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Maleski
climber
Bozeman
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Jun 19, 2007 - 08:54pm PT
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Bobby,
With Maxwell, the HLD of all HLDs in Capetown by your side, I'm sure you will be coping, stacking and chinking in no time. Keep hanging in there you are the strongest.
We are all pulling for you and by your side no matter the miles.
Joe,
You've always been an inspiration to Bobby and everyone else. Thanks.
Pete, Teri, and Eliza
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Charlotte
climber
DC, Turks and Caicos
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Jun 19, 2007 - 11:01pm PT
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Hi Bob-Meister,
Glad to hear the news is pretty good and that you are hanging in there (how very like you!). I've called Kim and will call Kazuki, we are all rooting for you. You must be chuffed to be surrounded by everyone so hug them all for me, OK? as soon as you can!
Much love to everyone,
Charlotte
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Karen Schipfmann
Social climber
Cody, Wyoming
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Jun 20, 2007 - 12:06am PT
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Hi Bobby, Faith, Anne, Jim, and the rest-
We continue to send love, support and positive thoughts to you all in Cape Town. May the healing power of God and the love coming from all these wonderful people carry you through this ordeal. I know we will soon all share another hike around Cody ascending quickly to catch the "best light" or a good meal at Sage Creek Ranch or on Casper Drive. We have you on the babysitting short list since before you left for Africa you remarked to me, "You must be getting pretty big!" with my second child and I know you want to change a diaper. Stay strong and get better as we're all pulling and praying for you here in Cody. Can't wait to have you over for dinner to hear about your future adventures. Keep your head up Faith we are all behind you.
Love
Karen, Jay, Riley and Randall
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Cruiser
Mountain climber
Cody
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Jun 20, 2007 - 12:22am PT
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Hello All,
Joe Maxwell, how noble it is to be Bobbys belay partner at this time. Thank you for the unselfish effort to help him and comfort his family and friends. Many in this forum probably don't recall the Cessna 182 plane crash I was involved in January of 1985. I was a climbing instructor trading flight lessons for climbing lessons. While photographing icefalls on the Southfork my instructor flew up the wrong drainage with severe downdrafts. We lost altitude and stalled out at 11,000 feet crashing into the last avalable stand of trees ripping the wings off the aircraft and came to rest in 6 feet of snow. The pilot had not filed a flight plan and the weather was deteriorating. At some point I became consious and broke the window out of the aircraft and stood on what was left of the wing and filled my footprint with blood from my face. I removed Chris from the plane and found two summer weight sleeping bags to cover her. The ELT transmitter did not go off. I hiked to the north ridge to get my bearings. I had been in this area before but not under these circumstances and not in street clothing. The next 24 hours of postholing, dragging and carring a women to safety across the Ishawooa plateau and down to the southfork valley while my friends where in the air looking for us was the climb of my life. Bobby has the strenght to overcome.
Sincerely,
Kirt D. Cozzens
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Gary & Nancy Axthelm
climber
Cody, WY
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Jun 20, 2007 - 12:28am PT
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Bobby-
Glad to hear some bits of positive news from Joe and Faith. We are pulling for you! The places and things that you have seen and done in your life are an inspiration to all of us. Remembering your kindness, great climbing stories, and awe-inspiring photography keep us comforted during this stretch of your recovery. Know that our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your family.
Gary and Nancy Axthelm
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sienna burns
Social climber
Great Falls,MT
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Jun 20, 2007 - 02:47am PT
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Bobby Faithy and Family and friends,
I didn't know about this powerful and gracious forum until Faith wrote yesterday. I have been moved beyond word's I have also gotten glimpses of a Bobby that I hadn't known before. My Dad used to read Robert Service out loud to us growing up some would say that it was to harsh for our ears but we loved not only the tails of strength, fights and adventure but the wonderful "music" that Robert Service ballads have when spoken. He writes about "hard oaks" who sustain and endure hard times and brutality as well as the beauty in nature. Bobby I am sure you will enjoy! All our Love Sienna,John, Alanna and Ryan as well as our extended families.
