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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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yeah, Blitzo the ironies with that mag are amazing.
Beth babe, you were in the Meadows this weekend? So were we! Myself, Daphne, Ed, my daughter, how did we all miss each other? We gotta coordinate more while we have the opportunity!
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Norman Claude
climber
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Hey long lost Brethren,
Sorry the twisted turn of events has me thinking about you all and of course John. No cliche can pad my sadness for Tyrus and our shared loss.
A powerful bond that climbing thing.
I'm sure John is already pressing limits on a higher plane.
Claude Fiddler
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michaellane
climber
Spokane, WA
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John was a legend--in every sense of the word--to me for years before I eventually met him. When we did finally meet, I kept watching him to see if I could catch a glimpse of the greatness I'd built up and expected. I'm not sure what I was looking for, but I figured it'd be something obvious, like maybe he'd be wearing a cape under his civvies or something.
Over time, we'd run into each other at the trade shows and wind up having drinks or grab a lunch or something and it dawned on me that he's just a guy. A real normal guy, actually, like the rest of us.
Well, not exactly like the rest of us ... his cajones were a bunch bigger and he had vision and a talent for climbing that only comes by once for every few ten-thousand climbers ... but when you sat down with the guy, he was approachable and genuine and liked to laugh, tell stories and even listen to yours.
The climbing community won't be the same without him. There's nobody like John Bachar nor, I believe, will there ever be. He was perfectly matched to his time and he brought a vision and a style to climbing that is uniquely his. I’m really going to miss him. I extend heartfelt condolences to his family and to our community. We’ve lost a big one, but his legend will remain for as long as human beings continue to climb rock.
--ML
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RocaLibre
Trad climber
Mexico City, Mx
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So sorry for John's family, specially his son. He and I had talked about him doing a slide show in Mexico City next time he was in Mexico. He was a teacher and beautiful soul.
Sad day,
Leon Islas
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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tx for the photos phil. the rawl drive and thank god photos are especially good.
that first photo, on reed's: he looks so young. i met john the year before, and he looked so ancient to me then.
he was at least three years older.
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Jack Herrick
Trad climber
Palo Alto, CA
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So sad. John, thanks for showing us what was possible.
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rockbetty
Social climber
El Portal, Ca.
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I'M SO SORRY FOR TYRUS'S AND THE WORLD'S LOST. IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I JOHN.I FIRST MET HIM IN 1977 BOULDERING IN JT WITH YABO.IN 1984 I GAVE HIM MY DINNER WHEN I WENT IN TO LABOR WITH MY SON. I SAW HIM IN HIS NEW HOUSE,TYRUS WAS LESS THAN A MONTH OLD.SO MANY GOOD TIMES AND MEMORIES. MY SON TOLD JOHN ONCE, THAT HE WAS "SUPPOSE TO BLOW NOT SUCK", WELL THIS NEWS SUCKS! I HOPE TO HERE JOHN PLAYING WITH COLTRANE,JUST BLOWING IN THE WIND.....RIP DB
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Splater
climber
Grey Matter
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I watched him bouldering years ago in Tuolumne and was amazed.
Then he said he was done warming up and went off to do something bigger.
He was exceptional.
He was human.
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hobo_dan
Social climber
Minnesota
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Bachar was a part of the Foundation of the sport to me.
I was too shy to talk to such a heavy player in the early 80's in Tuolumne.
We were on the Dike route, parking at the the anchors after pitch one, and John comes climbing up on the crystals using only his feet and trying to go no hands- just balancing up the wall.
I think he had a red VW camper and we would see it parked around by the Meadows store-it was sort of like knowing that there was this really famous guy living next door.
And now there is this really famous guy and he's moved away
so sorry
Dan
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Thanks, Phil Bard, wonderful photos. I always wondered (for the last 20 odd years) if that was the Solano/Shattuck tunnel in Berkeley. Now I know better.
Cheers!
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Nice shots, Phil.
That Thank God Ledge shot is f*#king sweet!!!!
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mr-p
Trad climber
Invisible City
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I admired the man for many reasons, obviously his climbing feats, but most importantly his integrity. Right or wrong, he was willing to stand up for what he believed even if he swam against the current.
Only on Saturday, I had read his post about the "4th of You lie", which was in a way, a mildly subversive thing to post in a day of national celebration. He must have known, it would have some people flaming him. But for some, including me, it had the effect of increased admiration for his capacity to self-reflect regardless.
I drove around upstate NY that day, watching the celebrations, with thoughts he had provoked in the back of my mind. Like any good man, I think he just wanted a better world.
Like many others here, I never met him in person, but in a small way, I felt I knew him.
When time makes the loss a little bit more bearable, it will be time to reflect on his legacy and the fact that he touched many lives, of people he hadn't even met.
My respects John, rest in peace.
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malabarista
Trad climber
San Francisco, Ca
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Thanks for the incredible photos. I feel like the world has lost a great light today and it feels dark. Doubtless the light will return to us. The gods must be throwing a party welcoming home this hero, this great but humble man.
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rrrr3
Trad climber
new paltz
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When I heard the news today, my heart felt a heavy blow. Your vision...your dedication, your presence, keep us all a bit more honest. I know you made me a better climber.
thank you.
Russ Raffa
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Jingy
Social climber
Flatland, Ca
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This is a great loss to our community.
John Bachar was an inspiration to more than he will even know.
He contributed to the community more than we will ever know.
I am saddened more than I'll ever know.
Good bye John Bachar
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kinNogo
Boulder climber
Redwood City
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my condolences to his famiLy..! what a sad day today is..
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AronStock
Boulder climber
Detroit
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2 days ago i placed my first hand-drilled bolt at my new local crag here in japan. it took almost 45 minutes, and i was on rappell with some hooks. After I got down, i turned to my wife and said "can you believe those oldschool hardasses would stand on 5.11 slab and drill a bolt on lead, 50 feet off the deck?" little did i know that at perhaps that same moment, one of those oldschool hardasses was embarking on his last climbing route...
so much admiration. i was glad to have met him, only once, but i will never forget watching him climb that day at my climbing gym in los angeles. so solid it has ridiculous. john bachar will be the first angel with no wings, he doesnt need them!
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east side underground
Trad climber
Hilton crk,ca
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I was draw today to go up to lake George and just take a look at the Dike wall, as I was there a couple of friends, bondo and Talsky were walking down from the base. We talked about John and they spoke of the fallout at the base. they said how much better they felt seeing where he fell from wasn't on one of the tricky north face routes witch might be deemed recklass but down on the lower end, probably just cruising for a workout- maybe a broken hold- no one will ever know- As we talked Clevenger walked up, also draw to the wall-It shows what a huge influence Bachar was to all and the incedible loss to the tribe. Peace John
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