Discussion Topic |
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Sep 27, 2010 - 07:51pm PT
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Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Kurt!
Almost sixty feet! Mighty tough fella...
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Llewelyn Moss
Big Wall climber
LZ Loon
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Sep 27, 2010 - 08:01pm PT
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gute besserung Kurt!
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Dirka
Trad climber
SF
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Sep 27, 2010 - 08:06pm PT
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Heal up.
Sorry to hear about this.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Sep 27, 2010 - 08:20pm PT
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hey there say, hb81... i will be praying for him for sure... injuries are always sad times... :(
god bless...
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JMC
climber
oilfields of Sumatra
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Sep 27, 2010 - 09:22pm PT
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God speed your healing, ubermensch!
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TripL7
Trad climber
san diego
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Sep 27, 2010 - 09:41pm PT
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So sorry to hear that he has been critically injured. Kurt was such a great inspiration to many back in the 80's with all the wonderful stories and great pictures which accompanied them. I will also be praying for his healthy recovery.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Sep 27, 2010 - 11:11pm PT
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Pull through man, pull through.....
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Sep 27, 2010 - 11:13pm PT
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Very sorry to hear this. Kurt is a great guy who has contributed much to climbing.
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Fogarty
climber
BITD
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Sep 27, 2010 - 11:14pm PT
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God Speed Kurt.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Sep 27, 2010 - 11:26pm PT
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Get better quick, Kurt.
It's been a rough few days, be careful out there, folks.
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Jobee
Social climber
El Portal Ca.
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Sep 27, 2010 - 11:33pm PT
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Kurt,
You are in my thoughts; sending you strength, power, and comfort.
You have many friends here, and I am one of them.
Jo Whitford
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Chief
climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
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Sep 28, 2010 - 01:33am PT
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Get well Kurt!
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Curt
Boulder climber
Gilbert, AZ
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Sep 28, 2010 - 02:02am PT
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This is very sad news. Hopefully, Kurt will fully recover.
Curt
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Sep 28, 2010 - 02:09am PT
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Hard to believe that someone who seemed to be so far above the rest of us fell that way.
Best wishes for a full recovery.
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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Sep 28, 2010 - 02:13am PT
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Since he was oin a Via Ferrata, it makes you wonder if a piece of the equipment didn't break?
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hb81
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 28, 2010 - 05:36am PT
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What a sad sad day.
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hb81
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 28, 2010 - 07:45am PT
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Indeed the reports of his death seem to have been premature.
One German climbing website reported it and everyone else jumped on the wagon and copied the news.
So at the moment it seems that he is still alive, althought reports say there is "very little hope".
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FireIntheCity
Mountain climber
from t'Hate-haunted canyon of human despair
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Sep 28, 2010 - 10:34am PT
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Praying for Kurt.
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russ clune
climber
new paltz, ny
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Sep 28, 2010 - 11:28am PT
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hey gang,
i just heard this news this morning about our friend Kurt. I contacted a mutual friend, Jessie Guthrie, who lives in CZ. Jessie had been in touch with Norbert Sandner, another good friend of Kurt's and old housemate in Oberschollenbach along with Wolfgang. From Norbert's report, Kurt was brain dead and they shut the machine off last night. Unfortunately, this awful news is likely accurate. Kurt was a very dear friend and i am left in shock to think we'll never share a cord again, nor will i get to laugh at his corny puns. a devastating loss for our community.
Sorry for the news.
Russ
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Jobee
Social climber
El Portal Ca.
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Sep 28, 2010 - 11:50am PT
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Thank you Russ for communicating this.
I am devastated, was just looking at some old images of Kurt recently. This man made a huge difference in my life, ... we laughed.
I'm very sad
Kurt you are loved, and you will not be forgotten. xxxooo
My condolences to all who had the pleasure of knowing Kurt, to his family, friends, and world wide climbing community. May we all find peace at this time.
