Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
hossjulia
Trad climber
Eastside
|
|
|
Feb 24, 2007 - 10:09pm PT
|
bumping to stay on page one.
|
|
Slaughter
Social climber
Boulder, Colorado
|
|
|
Feb 24, 2007 - 10:18pm PT
|
Nice to see a message board for the grief-stricken friends of Peter Steres. In the end, he sorely missed all the good buddies that had shared a hard climb, a campfire, a bottle of wine and the other assorted pleasures of an active life with him. Peter may have been a loner, but first and foremost, he was a people person.
He died on Thursday, February 8th, although his body was discovered on Sunday by a friend. There is no nice way to say this. He died of circulatory complications caused by acute alcoholism. We should not be too surprised. There was no Plan B for his life. After losing both shoulders to surgery, Peter was left without a worthy future, and he knew it. The reality weighed heavily on him.
My wife Tracy and I had climbed at Devils Lake, WI, with our teenage son during his High School years in the 90s. But when Richard sickened from a dose of prescription and recreational drugs, and became fully disabled, we moved to Colorado, looking for some solace from the pain of his premature loss.
Like any good mom, Peter adopted us, and we reciprocated, and discovered that he was suffering like we were. We were not good climbers, but he patiently showed us the moderate classics of Boulder, and we always took pride in the respect that other members of the climbing community extended towards him.
I remember two soloists passed us at the tree belay on the First Flatiron. After a few moments of friendly banter, they headed on, and Peter launched into the second pitch in sneakers, trailing the rope without a belay. He was no longer 100% comfortable making the moves. When I asked him why take the risk, he looked upward at his friends, winked at me, and said 'peer pressure.'
Accordingly, we only know Peter from the years of his disability, not from his glory days on the extreme rock. But I do not feel that we missed out. Instead, we enjoyed the compilation of a life spent pushing the envelope, with nothing held back. Whether you agree with him or not, and I am not sure that I do, going for broke remains a time-honored life strategy.
Apart from climbing, Peter was a prodigious thinker, and in private, an outspoken advocate for the the rights of anyone who was simply screwed, including himself. At heart, he was a political animal, who could spew a rank opinion with the best of them, and still remember what really mattered the next morning.
Having lost my older brother to alcohol, I spent this last few years trying to get Peter to quit drinking. Threats, cajoling, guilt-tripping, you name it, I'm not proud. You could say it all worked, but not the way I had planned.
This was one dog that was always ready to go for a walk. The promise of spring and the outdoor season does not seem the same without him. My toast would be that more rock climbers can find a source of renewal and inspiration in their advanced years... preferably without frickin' dying.
|
|
tonym
climber
Oklahoma
|
|
|
Feb 24, 2007 - 11:03pm PT
|
Sorry for your loss. I didn't know Pete but climbers are a kindred spirit so it's heartfelt when one of us leaves this earth. A good friend of mine Bob Kamps passed away a couple years ago and after reading all the stories about Pete it reminded me so much of Bob and the stories about him.
~TM
|
|
hossjulia
Trad climber
Eastside
|
|
|
Feb 24, 2007 - 11:39pm PT
|
Well said slaughter, well said. I spoke with Peter in January, and I was fearful something like this would happen.
I too tried to gently urge him to quit drinking, as I know his closest friends did. He didn't want to.
But, perhaps we should focus on the good stories that I know are out there about Pedro, and use this forum to celebrate his life rather than cry in our beers about how he died.
I'll put together a tale about climbing with him in the morning, I'm too sad about it right now.
Peace
|
|
bob d'antonio
Trad climber
Taos, NM
|
|
|
Feb 24, 2007 - 11:45pm PT
|
I don't think it's so much how Pete died...but how he lived. Seems like he packed a lot in 54 years.
I'm not in Boulder any more and Pete not around. I do remember the few great times we climbed...but more so I remember Pete at Neptune's, bare feet and asking me how I was and what climbing I was doing. His spirit did seem to drop with his injuries and lack of climbing time. We all fight with our demons in our own way...how he fought his was his business.
I did a number of slide shows at Neptune's and I always remember Pete being there...taking it all in and enjoying the friendships that he had in the Boulder area. I hope he is happy...where ever he may be.
|
|
Slaughter
Social climber
Boulder, Colorado
|
|
|
Feb 25, 2007 - 12:36am PT
|
Ahem. I understand that some people prefer a eulogy that recounts the 'positive' moments of a life. Especially those who are not so familiar with the negatives. But when people die, it is often the negatives that bring them down, and I think we do them, and the purpose for which their lives were lived, a disservice by trying to ignore, or discount them.
