencil and a grit-blasting process? A nice piece of talus, with a naturally good surface, could be engraved, somewhat like a cemetery headstone.

It could be subtle, and almost invisible to the casual passer-by. But, as a shrine-of-sorts, it would be permanent and evocative.

The lettering could be rubbed in with chalk dust by anyone who passed by and wanted to pay homage to John Bachar.

Tom

Big Wall climber

San Luis Obispo CA

Jul 20, 2016 - 04:45am PT

^^^^ It's too late. He is already a God among men***.

*** An extraordinary man has traditionally been held in awe by other men, as if he were a God.

Homer wrote that Achilles was a God.