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Patrick Sawyer
climber
Originally California now Ireland
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Sep 28, 2010 - 11:52am PT
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Condolences to family and friends.
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TYeary
Social climber
State of decay
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Sep 28, 2010 - 11:52am PT
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So sorry, I am still hoping..
I don't know if it just getting older or what, but WTF, I'm really tired of burying my friends and extended family. I know it's "life" but it just seems like a little too much death and not enough life lately.
My condolences to Kurt's friends and family.
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adnix
Big Wall climber
Finland
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Sep 28, 2010 - 12:17pm PT
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http://explorersweb.com/everest_k2/news.php?id=19677
He was rescued and transported to a hospital in Erlangen (near Nürnberg), but had sustained severe head injuries... Kurt is not clinically dead yet. There is apparently no chance for survival though, according to Klettern.de staff.
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Jobee
Social climber
El Portal Ca.
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Sep 28, 2010 - 12:48pm PT
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My heart is in my throat.
Kurt if you are still with us ... please, please, pick up your sword and fight!
xxxooojobee
Jo Whitford
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Anastasia
climber
hanging from a crimp and crying for my mama.
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Sep 28, 2010 - 01:09pm PT
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I am really hoping to hear good news. I wish him a full recovery and the rest... Folks, there is always hope even in the most serious conditions. If anyone can pull it off, he can.
Anastasia Sherman
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Jobee
Social climber
El Portal Ca.
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Sep 28, 2010 - 02:31pm PT
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Just spoke with some good friends of Kurts.
I love you Kurt.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Sep 28, 2010 - 03:57pm PT
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Sorry Jo.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Sep 28, 2010 - 03:58pm PT
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A very sad day.
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Brian in SLC
Social climber
Salt Lake City, UT
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Sep 28, 2010 - 05:02pm PT
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Here's to hopin' he's still hanging in there.
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Anastasia
climber
hanging from a crimp and crying for my mama.
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Sep 28, 2010 - 05:06pm PT
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My condolences... Find strength in the fact that he lived this life well. He lived it good enough for several lives over so if there is someone waiting to judge him on the other side... He has nothing to fear.
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slabbo
Trad climber
fort garland, colo
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Sep 28, 2010 - 07:48pm PT
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Prolly talking with Wolfgang now. Together again, hopefully in peace.
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Curt
Boulder climber
Gilbert, AZ
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Sep 28, 2010 - 08:57pm PT
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That's just awful news, Russ--but thanks for passing it along.
Curt
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can't say
Social climber
Pasadena CA
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Sep 28, 2010 - 09:19pm PT
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Bergheil Kurt.
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phylp
Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
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Sep 28, 2010 - 09:29pm PT
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This is very sad news about a great climber.
My deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and all his friends here.
Phyl
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Fluoride
Trad climber
Hollywood, CA
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Sep 28, 2010 - 09:51pm PT
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Best wishes for a full recovery. Godspeed.
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rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
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Sep 28, 2010 - 10:15pm PT
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Uh... Beth, if he recovers from death...
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Sep 28, 2010 - 10:20pm PT
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A true master climber and a big, bold inspiration! Still has unrepeated routes that are likely to stay that way for he had a special talent and dedicated style.
Rest in Peace until you touch stone again!
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Sep 28, 2010 - 10:21pm PT
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Berg heil.
So tragisch.
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Sep 28, 2010 - 10:22pm PT
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I don't know if it just getting older or what, but WTF, I'm really tired of burying my friends and extended family. I know it's "life" but it just seems like a little too much death and not enough life lately.
Yep!
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rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
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Sep 28, 2010 - 10:41pm PT
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So now we are getting conflicting information.
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Kalimon
Trad climber
Ridgway, CO
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Sep 28, 2010 - 11:21pm PT
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Kurt is an inspiring individual regardless of his mortal status.
