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Gary
climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
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Aug 25, 2009 - 10:31am PT
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WBraun: His words are always concise and well thought out, his words are always very enlightening. He's a very deep thinker.
Sort of like yourself, Werner. I've always been amazed by those Magic Line photos. I saw his slide show last year and agree wholeheartedly with Werner's comments. He seems like a real good guy.
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Fuzzywuzzy
climber
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Aug 25, 2009 - 10:54am PT
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Don -
Come on, you are STILL holding me ransom for that "incident"??
The "Ref" is waving the penalty flag -let's talk this over.
How about we gang up on Bundy??
We could drag some one like CC into this for some shady/foggy memories of RK BITD?
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fluffy
Trad climber
boulder
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Aug 25, 2009 - 11:09am PT
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"I know it's a bit of a stretch, but I see him today as a modern-day John Muir... he CARES about the Valley."
i can think of no higher praise
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Fuzzywuzzy
climber
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Aug 26, 2009 - 01:24pm PT
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Kev -
Do you remember the details of the "half-in half-out" Camp 4 boundary altercation?
Nudity?
Of course he CARES he blinking lived there almost all his life - He wears his heart on his sleeve.
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climbbjj
Social climber
Tahoe
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Aug 29, 2009 - 10:09pm PT
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Him and Bachar were my imspiration when I first got into climbing in the mid 90's. I met him several times over the years. First time was in 1994 or so when he was working Dominator with Ben Moon.
One memorable time was in the Valley in 1997. It was less than a week after they re-opened the park following the big flood. I think there were a total of 20 people in Camp 4 for the whole 10 days I was there. Firewood in the form of old tree branches was piled everywhere in Curry. We had the park to ourselves and there was no need to get up at the butt crack of dawn to get to popular routes before anyone else. Freakin' Sweet.
Anyway, one day after climbing at the Cookie (whole cliff was all ours), which we had to access via hiking down an old logging road that starts in Foresta, my partner and I made a late day recon visit to Reed's to scope out Lunatic Fringe and some other stuff for the following day.
We're standing at the base of the regular route when out of nowhere a rap rope comes flying down and misses my buddy by about 10 feet. There was no warning that we could hear.
My buddy, noticably perturbed yells up "Hey, thanks for the warning!!" and then shakes his head at me with an expression like "What the f*#k, the park is empty and we still run into some dork who can't yell before tossing his line?"
Anyway, 2 minutes later, down comes the offending party. It's Ron Kauk. First thing out of his mouth was a sincere "Hey, sorry guys. Didn't really expect anyone to be around".
We tell him it's no biggie and talk for a while. I ask him how nice it must be to have an empty park for a while. While the circumstances leading up to it are unfortunate, he says it is a great vacation from the usual crowds.
Then we talk about some routes and he gives me some beta on the Fringe, and just like that he is off.
After he leaves, me and my buddy joke about how anyone else would have gotten a lecture from us about climbing etiquette.
I tell him he should have pretended not to know who Ron was and give him the lecture anyway:
"Ok buddy, you're probably pretty new to climbing, so we'll let you off with a warning this time, but when you throw your rap line, you're supposed to yell 'ROPE' so no one on the ground gets whacked. So you capeesh what we're tellng you here? because we'd hate to have to tell you a second time. Ok, now get your gear and get out of here while the gettin's good ya' noob!"
Anyway, nice guy in person. Totally friendly and approachable.
I know he's over 50 now and age gets us all eventually. How hard does he climb these days? I know Peace and Magic line went up when he was around my age (41) which is itself pretty amazing.
Here's to Ron.
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hossjulia
Trad climber
Eastside
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Aug 30, 2009 - 11:57am PT
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Some great stories here, keep um coming.
In 82 I met Kauk through climbing. Not in person, but through the mags and stories.
I met him in person when I started working at TPR and have come to enjoy our occasional breakfast together and the great talks we've had. There is a depth there that is born of trying to make more of a relatively selfish sport/profession. And I think he has done so admirably.
Thanks Ron.
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Dr.Sprock
Boulder climber
Sprocketville
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Aug 30, 2009 - 02:52pm PT
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chongo was the guy in the back.
