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JNB
Big Wall climber
Northridge
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It sounds like it could have been an accident?
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Matt
Trad climber
places you shouldn't talk about in polite company
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just tragic.
thoughts to all who are/were particularly close w/ jeff.
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Deb Wolfe
climber
Durtongne
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Here's one from the archives. Jeff is responding to the hypothetical question of whether a manly man such as Jeff Schoen would be caught climbing in a thong. Whether you knew him or not, you'll catch a glimmer of what he was like.
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QUOTING JEFF SCHOEN FROM
Original Thread
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.climbing/browse_frm/thread/759d08d945bd0d7b/bcc84795e06ad198#bcc84795e06ad198
"Not to be out done by CG in terms of boldness, I’ll happily list my undergarment assortment at the present.
1) A few pairs of tie died jockeys. I buy these on Telegraph Ave. Berkeley.
2) Countless pairs of Costco select euro trash briefs, not a white one in there.
3) Eddie Bauer, look like boxers, fit like jockeys. Recommended.
4) One pair of torn silk boxers with X and O that were given to me. Should these be chucked?
The need to match underwear color to torn out trousers is a regular concern in consideration of my belayers. The last pair of TW went out with the white painter pants of the 70’s era.
Jeff Schoen"
***
Last week Jeff and I went frolicking at the hot springs. When Jeff stripped down, I noticed that he had his underwear (see type 2) on inside out. And I said,
--hey honey, hard week?
In fact, it had been one of many hard weeks for Jeff. But that's the thing. What would have been a potential warning sign in someone else, seemed like a regular act of rebellion. And that his thousand watt smile, the one that could spark a fire in the tinder of regular old convention, would never possibly burn out.
peace,
Deb Wolfe
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville
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The copy of climber with Jeff on the cover greeted me every morning for what seemed like years in a pile of climbing rags hanging around my home. that one always stood out.
It seems more people than ever are losing hope these days.
From reading what others that knew him have written, it sounds as if he was a positive force in this life.
I hope he has found his peace.
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jim thornburg
climber
el cerrito, ca
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Jeff in his element, Sardinia, '01
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klinefelter
Boulder climber
Bishop, CA
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Now I'm really confused.
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Hardman Knott
Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - May 5, 2006 - 10:34pm PT
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Who isn't?
When I first met Jeff at Mission Cliffs in SF, I was thinking, who's the pretty-boy
rock-star strutting around with no shirt? But then again, I was strutting a bit myself...
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spidey
Trad climber
Berkeley/El Cerrito
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I met Jeff during a trip to red rocks a few years back, and ran into him often at ironworks and climbing outside after that. I always loved that cover shot with him cranking that thin crack and nuts sticking out of his mouth. I didn't know him well, but he always struck me as a good, genuine, gentle soul, a fun guy to be around, and a very strong/talented climber. I remember a few months ago, I was out climbing in sonora and he and Deb pulled up in their sporty little supra or whatever, Jeff driving like a bat out of hell, screeching to a sliding halt and jumping out all jazzed to go climbing...I'm sure he will be missed by a LOT of people. My condolences to Deb and all Jeff's friends and family. Allen
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shipoopoi
Big Wall climber
oakland
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jeff was one of my dearest friends in the world. he was also extremely close to my wife. we are just reeling right now from the loss of this beautiful person. jeff was a groomsman at my wedding, and i was a groomsmen at his wedding three and a half years ago. we climbed el capitan together six times. the first one was excalibur, where he put an awesome contribution in, making the first free ascent of three 5.12 pitches en route to a 75% free climbing effort. on the first bivy, his first big wall bivy ever, i told him he had to take the most exposed position in the portaledge out on the face. he was like "ok, here i go, i'm going to do it, do i really have to do it?" just talking aloud and psyching himself up for it.
on zenyatta mondatta, when heather and i were getting really thirsty, he produced the miracle last liter of water that got us to the top, refusing any himself in true hardingesque fashion.
on the West buttress, we broke the speed record on the climb(since busted by another fast blonde).
a month ago heather and i took him up to yosemite to try to help him out with his depression. his mood was really dark, even though he was hucking laps on red zinger. everyday life in the city was getting the best of him, and we talked for hours about life, family, and work. although he was depressed, i had no idea he was suicidal. it just seems unbelievable that someone that good looking, who climbed that well, who was loved by so many, could be in that much pain.
last night, after hearing of jeff's death, he came to me in a dream. in the end we were outside, and i asked him, "jeff, what's up, did you kill yourself?". he couldn't make eye contact, keeping his gaze to the ground. He said, "Yeah, man, i did, and i'm really sorry." when i woke up i realized that he didn't mean to hurt any of us, he just had to do what he did, he was hurting that bad. jeff, heather and i send all our love your way, we'll never ever forget you. Shipoopoi
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briand
Trad climber
bay area
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Very sad to hear this. I don't even know what to say.