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TripL7
Trad climber
san diego
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Sep 28, 2010 - 11:49pm PT
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Coz,
You were blessed to have such wonderful friends!
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Ezra Ellis
Trad climber
WA, & NC & Idaho
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Sep 28, 2010 - 11:58pm PT
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My condolences to his family and friends,
One hell of a climber for sure, sounds like he was a great human being too!
Be careful out there Y'all!
best
-e
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Sep 29, 2010 - 12:12am PT
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hey there all, to the family of kurt, and to his friends, and to kurt, too...
i've been praying, still... until i know what else is learned...
sending my best, and doing all i can do....
:(
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Allen Hill
Social climber
CO.
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Sep 29, 2010 - 05:01am PT
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Really sad and best to his family and friends.
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hb81
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 29, 2010 - 06:17am PT
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Just to clarify the situation with all these conflicting reports, this is
the official statement from the police.
http://www.polizei.bayern.de/oberpfalz/news/presse/aktuell/index.html/124042
"At 22:00h on 28th September doctors of Erlangen hospital informed the police that Mr. Albert had died of his injuries at 20:45h the same day"
Farewell
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Sep 29, 2010 - 09:29am PT
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I met Kurt several times in Patagonia. He oozed energy and strength but he always had a twinkle in his eye and a kind word for everyone- he will be missed.
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Conrad
climber
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Sep 29, 2010 - 01:03pm PT
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Kurt - Thanks for the inspiration, motivation and dedication. You influenced the sport in a positive way. For his family and close friends ~ deep condolences.
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msiddens
Trad climber
Mountain View
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Sep 29, 2010 - 01:22pm PT
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RIP, my condolences
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bjj
climber
beyond the sun
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Sep 29, 2010 - 04:09pm PT
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Yeah, what a total drag.
Seems like a lot of bad news in the year or so since I've taken an interest in climbing again. Bachar, Kurt, a couple others all gone too soon.
RIP and condolences to those who knew him
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Sep 29, 2010 - 04:40pm PT
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I really like the use of the 8 ring in that bivy shot...
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Jobee
Social climber
El Portal Ca.
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Sep 29, 2010 - 05:59pm PT
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Jaybro, I thought that was incredible as well!
I cannot get enough of this image.
Gun check!
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MisterE
Social climber
Bouncy Tiggerville
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Sep 29, 2010 - 09:21pm PT
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A Great Spirit Passes:
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Fuzzywuzzy
climber
suspendedhappynation
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Sep 29, 2010 - 10:20pm PT
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What a life he lived!!!
Inspirational.
Rest in Peace.
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nature
climber
Whereverland....
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Sep 29, 2010 - 10:27pm PT
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I tried to contact Kurt before our trip to the Vampire Spires. He's one of the few that have ever been. I wish he had responded.
The short of him holding that beer has always been a favorite.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Rest in Peace.
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BrassNuts
Trad climber
Save your a_s, reach for the brass...
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Sep 30, 2010 - 01:48am PT
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This is such sad news. Kurt was a larger than life figure in the climbing world and inspired many of us with his accomplishments. I was fortunate to spend a couple of days climbing with him in the Frankenjura back in 1993. Below is the only image I have of Kurt. I remember his great enthusiasm as he gave us the historical "redpoint" tour and the subsequent German beer tour... complete with strongman contests in the pub parking lots. A tragic loss to the climbing community. RIP Kurt.
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Klimmer
Mountain climber
San Diego
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Sep 30, 2010 - 02:06am PT
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I'm so sad to hear that he has left us :_(
I would like to think that he and Wolfgang are together climbing again.
You are a true inspiration.
GOD's eternal peace Kurt.
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adnix
Big Wall climber
Finland
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Sep 30, 2010 - 03:01am PT
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I met him at Paso Superior few years ago. Among other things I will always remember sharing a few candys with him. I still remember his comments to Berntd "Das ist ein gutes Bon Bon, ein Karamel Bon Bon!" Then Bernd took some candy, too.
