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F10
Trad climber
Bishop
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Aug 16, 2017 - 07:51am PT
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Thanks John for the additional information about Werner. I remember that first bouldering contest in Mission Gorge. It was on that large boulder next to the road up past the Pink Boulder. Also remember the Gasherbrum IV attempt, my friend Paul Dowdy was along also. The last time I ran into Werner is when he worked for the city and I was on the USAR team. It's sad that he has passed but he lived a life ful of adventure.
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AKDOG
Mountain climber
Anchorage, AK
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Aug 17, 2017 - 11:42pm PT
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Sorry to hear this, condolences to all Werner's friends and family.
He sure lived a life full of adventure!
I knew him a little from the bouldering contests in San Diego and knew little about the big mountains he has climbed.
I didn't know he was on the first ascent of the French Ridge on Mount Foraker. Impressive climb, I am not sure it has had a second ascent yet. Looking it up in Waterman's High Alaska guide: his team took 35 days to climb the ridge and 10 days to descend. After 11 days of climbing they stocked a large snow cave at 10,500 ft and tracked a delicate corniced ridge. I liked this part:
"The giant, two-hundred pound Landry began asking his tiny French companions about the sparse rations. Volume-wise, he just wasn't getting his share. His six-foot frame was wasting away. Then he would watch in disgust as his teammates mixed ham fat with mayonnaise and crushed garlic. He always traded his share for peanut butter. The French hated peanut butter.
Landry called a meeting in the cave. He was starving, getting weak. They didn't believe him, so he showed them how his pants were falling down. They gave him all the peanut butter"
RIP
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CasualJohn
Social climber
Denver, CO
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Aug 30, 2017 - 01:08pm PT
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It seems just like yesterday when the girls were little and the sun was always shining!
I wish I could remember all the special places and hidden gems you took me to. I still tell the story of you taking me out on my first spearfishing trip and how the afternoon turned into 4 days. Who would have thought that being stranded without a kayak, food, water or beer could be one of the best memories I have of those years.
All those times when you kicked my arse and picked me up, usually on your way back down taught me more about myself than I care to admit.
Just like then, I'm late but I am confident that you know how much you mean to me!
You lit the way for many to follow.
JW
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Tom Patterson
Trad climber
Seattle
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Aug 30, 2017 - 05:55pm PT
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Man, this still just makes me sad. He was such a cool guy, and a central figure in my earliest climbing days in the mid-70s. He had the respect of so many of us in San Diego, and his death is not just a personal loss of a really great guy, but an emotional hit to many peoples' personal histories that go back to those times.
I probably didn't say that very well, but hopefully you get my gist.
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splitter
Trad climber
HighwayToHell
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Aug 30, 2017 - 07:13pm PT
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WL RIP
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splitter
Trad climber
HighwayToHell
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Aug 31, 2017 - 04:36pm PT
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WendyH
Social climber
San Diego
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Jan 16, 2018 - 07:40pm PT
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In the words of Norman McClean: He was beautiful.
So sorry to learn of Werner's passing inadvertantly on the internet. I loved him, even if it wasn't meant to be.
Best wishes to all....
and many of us considered us to be family with Bill, Ginny, Werner, Riley,John, Kelly, Julie, and more. I miss Point Loma as it was. So be it.
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