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fairweather
Mountain climber
Roseville, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 10, 2009 - 01:15pm PT
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I understand someone pitched over Upper Yosemite Falls yesterday. Does anyone have details?
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altieboo
Boulder climber
Livermore, Ca
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Mar 10, 2009 - 05:45pm PT
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What?! I left the valley yesterday at about 1PM. As of then I hadnt seen any emergency activity.
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Hardman Knott
Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
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Mar 10, 2009 - 05:52pm PT
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If yer gonna jump, why knottt go for full value and go off the Diving Board on Half Dome?
As an added benifit, you'll be an easy carry-out for the YOSAR guys...
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Gene
climber
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Mar 10, 2009 - 05:59pm PT
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HK,
That's been done before, maybe 15-18 years ago. Guy from Germany took the big swan dive off HD. Pretty messy from what I heard. We met him on the trail up and then again when we were coming down.
gm
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CF
climber
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Mar 10, 2009 - 06:06pm PT
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we were playing hockey last night and a sar was called and a helicopter came in and was flying up and down from yosemite falls. i heard it was a suicide fatality
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WBraun
climber
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Mar 10, 2009 - 07:36pm PT
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Nobody jumped, but the guy did go over the top of Yosemite Falls.
I'm not really at liberty to give the full story. Maybe official NPS or news wire will release the full story later?
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Crimpergirl
Social climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Mar 10, 2009 - 07:49pm PT
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Sad to hear that. Out there, there are people hurting because of this. My condolences to them.
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east side underground
Trad climber
Hilton crk,ca
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Mar 10, 2009 - 07:53pm PT
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the sweetest hockey venue in the world! someone screwing around on the other side of the rail at the top of the falls?
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Anastasia
climber
Not here
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Mar 10, 2009 - 07:59pm PT
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Lost a very good friend that I grew up with in a similar situation and I will ALWAYS miss her. I feel deeply for everyone involved. I wish there was more interpersonal connections in our society to help people through such desperation. None of us should feel alone and there is no problem out there that needs such a permanent solution.
AF
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mooser
Trad climber
seattle
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Mar 10, 2009 - 08:01pm PT
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Really...klaus?
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cleo
Social climber
Berkeley, CA
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Mar 10, 2009 - 08:15pm PT
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some might say it is natural selection that kills climbers too.
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
climber
O a k t o w n
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Mar 10, 2009 - 08:16pm PT
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If yer gonna jump, why knottt go for full value and go off the Diving Board on Half Dome? . . . in a wingsuit (sans chute) .
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Anastasia
climber
Not here
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Mar 10, 2009 - 08:21pm PT
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Whatever the reason, I feel for their friends and family. Never forget that this person was loved, cared for, valued by someone. Imagine if this turns out to be your child, friend, spouse, etc. Just because their number just happen to go (pure accident, dare devil antics, suicide, etc.) doesn't mean it's less of a tragedy.
AF
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WBraun
climber
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Mar 10, 2009 - 08:39pm PT
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I didn't say it was NOT suicide, I said he did not jump.
This incident had many strange twists to it.
I hope they release all the information on it. I'm not allowed to do that.
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Hawkeye
climber
State of Mine
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Mar 10, 2009 - 08:40pm PT
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yes klaus, another form of natural selection is one guy who is distraught over your knucklehead comments sticks a hammer through your face...jus sayin....
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divad
Trad climber
wmass
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Mar 10, 2009 - 08:41pm PT
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Always good to have someone here like Ana to put things like this in proper perspective.
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Hardman Knott
Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
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Mar 10, 2009 - 08:46pm PT
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ß Î Ø T Ç H - that reminds me of a story I heard a while back where a guy
in a wingsuit came in for a "landing" on the runway - needless to say, he did
knott deploy his chute. I say, if yer gonna check out, why knott go out in style?
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fairweather
Mountain climber
Roseville, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 10, 2009 - 08:48pm PT
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My sources tell me that the guy was a certified nut case. He was on the phone with his head doc prior to jumping into the creek(just above the falls). The doc was the one who notified the authorities. The guy also indicated he had a gun.
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atchafalaya
climber
Babylon
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Mar 10, 2009 - 08:53pm PT
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Pretty wild that I am stuck in my office wishing I was in the valley, and someone else is in the valley wishing they were dead? WTF???
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altieboo
Boulder climber
Livermore, Ca
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Mar 10, 2009 - 09:35pm PT
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This is all very sad. And a little spooky too.