I spoke with Peter, and/or visited him two or three times every week during the last years of his life. One thing I am sure, it would not serve Peter or his untimely death to gloss over the pain that produced it.
Of course, we all have plenty of heart-warming, inspiring stories to tell about Peter. But I do not encourage anyone to take a superficial cut from the life of this man. Why? Because Peter was a larger-than-life character, and his exploits deserve a more complete review. The purpose of this forum is to bring out the reality of a life lived and died, which so many of us have apparently been, pardon the pun, party to.
Peter Steres was my best friend. I knew there might be a price to being friends with him, but I did it anyway, because he was Peter. I make no apologies for my choice, but I do not have to like the consequences, nor do I feel inclined to make his denouement sound agreeable for public consumption. The person behind the antique gear and the knowing grin was much more than a bunch of fancy footwork and a minimalist ethic. I knew him as well as you can know another, and honored him for it.
|
|
bvb
Social climber
flagstaff arizona
|
|
|
Feb 25, 2007 - 01:43am PT
|
it's odd. february 8th, the day this wonderful man moved on to the next plane, was my f*#king 49th birthday.
furthermore, i've been dealing/coping/struggling with "substance abuse" bullshit since i was thirteen. i've nicked nearly all of them..narcotics, nicotine, coke, aid climbing, pot, acid, mda, you name it, i been "habituated" on it.
if anyone ever tells you that narcotics are the toughest to lose, call bull. 18 year old single malts are the word. THE WORST. that, and really good wine....
i continue my quest, and am happy to report that most of the time i'm winning. (i usually overshoot my limits 'cause all the peeps in my flag bouldering posee are 20 - 30 years younger than me...but once or twice a month i drink way too much, and the next day i regret it.)
i guess my point is this: many of us are still 17 in the mind, but 50+ in the physical. the body simply cannot handle the wear and tear. i refuse to call it "abuse".
take care. live well. we're now entering the place in our lives where many of us will die of natural causes. personally, i'm shooting for 80.......
rip, bro. catch you on the flip side...
|
|
m.
Trad climber
UT
|
|
|
Feb 25, 2007 - 02:10am PT
|
Pete Steres was just a terrific guy- fun, kind, and interesting, always with a ready smile. I am so sorry to hear this news.
mariah.
|
|
bob d'antonio
Trad climber
Taos, NM
|
|
|
Feb 25, 2007 - 02:40am PT
|
The day before Pete and I did Childhood End's we took the back road from Turkey Rocks and got somewhat lost and had great conversation as we managed to find our way to Molly Gulch campground. We set camp, I pulled out a beer and Pete pulled out a bottle of wine. More beer for me and more wine for Pete. We talked, listened to the creek and enjoyed the beautiful night, hitting the sack somewhat early. Me...not much of drinker felt a little off. Pete..looked and felt fine the next morning.
It was a beautiful day. We cruise the bottom pitches. Having done the route three times before. I knew what laid ahead (or so I thought). I got off route and did (what Pete and I thought) the most difficult pitch. Pete took the the crux pitch. Impressive...the man was hanging on for dear life but this was his deal...thin face climbing. Footwork...not brute power. Precise footwork, calmness and little moaning later, Pete call off belay having flashed the pitch (12a).
I took the next lead and then we simu-climbed to the top. A golden eagle flew overhead and we rapped off the back side of this massive piece of granite along the South Platte River. We hiked out, crossing the river on a massive log-jam. The fisherman's trail climbed steeply from the river and we were back at the car, and you guess it...wine for Pete.
We cruise back to Boulder and said goodbye. Knowing that a special time just passed.
Strange...Pete used to date a Andrea...my best friend (Richard Aschert) wife. I think drinking (Andrea said) put an end to their deal.
Where am I am going with this...I don't know. A couple of vodka drinks has made me ramble on...thinking of Pete, Howie, Kevin and the other friends that are gone. I have been lucky...a wonderful wife (best friend) of 32 years and three beautiful children...they have kept me going and given me love.