A very humble and sincere person. One of the best! RIP.
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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Sep 30, 2010 - 05:13am PT
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Chalk the holds, Kurt, we'll be along soon. The world will miss your exuberance.
John
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Bargainhunter
Mountain climber
Central California
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Sep 30, 2010 - 06:18am PT
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Does anyone have details of what actually happened?
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hb81
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 30, 2010 - 07:13am PT
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Below is the only image I have of Kurt.
Nice picture.
Taken at the parking pullout for "Weissenstein" would be my guess...
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Sep 30, 2010 - 08:24am PT
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Sad days. Condolences to family and friends.
I can remember seeing him on an old episode of something (That's Incredible?) where he was off spire jumping with Dave Schultz. He wasn't doing any jumping because he'd ripped his Achilles in a previous leap, but he was the technical advisor. "You must jump like a monkey!" "If you do not make it, this might be your last adventure."
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MisterE
Social climber
Bouncy Tiggerville
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Sep 30, 2010 - 09:40am PT
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Here is a trailer for "Fight Gravity".
It shows a clip of Kurt climbing, and at the end has an interview with him (in German, of course). His smile and laugh says it all, though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWRYv8gcAa4
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jopay
climber
so.il
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Sep 30, 2010 - 10:10am PT
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I have a great older tape "The Real Thing" with Jerry Moffat, Ben Moon, Sean Miles and Kurt bouldering and hanging out at the Font. I recall him playing a guitar. They were all staying in this very neat old French country house. Sorry to hear this news.
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Frank Minunni
Trad climber
New York
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Sep 30, 2010 - 10:56am PT
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That Kurt should be gone is very sad indeed. He and Wulfie were two of the best people I've ever met; always positive and supportive of everyone around them. I could go on
about his character but a vignette could be better.
I had been staying in Germany and climbing with Kurt for about two or three weeks and having an awful time trying to climb Limestone.
One day Kurt, Uli and myself went to the Berndt Arnold wall and I failed on yet another route. When I got to the ground, I sat on a boulder with my head in my hands and said
"That's it. I'm going back home and taking up stamp collecting." In the midst of my self pity, Kurt looked at me and said, "Frankie. I've never seen someone fail at so many routes as you." I looked up with blood in my eyes but when I saw the twinkle in his eyes and the barely concealed smirk, I had to chuckle. Kurt started to laugh as well and before we knew it we were in the throes of the hugest belly laugh I've ever had. It was so big that Uli, who had no idea of the recent history got caught up in it and was laughing
just as hard.
When we finally settled down, I took the rack, walked the route and never looked back.
That was Kurt. The ultimate trickster who could see the humor in everything. I can't think of anyone who could have shown me what a fool I was being with such grace and humor.
Frank Minunni
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Reeotch
Trad climber
Kayenta, AZ
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Sep 30, 2010 - 01:52pm PT
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Bump! For a true legend of the climbing world. I never knew him, but his words, images, and routes inspired me.
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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Sep 30, 2010 - 04:00pm PT
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Kurt and Reinhold Karl were both people who transcended everything. The very last kind of personalities you'd ever imagine coming out of Germany.
My thoughts go out to all of his many friends around the world.
JL
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Spiky
Trad climber
Wales
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Sep 30, 2010 - 07:13pm PT
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Kurt Albert was a LEGEND! (What is it about Europe that I have to post on a US website.)
At least he is reunited with Gullich again.
With my sincere sympathies to his family and all of his friends. Another fantastic guy taken from us far too soon.
Hopefully, see you on the next lap.
