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BillO
Boulder climber
Whittier, CA
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Although I can't claim John as a friend, he was and always will be a legendary and inspirational climber.
My condolences to all his Family and Friends.
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Dell
Trad climber
New Paltz, NY
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Oftentimes luminaries have no idea of the impact they have on those with whom they come in contact, however brief. Such was the case with John.
I vividly recall struggling with one of the Water Cracks on Lembert in the early 1980s when John happened by. He stuck around and called up words of encouragement--not beta, that wouldn't have been his m.o.--and I finally pushed through whatever issue I was having.
After my partner and I got back down the three of us talked a while, just chatting among the pines and the granite. Despite being only seven years older than I, John had this centered quality that was almost otherworldly, and yet he was so down to earth! That he would even spend part of a sunny afternoon with a couple of random teenagers...I was in high school and yet I felt like I was in heaven.
John, thank you for helping me become a rock climber.
cheers
Dell
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GhoulweJ
Trad climber
Sacramento, CA
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Ahh man. Sad news.
I was just talking about how amazing John is while with friends this weekend. Everyone had great stories of JB....
I remember being a teenager getting the Rock & ice in at the store and just pouring over the amazing tales of his accomplishments.
This guy will be missed.
Condolences to his family and loved ones.
Jay Renneberg
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rhyang
climber
SJC
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My heart is filled with sadness :( RIP John.
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CathC
Social climber
Wyoming
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Am so sad for John's son and family, my condolences to all his family and friends.
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martygarrison
Trad climber
The Great North these days......
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Devastated
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Dickbob
climber
Colorado
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I am at a loss for words. A great Man indeed!
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Brunosafari
Boulder climber
OR
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I am in total shock. My deepest sympathy goes out to John's family and friends and, really, all of us, for whom he has always been an entertaining inspiration. He was one of a kind, who brought aspects of poetry, music, olympic discipline, philosophy and even innovative enterprise to climbing. God's grace to all of us in our tears, and Rest In Peace, Shining Knight. I hope to see you again with Tobin. We will never forget you.
Bruce Adams
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Man...that ain't right.
We stand on the shoulders of giants. And he was one.
My sincere condolences to all his family and friends.
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Marcopikeur
Sport climber
France
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I've be in touch with John two days ago. We met in Verdon long time ago and was planning to do ITW with him for Escalade mag (french web climbing magazin).
I will do it any way because i personnly think that john was kind of "alpha climber" in USA and also in Europe.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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John was one of the "greats" in the history of American climbing, but he should also be remembered for his incisive intelligence and his musical talent. He also served as an inspiration and a mentor for many younger climbers- he will be missed.
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out of retirement
Social climber
CO
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remember John with his sax and crankin the rad problems.
Godspeed
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Remuus
Trad climber
Cali then; Tetons now
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RIP JB. There will NEVER be another like him. I'm in disbelief and heavily bummed out.
Chris Hash
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martygarrison
Trad climber
The Great North these days......
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So many memories of JB. First met him in the early 70's in camp 4. Dang, beyond belief.
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville
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I can't find words.
I feel nothing today.
-w
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Alpinist63
Mountain climber
neverfarawayfromtherocks
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sad news...
my condolences to the family and friends.
i didn't knew john personnaly but still, he was somehow part of my ''climbingworld''and i think john was one of the most influential climbers ever, and everybody who climbed during the 80s (and later) was motivated and inspired by what john did. he set an example of good style in climbing despite rapbolters and powerdrills.
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Floridaputz
Trad climber
Oakland Park Florida
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He was always my favorite, this really bums me out. RIP John
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curt wohlgemuth
Social climber
Bay Area, California
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I too am just in shock; he was *the man* when I started climbing in 1980. We met him while in the Gorge a couple of years ago, while he was soloing the routes I'd just been falling on. He was so smooth and deliberate, and so obviously loved what he was doing.
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Trittiko
Trad climber
milan
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Hi,
my name is Stefano and I write from Italy. We have lost a great climber. Again I think that it's impossible!!
:(
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marty(r)
climber
beneath the valley of ultravegans
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Pretty shocked, still. There didn't seem like there was much that Bachar couldn't do seamlessly. I went for a walk last night, listening to 'A Love Supreme' on my headset. It didn't help. Maybe sharing a story or two will.
When I was a young been-nowhere, done-nothing grommet I ran into John in Real Hidden Valley. He was wearing some god-awful lycra tights and carrying a gigantic boom box. He was playing "Straight Outta Compton" just a few weeks after it'd come out. Did I mention the box? It was enormous! On many levels, I was blown away. Years passed and I'd run across John here and there, mainly on the East Side. Last summer I took him a copy of Parlaiment's 'Motor Booty Affair', the album he framed and displayed with pride. The sleeve became an image he'd post from time to time. I like to think that he always had good tunes in his head and dolphins under his feet.
Just last summer I had the pleasure of doing the Dike Route on Pywiak as John played sax below. It was the best way to end a wonderful season in the mountains. Clear skies above and soulful melodies floating all around.
More recently he helped out with the Yosemite Climber project. I just wish he'd been able to find out how his contribution moved the whole thing forward.
http://yosemiteclimber.blogspot.com/
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