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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Dec 17, 2009 - 07:18pm PT
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As in Scotty Franklin's Smith Rock Scarface?!? Or are we talking Pacino here???
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renzo
Trad climber
Whitefish Mt
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Dec 17, 2009 - 07:36pm PT
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Hi Steve,
You're nice to inquire about my memories of The Nose. In 1974 Barb Eastman and I were both recovering from devastating leader falls, hers on Leaning Tower (I think), me an 85 footer off Stetner's Ledges on Longs Peak in 1970. We started by leading all of The Valley's 5.4's. I remember asking Jim Bridwell if he knew any good 5.4's and he sweetly told me that Colorado was better (I'd just hitch hiked from Colorado). Barb was resolute, capable, safe, strong, and funny. What a partner. It took us 3 years to get strong and skilled enough to climb The Nose. Later, Barb went on to climb many more Yosemite big walls.
Of note, the well known goofey summit photo was taken by my husband, Larry Bruce, who hiked to the top of El Cap to assist our descent. I don't think anybody knows that he's the photographer.
Molly Higgins Bruce
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Dec 17, 2009 - 08:36pm PT
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Thanks for the response, Molly.
I did the Leaning Tower with Barb and Peter Hollis and don't recall any horror stories so she might have taken the dive elsewhere or was being coy?!?
Did Larry take the serious summit shot, too?
Not to barrage you with questions but what do you remember about doing Wind, Sand and Stars on the Mace in Sedona?
What route are you proudest of, looking back?
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Dave Johnson
Mountain climber
Sacramento, CA
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Dec 17, 2009 - 10:33pm PT
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Apr 18, 2010 - 12:47pm PT
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Chrome Molly Bump!
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hobo_dan
Social climber
Minnesota
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Apr 18, 2010 - 09:51pm PT
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Anybody here know of Connie Hilliard? I worked with her at a camp in Minnesota in the early 80's- I used to boulder this stone fireplace and she came along and did the classic "mind if I try?" and she just flashed it. She was a fabulous climber
Dan
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moacman
Trad climber
Montana
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Apr 19, 2010 - 06:41pm PT
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Saw sweet Molly today. Molly, Larry and Sassy are alive and well and climbing hard in Montucky.......
Stevo
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Anastasia
climber
hanging from a crimp and crying for my mama.
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Sep 28, 2010 - 09:36pm PT
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BUMP!!! Yeah for the first women to break the glass ceiling.
AFS
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 28, 2010 - 10:09pm PT
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judith robertson
Trad climber
mazama washington
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Apr 15, 2015 - 03:25pm PT
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Looking for a contact for Barb Eastman. She was part of Outward Bound and we are celebrating our 50th anniversary this year and trying to reach out to all past staff. If anyone can help please send me an email; jrobertson@nwoutwardbound.org. Thank you.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Apr 15, 2015 - 03:29pm PT
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Missed this one....Molly is great!
Last I heard Barb was married to Tom Kimbrough and living in SLC.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Apr 15, 2015 - 05:00pm PT
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Done Judith!
Right you are Jim. I just saw them at the last Oakdale Climbers Festival where Barb gave a fine presentation about her life and adventures.
She had so much fun doing so that she has given a couple of repeat performances.
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Kalimon
Social climber
Ridgway, CO
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Apr 15, 2015 - 08:24pm PT
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Super quality history thread Peter . . . where would this rig be without guys like you? I always really liked Molly's writing about climbing the Green Spur . . . very inspiring.
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telemon01
Trad climber
Montana
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Dec 19, 2018 - 11:33am PT
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For those of you who know Molly, you are probably aware she lives in Whitefish, MT. She and Larry Bruce have been here since the late 80"s. Last week the Northwest Montana Climbers Coalition awarded Molly the Honorary Member Award at their annual fundraising party.
"Our coalition would like to honor this woman as a true inspiration to young and old, men and women and everyone in between. Her grit, her dedication to training, and her ambition..."
Mollys long and impressive climbing resume, as provided by her husband Larry, was recounted and ended with-
"This summer, at 68 years old, Molly redpointed a 5.11c and a 5.11d at Point of Rocks, and got the first ascent of Khubla Khan 5.10c a few years ago- flashing the onsight, of course. Not only did Molly set the bar high as a women, a climber, and a seriously good human being, she continues to raise it higher with each year that passes."
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Dec 19, 2018 - 03:25pm PT
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Thanks for letting us know about this.
Bravo Molly!
She is so solid as a climber and guide. Flat out inspiring.
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Jim Clipper
climber
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Dec 19, 2018 - 03:33pm PT
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IMHO. the nose summit shot from the original post is about as good as it gets.
Jan's is awesome too, but there's something about B&W. The first is a bit more whimsical too. (yeah, pure whimsy will get you there)
The picture, not them of course, should be in the YCA museum.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Dec 20, 2018 - 10:06am PT
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Barb, Molly and Sue "Killer" Giller made the first all women's ascent of the Diamond on Long's Peak via D1, if I recall correctly. I would love to hear about that adventure and will work it into the next NACHA event in Boulder with any luck.
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Marlow
Sport climber
OSLO
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Dec 20, 2018 - 10:15am PT
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Great to see that Molly as a climber still has the blessing of redpointing 5.11.c and d at the age of 68.
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Bob Palais
Trad climber
UT
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Dec 20, 2018 - 10:41am PT
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That's a wonderful tribute to Molly whose adventures chronicled in Climb and Yosemite Climber were among those that inspired my/our first pilgrimages to Eldorado and the Valley. We see Barb on the trails, and Tom Tue/Thurs mornings in the gym where he recently led 5.11s on his 80th birthday, both inside and outdoors. You all give us hope that there is still lots of adventure and achieving new goals as long as you want to! Barb is on the right in the purple shirt at an August backyard benefit for our new congressman who flipped a Utah district.
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