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LauraB
climber
san diego
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Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 12, 2010 - 03:15pm PT
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Hi all! My husband is Peter Barton's youngest brother, who was 16 when Peter died. I am trying to find out information about the accident, how, when it happened. It sounds like from old posts that some of you were there! What can you tell me about the accident? About what Peter was like? Does anyone have pictures of Peter? Thanks for your help!! Laura
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Ihateplastic
Trad climber
It ain't El Cap, Oregon
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Oct 12, 2010 - 03:23pm PT
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I did not know Peter but saw him around camp quite often. However, there are plenty of people on this site that knew him well and were involved in the recovery efforts when he fell. Hang in there... you will hear plenty.
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Alan Rubin
climber
Amherst,MA.
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Oct 12, 2010 - 04:02pm PT
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I met and climbed with Peter alot in the Valley in the summer of 1972. After a somewhat tense first meeting(I don't remember why it was tense), we quickly became good friends. He was a great guy and a wonderful companion, very noticeable with his red hair and gravelly voice. I remember that he drove a Toyota jeep-type vehicle and frequently ran out of gas on the loop road--we were broke and gas was expensive in the Valley. We'd been making plans to move on from the Valley to the Winds when I had to go home suddenly when my father passed away. When we said goodbye that day it was with hopes to climb together again in the future, but sadly it was never to be. I don't believe that I had a camera with me that summer, but I'll look and see if I do have any pictures. I wasn't around at the time of the accident, but I was told about it by John Dill, who was involved in the recovery. John doesn't post on here, but is still reachable at YOSAR. My understanding of the accident is that Peter lost his balance--likely due to the heavy haulbag he was carrying--on the way to a route on the west side of El Cap and fell off the ledge. He was killed instantly in the fall, but then the helicopter that came in to recover his body lost control and crashed, though fortunately with no other casualties.
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justthemaid
climber
Jim Henson's Basement
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Oct 12, 2010 - 04:27pm PT
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The Warbler (on page 2 of Mighty Hiker's link) was a witness to the helicopter accident and describes it in some detail in that thread.
I hadn't heard about this before. So sorry for your loss.
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LauraB
climber
san diego
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 13, 2010 - 07:05pm PT
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Thank you all so much for your responses. I will follow up on all that was conveyed so far and encourage anyone else with input to add on!!!
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Mateo Pee Pee
Trad climber
Ivory Tower PDX
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Oct 17, 2010 - 11:07am PT
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Hi Laura,
My memories of Camp 4 wouldn’t be complete without the inclusion of Peter. Peter, like myself and many others, were part of a “background ” cohort of younger climbers living in Camp 4 during the early 1970s that saw the “rise” of the Stone Masters and a Nor Cal group that included Al and Dale Bard, Rik Reider, Ed Barry, Mark Chapman, and others.
What I remember about Peter, other than that unforgettable mane of red hair, was that he was a fixture in Camp 4. He climbed solid 5:10 at the time and participated in the first ascent of Stoners Highway. Like most Valley residents he climbed with a wide range of people and he seemed to get along well with everybody. I remember climbing Ahab, Outer Limits, and other routes along the base of El Cap with Peter, Ed, and others. On occasions, large groups of us also climbed together at Pinnacles. Peter was great addition to any adventure.
Among the things I remember most about Peter was his casual nature. He seemed comfortable surrounded by the flow of Camp 4 and being part of the scene. It seemed against his nature to stand out among the crowd. While I felt fortunate knowing Peter, there were some real differences in our life styles. One difference was that Peter seemed to eat a lot better than most of us in camp and owned a Toyota Land Cruiser. He was eating salads and fresh food! A far cry from cold, canned corn and ketch-up I ate (or worse in Dale’s case). Peter was also recently and happily married.
Perhaps the strongest memory I have of Peter was his final send off at the top of El Cap. Following the approach from highway 120 about 15 of us gathered to release his ashes. As we sent his ashes over the headwall I remember hearing the sounds of the remaining bones hit the wall followed by a sudden updraft that sent ashes far above where we were standing. This flight of spirit transcended the overcast sentiment of the moment leaving me, and I am sure others, with a sense of awe and delight. Peter was free. Among my other memories was the laughter we shared when the saxophone player (Peter’s older brother?) got ready to play only to realize he had left the mouth piece behind. We enjoyed the thought of Peter laughing at this turn of events.
