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Chief
climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
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I had the privilege of hanging out with Walter back in the old days.
He was such a hero and role model to us aspiring young wall climbers.
We scorched his fixed ropes on an epic attempt on the Trip year one of my climbing career (76-77) and he was incredibly forgiving and gracious.
Tested "foilies" (imagine a giant aluma head made of tin foil wrapped around a piece of knotted webbing) on the Camp 4 boulders with Walter and Tom Carter during their prep for Tribal Rite (their working title was War of the Newts).
Terrible loss in so many ways.
RIP.
PB
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KabalaArch
Trad climber
Starlite, California
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A little known fact of Walter Rosenthal's legacy it his 1st skie descent of "The Checkered Demon," a bit south of Mt Humphries, and not visale from anywhere else.
This coulor was originally ascended by Doug Robinson, et al, in the 70's, as an AI climb.
About 1800 feet, its elevator shaft goes for hundreds at a width of 170cm.
"Inhabited by strange flying rocks," read the Peak, of the same name, during my summer recon from its top, desirous of a 2nd descent. My 1st view was while I'd skied neighboring Kindergarden Couloir, at the suggestion of Alan Bard, who lived across the street. It's only 65 degrees, but a great deal wider, if a double fall line off-camber. I was chased out of the Demon's base by a falling Volkswagan Microbus.
I later chartered a private plane, to drop in from Humphries Basin, to photograph the Demon top to bottom; an aerial recon.
To the best of my knowledge, the 2nd (and possibly only other) descent was done by Glen Plake, who approached via snowmobile, and published it in "Powder." While I was sorely tempted to write the rag, and inform its readership that most folks do these things car to car, and not for money, I guess I forgot to.
Usually, the snow depth around the Chair 3 fumerole is just a few feet, is staked, and I've visited it more than a few times out of interest. The day of the deaths, the Mtn had many days of heavy snow. Clearly, the Ski Patrol' stakeline extended well over an undercut melthole.
Witness the Convict Lake catastropy, whith which I am more tnan intimately familier.
I'm sorry to revisit the past. We all have to live with it. What, exactly, is a 1st ressponder to do? My understanding is that the Chair 3 responders where dead within their first breath.
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Fletcher
Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
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Peace... Let it flow. Good folks, good times...
Eric
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
mammoth lakes ca
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I remember buying a beer at Tom's place after work and being told that a ski patrolman from sunny slopes had died that day on the mountain by falling into a fumarole...I told the cashier it couldn't have been Walter because he was too competent and experienced to die like that...God was i wrong...! The first time i had ever seen Walter was in 1980...He was walking on Old Mammoth Road out by where snowcreek golf course is now located...He had this huge sh#t eating grin on his face like he had just eatin a pound of mushrooms...Did the Mt. ever get sued for this incident...As i remember , they had been cited by Cal Osha for not mitigating the danger prior to the accident...? RJ
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hossjulia
Social climber
Eastside (of the Tetons)
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What's really rotten to me, John, is that the mountain did NOTHING to mitigate future accidents at that site. Since they can build their own lift towers, they can close off that fumerol. The monument on top of the Paraniods is nice, but it should have been part of a permanant closeur at the site. It WILL happen again.
During training, Reitman heard somebody joking around about the fumerol, he came out of his office and chewed us all out. We got a 20 minute tirad about how dangerous it was and how if anyone dies on his watch, it'll be in that hole. Man was he right!
Still pisses me off, can you tell?
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Reeotch
Trad climber
Kayenta, AZ
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I'm remembering good times sharing a rope with Scottie McAndrews. Such a fine compassionate and selfless soul. Left a big hole in the lives of all who knew him. My heart still aches.
I've never been to a more heartfelt memorial.
We miss you Scottie!
~Rich~
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Capt.
climber
some eastside hovel
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Always will remember that day.My birthday's on the seventh so was kinda pre celebrating and skiing a half day that day.Skied by "stink hole" on my way out that day.Got back to Bishop by noon/one.Message on phone:"Dude,patty fatality at stink hole".Called friends all over the eastside to get the word.Total bummer as I found out one fatality was actually three.Scotty lived down the street from me and a couple weeks later I was at his memorial.He was so nice/friendly it intimidated me.Miss ya,wish I woulda said more.
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zBrown
Ice climber
Chula Vista, CA
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This brings to mind Steve McKinney. Folks aren't supposed to die this way. Didn't know any of them personally, but they made it possible for me and tons of others to enjoy our passion safely up at Mammoth. Can't thank enough, can't do a thing about it. It ain't fair.
eKat, you got that knack of talking right out of your heart. All the friends and families will love what you posted.
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apogee
climber
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"He was so nice/friendly it intimidated me."
I hear ya.
Scotty's good natured spirit, willingness to do anything for anyone at anytime, and his commitment to service to others always was a presence and role model that was, and still is, 'intimidating'. I'm fairly certain I'll never achieve that purity of soul, at least not in this lifetime.
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Capt.
climber
some eastside hovel
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Well put brotha.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Thinking about Scotty, James & Walter today. You are in our minds and hearts, and continue to influence and guide our lives. You are missed, friends.
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Stimbo
Trad climber
Crowley Lake
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Lori and Lily in Berkeley... Walter's wife and daughter. Lily will be graduating from Cal this May with a degree in English. Lily has her father's beaming smile.
We miss you buddy!
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Leggs
Sport climber
Home away from Home
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This thread is a wonderful tribute...
~peace to all
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marty(r)
climber
beneath the valley of ultravegans
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Remembering Scottie...
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
mammoth lakes ca
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Stimbo...Nice shot..! Thanks for sharing...RJ
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OR
Trad climber
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I remember much about the accident but never saw this thread. I just read it in its entirety. Vibes to the men their families and the other rescuers.
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Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
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Sorry for your loss all. Sending my best vibes out there!
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Nice shot, marty. Where was that taken?
I'm thinking about eating an entire pint of Ben & Jerry's today in Scotty's honor.
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10b4me
Ice climber
Happy Boulders
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Seven years already?
yes it was a sad day. didn't know them, but certainly knew of Walter.
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splitter
Trad climber
Cali Hodad, surfing the galactic plane ~:~
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I have so many great memories of times spent with Walter, climbing, bouldering, skiing, working, as off and on roommates, and just hanging out. But I suppose that his smile and chuckle are what I'll always remember most about him, what made so many of those times extra special. And which also, if I was having any doubts, reminded me why we had chosen to be there rather than anywhere else. Thanks Walter, RIP!
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