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RMLeahy
Trad climber
Yosemite
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Jesse, thanks for such a great photo.
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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My condolences to friends and family as well. His contributions to humans and wildlife, especially birds, will long be remembered.
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Domingo
Trad climber
El Portal, CA
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This is absolutely awful news... Jeff was easily the kindest, warmest person I met in Yosemite, and that's saying something. He smiled so readily and made everyone feel welcome. I felt lucky to be a friend. I guess everyone was his friend... Jeff never met a stranger.
From volleyball games to dance parties to wildlife surveys to barbecues, I'll remember him as someone who was ready to tell a joke, share wonderful conversation, and give a huge hug. He had a huge heart so full of compassion... And he loved his bees! My dad was a beekeeper and Jeff and I first bonded, I think, when we had a conversation about bees.
It's assuring to me that it went fast and painless, at least.
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TradM
climber
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We were climbing the last pitch of the Third Pillar at the time of the accident. Sorry for your loss. I think this photo is of the two climbers on the hike in. It was a very windy day on the ridge top. Down below on the climb it was calm and beautiful. We couldn't get a cell signal and went to the ranger station to report the accident. Other climbers went to the bottom to help out. I looked at the little dipper early that morning - I believe he was scooped up for somewhere he's needed more.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yV99BT0M7xOdy5_wQ74dqg?feat=directlink
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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How sad.
Rest in peace, Jeff.
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philo
Trad climber
boulder, co.
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Such sad news. My deepest condolences to family and friends.
I did not know him but he was contributing back to the world in ways i greatly admire.
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Link
Trad climber
Yosemite, CA
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Late at night, on the other side of the globe, Jeff, my thoughts are with you.
 Link
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tinker b
climber
the commonwealth
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time has traveled in strange ways since sunday, and i do not know what to make of this world.
it feels strange to be writing anything on a computer and on this forum, but i know how much this place helped me through micah's death earlier this summer and i want to share with those of you who need more info.
it was so windy on sunday on the top of the plateau...
i am realizing i am not ready to write this yet.
i do want to correct one piece of information that bothered me.
we did not start up the other crack system to pass the other party. we started because we thought we were on linticular limbo (which we both realized we were not on really quickly). partly because there was a party climbing and two more parties coming down to be behind us. and partly because the cracks looked really pretty.
jeff's death was instant.
jeff filled his last days with so much. it is amazing how many people had so many quality experiances with jeff during his last few days.
he wasted no daylight.
and during the process of the boched rescue i was really frustrated at being out there all day, but i know now that jeff just really wanted to spend one more day out and another night under the sierra stars.
jeff was someone i always looked forward to. his smile and hugs energy spirit. he touched so many people. although we have talked about climbing together for years, sunday was the first time we climbed together.
i am still really sad about it all, but beginning to recognize the honor it was to be the person to be with jeff as he transended to the next world.
thankyou chris for that picture...i'll try to find someone's computer that can print it. and thankyou for being there, and joe and cathy too, and for all the prayers.
peace,
jo-lynne
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splitclimber
climber
Sonoma County
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My deepest condolences to his friends and family
Working in the same field as Jeff with a love of birds hits home even more. I'm suprised I did not know him.
Sounds like a great guy who will be missed and remembered.
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Chugach Man
Mountain climber
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I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of Jeff, I did not know him, but it sounds as if he was a wonderful guy. My deepest condolences to Jo-Lynne, and all of Jeff's friends and family.
I do not know if this is the route that Jeff fell on, after reading this, and having a very scary experience leading a route in the same area a few years back, I decided to post this today.
http://www.summitpost.org/route/548792/the-choss-the-moss-and-the-lichen.html
As I said before, I DON'T KNOW if this is the route Jeff was on (though it sounds as if it was in the area if it wasn't), but I do want anyone eying these cracks from below to know that the climb becomes difficult and very serious higher up (R/X) so as to hopefully avoid a similar catastrophe in the future.
Rest in peace Jeff, I hope you are flying high with the falcons and wildlife you so loved,
-Robb
UPDATE - The link to the route above was removed, as it was found to be partially a repeat of "One that almost got away".
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Quercus douglasii
climber
Shingle Springs CA
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On Jeff's Wings
Oh! To soar like a falcon
High above the Range of Light
Upon strong wings that carry you
On inner character you taught the world
The importance of these natural places.
You circle upon thermals
Viewing a landscape
Of habitat degraded and fragmented
Of narrowed islands of corridors of life
Of habitat with too much change
You spoke your mind.
On wings of determination
You sought to teach the world
The importance of preserving these natural places.
On winds of change
You sought to teach one person at a time
The joy of life
The joy of camaraderie
The joy of learning
The joy of nature
The joy of preserving species that could cease to exist.
Your free spirit and passion for all creatures of Earth
Inspired many and will be missed by all.
They say the wind blew strong the day of your passing
Like a strong soul breaking free
You left Earth too early.
A peregrine flew over Tioga Lake the night you passed
In the evening light waning over the Dana Plateau
To guide you gently and kindly on your next journey
Like you, compassionate.
Earthly constraints no more, you soar with your dear friends
The peregrines
High above the Range of Light.
In loving memory of Jeff Maurer
Dedicated to his family and friends
-MW
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Quercus douglasii
climber
Shingle Springs CA
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My deepest condolences to Jeff's family and friends.
Although I did not know Jeff, the comments about his character remind me of his brother, my friend, Peter.
Please keep the condolences and photos coming, I will get them together for the family as a remembrance.
Soar with the falcons, Jeff.
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WSears
climber
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Jeff's extensive knowledge, dedication, patience, and kindness became clear to me 2 years ago when he began collaborating with us (SF Public Utilities Commission) on amphibian surveys downstream of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir...he was a pleasure to work with and hang out around...he'll be sorely missed.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41090596@N03/3882847947
Peace Jeff.
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swied
climber
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does anyone have any info on a memorial or service or gathering of any kind?
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Quercus douglasii
climber
Shingle Springs CA
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swied, Jeff's family is in El Portal for the weekend. If you have any contacts there, they would probably know...
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there to tinkerb... many hugs to you and deep condolences... and may god continualy uphold you at this very hard time...
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peaches
Trad climber
eastside
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Jeff was truly one of the kindest and smartest people I have ever met. A gentle soul. The Bee Man. I hope he is in a bird paradise. Condolences to his family and all who knew him.
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Mazzystr
Gym climber
Homeless...
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I just got word of this accident.
We send condolences from the East also.
/Chris C
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roadman
climber
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I spent a summer living with Jeff at white wolf and was very influenced by his passion for nature & conservation. Very sad.
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