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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Jun 14, 2009 - 08:33pm PT
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Oh. Coming home from the weekend, the first post I saw over on Gunks.com contained the awful news of Brutus' fatal accident. My heart jumped, wishing it weren't so, knowing the loss being felt, especially by the love of his life, his heart and soul, Em. I am so sorry.
I only met him in real life the once at the St. George SushiFest, but of course read many of his stories, and read of many of his exploits here and on other places online.
What a kind, thoughtful and generous person he was at that sushi party, assisting in every possible way while simultaneously entertaining those around him and letting the joy of the party wash over him. He was fully immersed in life, that was so clear.
I have a few photos from that party to share. Here he is, helping with the cleanup, even though he had been working non-stop with Nature to serve us beautiful sushi creations.
And here he is, showing his stuff during an impromptu "Feats of Strength" moment which - somehow - had morphed from Pensylenvy doing some breakdancing(if I recall properly):
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Matt
Trad climber
primordial soup
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Jun 14, 2009 - 09:36pm PT
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well this really f*#king sucks
so sorry to hear this shocking news
that guy was so unique and special
always off climbing something cool
1st time there was a bay area ST get-together (@ jupiter) he snuck his CC to the server and picked up the whole check
every time i ran into the guy it seemed he was offering me something
there was a time when it seemed like i was always running into him (theM), but not for awhile now
just wish there was something to say to soften the blow on those who were really close to him- hi M, thinking of you...
well hey, at the rangers won't be f*#king with him any more!
safe passage bruce-
may all your climbs in heaven be FAs
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Zander
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Jun 14, 2009 - 11:31pm PT
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I am stunned, heartbroken.
I’ve only met Brutus a handful of times, climbing at Golden Gate Wall, my shop and the gym. It was clear he had an incredible joy in life, with his quirky, quietly hilarious sense of humor, all told with a twinkle in his eye, matched by his great but very individual climbing talent. I felt so fortunate to spend time with him. For those who really knew him well I cannot imagine what you are feeling. Em, my best wishes are with you. I hope for you all the strength and courage possible.
Zander
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Fletcher
Trad climber
the end of the world as we know it, & I feel fine.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 11:44pm PT
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Todd: that is a magically sublime story... I can completely envison it.
Lovegasoline: you captured that aspect perfectly... very similar feelings to what I have and I'm sure for many others.
Brutus was loved and new knew how to love.
Eric
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Anastasia
climber
Not here
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Jun 14, 2009 - 11:51pm PT
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Too many people going that are such wonderful souls. I really hate cars.
I send my condolences and love.
Anastasia Frangos
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Jun 14, 2009 - 11:52pm PT
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GODDAMMIT!!!
I just got back from climbing this weekend and come home to this?
I can't even... jeezuz...
Em, Dingus...I hope you can hang on. My head is spinning.
This ain't right.
Edit: my favorite shot from the last time I got to climb with Bruce and Em - April 2006, Sedona
The world is less bright tonight...
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FeelioBabar
climber
Sneaking up behind you...
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:01am PT
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F*@K!
My heart goes out to those close to him.
Another sad loss for us all.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:14am PT
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Awesome pics, Munge, and everybody else...keep 'em coming. This is a good spot to put them.
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nature
climber
Tucson, AZ
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:15am PT
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For Brutus (earlier today)
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Tom
Big Wall climber
San Luis Obispo CA
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:23am PT
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What a gyp . . . a car crash.
Here's a topo of one his routes, that he sent to me back in '02:
EDIT: Notice that the expando pitch is called, The Pinata.
Perfect. Absolutely perfect.
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Greg Barnes
climber
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:24am PT
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Not too hard to spot our (what we had previously thought of as "big") cam next to the Brutus collection:
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Studly
Trad climber
WA
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:27am PT
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Peace to you Brutus of Wyde, wherever you may be, on whatever adventure you are on!
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dlintz
Trad climber
Neebraskee
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:45am PT
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My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and those of us who only knew him online. He will be missed but never forgotten.
Mungeclimber, Chief, and Jerry, thanks for all the great photos in this thread.
Doug
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:48am PT
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The Cinco De Mayo topo reminded me of the Gatoritas!
He was a master mixologist. Best part of one day was me pulling out a Mammoth Brewing Co ale can in the backcountry... as he made the Gatoritas, I declared "here's your beer chaser!" His eyes lit up. You know how he does with his eyebrows going way up. :) I just felt like I was learning to contribute like he did so many times.
AND had is own climbing gear company! What was the name of that again? I bet there is a thread with a reference to it around here somewhere.
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yo
climber
I drink your milkshake!
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:50am PT
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Wow, very sorry to hear this. One of those very rare ones.
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tokyo bill
Social climber
tokyo
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:52am PT
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His posts and TRs were an inspiration to me when I was starting out, and all along the way. Wish I could have met him, but even absent that I feel the loss.
Condolences to all who knew him.
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Brandon
Trad climber
Santa Maria, CA
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Jun 15, 2009 - 01:28am PT
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I was fortunate enough to climb with Bruce. I had heard of him because of all the rad places and FAs he'd climbed in the Sierra. Finally we were focused on the same objective and got to climb together. The first and only time we got to climb together was our route on Castle Rock Spire. A week prior to our second(and successful) attempt on the route, Em and Bruce had driven all the way from the Bay Area, hiked to the basecamp(dealing with poison oak, snakes, bears, mt. lions, ticks, probably pot farmers too) and stashed gear, food, and tequila. On their way down, at about the halfway point, they had left a bottle of sunscreen. They noticed that it had teeth marks in it, from a bear. They continued back down to the car and called to say that we'd needed to bring in more food because the bears likely would eat it all during the week. So, when Bruce and I hiked up for our attempt, we brought a full supply of food and another bottle of tequila. To our suprise, the original cache of food was untouched and we now had too much food. We had to force ourselves to over eat and over drink each night, not typical for a backcountry trip.
But the situation I remember most from that trip is when we topped out on the Spire. We were trying to outrun a thunderstorm. We could hear thunder booming from the East.
Bruce was about a pitch below the summit when we peered into the backcountry and saw the lightening bolts and rain approaching. We sped to the top, took a few summit photos and started to bail.
Bruce had a committing, but fast way off the spire, rap his route "Spike Hairdoo". However, it needed one of its anchor bolts replaced. I waited on top of the Spire, while he's drilling the bolt and noticed how there were spots on the the spire that were devoid of lichen from lightning strikes. I sat there and watched the rain and lightning approach, knowing there wasn't anywhere to run to. A rainbow appeared over the Fin and then I heard Bruce's voice call up that he was done. We got out of there fast and finished the tequila back at camp.
I had always planned to do another project with him. At least I got to do one of the best climbs ever with him.
Brandon Thau
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Jun 15, 2009 - 01:31am PT
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pretty cool, Brandon.
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susan peplow
climber
www.joshuatreevacationhomes.com
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Jun 15, 2009 - 01:55am PT
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Brutus had so much more to give to all of us. Humor, trip reports, beta, routes & friendship to name only a few.
My deepest condolences to Em, his family, friends and loved ones who knew him best.
Susan Peplow
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Omot
Trad climber
The here and now
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Jun 15, 2009 - 02:01am PT
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Sigh...well this sucks. I never had the pleasure of meeting Bruce, but I sure wish I had. His kind heart and love of life were evident in all his writings, and all that has been written about him.
My heartfelt condolences to all his friends and family.
Tomo
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