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wootles
climber
Gamma Quadrant
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HA! I was just looking for an image of Jim Thorpe to post up. Dude was way ahead of his time.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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All pussies compared to;....
John "Portugee" Philips
In December 1866 Red Cloud and the Sioux and Cheyenne warriors numbering some 1200 including Tashunca-Uitco (Crazy Horse) executed the second worst massacre (of whites) when, firing some 40,000 arrows, they obliterated the 81 man command of Lt. Col William Judd Fetterman and moved on nearby Fort Phil Kearny.
Portugee Philips volunteered to venture out to send for re-enforcements riding an astounding 235 miles to Fort Laramie mostly at night and hiding from hostiles during the day.
And while we're at it how about John Johnston?
Besides accompanying Philips for much of the journey he was the stuff of legend for his blood feud with the Crow.
Always in individual combat, because otherwise was a display of cowardice, the Crow hunted Johnston. At any one time they had 20 braves looking for him.
By the time they made peace with him he had killed over 200 warriors. Some say 300.
It was a point of great pride to the Crow for they had the most fearsome opponent of any tribe.
Johnston lived well into his eighties. His story was adapted to make the film Jerimiah Johnson.
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couchmaster
climber
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In the realm of the unbelievable from the RO aforementioned time frame: John Coulter.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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That boy could run.
But then come to think of it Jesse Owens probably could've run faster as well with a dozen armed opponents chasing him with mortal intent.
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Richard
climber
Bend, OR.
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Bo knows Atheltics
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Largo
Sport climber
Venice, Ca
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The late great Buzzy Trent did some first rate stuff. He could run the 100 yard dash, on a cinder track, in 1955, in 9.8 seconds. He got a full ride scholorship to USC (all state running back in HS), blew out a knee and became a bull fighter in Mexico, and later got into AAU boxing and killed a man in the ring. But first and foremost he was a latch-key beach bum who grew up in Santa Monica and later, having seen a post card or news clip of a man surfing down a mountain of a wave, Buzzy went looking for the huge Hawaiian surf. He found it, too.
Later he beacame one of the boldest hang glider pilots on earth, very early on, when the gear was sketchy. Then he apparently quit everything (around 60) and spent his afternoons walking up and down the coast of Ohau's North Shore, putting in twenty miles on average, always where the could hear the feral power of the sea.
Buzzy was one of the great ones.
JL
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Largo, I agree with your view of Trent. And thanks for bringing him up, for God's sake. I take nothing from Buzzy; he is one of our gods, yes. But the "award" imho has to go to Reinhold Messner as Raydog notes.
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NateC
Mountain climber
Las Vegas, NV
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John Gill's athletic prowess comes to mind as well. His abilities extend far beyond his climbing feats.
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climbingjones
Trad climber
grass valley,ca
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That chick who was done by like, 300 something guys in 24 hours. Now thats endurance.
Rocky Balboa.
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Bldrjac
Ice climber
Boulder
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Jim Thorpe without a doubt was the greatest . He had alot to overcome. Jesse Owens was also pretty rad AND Hitler refused to shake his hand..........hmmmmm, maybe Jesse was pretty much the raddest!
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder
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The legendary British alpinist Doug Scott is also one of the most rad athletes in history.
His book is epic.
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MisterE
Social climber
RimDweller, AZ
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John Gill: humble, brilliant, ground-breaking, wicked strong.
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WBraun
climber
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I haveta say Potter. He's one hell of tough dude. He's up there with the best.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Apr 10, 2007 - 12:17am PT
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Since we're back to climbers;
Bonatti
Terray
Cassin
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tokyo bill
Social climber
tokyo
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Apr 10, 2007 - 12:25am PT
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Can't forget Eddy Merckx.
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Matt
Trad climber
places you shouldn't talk about in polite company
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Apr 10, 2007 - 12:30am PT
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wha-da-bout JAMES!?!
dood swims UPriver to get back to camp 4, after soloing all over the cookie, in time to wake his partners up and go climbing for the day- it's *unbelievable* !
=)
Largo style edit: Lynn Hill
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder
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Apr 10, 2007 - 12:31am PT
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Eric Beck knows the story of Don Whillans visit to Woodson - true.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
LA, Ca
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Apr 10, 2007 - 12:48am PT
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Dominik Hasek.
The Dominator.
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Wild Bill
climber
Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 10, 2007 - 12:55am PT
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Keep the tales coming, especially those challenging nature on a grand scale.
The deification of Laird is justified - Laird riding mountains, Jaws
It's hard for words to capture the force of the ocean. But every ride has potential for failure. And on these waves, failure can be disastrous. Check out the wave and interview beginning at the 4:20 min. mark, at least:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmPgaDYJkYY&mode=related&search=
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