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dtitus
Mountain climber
Mammoth Lakes
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Jul 10, 2009 - 08:46pm PT
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I didn't know John very well, but I used to see him often out at the baseball fields at Shady Rest Park pitching to his son Tyrus. He loved his son. I'll miss that about him.
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gonzo chemist
climber
the Orange Curtain
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Jul 10, 2009 - 08:49pm PT
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Unlike many of you here I’ve never met Mr. Bachar. Having only started climbing a mere 6 years ago, my experiences on the rock are far fewer in number than most of yours. But I remember the first time I heard OF John Bachar. After a long day of climbing in the Gunks, I was asking my friend and mentor questions about the boldest and best rock routes established to date. I remember he told me of a route called the Bachar-Yerian: a gnarly 5.11 with the potential for 80 foot wingers! Established ground-up, the route maintained a traditional style in the face of intimidating difficulty. To someone who would almost poop his britches leading 5.8, this sounded IMPOSSIBLE! Now, after a couple years of climbing in CA, the image and legacy of the legendary John Bachar loom as large as ever in my mind. His style and ethics have been a constant inspiration to me and will always remain so.
I’m sorry he won’t get to continue his craft; I’m sorry I’ll never meet him out at the crags, although I’ve always hoped I would; I’m sorry that such an inspiring individual has passed. But mostly my heart is filled with so much sadness for those of you who are his family and friends. Mr. Bachar sounds like he was not just a great climber, but a great person and a great father as well. I offer my sincerest condolences and deepest sympathies.
Nick
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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Jul 10, 2009 - 09:02pm PT
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Maybe you could compare Bachar to Coltrane:
They did not invent their game
There were others before them and other after BUT:
They were visionaries who showed the world new directions.
Every one on the scene after were compared to them as they set maybe the ultimate standard.
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Dr.Sprock
Boulder climber
Sprocketville
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Jul 10, 2009 - 09:09pm PT
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You can be a "somebody" in a lot of different areas in life.
Race Car Driver, Football Player, whatever.
But to be a "somebody" in the rock climbing world, well, that is rare indeed.
We got some people still, sharma, potter, hans, the hubers, still a lot of badass climbers out there.
rock on.
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Mark Rodell
Trad climber
Bangkok
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Jul 10, 2009 - 09:11pm PT
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The university I work at here in Bangkok is holding an international saxophone congress. Hundreds of players are roaming around the campus, playing concerts and playing in informal sessions around the lakes, in groves of bamboo and pine. It started on July 7th and ends tomorrow. I've been listening, and often I walk up to the players and talk to them about John. I tell them of his talents and of how he played in nature. One player from England climbs and knew of John but not that he was a sax-man. I will go again this afternoon, light some incence and seek out more players and tell of John.
I met John in the seventies, never did a route with him but we talked, and hung out some. He had focus and that I will always respect. My heart goes out to all those who love him, family and friends.
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Barry Bates
Boulder climber
Smith River CA
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Jul 10, 2009 - 09:43pm PT
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In 1971 Steve Wunsch and I did the first free ascent of New Dimensions, which turned out to be one of the many ‘first-5.11-done-in-Yosemite’ routes. That was the same year that John started climbing, at the age of 14. Steve and I scratched and clawed our way up the last pitch. As I reached the top, the very first thought that crossed my mind was “Someday some one will free solo this thing.” I am sure I had other thoughts about the route when I reached the top, but that is the one that has stuck with me over the years.
I spent many wonderful hours bouldering in Camp 4 and Tuolumne with John. He was always encouraging when I flailed away on one of his latest problems and kind to me when I managed to struggle up something he’d done. John was a true visionary. He single-mindedly dedicated himself to whatever training routine he had at the time. He worked constantly to improve his strength and technique.
I was with John the first time he did Midnight Lightning. I had done an easy route on the west side of Columbia Boulder and was walking to the top to climb down the tree on the north side. When I arrived at the top, John’s head popped into view; with a huge grin on his face he looked over at me and said “Bates, man I did it.” I will always remember John for that smile, his vision and the way he showed us all what climbing can be.
