Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
bobinc
Trad climber
Portland, Or
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2009 - 02:00pm PT
|
Brian-- thanks for posting that. I have not been affected so much by anyone's passing in a very long time (and I never met Bruce except indirectly). I really appreciate all of the tributes everyone has written and extend deepest condolences to all of Bruce's friends and family.
|
|
poop*ghost
Trad climber
Denver, CO
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2009 - 02:01pm PT
|
Bruce... this just is not fair. Nope... it is just horrible and I miss you.
I met bruce right after I started climbing. I didn't know him other than as the guy who climbed the OW at the gym, feet above head.
He offered me his big wall gear w/ no questions just a smile.
He and Em brought us into their home and shared wonderful food w/ us.
He brought me into his favorite places and shared his routes with a smile.
He always had a cold one to put in your hand.
He had eyes that were crazy... they looked right into you.
He loved to sandbag you.
He loved Em with emotion you could feel from just watching them together.
I can't imagine a world w/out Bruce.
I can't find any consolidation... tonight I'm getting tanked.
|
|
Jerry Dodrill
climber
Sebastopol, CA
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2009 - 02:31pm PT
|
Contemplating the objective, the great warrior strikes a signature pose.
|
|
mooch
Big Wall climber
The Immaculate Conception
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 15, 2009 - 03:06pm PT
|
Of all the things I observed from Bruce, it was his flat out genuine love and care for Em! God, just to see the two of them together was magical (and an example to all married couples). A narrative between Brutus and Em when he, Em and I were putting up routes in A-Hills earlier this year.......smooth cat:
Nurse Ratchet: Ok, Bruce....you're off belay.
Brutus (hushed voice): Really? Ya wanna roll in the hay?
Nurse Ratchet: Huh?
Brutus: Off belay?
Nurse Ratchet: Yes. You're off belay.
Brutus: Thanks Em! (with a subtle tee-hee after)
Brutus then looks over at me, "Gotta love that woman for puttin' up with my hopeless romantic nature!" (insert crazed look from Brutus)
Em, if you're reading this, that exchanged happened during the FA of "My Little Lab Rat" (.10b). Love you Sweet Nurse!!!
I will cherish the memory of Brutus, Em, Mrs. Mooch and I, hangin' out in the jaccuzzi at Dow Villas, one cold night out in Lone Pine. Enjoying some great Tempernillo and a beautiful full moon......yackin' away about FA's and far off adventures yet to be planned. All the while, Brutus providing a loving shoulder rub down to Em. They were hopeless! Love as it should be.
Dood will always be THE MAN!!
Bruce......I love you! Gotcha here in my heart! Looking forward to our next adventure!!
|
|
Footloose
Trad climber
Lake Tahoe
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2009 - 04:11pm PT
|
So sad. My deepest condolences to family and friends.
|
|
labrat
Trad climber
Nevada, CA
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2009 - 04:58pm PT
|
Very sorry to hear this news. Good thoughts to family and friends.
|
|
superboy
Trad climber
Sonoma,CA
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2009 - 04:59pm PT
|
Like many others here, my wife and I were greatly saddened upon learning about Bruce’s tragic accident. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all of Bruce’s family and friends particularly Em, ED, and DMT.
We had the pleasure of sharing a ski lease with Bruce and Em in our cabin in South Lake Tahoe for several years. Although we never managed to go on any big climbing adventures together, we spent many afternoons and nights planning and scheming the next day, week, months adventures around a warm wood stove and drinking Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. I will always cherish the memories of Bruce bar-be-queuing outside in a blizzard in his red suit while reading a book via headlamp. We would check on him once in a while…. gingerly stepping outside while trying not to dislodge the giant ice dam hanging dangerously off the roof which he termed the “death serac”. We have a cabin logbook where Em and Bruce faithfully recorded their outdoor adventures each trip. Bruce’s off beat humor shine through with his many drawings of Potts the back country skier who never seemed to hit conditions right…thrashing his way through wind blown crust and up to his neck in sierra cement. I managed to ski a few times with them with one particularly spectacular day up Round Top with Em, Bruce, DMT, and Dave. Unfortunately, we haven't seen Em and Bruce as much recently since they decided they were getting too "soft" at the cabin and traded a warm fire for snow camping.
Bruce, you lived life large... you will be missed.
Ben Smith & Liana Kirk
|
|
Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2009 - 05:36pm PT
|
If anybody is going to get VIP treatment in the afterlife, it is Brutus of Wyde.
Only thing is, he'll be so busy helping them make the food for the afterparty that he'll only have a fantastic time, instead of a heavenly wild time.