I was walking around on the upper yosemite falls trail yesterday morning around 7am. A single gentleman with a small pack passed me on his way up the trail. I sincerely hope that it was not that guy. My condolences go out to his family and friends and may he rest in peace in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
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fairweather
Mountain climber
Roseville, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 10, 2009 - 09:53pm PT
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I bet that was him. The fiasco started around 1:15, and it takes awhile to get to the top. There couldn't have been too many people hiking up there yesterday.
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JOEY.F
Social climber
sebastopol
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Mar 10, 2009 - 11:20pm PT
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A co worker decided to bite it off the GG bridge,
15 yrs or so ago.
We had camped in Death Valley a few months earlier.
He found he was HIV+.
I'm used to "gallows humor", having worked in hospitals for
over 10 yrs, but some of the comments here seem a little crazy.
Just say'n.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Mar 10, 2009 - 11:28pm PT
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really sucks because suicide is really lame. My condolences to the family.
I want to say more but I'll spare any family my feelings on this. Very sad. I hope he rest in peace now. I'll pray for him.
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johnboy
Trad climber
Can't get here from there
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Mar 10, 2009 - 11:30pm PT
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^^^JOEY^^^
Some people can't deal with it in a what we might call a normal way, humor is the only way they know. Which way is more normal depends on who you ask, some are jaded, some aren't fully cooked yet.
I sure hope all that knew him come to terms with this in a peaceful way.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Mar 10, 2009 - 11:47pm PT
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Sad, and so sorry. The brain is such an intricate mechanism, and life can be so very challenging. Each individual copes and handles all these things in their own way. Sometimes not a good way.
We are Blessed. The ST is one of the best support units ever. Wish other folk had a place like this to process their joys and woes. Climbing is of course THE priority here, but the camaraderie of this place is above exceptional in not only slammin' but Caring. :D
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t^r
Social climber
dancing with puppies
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Mar 10, 2009 - 11:57pm PT
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Klaus,
You are a horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE person
Despicable, too
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John Moosie
climber
Beautiful California
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Mar 11, 2009 - 12:06am PT
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Ease up TR. He apologized.
I'm sorry that you had a tough day and am glad that you were not directly involved.
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Delhi Dog
Trad climber
Good Question...
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Mar 11, 2009 - 12:09am PT
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"that's not me take a look at the "^" symbol... mine is an asterisk."
Ha Ha...
its the little things that are overlooked that will get ya.
Too funny!
Cheers,
DD
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John Moosie
climber
Beautiful California
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Mar 11, 2009 - 12:09am PT
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Oops. Sorry TR. I didn't notice. What a twit this TR imitator is.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Mar 11, 2009 - 12:13am PT
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So who is t#r ?
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JOEY.F
Social climber
sebastopol
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Mar 11, 2009 - 12:14am PT
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Johnboy, so True.
Well, whatever gets us thru the day, wierd humor or otherwise,
It's a mind bender, I am sad for his family and friends.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Mar 11, 2009 - 12:28am PT
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Know the family and friends are most likely in pain. But, I am also sad for him. The depths of depression are taskmasters that are hard if not impossible to live and work with.
Yo people, if you bump into an ugly, or sad, or angry-mean, or just a person that feels dead to you....reach out in whatever way yo can. Give them a hug, a grin, a buck, a wish for luck....but give their poor hurting soul something. :} Lynnie
Yo, life is about the living .... not about acquiring the things. Yeah, you can ask me if you like. Serious. Lynnie
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Jaybro
Social climber
wuz real!
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Mar 11, 2009 - 12:33am PT
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"Yo, life is about the living .... not about acquiring the things. I know. Yo can ask me if you like. :D" -kinda says it all.
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Wonder
climber
WA
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Mar 11, 2009 - 12:36am PT
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This is not funny ! It's happening all over amerika as we type. Why would you not try to help?
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Mar 11, 2009 - 12:41am PT
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Wonder, we know it is not funny. The Time of this world is getting hard for most. Wonder, we do try to be there for them. I spend my day working and looking into peoples eyes to see if they are ok. Peace, Dude. lrl
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Anastasia
climber
Not here
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Mar 11, 2009 - 01:11am PT
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I understand gallows humor... I am famous for both sarcasm and dark/satirical humor when stressed. I also know that being a loud extravert can be another way of hiding. That is why I won't judge anyone for their dark humor... Just please try to not post it in such a public place. Try to keep humor about death where it can't be read by a relative/friend going through the trauma of the event. That's just my two cents earned the hard way.
