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Great Aunt Chere Lei
Social climber
Coarsegold, CA
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Dear Tyrus,
I don't know if you remember me from the cruise your mom and you took a while back but I am your great aunt on your mom's side. I didn't know your dad but I do know you and your mom and my heart breaks for what you are going through now. It is hard to lose your dad at such a young age but you have friends and family who love you and will help you through just hold on to them. You're a great kid.
Love your
Great Aunt Chere Lei
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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scuffy b, thanks....guess we just need to find the right key to unlock the sahara desert.
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tolman_paul
Trad climber
Anchorage, AK
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Tyrus,
I tried replying to this thread yesterday but just couldn't put my thoughts together. Words fall very short at a time like this. I've never met you, and knew your father through correspondence. I feel somewhat kindred to John as I also have a 12 y/o son, and know exactly how he feels about you, the love for you and pride in you. It was clear in his e-mails how much you mean to him as he was often mentioning going off to a little league baseball game or some other activity with you.
And I can relate to you somewhat, as I lost my father two years ago, and he was also a great man. He also faced tragedy at a young age, loosing his father when he was 3, and his brother was killed on Iwo Jima when my father was 17. I know from my father’s life that you will be fine, even though you hurt so much right now. The toughest part is that you are still in shock, and it’ll take some time for this all to settle in. But in time you will come to terms with your grief, as we all do.
You are absolutely right that your father was a great man. Yes his climbing achievements were legendary, but he would have been unable to achieve those feats if he weren’t a great person. His climbing wasn’t his greatness, it was just how his greatness was manifest by him. So very few people perform anywhere near their capabilities, so many find excuses why things can’t be done. But for your father, he was never distracted or dissuaded by what couldn’t be done. He had complete focus, vision and he made his dreams real. He shattered people’s conception of what was possible by doing what seemed impossible. You are fortunate to have both the blood of this great man, and to have been raised by him.
I know your looking back thinking if only he hadn’t gone out climbing he’d still be with you. But sadly we each have an end that none of us can predict when and where we will leave this life. For John to have stopped climbing would have been for him to have stopped living. All of us miss John and wish he could still be with us. He had accomplished so much, and yet we knew he was capable of so much more. But for whatever reason, now was his time. It isn’t fair, and it doesn’t numb the pain but we have to accept it.
As I said at my father’s eulogy, he’s the best father a son could ever have. I know that you also can with the fullest truth say that about your father.
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midarockjock
climber
USA
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TRB,
Besides the other greatness mentioned your dad did
good for the climbing economy. The market was very
small and difficult to get gear until he appeared on TV.
Both your dad with his climbing ability and Vogel with
his book moved the world markets.
Keep the shoes moving if able and you wish to do so.
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OfBlinkingThings
Boulder climber
Jacksonville, Fl
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Tyrus,
I am younger than most on this forum and have never met your father. Your dad was a hero to me and still is. My buddies and I would always say "Bachar up" when one of us got sketched out. When I have kids they will learn about the skill and boldness you father had. His legacy will live on forever, His named etched into rock all over the world.
Jim
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tojo
Sport climber
Lake Norden, SD
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Your dad inspired a lot of people to reach higher than they thought they ever could, thats what great men do......sorry for the pain of your families loss.
Frankie McCrary
Lake Norden SD
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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So Tyrus, again thinking of you tonight. Do you know I have a crazy big extended family with tons of youngun's like you. Maybe that's why you are so much on my heart and brain. I know you are going back home and the flow of your life has changed course, but you always, always will be in my prayers.
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WBraun
climber
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tolman -- "For John to have stopped climbing would have been for him to have stopped living."
I ain't buying that.
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oldgrom
Trad climber
boise,idaho
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John, you were the man.
Thanks for the sax serenade while Bob and I were on the Captain (1980 for the record)
Rest in peace.
Paul
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powertool
Trad climber
lindon utah
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TB, my thoughts and prayers are with you though we've never met. I talked with your Father at a slideshow he gave recently. During the presentation a question as asked of your Dad "what was his greatest life accomplishment" His answer was not those incredible climbs, he simple stated....to raise my son. His love for you was tremendous. I believe you will see him again some day. God bless you. Your father was an inspiration to us all. He will be missed! I wish you peace and comfort in this tragic time. Scott
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Thank you to everyone for the stories, photos and memories. It helps. I've been working on a story, but it's not ready yet.
The New York Times is carrying an obituary of John tomorrow.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/sports/09bachar.html?hpw
The Associated Press, a world-wide news wire, also has something:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jj4yj37U9DWYfLMh8iNpt2MokknAD99AL1G04
I've been following coverage of John's death in the news media. There are about 40 googlenews links so far, although not so many actual stories. A lot seem to be local and regional California papers picking up from what was in the Los Angeles Times. But it's pretty clear that to a greater or lesser extent the mainstream media is getting information about John and what happened from the threads on SuperTopo. That, and consideration for John's family, suggest that we should continue to take care as to what we say here, and how we say it.
(Cross-posted.)
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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During some discussions with John in 2006 when we met up in Josh, I was surprised and impressed with the commitment, genuine concern and care, and general, well, Love that John Held for Tyrus.
His interest in fatherhood was as passionate and well considered as his bent to climb.
I think this element of fatherhood in his life was a great blessing to his heart and a transformational energy in his life.
It sure feels like a huge slice of his great Spirit has passed to his son, whom I know will lead a life unfettered by pettiness and dull days.
Sorry for your loss bro. Feel it as you must, celebrate your Dad, lead your own life, and don't look back except with a big heart.
Peace
Karl
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pb.
Sport climber
Hildesheim, Germany
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Tyrus
I'm posting from Germany, where your father has inspired and pushed the scene so much in the early eighties. We are so sad about your loss. Your father has always been a heroe for me and I think he was one of the last outstanding characters representing the "real climbing".
Best wishes for you
pb.
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luca
Trad climber
milano italy
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your loss is so big...
be strong and careful
the climber was one of the lights of his generation
the father will ever be you light
luca 51 y.o from italy with two daughters (16 and 14 y.o.) climbing with: like father the sons are the most important thing in your life, but if you are a climber you must climb in your style.
his style was the best
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Eiger
Mountain climber
Zurich, Switzerland
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Our hearts goes out to you Tyrus from Switzerland. Your Dad was highly respected among Swiss mountaineers.
Just take each day as it comes, the hurt will in time ease and you will again be able to smile and laugh over memories of the wonderful times you spent with him. For now, look after yourself and never be afraid to ask for help and understanding.
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reddirt
climber
Elevation 285 ft
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Tyrus:
I am so so so sad. I am glad you connected with the taco & hope you will count on all yours & your Dad's friends. I wish there was something I could do to ease the pain of all this.
reddirt (Judy) in Washington DC
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cindy may
Social climber
whidbey island wa
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Iam so sorry for the loss of your dad.He was such a part of my history in my early days of climbing.I lost my dad two years ago and it is the most painful time.You are so loved.Hold on to that.OH my gosh...This is so sad.Blessings to you sweet son of john.cindy may
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Ray-J
Social climber
cali
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He will be missed.
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lostinshanghai
Social climber
someplace
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Hi Tyrus,
Thought you might like this. It was taken around May of 1997 in Yosemite. You Dad and others most likely told you of the stories between fellow climbers and the rangers.
Met some incredible people in my life and your dad was one them.
JT
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