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dirtdiver
Boulder climber
Jamul, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - May 7, 2016 - 11:20am PT
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Hey can anyone give me contact info for Ray Olson? I live down in Jamul and I wanted to talk to him about a deer horn Valley climbing guide he wrote.
stevewhiteside619@gmail.com
steve
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overwatch
climber
Arizona
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Cub reporter for the Daily Planet?
I know dumb but keeping it bumped for you
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rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
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I haven't seen Ray in 4 or 5 years. I think he's somewhere in San Diego. That was the last I have heard from him.
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AKDOG
Mountain climber
Anchorage, AK
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dirtdiver
Boulder climber
Jamul, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - May 7, 2016 - 04:10pm PT
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OK, I sent him an email - we see if it pops with anything. Yes that is the guide I was talking about.
Thanks.
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dirtdiver
Boulder climber
Jamul, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - May 11, 2016 - 09:40pm PT
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Hmmm. Nothing.
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dfrost7
climber
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Jul 14, 2016 - 04:56pm PT
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Did you ever find Ray? If you do, say hi from me.
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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Jul 14, 2016 - 05:11pm PT
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Those emails are not going through I suspect
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Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
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Jul 14, 2016 - 06:48pm PT
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I haven't see this thread before.
It it steamy hot, so the widows are wide open, we were painting and rearranging furniture.
Changing the layout for the 1st time in ten years. Getting rid of the kids 'schmutzz' from toddler-hood, Living room walls scrubbed clean and painted.
There is a desk that sat backwards facing the wall,
openable for the 1st time in that 10 years. Inside I found the New york Times magazine from,
1/1/89 with the great story of Lynne H & her climb of the hardest route in the Gunk's at the time a sport bolted line.
& a FROG tag / label, from my old harness. Take it as a sign. Lets hear from RAY!
I don't know why the label is so golden in this picture
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NeilO
climber
San Diego
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Nov 28, 2016 - 06:29pm PT
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Hi all, I'm Ray's nephew, Neil. I recently started climbing and thought I'd google my Uncle Ray to see if anything cool popped up, and a lot did. I found this thread and shared it with my Dad and Uncle Mike so that we could reply to you. So here is a letter from my Dad:
//Dear climber friends of Ray Olson,
We are Ray Olson’s brothers, Bob and Mike. Bob’s son Neil, currently developing a burgeoning interest in climbing, stumbled upon this thread and brought it to Mike’s and my attention.
We are saddened, but at the same time we feel an obligation to let Ray’s climbing friends and acquaintances know of his untimely death in 2012. We are gratified that Ray had so many friends, many of whom took the trouble to try to find him. We are also proud that Ray’s FROG equipment and Deerhorn Valley guide appear to be historic in their own right. Both were truly from Ray Olson’s garage and a tribute to his love for the sport. Thank you for keeping Ray in your thoughts and prayers.
Bob, Mike, and Neil Olson//
It's a bummer to share that news with you, but it's also cool to see he had so many great friends. Reading through all the old Supertopo threads he was a part of, it's clear he was able to make an impact on this sport that was his passion. My uncle took me climbing out to Mt. Woodson a few times as a kid. Totally green and a little intimidated, I was humbled A LOT. We would hike and climb all day, and he taught me how to overcome my fears. He showed me some of his first ascents and I understood why he loved this sport so much. Those were the best memories I have of him. Back then, he got me a harness, shoes, webbing, and a chalk bag. Now that I'm getting back into climbing, I can't use the shoes anymore but I'm stoked to use everything else as it's a reminder of him and his passion for climbing.
Please share with anyone who would want to know. Thanks.
Neil
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Peater
Trad climber
Salt Lake City Ut.
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Nov 28, 2016 - 06:49pm PT
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I'm sorry to hear this news.
Ray and I were good friends when he worked for Chouinard and I for Gramicci about 30 yrs ago. He was always a bit eccentric in a good way. I once bought a 10+ foot long board from him. Why would he even have that. Go figure.
P
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Fritz
Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
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Nov 28, 2016 - 06:52pm PT
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Neil: Thanks for taking the time to talk with Ray's brothers & share your sad information with us.
I never met Ray, & my life is less, for that reason.
Belated condolences to his family & friends.
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Russ Walling
Social climber
from Poofters Froth, Wyoming
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Nov 28, 2016 - 06:54pm PT
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Wow... Knew Ray from way back and had been to the "garage" a few times. To some degree I followed in his footsteps with my own sewing gig. He was certainly a top shelf innovator in the outdoor sewing world. 2012?? Damn... RIP.
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Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
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Nov 28, 2016 - 07:13pm PT
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Then I raise my glass and toast
TO THE MIGHTY-MITE
THE MAN WHO MAY HAVE REALLY
STARTED THE GAME TOWARD MAINSTREAM
TO RAY OLSON MORE THAN JUST
ANOTHER CLIMBER FROM BACK IN THE DAY
TO RAY. . . . FROG
The true creator of the Bod harness!
and so much more
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Um, WELL,
Fish has never been so humble!
not that I'm talking out of turn - he & I are not on speaking terms
But for the family ; The Olson's need to know. . .
The post two posts up ~ Russ Walling! ~
You and your family need to know that Russ is the FISH
Of . . . . Hey I had that link saved for sure where have I put it?
Google; FISH (BIG WALL )PRODUCTS.
Yes and please as very much the biggest climber has asked in the next post
Largo is the one and only John Long
Hats off to you sir!
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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Nov 28, 2016 - 07:16pm PT
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Can anyone add anything more than "untimely death." For those of us who knew and climbed with Ray, a little more info helps out. Sorry to hear this news.
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Curt
climber
Gold Canyon, AZ
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Nov 28, 2016 - 07:17pm PT
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Yes he did make the good stuff. Bummer to hear this unfortunate news.
Curt
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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Nov 28, 2016 - 07:18pm PT
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Can anyone add anything more than "untimely death." For those of us who knew and climbed with Ray, a little more info helps out. Sorry to hear this news.
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i-b-goB
Social climber
Wise Acres
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Nov 28, 2016 - 07:47pm PT
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Thanks Neil for letting us know Ray was a good guy. I have a Bosch Bulldog sleeve he made that works great and was well thought out!
I'm bummed to find this out, R.I.P. Ray!
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snakefoot
climber
Nor Cal
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Nov 28, 2016 - 08:11pm PT
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Damn, this is horrible. I remember ray getting ready to leave boulder, he hated the way people treated him there (edit: not referring to climbers, just the town people). then i never heard from him again after we visited and hung out at goatboys pad one night back before 2010.
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