AF
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Dr.Sprock
Boulder climber
Sprocketville
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Mar 11, 2009 - 02:44am PT
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i don't know, man, somebody brought a skull into the bar one night, some kid climber, i mean, how hard core is that?
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scuffy b
climber
just below the San Andreas
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Mar 11, 2009 - 02:10pm PT
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This will be really, really hard for his loved ones.
He had a more important place in people's lives than he
realized.
He had more reason for hope than he realized.
How very sad that he thought it necessary to end his life.
My best wishes go to him and his loved ones.
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Ihateplastic
Trad climber
Lake Oswego, Oregon
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Mar 11, 2009 - 04:51pm PT
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I didn't see this posted on the thread yet, but here is what it says on the YOSAR site:
RECENT RESCUES
3-9 to 3-10-09 - Search for Hiker, Yosemite Creek/Yosemite Falls
Ground and air search teams are scouring the icy slopes of Yosemite Creek above and below Yosemite Falls for the body of a man who slid into Yosemite Creek upstream of Upper Yosemite Falls on 3-9. An investigation is ongoing.
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cleo
Social climber
Berkeley, CA
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Mar 11, 2009 - 05:05pm PT
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Werner, how do you safely recover a body at the bottom of the falls? I would assume under the falls is a bombing zone: ice, rocks, trees, etc coming down all the time, at high speed.
Thank you for doing so... I'm glad you are safe.
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cleo
Social climber
Berkeley, CA
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Mar 11, 2009 - 05:28pm PT
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Ya mean like here, RJ?
edited for a better shot than can be posted
Yes, I know there are multiple falls. I suppose if the body washed downstream then the recovery would be a Swiftwater Rescue Problem. I'm assuming he landed on the Snow Cone, e.g. a Bombing zone. Like here, but with more water less snow:
I'm simply curious as to the level of risk these YOSAR guys will assume for a body recovery, or if they wait until it becomes more safe (e.g. gets washed downstream)
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up2top
Big Wall climber
Phoenix, AZ
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Mar 11, 2009 - 05:44pm PT
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Who's the fat chick on the right?
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WBraun
climber
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Mar 11, 2009 - 06:26pm PT
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How do you safely recover a body at the bottom of the falls?
cleo --- we wait till July/August when the water recedes.
Generally between now and then sar will be monitoring the area to see if the body surfaces. Once the water level goes down to a more reasonable level a more intensive search will be conducted with underwater swimmers.
As of now it's too dangerous for that.Ultimately IC (incident command) makes the call of when it's safe for their personnel to activate an attempt at search and or retrieval.
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'Pass the Pitons' Pete
Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
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Mar 11, 2009 - 08:30pm PT
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At least one person - a little boy wearing a life jacket - went over Niagara Falls [without a barrel] and survived. I read about it in Reader's Digest, so it must be true...
"My sources tell me that the guy was a certified nut case. He was on the phone with his head doc prior to jumping into the creek(just above the falls). The doc was the one who notified the authorities. The guy also indicated he had a gun."
So is this what happened then?
Condolences to the family - what a shame.
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Dr.Sprock
Boulder climber
Sprocketville
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Mar 11, 2009 - 09:59pm PT
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Cue the Twilight Zone theme,,,
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reddirt
climber
Elevation 285 ft
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Mar 11, 2009 - 10:43pm PT
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http://www.connpost.com/ci_11889523
Man recently convicted, commits suicide
By Michael P. Mayko
Staff writer
Updated: 03/11/2009 08:24:22 PM EDT
A 37-year-old Waterbury man despondent over his Feb. 18 federal court conviction in Bridgeport committed suicide in Yosemite National Park in California Monday night after falling into the tributary of the park's highest waterfall following five hours of attempted negotiations by park rangers.
As of late Wednesday, park rangers had not found the body of David Zerbe, who recently received additional time from U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill to file motions to overturn his conviction on making a false representation on a U.S. Department of Labor job application and twice misrepresenting himself as a DOL investigator following his termination.
The charges carry a possible maximum 11-year prison term, but more than likely Zerbe would not have received anywhere near that term.
"I don't believe the government was going to seek his incarceration," said Robert Golger, a Fairfield lawyer who until recently represented Zerbe, who was free on $150,000 bond.