The Shooting of Dan McGrew By Robert Service
A bunch of the boys were whooping it up
in the Malamute saloon;
The kid that handles the music-box
was hitting a jag-time tune;
Back of the bar, in a solo game,
sat Dangerous Dan McGrew,
And watching his luck was his light-o'-love,
the lady that's known as Lou.
When out of the night, which was fifty below,
and into the din and the glare,
There stumbled a miner fresh from the creeks,
dog-dirty, and loaded for bear.
He looked like a man with a foot in the grave
and scarcely the strength of a louse,
Yet he tilted a poke of dust on the bar,
and he called for drinks for the house.
There was none could place the stranger's face,
though we searched ourselves for a clue;
But we drank his health, and the last to drink
was Dangerous Dan McGrew.
There's men that somehow just grip your eyes,
and hold them hard like a spell;
And such was he, and he looked to me
like a man who had lived in hell;
With a face most hair, and the dreary stare
of a dog whose day is done,
As he watered the green stuff in his glass,
and the drops fell one by one.
Then I got to figgering who he was,
and wondering what he'd do,
And I turned my head -- and there watching him
was the lady that's known as Lou.
His eyes went rubbering round the room,
and he seemed in a kind of daze,
Till at last that old piano fell
in the way of his wandering gaze.
The ragtime kid was having a drink;
there was no one else on the stool,
So the stranger stumbles across the room,
and flops down there like a fool.
In a buckskin shirt that was glazed with dirt
he sat, and I saw him sway;
Then he clutched the keys with his talon hands
-- my God! but that man could play!
Were you ever out in the Great Alone,
when the moon was awful clear,
And the icy mountains hemmed you in
with a silence you most could hear;
With only the howl of a timber wolf,
and you camped there in the cold,
A half-dead thing in a stark, dead world,
clean mad for the muck called gold;
While high overhead, green, yellow and red,
the North Lights swept in bars? --
Then you've a hunch what the music meant...
hunger and night and the stars.
And hunger not of the belly kind,
that's banished with bacon and beans,
But the gnawing hunger of lonely men
for a home and all that it means;
For a fireside far from the cares that are,
four walls and a roof above;
But oh! so cramful of cozy joy,
and crowned with a woman's love --
A woman dearer than all the world,
and true as Heaven is true...
(God! how ghastly she looks through her rouge, --
the lady that's known as Lou).
Then on a sudden the music changed,
so soft that you scarce could hear;
But you felt that your life had been looted clean
of all that it once held dear;
That someone had stolen the woman you loved;
that her love was a devil's lie;
That your guts were gone, and the best for you
was to crawl away and die.
'Twas the crowning cry of a heart's despair,
and it thrilled you through and through --
"I guess I'll make it a spread misere,"
said Dangerous Dan McGrew.
The music almost died away...
then it burst like a pent-up flood;
And it seemed to say, "Repay, repay,"
and my eyes were blind with blood.
The thought came back of an ancient wrong,
and it stung like a frozen lash,
And the lust awoke to kill, to kill...
then the music stopped with a crash,
And the stranger turned, and his eyes they burned
in a most peculiar way;
In a buckskin shirt that was glazed with dirt
he sat, and I saw him sway;
Then his lips went in in a kind of grin,
and he spoke, and his voice was calm,
And "Boys," says he, "you don't know me,
and none of you care a damn;
But I want to state, and my words are straight,
and I'll bet my poke they're true,
That one of you is a hound of hell...
and that one is Dan McGrew."
Then I ducked my head, and the lights went out,
and two guns blazed in the dark,
And a woman screamed, and the lights went up,
and two men lay stiff and stark.
Pitched on his head, and pumped full of lead,
was Dangerous Dan McGrew,
While the man from the creeks lay clutched to the breast
of the lady that's known as Lou.
These are the simple facts of the case,
and I guess I ought to know.