When someone told me that John had soloed New D I remember thinking, “Of course, who else would it be?”
I will miss him
Barry
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Garcia
climber
PG
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Jul 10, 2009 - 09:58pm PT
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Love to you brother Bachar and to the loved ones you left behind.
Peace,
Phyllis
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yosemitemtb
Social climber
Mariposa
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Jul 10, 2009 - 11:03pm PT
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wow. what a thread. I didn't know John very well, mostly just exchanges of pleasantries as he bought groceries at my register in the TM store back in the day. To my many friends who knew him well, Bea and I send our prayers and deepest condolences.
Jerry and Bea Kell
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Steven Amter
climber
Washington, DC
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Jul 10, 2009 - 11:14pm PT
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"The best" is always transient, but Bachar established himself as something truly enduring - he was and will forever be free climbing and free soloing icon.
Bachar could accurately be described as the Michael Jordan of climbing, an inspiration world-wide.
We will remain forever in his debt.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jul 10, 2009 - 11:35pm PT
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The way I think of it is that for a brief few years, Michael Jordan got to be the John Bachar of Basketball.
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splitclimber
climber
Sonoma County
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Jul 11, 2009 - 12:18am PT
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I'm a relative climbing noob but still feel greatly affected by this accident.
Condolences to his family, friends and those impacted by his life.
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dfrost7
Social climber
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Jul 11, 2009 - 12:26am PT
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It still hasn't sunk in. I can't imagine how his family feels. I will be keeping them in my prayers for some time to come, his girlfriend, and those who love him, too.
John was always very kind to me. Worked on ads and things with him a long time ago. He had a very different, very funny sense of humor.
I remember the first time I met him at his home with Brenda. I had never, ever, seen anyone with such intense focus in his eyes. It amazed me. I figured it came from doing a thing extremely well, and having such deep confidence in what he could do.
After an Outdoor Retailer in Reno, we were all some place where there was dancing. The band was on a break, and a James Brown song came on, "I feel good, I knew that I would". John grabbed my upper arm and yanked me on the dance floor to bust out his best James Brown - Dancing in these tan boots like James. I had met this guy there who said he was playing with Maceo in Reno. Off we all went. He sure loved his music.
He was a fine artist and craftsman of his rock. I am so sorry he is gone. I do believe in God and that He knows our time. May John be joyfully in His presence.
Condolences to his family and everyone.
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jwalseth
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Jul 11, 2009 - 12:37am PT
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I am John Bachar's age, and had some of the greatest experiences of my life in Joshua Tree, in that time when John was a young god, and I was a young man. Over the decades we passed a few words, and I climbed (or looked at with awe) a number of his routes; but he certainly would not have known me. I share the view that he was an exceptional artist, who inspired thousands of people to imagine what they might accomplish. However one cannot deny that he left a son without his father. I offer the following condolence.
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure." - Helen Keller (1880 - 1968)
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chez
Social climber
chicago ill
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Jul 11, 2009 - 01:28am PT
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Thats the real JB cozzy! Lucky guy you were.
Love hearin' those stories.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Jul 11, 2009 - 01:44am PT
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coz an chez....that's what he's done for me and my family since Dan died......friendship, so many offers of help and advice.... shoes for the grandkid. John Bachar walked the walk.
Not one of us humans do it all right in our lives, but jb lived a rich life in the fact he cared about his vision of climbing and people. I correct myself, lots care, few take the time to Do. JB took action on both fronts, climbing and people. lynne
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jul 11, 2009 - 01:55am PT
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I knew it was true Scott, I'll never forget listening to you tell me that story. I was just, sort of, trying to leave you some annonnymity..... not like that really matters, I guess.
Cheers, I'll look for you in Josh this winter.
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Jul 11, 2009 - 02:22am PT
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It looks like ABC news is going to run something on John for the evening news on Saturday, july 11th.
Just a head's up
Peace
karl
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bvb
Social climber
flagstaff arizona
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Jul 11, 2009 - 02:49am PT
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it still hurts.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Jul 11, 2009 - 02:56am PT
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Karl, maybe you could send us a link....I have no tv, at all. Peace, Lynne
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