John Bachar - In memory of a great man 1957 – 2009

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Messages 161 - 180 of total 682 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Robinson

Trad climber
Chattanooga
Jul 6, 2009 - 01:14pm PT

John leading "A Good Place To Come" at the Tennessee Wall, Chattanooga, Tennessee. November, 2008
Vern Clevenger

climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Jul 6, 2009 - 01:14pm PT
Thanks Mike for the wonderful photo which brings back all those memories of good times so long ago.

I saw the ambulance racing through Mammoth yesterday. I didn't think much of it. Now I'm in tears and shock ... I too called John, hoping against hope that he would answer. I had become close to John these last few years as a father, and as old friends dealing with severe medical conditions. Don't know what to say today. Please John, send your son all the energy and fatherly love that you can and keep it up until he is grown into a man himself.

Rest In Peace
Robinson

Trad climber
Chattanooga
Jul 6, 2009 - 01:18pm PT

John leading "The Parsifal Mosaic," Bee Rocks, Chattanooga, TN November, 2008
dbs

climber
Jul 6, 2009 - 01:18pm PT
When I got up this am and checked my mail, I got what I thought was a bad joke from a friend. When I recieved multiple bad jokes, I realized that it was a bad dream and wanted so much to wake up.
So many super times that I cannot even count. I am happy though that my memories are clear and these will stay with me forever.

Through my life I have dealt with a lot of death and tragedy and I thought I was pretty bullit proof to these circumstances, but this has knocked me off feet. My heart aches and I feel empty.

Yano was a great man and will be remembered by thousands.

Best,

Dale
Knave

climber
Jul 6, 2009 - 01:21pm PT
This is very, very sad indeed. I had always idolized John and his contemporaries. Starting 33 years ago a few years behind the "Stone Masters" My friends and I would listen to the tales and climb some of the more saner routes these guys were putting up, always thinking; " Bachar is soloing this stuff when I'm gripped out of my skull with a new rope". Bachar seemed to be the embodiment of physical hone and calm focus. A Pedestal was arranged in my mind for him and his ilk. I figured that if I ever met him he would be aloof and unapproachable. Years later when I did meet him he was very genuine and self-effacing, helpful to a fault when dialing me in with several pairs of shoes. I came away thinking what a cool man that was on each occasion. If he was ever unapproachable he sure has changed. Reading the other posts It seems his son gave him a gift of temperance I know my son has given me a similar gift. While I didn't know him well I feel a great sadness in his passing and a greater sadness for his family and friends who now must bear an excruciating amount of pain and sorrow. This is a cruel planet to be incarnated on at times to be sure. Thanks for years of inspiration to several generations.
Dave Johnson

Mountain climber
Sacramento, CA
Jul 6, 2009 - 01:23pm PT
Very, very, sad news. My heart goes out to his family, loved ones and friends.
Robinson

Trad climber
Chattanooga
Jul 6, 2009 - 01:23pm PT

John leading "Open Boat Whalers" at the Tennessee Wall, Chattanooga, TN November, 2008
Largo

Sport climber
Venice, Ca
Jul 6, 2009 - 01:25pm PT
Bruce Adams wrote:

He was John Bachar, a freckled kid who's face gleamed joy.

Then he became John Bachar.


I was pretty much numbed out till I read this, which perfectly captured John, especially to those of us who knew him when he first got started. His boyish enthusiasm could light a crag on fire. His early solos (Butterballs, New Dimensions, all the stuff out at Josh, et al) had an effect on the climbing world which can never be replicated.

Man, did that guy love to climb.

JL
Carboni

Trad climber
Cape Town
Jul 6, 2009 - 01:27pm PT
The South African climbing community is stunned by the tragic loss of such a great and influential climber. We will all miss the presence of John on this planet and all the staff at SA Mountain Sport Magazine send their deep felt condolences to his family and everybody whose life was touched by John.
L

climber
A deep dive in the shallows of life..
Jul 6, 2009 - 01:28pm PT
My friend Dingus just told me about this...I don't know what to say right now, except that John was a really great guy whom I liked and admired a lot. He will be missed...so much...by so many.


Namaste to you, John...thank you for all you gave us...
goatboy smellz

climber
लघिमा, co
Jul 6, 2009 - 01:35pm PT
Unbelievable sad to hear this…my heart goes out to all of John’s dear friends and family, it's like hearing superman has died, he set the style we all should reach for.
Conrad

climber
Jul 6, 2009 - 01:40pm PT
With deepest condolences to family, friends and the climbing community around the world.

John was a visionary climber ~ we will all miss him.

To his spirit. May it inspire generations to come.
Cosmin

Big Wall climber
Europe/China
Jul 6, 2009 - 01:52pm PT
R.I.P.
C
Reilly

Mountain climber
Monrovia, CA
Jul 6, 2009 - 01:53pm PT
We all know he was great.
It is a pity more of us didn't know him as
the great person and friend he obviously was.
My heartfelt condolences to all of you.

WanderlustMD

Trad climber
New England
Jul 6, 2009 - 02:08pm PT
Never met John, but, like most, I admired him. Always hoped I'd run into him someday. Like a lot of people said above, this is the last thing you'd expect to hear...

Condolences to family/friends.
-Matt
Karl Baba

Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
Jul 6, 2009 - 02:08pm PT

Tough shoes to fill
kiki

climber
Jul 6, 2009 - 02:17pm PT
My Condolences to John's Family and Friends

Thanks for dinner my friend, we had some great times.

Kathy Laskey
Jan

Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
Jul 6, 2009 - 02:20pm PT
I never met John since my Valley days were over before he arrived. Of course I read about him in books and only yesterday was inspired to respond to a couple of threads of his on this site. Today I read the sad news.

A loss to so many people on so many levels, but especially to his family and young son. His memory will always live on.

altieboo

Boulder climber
Livermore, Ca
Jul 6, 2009 - 02:20pm PT
RIP John Bachar. You will be missed by all.

My condolences to the Bachar family and best friends.
Abissi

Trad climber
MI
Jul 6, 2009 - 02:21pm PT
The past two years John became my friend. Last year at the Trade show we sat and drank something as we were both recovering from the same type of injury.

He will be deeply missed by me

The biggest walls are up there my friend, climb to your hearts content.
Messages 161 - 180 of total 682 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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