They say the stranger was crazed with "hooch,"
and I'm not denying it's so.
I'm not so wise as the lawyer guys,
but strictly between us two --
The woman that kissed him -- and pinched his poke --
was the lady that's known as Lou.
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nita
climber
chico ca
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Jun 20, 2007 - 03:26am PT
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Bobby,We've never met , but after reading these posts, I can see you are a friend -loved by many. Here in supertopo land, we are sending out our healing thoughts and prayers...to you.
Right now -I am singing to you, a couple of verses of my favorite, Emmylou Harris song: Love and Happiness.
here's a wishing well
here's a penny for
any thought it is that makes you smile
every diamond dream
everything that brings
love and happiness
to your life
here's a spinning wheel
use it once you've learned
there's a way to turn
the straw to gold
here's a rosary
count on every bead
with a prayer to keep
the hope you hold
you will always have a lucky star
that shines because of what you are
even in the deepest dark
because your aim is true
and if i could have one wish
darling,then it would be this
love and happiness for you....
and full recovery.... ;-)
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bunnypoo
climber
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Jun 20, 2007 - 03:27am PT
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Bobby,
This evening I ran to the highest hilltop I could find. I wanted to send you the smell of sage, the awe of so many dragonflies in their mystical play, the sound of the wind and crickets - the power and the beauty of this earth to renew your spirit. I sent a prayer with the setting sun that it's immense energy rise on you each day and give you strength and reawaken you 110% to this fine world.
All my love-
Molly
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JoeMax
Mountain climber
Belfry
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Jun 20, 2007 - 06:31am PT
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Dear Freinds: Just got back from the hospital finished a visit with bobby,faith. He is is still in a restful condition.His neurological response to pain stimuli is there. he don't like that much for sure. That was the first time I saw that so ! that was good! Bobby had some fever yesterday, they are treating that with antibotics ,so that seemed to be reduced today. Yesterday his resipiration rate was quite high 30+ , and he was sweaty and seemed bothered ,so got out of the ICU befor Bobby got up and started telling everyone to just leave ME alone. Bobby has alittle shrine going in his room .I brought a box from "Joe's World"Knome,Gizzard stone,mountain goat fur,picture of twin lakes,Tiki God of Brain Ingury statue,Saint Christopher Metal,you know stuff like that. Faith was holding a piece of Wyoming sage under his nose, it made Bobby wiggle his nose ++++
Bobby is still with us and planing his next project as we speak! Thank you all for your throughts and prayers.I'll keep ya posted.Remain stong,Remain calm . FOR BOBBY JOE
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Charlotte
climber
DC, Turks and Caicos
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Jun 20, 2007 - 08:10am PT
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Hey Bob-Meister,
It's hot and muggy in DC right now - and here I am, thinking that Faith was supposed to be here in a few days!!! Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I made some coffee this morning, and it was Kilimanjaro, so it made me think of you and mountain-slayers of your ilk ...
Lifting my (coffee) cup to you,
Charlotte
PS: extra big hugs to Faith and Anne
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dadsloader
Social climber
chester-le- street england
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Jun 20, 2007 - 09:59am PT
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Thanks so much JoeMax that info lifted me --great stuff-- just following on from Faith,s little stories -- and taking what JCB said about BoMo and his little ways
On one of his recent trips to Engalnd/Scotland we were looking across a valley with the cloud base below and pheasants flying as high as cathedrals above us Bobbys Dad asks me" How is the game book coming along Steve " ( we try to keep a written record of where we go who are our companions and things that happen--us older types like to reflect sometimes ) I reply rather embarrassed that I,m way behind - but that I have the details to write up-- no problem(!)
His father replies in that lovely Wyoming drawl or it may have been that upper class English affectation he carries off so well -Old Boy (not wanting to put me down)
Yunno Steeevee-- Bobby, s so meticulous he would have written the journal everyday straightaway ---(and I reply in my N East English accent-)--Is that so? well if Bobby,s so clever why didn,t he write the journal before we started? (This was said in jest and we laughed ) So I know where JCBs coming from.