BVB...take care of yourself, your the sh#t. The world (and I) need you to stick around.
|
|
Rick Steres
Social climber
Monterey, CA.
|
|
|
Feb 25, 2007 - 09:01am PT
|
Pete was my brother. I loved him, respected him, worried about him and I miss him. I want to thank all of you for helping me and other family members see him through your eyes and to find a way to come to grips with this terrible disaster. Some of you have said that he climbed with power and grace, like water flowing uphill. Exactly so. I'm not a climber but I know great art when I see it. He treated it so casually but we all know it was the center of his life. He was lucky to have those pure moments and, as some of you point out, he paid a price for them. He was often lonely. He knew he drank too much but he didn't really want to stop. After his shoulders gave out, life didn't offer too much, no backup plan. All true, but he was a good man. There was much in him to love and admire. I will hurt every time I think of him.
|
|
Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Feb 25, 2007 - 12:23pm PT
|
The death of a friend, regardless of the circumstances of his or her death, is best considered with the help of poets and authors. A modern author, Dave Eggers, put it as succinctly as anyone:
“Mortality sucks.”
Shakespeare elaborated a bit more:
Fear no more the heat o’the sun
Nor the furious winter’s rages,
Thou thy worldy task hast done,
Home art gone, and ta’en thy wages:
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney sweepers, come to dust.
|
|
Dolola
Social climber
Kingston, NY
|
|
|
Feb 25, 2007 - 03:48pm PT
|
I met Peter in La Canada in 1973. His best friend Joe and I went climbing and camping. As an urban resident, I was impressed by Peter's climbing and nature skills though I must admit I never truly enjoyed camping as much as the Steres family. I later married his brother David--thus making Peter and I in-laws. He was a loving uncle to his niece Raquel and his nephew Alex, and a climbing buddy for his brother David; The writer Simone de Beauvoir says in Force of Circumstance: "Every time a man dies, a child dies too, and an adolsecent and a young man as well; everyone weeps for the one who was dear to him." My condolences to his friends, his family, and to all who broke bread with him.
|
|
KeliRae
Mountain climber
Boulder, CO
|
|
|
Feb 27, 2007 - 12:50am PT
|
A few of us had the honor of sharing Pete's house in the canyon. I loved his itty, bitty television plopped in the middle of the livingroom floor, replete with all the international films I could indulge in while he was away at Neptune's:-) Most of all, we adored the hummingbird nest outside the diningroom window, spellbound as our tiny friends put on a show. That was a very special time, christening his first home with all of our laughter. A toss of desert dust in the wind to ya', dear Petey...we'll be there to join you some day. Blessings to all of us who knew and loved him, we're better for having known Pete. Now is the time to repent our shallow ways and to praise the sky with 'hallelujah', to kiss the earth with a heartful goodbye, touching fingertip to fingertip, dust to dust. Love ya, Pete!
|
|
KeliRae
Mountain climber
Boulder, CO
|
|
|
Feb 28, 2007 - 12:51am PT
|
Hey folks, Peter's passing has hit me hard also. Today, I devoted all of my actions to the memory and feeling of Peter. What does it take for us all to connect to one another in a way that takes all we've got to pay attention? I did what I suggested in the previous email, walked into the hills (outside Winter Park), asked Peter to come with me. I broke down, I opened my arms to the sky, thanks for being here, Pete, touching the ground we wept, offering my fingertips to him, took a handful of snow to offer to the wind...but because it's been warm today, the snow beaded and clumped on my gloves, shaking and cursing..goddang Peter, you're here laughing at the absurdity. The spruce tree gave me solace.
I called to see if he would still answer his phone, "hi Peter, I know you're dead, but let's get together anyway..."
Teaching yoga tonight, I burned a beeswax candle for 3 hours, and we danced, and the singing bowl was all about the harmonics of a love so subtle that rarely did I hear it's voice.
The crisp, still darkness of february listens, always....Keli
|
|
Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder
|
|
Wow, this is somewhat shocking...
I spoke with him here in Boulder right outside Wild Oats market maybe a few day's before he died and he seemed fine.
We - people who were close to Pete here in Boulder - all knew his drinking was extreme. But here's what I really want to say about Pete; absolutely one of the best Cragsmen to come out of SoCal EVER, a human being and a gentleman of the first order.
The stories Pete told during the three years I worked with him at Neptune's will remain with me forever.
Very sad news.
|
|
hashbro
Trad climber
Not in Southern California
|
|
Yes Pete was a fantastic guy, inspired climber and had a good sense of humor as well.
It took me awhile to recognize Pete among the crowd at Edchada's last year, but his archtypal smile cleared my memories.
Boy, youth is certainly a fleeting instant in time with which we all need to grasp tightly.
Great knowing Peter Steres!
|
|
hossjulia
Trad climber
Eastside
|
|
hey Ray, Pete introduced us when you started at Neptune's.
