A Charlie Porter Apparition

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Messages 21 - 40 of total 99 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
healyje

Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
Feb 16, 2008 - 09:17pm PT
Hmmm, I have to say I'm a bit surprised this thread didn't spawn more comment, but as I said, I didn't know the man - you folks did.
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Feb 16, 2008 - 10:08pm PT
I didn't know him, but made the seventh ascent of the Shield on my first pilgrimage to the ditch for that very purpose.
A decade later befriended Bocarde in the AMGA.

Was gonna bump this one anyway.
cheers Joe,
Ron

WBraun

climber
Feb 16, 2008 - 11:20pm PT
Oh we don't need to glorify every damn person.

Those who knew Charlie, knew he didn't care for any glorification.

He was a real down to earth guy, and one of the baddest ass modern pioneers. Real low, low profile.

That's why you don't ever hear much about him. One of the toughest hard core guy you'll ever run into, and while you're around him you'd never ever know.

He's a real legend ....
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Feb 16, 2008 - 11:30pm PT
Werner,
read your first and last lines.
WBraun

climber
Feb 16, 2008 - 11:34pm PT
Yeah I know Ron

I'm not very smart like most of the people on this site.

But Charlie wanted me to do the 1st ascent of the Shield with him.

He laid down 40 rurps on the tarp and I just sh'it a brick when I saw that and slithered away.

Me an Dale did the 5th ascent FYI though .....
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Feb 16, 2008 - 11:37pm PT
Lotta good it did us, huh?
Watusi

Social climber
Newport, OR
Feb 17, 2008 - 12:02am PT
Yeah...Quite the guy for sure!
healyje

Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
Feb 17, 2008 - 12:22am PT
Werner, I'm really not into the whole fanboy or hero thing in any way. I was just thinking some of you who were around might have some insight into this guy as he seems more enigmatic to me than legendary.
Mighty Hiker

Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Feb 17, 2008 - 09:25pm PT
At the time the Shield was done - 1972 - I wonder if anyone else had seriously considered it as a line? Were climbers in the Valley even talking about it as a possible route? There were some very solid climbers around then.

Sutton & Burton had done Magic Mushroom that spring, which shared the last few pitches (from Chickenhead Ledge) to the top. I wonder if they looked down when they were there?

Had Porter done any routes on El Cap before the Shield?

(also posted to Shield Headwall thread)
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Feb 17, 2008 - 10:08pm PT
You can't see chit from Chickenhead due to the bulge.
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Feb 17, 2008 - 11:06pm PT
Jox,
do you like Oscar Wilde?
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Feb 18, 2008 - 12:19am PT
You already got it, "keep our faces".
marky

climber
Aug 30, 2008 - 01:46am PT
I've been on terrain CP soloed in the Valley and in Alaska. He was a pioneer with an unusually keen eye for aesthetics and a visionary sense of style. Had I done what he had (when he did), I would have sprayed about it 24/7. Totally dig this guy's style. I would like to know more about this guy and what he climbed in his heyday. So consider this a bump.
Anastasia

climber
Not there
Aug 30, 2008 - 02:40am PT
I had no idea about his accomplishments. He really appears to be one of those guys you wish could rub something onto you. I wish he was more well known so others could model themselves to be more like him.
Then again, to become a greater person is to seek those obscure paths that only a few have walked before.
His path is an original which makes him incredible.
Taking my hat off,
AF

donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Aug 30, 2008 - 10:33am PT
Charlie now lives on Chiloe, a large island off the west coast of Chilean Patagonia.
Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California now Ireland
Aug 30, 2008 - 12:56pm PT
I climbed with him once, otherwise I really didn't know him all that well, but I can say that he was/is definitely a character.
rockermike

Mountain climber
Berkeley
Aug 30, 2008 - 03:21pm PT
whops, I miss read the OP. I thought this was about this guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkvCDCOGzGc

he's got style too al la 1951, but I don' think he climbs. ha

bump for both Charlies
Mighty Hiker

Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Aug 30, 2008 - 03:27pm PT
I would love to hear more stories about, or even by, Charlie Porter.

Does SuperTopo's Chiloe have some connection with the island in Chile with that name?
TrundleBum

Trad climber
Las Vegas
Aug 30, 2008 - 04:35pm PT
MH gets a cigar ;)
Captain...or Skully

Big Wall climber
up Yonder (someplace else)
Aug 30, 2008 - 04:45pm PT
I met Charlie once, in '92, in the Valley. Quiet, unassuming guy. You'd never know he put up all those hard guy walls.....
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