Zerbe's siblings said Wednesday their brother was "very despondent" over the felony conviction which ended any chance he had of obtaining a teaching degree. Several of his family members are on their way to Yosemite.
Prior to the suicide, Zerbe called several individuals involved in his prosecution, sources said.
Tom Carson, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office would not confirm whether his office was called.
"We're still awaiting the receipt of additional information,"
he said.
Investigators believe Zerbe flew into Los Angeles International Airport, rented a car, drove six hours to Yosemite and then hiked up a snow- and ice-covered three-and-a-half-mile trail to Yosemite Fall -- which at 2,425 feet is the highest waterfall in North America.
The rental car along with a note were found in the park.
At about 1 p.m., Zerbe called the park rangers' office, Freeman said. She said he told them he had taken anti-anxiety and antidepressant medication, had a gun and described his location.
Freeman said a team of rangers skilled in negotiating surrenders made the uphill trek which took a couple of hours before they reached him. A California State Police helicopter hovered above them and a
Tuolumne County Police SWAT team rappelled down granite slabs to the vicinity of where Zerbe sat on a rock near the water.
"He was not close enough for us to grab him," Freeman said.
For five hours, they attempted to talk Zerbe out of his apparent suicide. They matched his identity through photographs.
At 7:14 p.m., a park ranger saw him begin to remove clothing, a common occurrence among people suffering from hypothermia, and drop into the water.
"The water temperature was unsurvivable," Freeman said. "It's as close to snow melt temperature as possible."
Freeman said the area where Zerbe "climbed into the water" is filled with small glaciers, submerged boulders and log jams and quickly leads to the first 700-foot drop.
Park rangers searched from the air and ground Tuesday. As of late Wednesday, Zerbe's body had not been recovered.
The jury found Zerbe guilty of falsely claiming he had University of Connecticut law school credits on a U.S. Department of Labor
application.
They also convicted him of misrepresenting himself as a DOL investigator, a job he held for about a month, in a letter to the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities involving a complaint he filed while working at the United Parcel Service in Stratford and later while working at Bassett Furniture on assignment from Monroe Staffing, a temporary employment agency.
Golger, appointed by the court to represent Zerbe in the trial, described him as "an extremely intelligent man who could have done many things with his life. He held a master's degree and spoke several languages."
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Mar 11, 2009 - 10:52pm PT
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LoveGasoline, Thanks for the laugh I had when I read your response. :DD Guess if yo having a good day in New York City you just smile AMAP. If a bad day, gezzzz....
I don't think we were meant to live crammed together in big cities. I don't think accumulation of stuff is healthy either. IMHO lrl
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Jingy
Social climber
Flatland, Ca
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Mar 11, 2009 - 11:05pm PT
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hey.. not suicide... not even natural selection (huh..like that really exists...hahaha)...... it can all be explained completely if we pray, I'm sure...
Gawd took (his)(her) little angel back to heaven.... Werner, you of all people should know this..... after all there are no such things as "accidents"... everything happens for a reason and out little human minds may never know the meaning behind the reasons, but they are there... just as sure as the sun is the center of our solar system...
Claus... Funny as hell, keep it up!!! LOL
Werner - You could tell all, but choose not to... just say so, it's cool.. we understand....
(hey.. all that stuff I said about the angel and gawd and heaven... I didn't really mean it.. after all there is no gawd)
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'Pass the Pitons' Pete
Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
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Mar 11, 2009 - 11:11pm PT
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That's so very sad. He must have been so very depressed and scared and hurt to have considered no other way out. Condolences to the Zerbe family.
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JOEY.F
Social climber
sebastopol
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Mar 11, 2009 - 11:15pm PT
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Brilliance run amok in his head,
cope mechinism not functioning.
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Carma
Boulder climber
fresno,ca
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Mar 12, 2009 - 12:34am PT
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KLAUS YOU ARE A F*#KING PIECE OF SH#TTTTTTTTTTTTTT.
Oh sorry! I mean a sorry F*#KING PIECE OF SH#TTTTTTTTTTTTTT
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rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
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Mar 12, 2009 - 12:41am PT
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Jingy,
Werner isn't kidding. He's not choosing to not tell all, he's choosing to not get his ass in a sling.
There's a difference.
He's an insider, you don't talk about open investigations.
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hungry man
Trad climber
around
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Mar 12, 2009 - 02:32am PT
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damn Carma, that's a lot of Ts
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Hardman Knott
Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
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Mar 12, 2009 - 04:10am PT
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-knott to mention a heck of a first post...