My favorite Pete story is when I blew my right ACL in 1996. He had just the week before sand bagged me into leading an 11 something in Eldo. He told me it was a 10b or something. He had really been working with me, getting my confidence up and my lead head in gear. Took me under his wing so to speak and taught me about good movement, etc.
When I told him about my knee, he was pissed! I mean, really pissed! "What the hell are you doing skiing when you are supposed to be climbing with me!" Something like that.
So he agree's to pick me up at the hospital and take me home, pick up my scrips, etc. Funny thing is, a boyfriend I had pretty much written off finds out about my surgery, and shows up at the hospital to do the same thing! (He had stood me up for skiing the day I blew my knee)
Great, I come out of my post op haze to see ole what's his name, complete with a little bouquet of flowers from his garden. (Too cute.) About the time I figure this out, in walks Pete.
I was way more embarassed about the situation than I needed to be, and Pete put me totally at ease over it. He ended up taking me home and getting me settled.
I too have spent some time this past week thinking of Pete while I am out skiing in this beautiful place I live. Pete loved it here, and I have felt his presence as well.
You all may think I'm nuts, but a few days ago, while working on the computer, totally out of the blue, I felt him kiss me.
I know we'll meet again.
|
|
Kingfish
Trad climber
Boulder, CO
|
|
I must say I was shocked to hear about Pete but not surprised. As many of you I too was worried about Pete.
I first met Pete at Neptune’s when Gary named me "big Peter" and him "little Peter" on one of my first days of work. I was shocked and thought I had made an enemy, as he really didn't like the "Little Peter" name for obvious reasons.
As time went on I went climbing with "Pierre". He seemed to like this name much more since I showed up. I remember the first day out at the Wall of Winter Warmth in Boulder Canyon. I led the first pitch that was a tad over my comfort level and as I tried to make it up without looking like a total Gumby he cheered me on. The next pitch was harder and he led it quickly and effortlessly with only a few well-placed pieces of gear. As I cleaned the route it was like a museum. I was first introduced to his famous blue sling, which had three old archaic nuts threaded on it. I thought it was fixed gear and cleaned it thinking I had some new booty. It turned out that that sling was his trademark. I loved the future climbs with him and seeing how artfully he placed his gear mostly passive nuts and this blue sling. I learned more about the art of climbing with him than any other partner. He climbed so effortlessly and was a master at keeping his head on long run outs on hard climbing many times far over that blue sling.
He gave me my first tour of Taquites and showed me some of his proudest climbs many being Solos. Later that trip in Jtree he showed us a cave through a giant pile of boulders that he insisted no one would bring a headlamp. I scraped my way banging my head on the roof for quite a while until seeing a glow of daylight. We were on a ledge at the top of a cliff with an amazing view. As he said it wasn’t the same experience with a headlamp I shook my sore head. I now know that it is all about the experience and he was so correct. So much is how you go more than where you end up.
My biggest thanks is for his encouragement in helping me find my way. I was very frustrated after working at Neptune’s for a short eternity. I was talking to him one day about how I wanted to start a photography business. He told me "Just get really into it and learn all you can and it will happen". This sounds so obvious but that is just what I did and I look back on that as a turning point in my life. I now have been running my own Photography business full time for 5 years. I thought about that moment of enlightenment often and thought how I couldn't wit till I saw Pete next to thank him. Time went by and I was busy and I always thought I would run into him at a crag somewhere and have my opportunity. Well I really regret that I won't have that opportunity. Any way thanks Pete You were always an inspiration and a true friend.
I'll honk my horn next time I drive down the canyon and pass your old House. You will be sorely missed....
Peter Holcombe
|
|
ronkat
climber
Bldr
|
|
I just learned today that Pete passed away. Sad, sad. Here's to ya, Pete! Rest in peace.
The Boulder Daily Camera says this:
An outdoor memorial is tentatively planned for March 31st. Please send an email to dksmail@hotmail.com for updates on that and on donations for a memorial bench to be placed in Eldorado Canyon.
|
|
Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder
|
|
You wanna know what Pete said to me at Wild Oats day's before he died?
That he was sure the US Government was behind 911.
That it was an inside job - had to be - that the evidence was just too overwhelming.
I agreed w/ him; fire can't melt steel and there's plenty of footage of the Thermite at work before they went down with the squibs blowing in perfect sequence.
And then - of course - there's Building 7.
Pete was smart and unafraid of the truth no matter how hard-core it really is.
I'll miss him.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!