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JuanDeFuca
Big Wall climber
Stoney Point
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Mar 17, 2009 - 03:00pm PT
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In a need for closure can we have some information on the accident yet?
God's Speed Woody.
Juan
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Gene
climber
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Mar 17, 2009 - 03:03pm PT
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Juan,
No need for details yet, even if they were available which I think is not the case. Let's make this thread a celebration and memorial of Woody. There will be plenty of time later for analysis. Let's get through the shock and grief first.
Gene
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Mar 17, 2009 - 03:21pm PT
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There's going to have to be a proccess to this. I know everyone wants to know what happened. I was emailed the preliminary SAR report and they had it wrong. The source of the confusion was understandable. The final report won't be out for a week or so.
I'll probably post something before then, but I owe it to Woody, (and Al) to get it right and I have promised Tia she and Woody Jr will get it first.
She was just over and has the whole story as do a few closest to him.
Please don't badger them for details now.
It's not time yet.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Mar 17, 2009 - 03:46pm PT
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As I've said before, my sincerest wishes go out
to Woody's family and friends.
It's such a great loss.
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Anastasia
climber
Not here
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Mar 17, 2009 - 03:47pm PT
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I don't want to know what happened, this loss is enough.
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Tork
climber
Yosemite
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Mar 17, 2009 - 04:07pm PT
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So sad!!!! Never met Woody but, one of the cool things about the taco stand, I felt I had.
Condolences,
Jeff
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Brian Giovanola
Trad climber
San Ramon, CA
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Mar 17, 2009 - 04:45pm PT
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I was very saddened to hear the news today...
Woody took me on my very first lead climb on Mother's Flake and saved my life running and diving to the dirt when I fell.
I still have the picture on my wall taken that day by James Foote.
You wil be missed Woodey, by many.
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TradIsGood
Chalkless climber
the Gunks end of the country
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Mar 17, 2009 - 04:56pm PT
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Condolences to his family and all of his friends, both real and "virtual".
He will be missed here by all.
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HandCrack
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal.
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Mar 17, 2009 - 06:21pm PT
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This horrible accident serves as a reminder of how lucky we are to be able to climb with our friends in such magical places. I went out to the Park today and did a few routes - a beautiful spring day, great climbing. I thought of Woody a number of times. I stopped to take the time to make sure everything I did was as safe as could be. Our sport is such a wonderful activity; I'd like to keep on climbing as long as Woody if it's possible. I'd be a lucky man if things work out that way.
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burrob
Trad climber
New Mexico and California
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Mar 17, 2009 - 06:34pm PT
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Remembrances of Woody: Having known him for a few years, maybe 55; could tell a few stories. We lived a few blocks apart in Riverside and went to the same schools. To clarify, I am not the Bill Briggs from Boulder, nor the Bill Briggs from Jackson Hole, just the “real” Bill Briggs, as my wife Karen calls me, the Riverside/Santa Fe one. Dick Webster and his dad, who were also neighbors, got us into climbing and hand digging the hole for their swimming pool.
Woody was always the one with the more outrageous ideas. “Let’s go over the two highest peaks in southern California between Christmas and New Years, regardless of the weather, starting at Poopout hill (or Jinks Lake) and ending up in Idyllwild. Lets climb the highest peaks in Mexico over spring break… How about the highest mountains in Ecuador and Peru… Olancha by its East Ridge from Owens valley in mid-winter… Snow Creek in the winter with the rescue team (RMRU)… That needle off Geology Tour road”. So of course most of us fell-in. He wound up in Singapore for the first Grand Traverse. I went skiing at Mammoth for the second weekend of the needle so missed witnessing the bolt ladder up the other side when they topped out. How about a tent fire on Willie in the winter!
You all have expressed his special qualities very well. He was a real mover, always willing to push hard and challenge us on almost any subject. I could only top him on opera but then he took up snowboarding recently and had never skied! He was a help with my cancer, would come out to JT and lead us up any easy route we chose, although sometimes we took him to challenging places which expanded his horizons a bit.
I skimmed through some photos, have a few of our early days in the Monument but no close-ups that show a wrap or two around the waist of Plymouth white nylon or later, Goldline rope, shoes being hightop tennies, lug sole vibram (Pivetta with padded high tops but thin lugs) or finally the klettershuh. Pitons and one inch slings for the only pro, setting a bolt was anathema to us. Anyway: found some photos from the 60’s and 70’s in places other than JT.