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Michael D
Big Wall climber
Napoli, Italy
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Mar 12, 2009 - 11:30am PT
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Bluering: "really sucks because suicide is really lame. My condolences to the family."
I agree with the condolences to his family and friends. Suicide isn't always lame..I know a guy who committed suicide and saved 3 buddies. Despair seems to be a common denominator. Alleviate that emotion and your half-way home.
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east side underground
Trad climber
Hilton crk,ca
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Mar 12, 2009 - 11:55am PT
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at least the guy only took himself out , not killing others like the kooks from alambama and germany, suicide should be legal so if you really feel you need to check out, you could do so in a manner that gives family and friends some sort of closeure and understanding and you a bit of dignity
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jstan
climber
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Mar 12, 2009 - 12:10pm PT
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If I may speculate for a moment:
Nowadays the first thing a kid of two or three sees are rooms full of 60 to 100 screaming kids at daycare with no adults or structure around. By the time they are coming up on 30 years of age and seriously question their existence, as we all must at one time or another, they have never had the chance to sit entirely alone and to contemplate the trees, the clouds, or the mountains. When they decide it is easier to check out than it is to create value using their own free will, the only thing that comes to mind is to take out as many people as possible when they go.
The illness is not confined to them alone.
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scuffy b
climber
just below the San Andreas
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Mar 12, 2009 - 01:12pm PT
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A harrowing end to this man's life.
Knowing in his heart that he would kill himself, that he was
unworthy of his family's love (false, of course), yet formulating a plan to travel
all the way to Yosemite from Connecticut...
One of his dominant thoughts all this time is "What's the Use?"
but he has to keep maintaining this horrendous process.
Can't break down at any step (airline counters, boarding plane,
renting car, etc.) or maybe somebody will realize he needs
help!!
Unbearable anguish, imposed over days, weeks, months.
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graniteclimber
Trad climber
Nowhere
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Mar 16, 2009 - 06:09pm PT
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http://home.nps.gov/applications/morningreport/
The Morning Report
Monday, March 16, 2009
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Man Commits Suicide By Going Over Yosemite Falls
On the afternoon of Monday, March 9th, rangers received a call from a man threatening to commit suicide from the top of Yosemite Falls, which falls 2500 feet to the valley floor below. A ground team was immediately dispatched up the steep trail to try to negotiate with the man, who claimed to be armed. Winter conditions, snow, ice, and steep terrain added to the complexity of the operation. A California Highway Patrol helicopter and Tuolumne County SWAT team members were also dispatched to assist with the incident. Rangers found David Zerbe on a rock outcropping in the narrow, snowy gorge on the edge of Upper Yosemite Fall. Zerbe said that he had taken a large dose of medications, possibly including anti-anxiety and seizure drugs. According to the rangers, Zerbe appeared to be impaired when they reached him. Negotiations continued until just after 7:30 p.m., when Zerbe entered the frigid water and was carried over the edge. Recovery efforts have been unsuccessful but are continuing as conditions permit. Ranger Jeff Webb is the incident commander. [Submitted by Adrienne Freeman, Outreach and Education, Protection Division]
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JuanDeFuca
Big Wall climber
Stoney Point
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Mar 16, 2009 - 07:27pm PT
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We should all pray and try to help the people in this world that find the pain of life to much to handle.
juan
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Mar 16, 2009 - 11:16pm PT
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Walk a bit slower during your day and look into the eyes of those you meet. Eyes are indeed the windows to the soul.
Sometimes a kind smile or a touch on the shoulder has saved my day and the pain it carried. Peace, lynne
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Mar 17, 2009 - 12:03am PT
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I was fearing all day this is one of the twin sons of the late attorney Carl Zerbe from Carmel Valley. His other son Lindley climbed Everest in 05 and is a decent climber ..... Carl suddenly died from a brain injury a few years ago when his wheelchair overturned coming out of his specially equiped van. His wife Audrey moved back to Connecticut--- where David came from according to the news. The family was friends, especially Carl who was both wondrous and brilliant. And well-knit in a circle of friends I have in Carmel Valley.
Fortunately I just got word that it is NOT the Zerbe family I know; what a relief although it certainly was reasonable to think so as his widow did move back to Connecticut. I kept playing in my head a movie of the drama that must have unfolded up at the top of the Falls. I have spent a couple fabulous sunny afternoons up there; it is a tremendous, sublime place.
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