So far as I know Bobby has never visited England /Scotland to climb or photo graph --
With some friends we made an attempt at Easter time in 82 on the Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye --we were beaten back by weather and sheer fright at times - but it remains a classic British traverse and is still a dream of mine to try again - I think its mostly guided now but those days it was fair game. So Bobby when your ready help haul my backside over the Cuillins -- Positive thoughts and our prayers to you and for you -
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Gil Williams
Social climber
FL
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Jun 20, 2007 - 10:56am PT
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Bobby;
We've never met, and I have little record of climbing, other that at the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in New Mexico…many years ago. Yet I wanted to write and tell you that you do have a close knit group as I read the other posts on this website.
I am a commercial photographer here in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, and through three Mission Trips to Africa, I have found it is hard to not have a desire for Adventure on that Continent. Though my trips are "silent retreats" compared to your adventures, I just drove from Nairobi to Capetown with friends, and driving across S. Africa by myself a couple of times. Yet, I think I have an inkling understanding for your love for Africa and the people there. It is an amazing place.
I will continue to pray for you and your recovery, as well as your family. (Please know that you have an amazing sister & friends who stay so close to you {and Faith you better! read that out loud & clear to him and to yourself)… and I will continue to pray for you all, and please let us know if there is anything we (the SuperTopo Climer's Forum) can do.
Gil Williams
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Mr. Southfork
Ice climber
Cody, WY
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Jun 20, 2007 - 11:13am PT
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Hey Bobby, I'm going to breakfast at the Noonbreak (again) and thought of you. We haven't had time to do very much in the last five years except meet for a meal. I'm confident that this tragedy will pass so we can enjoy Steve's fine cooking together again.
Thanks to all for the updates and especially SUPERTOPO for providing this forum.
Sincerely,
Todd G. Cozzens
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Janet Cozzens
climber
Cody, WY
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Jun 20, 2007 - 11:22am PT
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Hey Bobby,
I just want to give you an update on the things happening around the neighborhood. There are trees and shrubs going in where Cody Feed used to be. There are new trees between the curb and the sidewalk the length of the empty lot. The grass is coming in next and it will be here shortly. The block is starting to sparkle a little. Barron is really putting forth an effort here and wants things to look great. Your building has inspired Barron to do some work with this building. It will be beautiful. Between your building, this building, and the Chamberlain, the block is looking great!!
Kirt and I and the boys hiked up to Glacier Lake in the Beartooth's on Father's Day. We got snowed on at the end of the trail. It was beautiful and I couldn't help but think of you and know in my heart that you will make it back out into this country that is so wild and calling your name. Do you hear it calling to you? We are all here wanting to talk to you and reminece about adventures of the past and adventures not yet taken. You are with all of us as we are with you. I know that you are there enjoying the stories, so we will keep them coming - stay tuned!
Sincerely,
Janet
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Coezy
Social climber
Cody
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Jun 20, 2007 - 11:29am PT
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Bobby - We are all praying that you and your family. Hoping that you make a speedy recovery and get back to Cody soon.
Love, Anne and Jim Hayes
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Cynthia Rankin
Social climber
Cody, Wyoming
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Jun 20, 2007 - 11:46am PT
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Hi Bobby
Just wanted you to know that my prayers are going out to you and your family daily. Hang in there, the world is in need of a few good men. You are definitely one of the good guys. Looking forward to receiving another one of your exasperated phone calls from Kenya.
Cynthia Rankin
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L
climber
A small kayak on a very big ocean
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Jun 20, 2007 - 12:14pm PT
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Bobby,
Like several others here, I've known you only through your work--some absolutely amazing photographs--but after reading this entire thread, I feel I know you as well as my own brother.
You seem like a man with a spirit as large as the Earth herself, and a heart to match. The strength and determination which pulled you through so many other close encounters will surely pull you through this one, too. And with the love and good will of so many--family and friends (both known and unknown)--I know we'll see more of your incredible photos, and hear of your continuing exploits and adventures in the future.
