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Degaine
climber
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Jul 25, 2007 - 09:44am PT
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Michael was indeed a warm, energetic, nice and just in general a fun person to be around. Glad to have met him and climbed with him the couple of times I did between '01 and '03. Always encouraging whatever level I seemed to be climbing at the time (always well below his). Originally met him through a friend.
My sincerest condolences to Marci and Nikki.
See you in the next life, Michael.
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emac
climber
New Hampshire
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Jul 25, 2007 - 11:14am PT
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I met Michael just once at OR, but in that short time hanging out at the Climbing Magazine booth he exuded a kid-in-a-candy-store excitement. In that brief meeting I recall thinking how truly excited Michael was to be amongst his peers, his heros and even total strangers, like me.
While walking to work this morning, flipping through my iPod, I came across a series of podcasts that Michael did for PodClimber. It was a series about his recent climbing in Ireland. I listened through, and in the third installment a comment he made really struck me. I'm paraphrasing, but basically he said "If I pitched off into the ocean tomorrow, no one would miss me." His context was that we are each just a small part of an enormous world, almost insignificant on our own. One might think Michael had a "big head" or ego, but in my one brief encounter, and through this podcast, he was a totally humble person. And I think he was quite wrong, as this thread shows. He is missed, and I am sure always will be.
For anyone interested, the podcast I referenced can be heard at: http://www.podclimber.com/?m=1&c=24&p=516&page=1 Around minute 36 is the statement I paraphrased. Though I may have blown past this interview before, I am glad I took the time to share in his excitement for our sport and life in general.
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Kay Kay
climber
Lakewood, CA
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Jul 25, 2007 - 12:23pm PT
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I haven't been climbing the last couple years but prior my husband and I would meet up with Mike at the local climbing spots. He was the person that always made me smile, just by looking at him. There was always this energy he put off that was just contagious. I see him in my mind with his ugg boots and his long blonde hair and that laugh. I have lots of memories of him and I will now hold all those closer to my heart. We miss you!
Karen
PS I found this today http://www.rockandice.com/inthemag.php?id=36&type=onlinenews if anyone is interested.
I hope if anyone hears of a benefit for Marci and Nikki to honor Mike in Southern California they will post also.
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mdavid
Big Wall climber
CA, CO, TX
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Jul 25, 2007 - 04:54pm PT
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sad sad news
i hope his family is taken care of
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Jul 26, 2007 - 07:15pm PT
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Needs a bump and some more stories!
Peace
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Steve's sister
Sport climber
Las Vegas, NV
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Jul 26, 2007 - 11:20pm PT
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I choose to believe that Steve and Michael are in Heaven together. Fishing, climbing, happy and healthy. Probably trying to debate which is more fun!
Much love and prayers for Marci and Nikki.
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Bramm
Social climber
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Jul 26, 2007 - 11:50pm PT
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Michael is larger than life, so if there is anyone who got picked up by an Irish fishing vessel w/out radio contact and plenty of Jameson's it is him. I know he is out on the high seas giving it all he has.
When I first moved to SoCal from DC, he was one of the first persons I met one night at Boulderdash, a local climbing gym in Westlake Village. As I was opening a new outdoor boutique, I approached anyone there inquiring what their preferences were. Michael gave me, unabashedley, the low-down. While not a climber per se, we shared some common educational background. As a result, we developed a frienship which I always cherish. After opening our boutique in T.O., he has been one of our biggist champions for which I am always grateful.
So, my friends, raise a pint for Micheal for his indomitable energy lives in us all.......
By the way, if you want to MoJo for Michael this Saturday, some folks, including some folks from Livity, are gathering @ Malibu Creek. If a near future date otherwise, count me in....Stony (warmer), Malibu, or twilight JTree....?
Nikki & Marci, we're here for you. Just give a call and we'll do anything with love.
Bramm
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Leavittator
climber
san diego, ca.
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Jul 27, 2007 - 12:20am PT
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Michael, you were an inspirational guy – so full of life and energy. We are sorry to see you pass. I remember the last day I saw at Joshua Tree. We were talking about big wave surfing. You said you were intimidated by big waves, but this just left me shaking my head. The things you have climbed without a rope made this notion seem absurd. But life is unexpected and I am glad you made the most of it before you moved on. Our best goes out to Marci and Nikki in this difficult time. You always impressed me with your devotion to your family.
Peace,
Randy
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Michael D
Big Wall climber
Napoli, Italy
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Jul 27, 2007 - 08:25am PT
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Michael and I bumped into each other late afternoon at JT, he saw me soloing easy stuff, and we chatted of all things, family and kids. After scampering up and down routes,not a bit of climbing talk..only his interest in what someone else might consider a 'good dad'..a way cool day. Save some chalk in the bag!
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bachar
Trad climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 28, 2007 - 02:38pm PT
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Michael loved JT as we all know....just another cool shot of our buddy in one of his favorite playgrounds...
"Uncle Remus", 5.11b.
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Anastasia
Trad climber
California
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Jul 28, 2007 - 03:21pm PT
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C'mon people, there must be a few stories that you can share.
Please...
AF
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tradgirl
Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV
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Jul 30, 2007 - 02:46am PT
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It appears as though there is a memorial for his at Malibu Creek on Saturday, August 18. This is a public memorial where attendees are asked to dress in jeans and flip flops in honor of Michael.
From this article
http://thehendricksreport.wordpress.com/...-for-august-18-2007/
I was hoping somebody here had heard about it and knew what time the service would be held.
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graham
Social climber
Ventura, California
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Jul 30, 2007 - 12:24pm PT
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You can try the contact below for info on this memorial.
Borealis Expedition Adventure Resource, Inc.
Janss Marketplace
275 N. Moorpark Rd, Ste. C
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Toll Free: (866) 841-BEAR
Store: (805) 777-4810
William is the store owner. You can also email “Bramm” from the previous page for any help on this.
Mike
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dll
climber
Oak Park, Ca.
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Jul 31, 2007 - 02:17pm PT
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The Celebration on the 18th, starts at 9 am.
Seems like the ideal time and place for the group Mojo initiation... bring your birthday suits!
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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What impressed me the most about Michael was that he was not a typical modern climber. He wasn't a sales rep for an outdoor equipment manufacturer, he didn't work in a climbing gym, he wasn't a guide, and he didn't live in a van. Those are perfectly respectable ways of spending your time, and they certainly help to facilitate a climbing career. But Michael managed to become an elite, even world-class climber in his specialty, while putting together a successful professional career and building a happy family life.
Think about it: He succeeded in movies, one of the most competitive industries on the face of the planet, and in the capitol for commercial film. Despite real talent in film, music, and climbing--three genres not known for stable emotional landscapes--he was a devoted family man. And despite not living in Chamonix or Innsbruck or even Bishop, he managed to build a phenomenal climbing career out of areas that were within an easy drive of his home. We may not see another performance like that in our lifetimes.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Very nice words for your friend Coz: from the heart and quite meaningful.
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