I am sure many others have thoughts they can share. I do have a couple of very average photos of Peter that I will post or send after I have the chance to scan them. I think Rik also has some other photos of Peter that he might be willing to share.
Best,
Keith Hadley
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Oct 17, 2010 - 11:50am PT
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Well, I just realized these photos haven't been up for quite awhile and that I should grunt them up for this totally good thread of Laura and her husband...sigh.
Peter Barton and Eric Schoen
Peter Barton
This last image is: George Meyers, John "Largo" Long, Peter Barton and walking away, Phil Bircheff. I know, it looks like Largo and George go to the same beautician. This was taken when the gas station was still there and the parking lot was larger.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Oct 17, 2010 - 12:13pm PT
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Classic shots Peter!
One other detail that I took away from Pete's accident is that he apparently pulled up on a manzanita which gave way leading to the fall.
While those suckers appear to be solid and reliable...they are not. Lots of manzanita growing where other plants can't so they seem like a good option but beware...a strong guy can tear out even a fairly large one! Shallow roots and brittle wood offer the climber little good...
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Oct 17, 2010 - 12:20pm PT
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Stevie, that and while wearing a full haul bag...I hate that little pedestally area there and have not been all that far away from falling where Peter did, myself. I remember rappelling through there at night back in the fall of 1963--- a bunch of us teenagers and Les Wilson---that is how iffy it actually is. We had just done El Cap Chimney/KP Pinnacle and Les was thankfully damned careful.
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LauraB
climber
san diego
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 17, 2010 - 01:42pm PT
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You all are awesome! Now I have a better picture of what happened. I am going to compile all this information for my husband, so keep going with the info, thoughts and photos!
Peter's death was a devastating event for his mother, who is now 91 and finally slowing down. I think she will appreciate this too. His brother, David, still plays the sax.
If anyone can scan and email me the 4 pages from Off the Wall; Death in Yosemite, I'd really appreciate it. The book does not seem to be available locally for me to peruse. Many thanks! Laura
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BooDawg
Social climber
Polynesian Paradise
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Oct 17, 2010 - 11:21pm PT
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I remember thinking when I first heard details of Peter pulling on the Manzanita and it pulling out, that any one of us could have gone that way; manzanita is such a hard, stiff wood that it instills (false) confidence.
I also remember his wife (can't remember her name) telling a small group of us, shortly after his passing, how she'd just had a wonderful, heartfelt conversation with him. He'd spoken to her about how happy he was to be living the climbing lifestyle, how happy he was to be married to her, and how very much he enjoyed his friendships with the climbing community.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Oct 18, 2010 - 05:35am PT
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hey there say, lauraB... i was very sad to read this...
god bless in your quest here, and may it be even more yeilding than
you'd ever dream...
:)
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Ihateplastic
Trad climber
It ain't El Cap, Oregon
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Oct 18, 2010 - 11:16am PT
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I also remember his wife (can't remember her name) telling a small group of us, shortly after his passing, how she'd just had a wonderful, heartfelt conversation with him. He'd spoken to her about how happy he was to be living the climbing lifestyle, how happy he was to be married to her, and how very much he enjoyed his friendships with the climbing community.
That... That, right there... is what I live for.
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Oct 18, 2010 - 11:20am PT
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Yes... to not be forgotten, as Homer said.
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Bruce Morris
Social climber
Belmont, California
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Apr 11, 2013 - 04:40pm PT
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I remember sitting in El Cap Meadow, hearing the helicopter hit the wall, and watching it go down, explode and burn. That's it. Just a fleeting impression stored in my memory banks. But I do remember the crash.
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BartonNiece
climber
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Thank you all for sharing your memories. As Peter's oldest niece, I barely remember him, but feel I got to know my uncle through your memories of him. Hearing he was happy in his life is a wonderful gift.
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Pete Metrulas
Sport climber
Sunnyvale, California
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Dec 31, 2014 - 08:47am PT
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Peter's wife was Kathy Kuropat. I was just 15 when this happened and knew of Peter through the Kuropat family. I do recall hearing that he lost his footing while pulling up on a tree that gave way.
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