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guyman
Trad climber
Moorpark, CA.
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This is so sad. I can’t accept this right now.
I remember the teen, John. The one who would ride his motorbike, 50 miles one- way to Stony Point, every day after school because he had to climb.
…… John was always way strong, one time his motorbike’s battery needed a charge. I went to my garage to get the charger and brought it to the side yard where the bike was parked. I had to go back and get an extension cord. Before I went to get it I told John, “remove the seat so we can get to the battery”. When I got back the seat was off the bike. When the battery was fully re-charged, John went to replace the seat, he picked it up and set it down on to the bike and pushed down hard. I asked him what he was doing and he said “the seat just pulled straight up and off before, I don’t know what’s wrong now” as he tried to realign it. I grabbed it from him and looked at the underside of the seat, I looked at the bike….. yes it did have a nice RELEASE LEVER, that was still not released. It took me a second to figure out what had happened but it was hard to believe. John didn’t know about the lever ( all bikes have them, it’s so you can get to the battery and stuff under the seat) so he figured the seat just pulled off….. He pulled and pulled and then he CRANKED on that seat….. with both hands! He got the four 10 mm bolts holding the seat to the bike to rip right through the sheet metal!!!!!! I welded the whole mess back together and he was on his way, but I still don’t know how he did that…. poor bolts didn’t stand a chance.
…… I remember when we helped him “move to Hidden Valley Campground” from his folks house (Dad if I recall). I was sitting there talking with John and I asked him this question. “John what are you going to DO out here?” Without hesitation he said this: “I am going to become the best rock climber who ever lived” …….
Hats off to you John, you went out and lived your dream…. with both hands.
Rest in Peace.
Guy Keesee
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atchafalaya
climber
Babylon
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Really horrible news to get after a weekend of climbing. Like getting punched in the gut. It always seemed like there are all of us other climbers, and then there was John Bachar.
Thank you for inspiring all of us for so many years.
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Gunkswest
climber
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Many years ago I got to witness Coz lead his new route, Father Figure (12d/13a), at JT. Coz is certainly no slouch when it comes to climbing and watching him dyno from crimper to crimper up the overhanging wall was one of the most impressive things I had ever seen. I later went back with JB and watched him climb the route. Not only did he solo it, he grabbed every hold statically like he was on a 5.7. John certainly did harder, bolder and more noteworthy climbs, but this was by far the most impressive climbing feat I've ever seen.
Thanks for being an inspiration John.
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cranky
Big Wall climber
Oceanside, CA
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I met him after he soloed above me in Owen's River Gorge. It kinda freaked me out to see someone above since it was a single pitch. My husband had followed his accomplishments for years. It was so great that we could meet the legend. Neither of us will forget that day.
Our best to his friends and family.
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Jim Herrington
Mountain climber
New York, NY
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I don't have much to say. I'm stunned.
Growing up, there were climbers I wanted to climb as good as, but Bachar... he was on another planet. Too good to even aspire to... you just observed with mouth wide open.
He and I traded emails a week or two ago. He gave enthusiastic compliments about my photographs and agreed to be a part of my climber portrait series. From the few words I traded with him it seems his heart was as big as his talent. I was excited to finally meet the man next month...
RIP
-Jim
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Carboni
Trad climber
Cape Town
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We want to pay tribute to John in the next issue of SA Mountain Sport. If anyone one has a few hi-res pics of John climbing or just hanging out, we would greatly appreciate some to go with the tribute. Let me know.
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bonin_in_the_boneyard
Trad climber
Up the 'Creek w/out a Prada
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John seemed to have found his heaven on earth when he climbed. I hope whatever he finds on the other side is even better.
My deepest condolences and respects to his family and friends left behind.
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charley
Trad climber
nw pa.
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OMG I can't believe this. There has been way to much of this. I never knew John. He will be so missed by the climbing community. Condolences and prayers for his family and friends.
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Ricky D
Trad climber
Sierra Westside
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Maybe it's just me - but I swear I keep hearing the faint tones of a saxophone in the wind today.
Funk has come to the high country - angels be dancing!
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floppy
climber
portland, oregon
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Heard the news this morning while playing a round of disc golf.
RIP
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BluntMan
Gym climber
Wild Omar, CA
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Met John 1 time. I'd been climbing a few years. I came in for a shower at Desert Rocks after a great day on the rocks and I saw a guy sitting down at a table with a slide projector. I asked him what was happening. He looked up at me and said he was going to give a slideshow. I asked him what his name was. He smiled at me and said, " John....John Bachar". I was new to the game and didn't know anyone by sight. But I knew his name and I knew I was was lucky to meet a legend. RIP.
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Blitzo
Social climber
Earth
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Clarence Cashner (Cash), Bachar and Jobee.
Yerian and Bachar.
Photo: Grant Hiskes/Blitzo Collection.
Bachar.
Photo: Grant Hiskes/Blitzo Colleection.
Bachar on the speed bag.
Bachar's throwing star target.
Photos by Blitzo unless stated otherwise.
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Kindredlion
Big Wall climber
4hrs too far from YNP
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One Love!
One heart!
Lets get together and Feel Alright!!
Thanks John for bringin so much and so many together!
Keep on shining!
JB will never Die :D
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scuffy b
climber
Sinatra to Singapore
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Thanks for the inspiration, John.
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ec
climber
ca
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RIP John
Condolences to family...
We crossed paths several times over the years. All were good moments.
 ec
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Hummerchine
Trad climber
East Wenatchee, WA
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What can I say when the climber who was my greatest inspiration in 30 years of climbing dies? It's just awful. I just know, though, that he led an amazing life, far more than mere mortals can grasp. But I am very sad and I will miss him. May he rest in peace.
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Maysho
climber
Truckee, CA
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Wow, just came out of the woods and landed in Arcata, where Val and Tyrus live, walked into the gym this morning and heard this...
have no words really, an amazing legacy, an inspiration to generations, I was psyched to think of him growing old soloing easy lines to the end...
Big heartfelt condolences to Tyrus, and all who were close to him.
Peter Mayfield
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looking sketchy there...
Social climber
Latitute 33
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John was one of those rare and amazing people that combined raw talent and deep intellect through a laser-like focus, calculation and calm determination. He literally revolutionized rock climbing.
Watching him climb was awe inspiring and an education. I'm still stunned.
Sarah and I send our deepest condolences to his son Tyrus.
Randy Vogel
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Alois
Social climber
Idyllwild, California
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What a loss for the climbing world. There will not be another one like him, ever. My condolences to his son Tyrus, and all the Stonemasters and others who were close to him.
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MH2
climber
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Thanks everyone for giving a sense of who he was. Clearly he had a lot of good times and gave as he got.
I only knew him through articles until a young friend went West, did a ground-up FA in Josh, and had it chopped by Bachar, who had previously soloed it. Then Bachar talked it over with my friend around a campfire and an honest exchange on both sides bled off any bad feelings. A wonderful tribe, climbers.
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