Namaste Bobby--you're almost at the summit.
Laura
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khaki
Social climber
wayne
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Jun 20, 2007 - 12:46pm PT
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Dearest Bobby-
You are a light that shines so bright in our family! We all are praying for you and wish that we could be there to hold your hand! We always love to hear all of the stories of your accomplishments and when we are flipping through a national geographic or another outdoor related magazine and find your work ~ your cousin Alex and I feel so proud that you are our cousin. You are an amazing human being that we all respect and admire so much! I want to spend wonderful family times together. We are all praying for you and love you!
Khaki Young
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Mallamo
Trad climber
NC
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Jun 20, 2007 - 02:19pm PT
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BoMo,
The first time I met you we were boarding a plane heading to Mali West Africa. I had heard of you but as you looked me over I could tell you were sizing me up. Your wheels were turning and your eyes were squinting, “Who is this Mallamo guy” I could hear you saying in your head. By the time we landed in Bamako, after several small cans of beer and an 18-hour flight, we were long-time friends. When the Harmattan Winds came, bringing with them a month long sand storm, we commiserated as we tried desperately to keep our cameras clean and the zippers on our tents functional. And as we were about to rappel down into the “Cave of Skulls” (from that manky anchor Hatcher set) we drew sticks to see who would go first. You won.
Since then we have been to many extreme places together, trying to stay out of each other’s shot and trying to tell a story through images we were capturing. In Kenya we watched the largest full moon in 130 years rise over the Ndoto Mountains while listening to the Samburu chant in the village below us. In Greenland we hauled loads up the hill to base camp talking only enough to get the words out without having to inhale a mouthful of mosquitoes or black flies. In Patagonia we awakened every morning for 2 weeks at 4:oo a.m. to walk the three miles to the spot we had scouted to get a shot of Fitz Roy in golden morning light, and as we waited for that moment we talked about many things including how hard it was to get a shot of Fitz Roy in golden morning light. In Pakistan you watched as I plugged my iPod into a very suspect outlet in the Jeep we were riding in only to see sparks and flames come from under the dash. On our next trip to Pakistan you did the exact same thing rendering your iPod useless for the remainder of the journey.
Throughout these experiences and the endless list of other ones it was always you that kept up that positive attitude and never ending enthusiasm you always seem to exude even as you tried desperately to get your iPod to work. When times got rough or even downright scary you were the one that kept your wits and looked at things in a straightforward manner and said, “We have to keep going forward, what other choice do we have”. Always beaming with that Model smile.
That is why it is now our turn to emulate you and have the positive outlook and optimism that seems to come to you so naturally. You WILL get through this, you WILL beat this and we WILL have many more experiences together to recall later in life when this episode is merely a memory and we sit and share a bottle of Tullamore Dew.
I love you like a brother.
Peter
me & Bill Hatcher with BoMo in "The Cave of Skulls" near the village of Sangha-Mali, West Africa 1998
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KWG
climber
Jackson, WY
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Jun 20, 2007 - 02:56pm PT
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I have been following this forum daily since reading about Bobby's accident on the Jackson Hole News & Guide Web site but have been reluctant to post as a)I'm not a climber, b)I'm not a photographer, and, c)I'm not even a "friend" of Bobby or his family.
I only crossed paths with Bobby a few times at the University of Wyoming -- we had friends in common. Somehow I ended up with a hilarious snapshot of him at one winter's "Norwegian Olympics."
Anyway.
Some years after graduating from UW I stumbled upon some amazing evidence of Bobby's impressive career in National Geographic magazine and was thrilled to discover he was out there doing Wyoming proud.
I should mention, that while Bobby probably has no recollection of me, he was a TA for a photography class I took at UW and I'm convinced I passed with a B primarily due to what I'm assuming was the kind pity Bobby took when grading my horrific work.
Get well soon, Bobby. Wyoming -- and the world -- needs you.
Karen
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