Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
Ropeboy
Trad climber
Fresno CA
|
|
|
Dec 14, 2014 - 02:28pm PT
|
I climbed with Gene in the late sixties and early seventies. We were both enchanted with rock climbing could not get enough of it. We worked our way through 5.7's and 5.8's together. After a twenty day climbing trip to Yosemite and Lover's Leap in 1969, in a 1954 Ford panel truck purchased for $75, we climbed The Line, our first 5.9 climb. The old truck rattled and smoked back to Sacramento at 45 mph in triumph. He was a dreamer, looking forward to bigger plans and adventures than I would think up myself. But once on the rock we were bonded with excitement for the climb and you could not ask for a more compatible and competent partner.
Memories of Gene: all good ones, and I cherish all the adventures we had together.
Mark Haymond
|
|
FTOR
Sport climber
CA
|
|
|
Dec 15, 2014 - 06:48pm PT
|
had the privilege of meeting Gene when first introduced to climbing many years ago in the tahoe area. sad to hear of this decline. my condolences to family and friends.
|
|
Francesca Drake
Trad climber
California,Truckee
|
|
|
Dec 15, 2014 - 09:03pm PT
|
Good men all of you.
C.D.
|
|
mastadon
Trad climber
crack addict
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 16, 2014 - 06:12pm PT
|
Cindy,
I can't tell you how sorry I am. I had a great talk with Gene. Call me if you end up in Truckee.
Don Harder
|
|
Flip Flop
Trad climber
Truckee, CA
|
|
|
Dec 16, 2014 - 07:13pm PT
|
A true Tahoe legend. It's been awhile but Gene was always really encouraging and stoked. Gene made me feel like my modest ambitions were worthy and he made me stoked to climb for life. Thanks for the guidance, Gene.
Brook Igleheart,
Truckee (when the stars align)
|
|
Spike Flavis
Sport climber
Truckee California
|
|
|
Dec 16, 2014 - 07:45pm PT
|
Sorry to hear about Gene. In my early days ('81-'83) Ken Ariza, Bob Baldwin, Tim Maas, Kurt Smith, Rick Lovelace, Hatchett bros (to name a few) and I looked at Gene and some of the other Donner locals with contempt. We saw them as dinosuares. We would get baked out of our minds and strut over to the post office to taunt Gene about this route or that. See....we had spent a little time in the Valley and J-tree and new what was up. What little fckinassssholes we were! We hadn't really done squat! But here's the thing, Gene took it all in stride. I can't believe he put up w/ our BS. Then things got really weird in the late 80's when sport climbing took over Donner. It was the same bolting wars as in other climbing areas around that time but hears the rub-the older guys were into rap bolting and dogging while the young guys were in the valley gettin' high on big walls and trad kool-aid. When we returned and started bitchin' about the anchor bolts on the top of the first pitch of One Hand clapping and the T.R. anchors on Manic ("there's a bomber RP!!!!") to name a few, Gene and Doug M informed us since we didn't live there we were no longer locals and our opinions didn't mean squat. I was told to go back to the valley!! A few years later, it seems Gene and the crew had it right as the young lion's turned to rap bolting projects at Big Cheif, Rifle and else where. I remember Gene lowering off his kazzillonth lap on Peter Principle and raving about what a great climb it is. A climbing master and a gentlemen. Rest easy Gene.
|
|
Hardly Visible
Social climber
Llatikcuf WA
|
|
|
Dec 28, 2014 - 12:32pm PT
|
Any news?
|
|
Fuzzywuzzy
climber
suspendedhappynation
|
|
Yes. I had an incredible conversation with Gene this morning. Lots of memories and laughter. The guy is as easy going as you remember.
To hear his voice (same as ever) brought back times at the crags, The Leap, Yosemite, Donner and skiing together. He was always welcoming, gentle - and interested in you, your projects and dreams.
What a guy. He led a uncomplicated life. Focused on being outdoors. He recalled his first climbing trip - to the Palisades in 1965 or 66 with his brother.
I first met Gene in Yosemite in 1972 or so. He always provided quality information. We recounted those times, in the valley, nobody at Reeds, the smells of the Valley in Spring, the routes in Tuolumne etc etc.
He is at peace with his life.
Goodbye Gene. We will miss you terribly.
|
|
mastadon
Trad climber
crack addict
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Feb 10, 2015 - 06:17am PT
|
Gene Drake passed on to a better place last Saturday. Makes me very sad to see him go. The world has lost a wonderful person.
|
|
Yeti
Trad climber
Ketchum, Idaho
|
|
|
Feb 10, 2015 - 06:26am PT
|
Gene was a beautiful person and a wonderful climbing partner. We climbed together on Donner in the old Truckee days and I have many fond memories of Gene from that time. My condolences to Cindy.
|
|
Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
|
|
|
Feb 10, 2015 - 09:06am PT
|
Condolences , He was one of the 1st giving Pioneers of rock climbing, always sharing and as the mentor to the times that were filled with us mssfits, you made it seem more than worthy to do little more than climb. For all who need , may peace now find you. . .
|
|
neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
|
|
|
Feb 11, 2015 - 05:54am PT
|
hey there say, mastadon... as to this...
Gene Drake passed on to a better place last Saturday. Makes me very sad to see him go. The world has lost a wonderful person.
thanks for sharing...
and many thanks for letting folks know, back in dec,
that he was doing poorly, so they could get in touch with him...
folks NEED these trails, left by others...
good job... kind heart...
my condolences to gene's family and loved ones...
and prayers for them to get through this hard time of loss...
will keep in mind, more fresh, now, as it is near to the date when my daddy passed on, ... :(
|
|
crankster
Trad climber
|
|
|
Feb 11, 2015 - 06:02am PT
|
Sad news. He was a great guy.
|
|
Flip Flop
Trad climber
Truckee, CA
|
|
|
Feb 11, 2015 - 08:53am PT
|
Free at Last. Much respect for a life well lived and an honorable man. My sincerest condolences to Gene 's people. Thanks for leading the way. A true boddhisattva.
|
|
Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
|
|
|
Feb 11, 2015 - 09:11am PT
|
Goodbye Gene and thank you!
|
|
Brock Wagstaff
Trad climber
Larkspur
|
|
|
Feb 11, 2015 - 10:22am PT
|
Thinking of you Gene. I remember so well sitting around those campfires at the Leap in the early 70's, and still appreciate your shared wisdom and the enthusiasm you had for climbing. The world is a poorer place without you in it.
|
|
JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
|
|
|
Feb 11, 2015 - 11:05am PT
|
Gene enriched the lives of climbers wherever he went. Fresno was much the better for his presence here. Rest in peace, my good man.
John
|
|
Bubba Ho-Tep
climber
Evergreen, CO
|
|
|
Feb 11, 2015 - 11:39am PT
|
I met Gene sometime in the 70's when he lived in Fort Collins. We did many great climbs together - Yosemite, Tuolumne, Lumpy Ridge, Eldo, Vedauwoo, a couple dozen unreported lines in the Poudre Canyon and a host of others. Some great times!
Mentor, friend, inspiration - you will be missed.
|
|
Barbarian
climber
|
|
|
Feb 11, 2015 - 11:51am PT
|
I'm saddened to hear of Gene's passing. He was an inspiration to so many of us. My condolences to his family.
It is good that he is free; that is a blessing, but there is an empty spot in those of us left behind.
Climb on, Gene! It's your lead and you've earned it. Run it out.
|
|
Mark Rodell
Trad climber
Bangkok
|
|
|
Feb 11, 2015 - 03:40pm PT
|
I'll be looking for a top rope from you in the future, Gene.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!