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shipoopoi
Big Wall climber
oakland
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i met kurt in 1983 on a climbing meet in france. he was with gullich. over the years i got to know them both, staying at their pad in eckental, drinking endless coffees in araps, and also in yosemite. they were always friendly, and represented powerful forces in the climbing world. later, i helped kurt set routes for the 1994 world cup in nurnberg. we would run into each other in patagonia often, and excitely catch up on news. he was a friend and an inspiration, and i will miss him dearly, as will my wife who was also a benefactor of kurt's humour and kindness.
ciao, amigo
steve schneider
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426
climber
Buzzard Point, TN
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RIP big fella I've aspired to be like
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rincon
Trad climber
SoCal
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Oct 10, 2010 - 09:27pm PT
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Kurt Albert was remembered on NPR today. Funny to hear him discribed to the non-climbing public...
Kurt Albert was a German rock climber, who invented a style of climbing known as "redpointing," a technique where a climber ascends a rock face without resting on devices such as pitons, or bolts. Today, this technique is the goal of most climbers.
Nice tribute anyhow. You can listen here
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scooney
Trad climber
Palo Alto, CA
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Oct 11, 2010 - 03:57pm PT
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I understand that this is a tragedy. But, I strongly disagree with the portion of the characterization of Kurt Albert's death in the SuperTopo climbing email that reads, "Precise details of the accident are unknown, but these seem superfluous."
The precise details are exactly what count so that others who engage in the same type of climbing might learn from and avoid his mistakes (if there even were any to begin with). If others cannot learn from Mr. Albert's death, it becomes useless a death.
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the kid
Trad climber
fayetteville, wv
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Oct 11, 2010 - 05:55pm PT
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Kurt will be missed! another legend with a heart of gold and a sense of humor just as big. fond memories of climbing with him and Wolfgang in the valley and the meadows.
he lived to climb and climbed to live...
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eagle
Trad climber
new paltz, ny
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Oct 11, 2010 - 11:18pm PT
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a sixty footer...must of hurt. climbing is dangerous people. rip kurt.
dave lanman
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bjj
climber
beyond the sun
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Oct 11, 2010 - 11:37pm PT
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What part of that isn't true?
Kurt Albert was remembered on NPR today. Funny to hear him discribed to the non-climbing public...
Kurt Albert was a German rock climber, who invented a style of climbing known as "redpointing," a technique where a climber ascends a rock face without resting on devices such as pitons, or bolts. Today, this technique is the goal of most climbers.
Nice tribute anyhow. You can listen here
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adnix
Big Wall climber
Finland
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Oct 12, 2010 - 03:27am PT
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The precise details are exactly what count so that others who engage in the same type of climbing might learn from and avoid his mistakes (if there even were any to begin with). If others cannot learn from Mr. Albert's death, it becomes useless a death.
He fell on his home via ferrata while quiding a group. He had done the same via ferrata hundrets of times before.
If there is anything to learn from this accident:
1. Keep yourself always attached.
2. Don't make mistakes.
Both much easier said than done. RIP Kurt.
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Vegasclimber
Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV.
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Sep 29, 2011 - 06:32pm PT
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I was in Bernd Arnold's shop recently, and he has photos there and mementos from his time with Kurt - they climbed together constantly.
RIP to a legend.
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Sep 29, 2011 - 10:54pm PT
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So, I never really understood what occurred. He was with a group on a via Ferrata he was intimately familiar with, he wasn't' connected...and he just fell off?
Anyone?
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snowhazed
Trad climber
Oaksterdam, CA
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That pic is so gooood
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Another one gone.
RIP
My condolences to his many friends and family.
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kubo
Sport climber
Irvine, CA
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Sep 30, 2017 - 08:23am PT
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Very very sad. I used to climb in Franken Jura. Wolfgan and Kurt was the big motivation 20 years ago and reason why I became better sport climber.
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MH2
Boulder climber
Andy Cairns
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Sep 30, 2017 - 02:29pm PT
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Thanks for that bump, WTF.
Kurt Albert seems to have been everywhere, including Blouberg in SA, I think.
Also very cool, and unusual, to see a post from Dave Lanman.
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