Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
|
|
|
Topic Author's Original Post - Apr 28, 2009 - 11:17pm PT
|
A very old friend, John Evans was just killed in some kind of mountain rescue accident in Wales. I don't know any details yet.
This is what another old friend sent me:
"Just received this information from Tony Jones. John Evans, ex PJ and great mountaineer was killed 2 hours ago on a mountain rescue mission in Wales."
John, a Welshman, was a solid mountaineer and guided trips on Denali way back. He was also an ex-Air Force Pararescueman.
The PJ's are a sister career field to our Survival Instructor career field. In fact, back as far as early VietNam era, we were still a single career field.
Anyway, they are tough customers and John was a respected member. He was also my first Pararescue student on my very first "solo" crew of students in 1982. He was the first PJ I ever got to give major sh*t to in the military.
We had climbing in common, and I saw him numerous times in Alaska over the years.
R.I.P. John
|
|
SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
|
|
|
Apr 28, 2009 - 11:50pm PT
|
Survival
Is this the John Evans from Evergreen, Colorado?
Even if it isn't, my condolences to his friends & family.
|
|
survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 28, 2009 - 11:58pm PT
|
Thanks Steve.
No, I don't believe John ever lived in CO.
He was a commuter between UK, Alaska, and Africa....mostly.
|
|
survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 29, 2009 - 12:03am PT
|
Just a few snippets of John's life:
* USAF Pararescueman
* US Army Parachutist, Jump Master
* US Special Forces Underwater Operations School
* Mountaineering & Expedition Guide, 20 Years
* 14 Summits, Mt. McKinley, Alaska, 20,320 ft.
* Climbing in Wales, Scotland, European Alps, Korea, New Mexico, Colorado & Nepal
* U.K. National Certificate in Occupational Safety & Health
* UK Advanced Mountaineering First Aid Instructor
* Cave Rescue Instructor
* NAUI Certified Scuba Instructor
* Oil Field Medic & Rescue Instructor, (Algeria, Egypt, Brunei, Russia, Chad, Yemen, Oman, Niger)
Edit: Forgive me for any mistakes on this list, it's borrowed.
|
|
Buggs
Trad climber
Eagle River, Alaska
|
|
|
Apr 29, 2009 - 01:07am PT
|
Unbelievable news. Sad. Dejected. I loved John Evans. Way solid dude. Way solid mountaineer. Way solid PJ. Way solid human being. Way solid Brother.
Need to know more and believe more will be forth coming from my friends who knew him as well.
Peace be upon you brother John. Save a spot for me.
|
|
survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 29, 2009 - 01:07am PT
|
Isn't it Clint C. that has compiled the list the last few years?? I want to be sure John is on it.
|
|
survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 29, 2009 - 01:17am PT
|
Buggs, glad to see you got the news.
I knew you'd be affected. I'm sure we'll get some news in the next few days from Swerv.
Take care of your loved ones people. It's yet another message, which we've gotten many of lately.
|
|
survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 29, 2009 - 02:00am PT
|
John,
This makes me think of you on "The Great One".
Save a spot at the table for me too brother.
|
|
nita
climber
chica from chico, I don't claim to be a daisy
|
|
|
Apr 29, 2009 - 02:52am PT
|
Survival & Buggs, so sorry to hear you guys lost a buddy. ;-(
Sincere Condolences..Peace be with you...
violet tulloch, queen of lerwick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DnSOEDGFhI
|
|
neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
|
|
|
Apr 29, 2009 - 03:01am PT
|
hey there survival and buggs... say, my condolences to his family and to you both, in the loss of a dear friend...
sad news... hope there are folks to help give a hand to the loved ones left behind...
|
|
Don Lauria
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
|
|
|
Apr 29, 2009 - 03:01am PT
|
The John Evans I knew was huge!
|
|
survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 29, 2009 - 05:33am PT
|
Wow, Nita, that was a truly beautiful video.
I don't think any of John's friends could watch that without getting choked up.
Edit: I can't freeking believe I called him an Englishman in my original post. He would chew my ass for that! I changed it already. I sent a link to a PJ (Swerv) who corrected me already.
He is sooooo right. This is what Swerv sent me:
"B - Not out of line at all. Very moving site. Thanks for posting it. I know John would appreciate it. One note...he would remind us he is Welsh and not English!! Once again, an indication of how fragile life is. So glad to have friends like you even if you did move a million miles away."
Thank God I will see Swerv and Buggs soon.
|
|
Rope geek
Trad climber
CA
|
|
|
Apr 29, 2009 - 01:47pm PT
|
John was one of my instructors for advance technical rescue. He left this world making it a better place. Thanks John.
|
|
survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 29, 2009 - 01:50pm PT
|
Rope,
You are so right.
Where was that? Man, I'm so glad that you saw this.
I hope some PJ's will post eventually too.
Thanks bro.
B
|
|
philo
Trad climber
boulder, co.
|
|
|
Apr 29, 2009 - 02:17pm PT
|
Survival this is such sad news. My heartfelt condolences to you and Buggs and all John Evans' friends and family. He sounds quite incredible. A huge and positive influence.
RIP
|
|
survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 29, 2009 - 03:27pm PT
|
I have gotten a very nice note from one of John's friends on the other side of the water.
He has given me a few more details, but asked that we take things slowly until the members of his team are able to sort some things out.
Here's what the BBC has to say: Take it with a grain of salt until we hear from his team.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/8024181.stm
To all John's team in Wales, our hearts go out to you, and we know you did your absolute best, as John would've done for you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I hope you will do me the honor of posting on his thread.
Any pictures of your times together would be appreciated since I can't seem to find a single one.
Don't forget to raise a pint for all of us here in the states who can't be with you at this difficult time. We are with you in spirit.
Bruce Birchell
Survival Instructor class 83-01
University of El Capitan 1978-present
|
|
WHG
Mountain climber
AMS
|
|
|
Apr 29, 2009 - 04:10pm PT
|
A profound loss - I will not be able to process this until i get to Talkeetna; 10-long days from now.
I worked with John at Alaska Mountaineering School(AMS) guiding in the Alaska Range.
|
|
Matt Sutton
Mountain climber
Wales
|
|
|
Apr 29, 2009 - 04:59pm PT
|
Dear Survival and others
I saw your message and wanted to reply. I live in Wales and am a member of OVMRO the local rescue team in Snowdonia John was a member of for 35 years. I climbed with John just last Saturday in the Snowdon mountains and had a great day in the beautiful Spring sunshine. As a team we go rock climbing for recreation on Tuesday evenings. John had just completed a climb on Clogwyn y Grochan in the Llanberis Pass with his partner Lynne and they were descending off the crag when he slipped and fell about 40 metres. He didn't regain consciousness and died from his injuries. I know John had many friends in the US and there is a nice tribute to him on our website... just google OVMRO and you will find it. The list of his skills and achievements you listed is truely remarkable and I will bring it to the attention of members here. We are all devastated by this loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to his partner Lynne and Johns two great kids both of whom enjoy the hills
best wishes Matt Sutton
|
|
survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 29, 2009 - 05:56pm PT
|
Thank you so much Matt.
We are grateful that John had such a great life there, in his real home, and had all of you to share it with.
There are others even here in the states that knew him better than I, and I hope some of them will get here to share also.
I have tried to get the word out to the PJ's through one of their own. I'm sure they will be trying to put something together for his kids. They're that kind of family.
We all wish we could be with you today.
John was a one of a kind guy.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!