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MH2
Boulder climber
Andy Cairns
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May 19, 2015 - 05:52pm PT
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I will remember.
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eagle
Trad climber
new paltz, ny
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May 19, 2015 - 06:22pm PT
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RIP DEAN AND HIS FRIEND
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GDavis
Social climber
SOL CAL
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May 19, 2015 - 06:40pm PT
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Before he left he gave me a chalk bag that he'd sewn when he worked at Wild Things in North Conway. When he became famous I always took pleasure in telling people that Dean Potter made my chalk bag.
What awesome story. Really liked your post. A lot of the legacy Dean leaves is one of a simpler interpretation of our interaction with the natural world.
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Chugach
Trad climber
Vermont
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May 19, 2015 - 06:45pm PT
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If you have not watched Dean's movie; When Dogs Fly on Vimeo, please do. It's sadly apropos. Graham Hunt shot much of the air-2-air film. Pay the buck or two, it's worth it.
I met Dean twice, he was a super cool cat.
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Hummerchine
Trad climber
East Wenatchee, WA
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May 19, 2015 - 07:28pm PT
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I, as I am sure most, have been absorbing this terrible news. Am I surprised? Well...kind of.
I never knew Dean in person...but I have been an avid climber for 37 years and he has and will inspire me for eternity. Dean was COSMIC. He not only had an astounding skill-set that blew the world away, but he was DEEP. He got things few people ever get. He was centered in time and space. He had experiences in his life that we can all envy. He was THE MAN.
I just read this entire thread for the second time, and I'm crying like a baby. I've only cried one other time in my life for someone's death that I did not know...and that was John Bachar.
Almost all of the posts have been marvelous and right on. Dean was...well, Dean inspired. He has and will inspire me forever.
I'm also shocked at some negative comments that have appeared. A, because at this time it's completely inappropriate and beyond rude. B, because I completely disagree! For reason's I cannot fathom there are those that still, to this day, dislike Dean due to his solo of the Delicate Arch. I'll be brief...I've always thought it was super cool...right along with all the super cool stuff he did. 'nuff said about that...
As many others have posted, talk about an astounding life led well and to the fullest! So many people just don't get that...like a life well led is to live as long as possible getting fat and useless watching TV...
Or watching videos of people like Dean really living their lives!
So I'm not sad for Dean. Dean lived the very best life a human being can possibly live, I bow down to him for that, and he died well.
I'm sad for all of us who loved him. I count me in that list...never even met the man...and I've been crying for the last hour.
Back to my first sentence...as others have posted, Dean of all people I really thought would cheat death. Actually, he probably did...this was just an accident that can randomly happen to us all...like you are so careful in life yet some drunk runs you over.
I'm thinking driving a car for most of us is more dangerous than the stuff Dean did...to Dean. He had a freaking accident...for realz.
Sorry, rambling now. RIP Dean. RIGHT ON DUDE!
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11worth
Trad climber
Leavenworth & Greenwater WA
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May 19, 2015 - 08:04pm PT
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Hummerchine,
Nice post. You always have great insight.
Jim in Leavenworth
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Binks
climber
Uranus
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May 19, 2015 - 08:17pm PT
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I met Dean only twice. Once during a PG San Francisco presentation and once in C4 probably 11 years ago. I've heard lots of other stories thru friends.
I remember being inspired by his fierce energy. He was very humble though. I remember him saying "even though this part of my life is extremely together (climbing et all), it's not like the rest of my life is. I'm just like everyone else". I think this was shortly after his divorce. I really loved this guy and I saw something broken and beautiful inside him. He was an artist, a gentleman, a goofball and just a wonderful man. I hoped he would evolve into a white haired old saint.
It was not to be. How could anyone not love this guy? He was a fantastic and beautiful human being possessed of much greatness.
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harvman
Trad climber
Palo Alto, CA
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May 19, 2015 - 09:04pm PT
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I've been a average climber throughout much of my climbing career but I've loved doing it and greatly admire really talented climbers. We have watched many Dean Potter videos and read about his exploits over the years. I've taught my two sons to climb and we once (me and my youngest son) met Dean in Yosemite's Mountain Room bar. He signed our copy of of "Yosemite Valley Free Climbs" with a simple "Follow your bliss" message and signature. A real one-of-kind person and his passing is a loss to all climbers, adventurers, and soul searchers.
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bhilden
Trad climber
Mountain View, CA/Boulder, CO
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May 19, 2015 - 09:12pm PT
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What's pretty cool about the videos of Dean doing wingsuit jumps with his dog is how calm his dog appears throughout the whole experience. It seems like Dean found a kindred spirit in Whisper.
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drljefe
climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
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May 19, 2015 - 09:53pm PT
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F uckin A , Dean's movie When Dogs Fly is a beautiful glimpse.
So hard to watch and listen but anyone who cares or was inspired, watch this movie. It helps.
So sad and so rad.
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WBraun
climber
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May 19, 2015 - 10:02pm PT
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The things that change you, are never the ones you see coming .......
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ryankelly
Trad climber
Bhumi
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May 20, 2015 - 06:40am PT
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Graham was a close friend to many in the El Portal community. I spent less time with him but heard tons of classic Grahambo stories from my climbing partner BPK.
Like Graham's first, First Ascent ever out at the legendary Shuteye Ridge that they named "Grahambo: First Blood." Or Graham taking multiple twenty foot whippers in the Utah backcountry on the Moses Tower. Probably even funnier is what the ladies used to call him when he first showed up in the Valley, "Hot Graham." What a nickname. What a guy. Peace brother.
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RP3
Big Wall climber
Twain Harte
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May 20, 2015 - 06:48am PT
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YES! I forgot about that one. We love you, Hot Graham!
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drljefe
climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
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May 20, 2015 - 08:11am PT
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I have been deeply affected by watching his film.
Make no mistake, this is not an Adidas promo video or a dean potter branding movie.
Listening to a man's thoughts and words about love and risk and passion, his mindfulness, his craft…
Especially so soon after losing him from this earthly world...
I can't help but to examine my own life, my relationships, my drive.
With this film, Dean has managed to inspire me in a whole new and different way.
I am grateful he shared this with the world.
So saddened by his passing…
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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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May 20, 2015 - 09:03am PT
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This song makes me think of Dean whenever it comes up on the radio (a lot lately)
[Click to View YouTube Video]
I hope they're both in a better place.
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