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Papillon Rendre
climber
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Aug 30, 2009 - 04:47pm PT
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"Ron Kauk Appreciation Thread"
Some stories, whether they are fact or fiction, are better left BITD. We all have episodes from our younger days, that we reflect upon later in life and say "what was I thinking?" This thread should be based upon good deeds as the title implies. I respect and appreciate Ron's commitment to the environment. Three years ago, my son saw his film at the Visitor Center. He was eleven at the time. Since then, he makes every effort to recycle, reduce and reuse, thanks to the words of Ron. Secondly, a very good friend of mine, (not a climber) has lived in the park for 30 + years. Over the years, he became a thirsty soul. He went to Ron's house one night (rather intoxicated) and discussed an issue he had. Shortly thereafter, Ron was at his place of employment for a separate mission. When Ron saw him, he took him aside for a few minutes to discuss his condition. He told my friend that his drinking was a huge negative. Ron was able to discuss it without making my friend feel bad or defensive. My friend was surprised that Ron had taken the time and made the effort with someone who was not a member of the climbing tribe. Thank you Ron for the positive impact on two loved one's of mine.
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mastadon
Trad climber
quaking has-been
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Aug 30, 2009 - 09:45pm PT
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jghedge- I heard the same story from the same horse's mouth shortly after the incident happened so all you naysayers that say, "Gosh, I've never met Ron but...." or "Gee, Ron seems like such a nice guy he'd never....." are full of s#it. If you're going to "Appreciate" someone for what they are, "Appreciate" them for all they are, otherwise STFU.
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cintune
climber
the Moon and Antarctica
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Aug 30, 2009 - 09:50pm PT
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Headed for the jeebus thread, but seems more appropriate here.
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corniss chopper
Mountain climber
san jose, ca
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Aug 30, 2009 - 10:04pm PT
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Long ago we had just locked the car an were about to cross the road and go up the snow slope above the outlet of Ellery Lake -(early season)-
when (I think its) Ron comes jogging around the corner, up the road (training).
He gave us 'the' look. We returned 'it' in kind.
Then he called back over his shoulder 'be careful!'
Still remember that. A climbing god wishing me well.
Yes.
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Fuzzywuzzy
climber
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Aug 30, 2009 - 10:18pm PT
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The log rolling story is flat out TRUE. Those that know were there (around). So who knows - knows. Those who don't will never understand. You had to be there. We keep trying to throw in a bit of spiced reality - get it??
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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Aug 31, 2009 - 12:25am PT
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In Aug. or early Sep. of '78, Ron, Bridwell, Schmitz and I got caught on Watkins during a heat wave and suffered horribly after days on the wall during an FA. I wish I had the pics of Ron on top. He was so sun burned he looked like a tomato. Tough dude, Ron K.
JL
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hoipolloi
climber
A friends backyard with the neighbors wifi
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Aug 31, 2009 - 12:49am PT
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What route were you guys doing Largo? I have been eying some of those forgotten but fantastic lines over there for a season or two now. Maybe in the spring I will be making my way over that way...
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Fuzzywuzzy
climber
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Aug 31, 2009 - 03:01pm PT
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"Ron's bar mitzvah" - Now that is funny.
Hey, the log roll/chase occurred over on the Eastside. No Wanted Posters had been up in the local PO's yet!!!
Re-reading my post I admit it was a bit "forceful". Hell, RK won't be around or able to defend himself when sainthood is bestowed upon him! So, a few skeletons remind us that Ron is also a "colorful" man. Holding him up as an icon or as an example of what can be achieved is sensible. The tales are there to remind us that we are human - you, me, Ron, Largo, Royal, etc., and that life has its twist and turns.
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CAMNOTCLIMB
Trad climber
novato ca
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Aug 31, 2009 - 04:33pm PT
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Ron can climb and looks good in photos, so says my wife...
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Aug 31, 2009 - 07:07pm PT
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"arrested for defrauding an innkeeper"
I'm saving that one...
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Sara Matisse
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, CA
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Sep 16, 2009 - 11:44am PT
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Beautiful.
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Mason
Trad climber
Yay Area
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Apr 28, 2010 - 01:55am PT
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We met Ron Kauk last weekend in the Valley. I have to say that the conversation we had with him has definitely given me a greater understanding of, and respect for, the Stonemasters.
Very cool guy and very smart and enlightened as well.
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hoipolloi
climber
A friends backyard with the neighbors wifi
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Apr 28, 2010 - 02:14am PT
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This thread needs more pictures!
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