Met Jeff and Deb few years ago and really enjoyed climbing and hanging out with them. Jeff was very genuine and full of life.
Talked to him a few weeks ago and could tell he was stressed but didn't realize things were so low. If only....
I'm very sorry Deb. Our thoughts are with you.
Papa Bear & Family
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Gene
climber
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Radical,
Thank you.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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My condolences to all who were close.
I will say that I am pleased to know that Jeff had many fine days under the sun. I remember the brothers from long ago; I have been inspired by Jeff's longevity as a climber.
Thank you Jim, Steve, et al, for your words which glimpse some of his sweeter living moments.
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jim thornburg
climber
el cerrito, ca
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Radical's post is very appropriate to this situation. I was blessed to be able to talk to Jeff for two hours a week ago. He was in such a negative tailspin. I probably said a dozen times "Jeff, all these thoughts are being caused by chemicals in your brain". But he couldn't hear that. Jeff was still trying to deal with so many stressful things, and he didn't feel like he could get away from them. He was dabbling with some meds but complaining that they made him feel worse in some ways. The illness Jeff was afflicted with was very powerful, and I got the feeling he was fighting as hard as he could. I'm not sure anybody or any community could have done anything that would have saved him. I've seen this happen twice now, and I tried hard both times, but of course I wish now I had tried harder.
Even in his torture, Jeff said some amazingly sweet things, both to me personally, and also about many of you.
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kevin Fosburg
Sport climber
park city,ut
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My sincere condolences to Jeff's loved ones.
I always liked running into Jeff at the crag. The last time was a few years ago in Maple. He had so much genuine enthusiasm and boyish lack of guile. I'm sad to learn that he was also in so much pain.
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Thomas
Trad climber
The Tilted World
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What did Jeff do for a living?
The Shambhala path is very powerful. I am sad to hear that Jeff still chose the way he did.
Very few Climbing magazine covers have stuck in my brain, but this was certainly one of them.
Radical, thank you very much for your post. I will be eagerly awaiting your thread on this topic. More of us could use it than one might think.
Peace to all....
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Jobee
Social climber
El Portal
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It is difficult to comprehend this loss. My condolences to Jeffs family, friends, loved ones, and to all of the the climbing community.
My love and heart goes out to you Jeff, you will be long remembered. Your radiant smile already lights the way.
The deep pain that is felt at the death of every friendly soul arises from the feeling that there is in every individual something which is inexpressible, peculiar to him alone and is therefore absolutely and irretrievably lost. -schopenhauer
My mind keeps screaming NOOOOOOO!
Jo Whitford
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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thomas,
aside from the fairly well tutored concepts radical will likely and thankfully broach, check out the "because we hate ourselves" thread: it's relevant and cooking right along.
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mike griffith
Social climber
santa cruz
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you never really know how much you miss someone until he is gone. The loss of Jeff saddens me deeply - more so than I expected. He had such a good heart and was genuinely a nice person to the core. I liked him from the moment I met him.
About 15 years ago we played poker for the first time and I didn't really know him very well. He had a round about way of speaking that made me think he would be easy pickings. As we played his speaking became more round about and my money pile became less and less. Towards the end of the night it became clear to me that I was the one that was 'easy pickens.' Jeff took me for a ride that night and Ilearned a valuable lesson - never judge a book by it's cover. From then on I always respected Jeff and enjoyed our poker games very much.
I will miss you Jeff
Mike Griffith
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X-ray girl
climber
Oakland, CA
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This is such a sad situation. My heart goes out to Jeff. I think he tried in his own way to reach out and get help, but help didn't reach him in time. This has taught me a powerful lesson. That is to really listen to people and have the courage and stamina to stick close to those we love, even when the road gets really tough and treacherous. We all get so caught up in our own stuff that sometimes we can't see when someone we love is in real pain. Not the kind of pain that comes with a broken leg, but the kind of pain that is deep and dark and often too hard for us to take. Jeff was kind and fun and wild at heart and full of climbing spirit and pride. Those of us that know him loved these things about him and I think he will be remembered this way. I'm just so very very sorry that he was hurting that bad. I hope he is at peace and if we really have souls and they really go somewhere when we die I hope he can see all the love that is coming forth in this forum in his honor and I hope it makes him smile. Missing his presence, Heather Cross
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