I'm on the road, just got the news, and, after a round of tears and meditation to send him my love and good will, I can only type this quick installment.
I don't care if he never climbed a rock. Getting to know Brutus was an inspiration on how to be a truly fine human being.
Over the top...A Saint without a God (an obvious One anyway)
One story from just a few weeks back.
Brutus and Em showed up at the tail end of my Birthday party in Southern Yosemite just to help clean up!
Sadly we were already gone. I was sitting in my house and this "character" shows up looking in my back window. Turned out to be Brutus! I didn't recognize him at first because he lost a ton of weight.
Em follows and they bestow gifts of prayer flags and homemade Jam. How I will relish the last nibbles of that sweetness.
So Brutus tells me about the diet he went on to get fit and not worry about dying of a heart attack like his doctors threatened, and recommends the same for me.
Both Brutus and Em...hearts of gold...walking the extra 10 miles to take pleasure in serving and stoking out somebody else's life and heart.
A week or so later I get a message on my answering machine from a voice claiming to be "The Angel of Death" warning me to change my diet or else (turns out to be Brutus looking for a crash pad after something fell through)
Now I better worry since Brutus and that Angel are now acquainted. I wish him soaring ecstasy on his new greatest adventure.
For Em...Words cannot express my dear. Even typing this wells tears in my eyes. Much love to you dearest sister. I'm there for you day and night.
I had the greatest privilege of preforming Brutus and Em's wedding ceremony in a high alpine meadow in the Sierra a few years back. Their love inspired and inspires.
More to come later perhaps.
Here's a link to a little climbing story about Brutus and Em
http://www.yosemiteclimber.com/EmandBrutus.html
What can I say? We can feel and mourn our loss without making it a sad story, because the story goes on and why assume the worst?
Love and Care for all. Let's take Brutus's inspiration and find a morsel of food or a cold beer for a weary climber and take pleasure in the pleasure of our friends and community.
Karl
|
|
bobinc
Trad climber
Portland, Or
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2009 - 05:42pm PT
|
Karl-- thanks for the thoughts and the pix/link. I just back from re-reading that story on your website. Hope you are doing okay.
|
|
Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2009 - 08:19pm PT
|
This weekend we all should climb something fun for Brutus. Weather is looking pretty good up there.
|
|
Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2009 - 08:22pm PT
|
Anyone headed out SPH way?
|
|
Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2009 - 08:53pm PT
|
is there a list of Brutus first ascents available? maybe we should have an extended celebration of Bruce's route contributions and spread out and do his routes... then Trip Report back here next week...
just a thought...
anyone got a list?
|
|
Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2009 - 09:17pm PT
|
Ebola? Wagon wheels?
|
|
drljefe
climber
Old Pueblo, AZ
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2009 - 09:18pm PT
|
Yeah, what t*r said.
A few days away from the computer and more sad news.
|
|
mooch
Big Wall climber
The Immaculate Conception
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 15, 2009 - 10:11pm PT
|
|
|
'Pass the Pitons' Pete
Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2009 - 10:46pm PT
|
Em,
Well, I finally read all the posts and I'm just crying my eyes out.
Bruce really *really* loved you a lot, Em. It rang through in everything he wrote. You were very blessed.
I don't understand why things like this happen. It's so unfair and so wrong. I hope you can look back on the wonderful times you two shared, and the love you shared, and be thankful.
Hang in there, and feel the hurt. It's -because- you loved each other so much, that it hurts so much. I'm so sorry.
Pete Zabrok
|
|
mark miller
Social climber
Reno
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2009 - 11:09pm PT
|
Dear Em and relatives of "Brutus", I'm very sorry for your loss and my most sincere thoughts go out for you.
I met "Brutus" at the Utah SushiFest, his and Em's unselfish work to help Nature put on a delicious feast for the maddening herd was inspirational and an insight into the quality of both individuals.
"Brutus's" TR's over the years have brought to the forefront the ol' school style and tradition of when the going gets tough the "Brutus's" among us keep going. Our world is a lesser place with his passing. Godspeed Bruce.... We'll all see you at the Sushifest on the other side.
|
|
Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
|
|
|
Jun 16, 2009 - 12:59am PT
|
Mooch,
Thx. Look at his fingers, love just pouring out.
M
edit...
Ed, I don't know of any definitive list, but I'd love to start compiling one. What a list!
Jay, yes, definitively!
|
|
Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
|
|
|
Jun 16, 2009 - 01:20am PT
|
Brutus humor.
:)
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!