Bye Woody, we are missing you and will be missing you for soooo long. It is going to be quiet around the house with you not stopping by after climbing (with us or others) to solve all the problems of the world! The challenge was picking sides and debating with such aplomb. Woody was not only a great climber but a widely read observer of the world scene. We had such a fun over multiple soft drinks on the front porch.
Thanks forum-ers for all your kind comments, Bill and Karen (Photos later)
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Domingo
Trad climber
El Portal, CA
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Mar 17, 2009 - 06:53pm PT
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"I don't want to know what happened, this loss is enough."
But knowing what happened may prevent future losses (precisely why it's important to read ANAM).
Tia, Woody Jr., Locker, I know you've lost someone who was a wonderful father, friend, climbing partner, and person. I'm keeping you in my thoughts and sending love your way.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Mar 17, 2009 - 07:03pm PT
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It is going to be quiet around the house with you not stopping by after climbing (with us or others) to solve all the problems of the world! The challenge was picking sides and debating with such aplomb. Woody was not only a great climber but a widely read observer of the world scene. We had such a fun over multiple soft drinks on the front porch.
Well said, Bill. Most of us who never met him and knew him only from here are very well aware of that. Personally I loved the guy like a wiser father, of course I was usually on the side agreeing with him.
He loved to debate here, and will be missed very much by all, by those who agreed with him and those that loved to spar with him in worldly affairs.
I hope I can take up some of his slack and continue the debate in his absence, I know he'd want me too.
Cheers Woody, I'll do my best.
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jbar
Social climber
land of the lost
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Mar 17, 2009 - 09:22pm PT
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Wow, Woody was one of the people on here who's comments I respected and enjoyed. Won't be the same without him.
Jeremy
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Ezra
Social climber
WA, NC, Idaho Falls
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Mar 17, 2009 - 10:00pm PT
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Woody was loved by every one whose lives he touched!
Here's to a life well lived!
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Mar 17, 2009 - 10:02pm PT
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Any news of a memorial in the works yet?
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Bad Climber
climber
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Mar 17, 2009 - 10:20pm PT
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Man, this stinks. I only knew him through his posts, although I have climbed in Josh many times over the years. No doubt we crossed paths. Condolences to his friends and family. His passing is hitting a lot of people pretty hard. He was loved. Can't beat that. I'll hoist one for a fallen brother tonight.
Good night, sweet prince. The rest is silence.
Bad
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Mar 17, 2009 - 10:28pm PT
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Any news of a memorial in the works yet?
I just got off the phone with the mayor. We'll do something next month.
Family araingements haven't happened yet ane I don't know what their nature will be. If there is going to be something public I'l let everyone know when appropriate.
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ninjakait
Trad climber
a place where friction routes have velcro
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Mar 17, 2009 - 10:47pm PT
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"All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night, in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes to make it possible. This I did." -T.E. Lawrence
There are many people who do not understand why it is we climb. Obviously these people do not climb. For my father it was not just recreation; it was a part of who he was. Climbing did not define his life but it helped to define the qualities in which he strove to live his life by. I would have to say that his greatest accomplishment was raising two kids that did not end up in prison. To move was to live and no one can say he let his life pass him by like his Mini Cooper probably did to a lot of you on the road. My father did not cure cancer and he did not bring about world peace; what he did was inspire others and be able to say that he has touched the sky.
I would like to thank all of you who have expressed your condolences but more importantly your respect and regard for my father, which he would have thought the very highest of.
Many thanks also go out to all involved with the rescue effort and to Wendell and Albert for all of their help. Also, Chris thank you for the home page banner.
His soul dwells among the crags and peaks. Climb on Dad.
-Tia Stark
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Mar 17, 2009 - 10:49pm PT
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Awesome, Tia. I love your spirit.
Your Dad was a man I respected deeply. Really. I respected not only his climbing, but his intellect.
We all mourn a great man. You should be proud of your Dad, I know you must be.
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Jaybro
Social climber
wuz real!
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Mar 17, 2009 - 11:13pm PT
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Your Dad is proud!
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