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Tea
Trad climber
Behind the Zion Curtain
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Jan 18, 2010 - 01:31pm PT
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Has always inspired a big boy like me, to not use size as an excuse.
And his writing is top shelf!!
Thanks John!
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Gobee
Trad climber
Los Angeles
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Jan 18, 2010 - 02:48pm PT
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High Five!
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Roxy
Trad climber
CA Central Coast
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Jan 19, 2010 - 10:44pm PT
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a friend returned my copy of The High Lonesome.
I had 'forgotten' about a couple gems...re-read them tonight.
a good harvest bump to you JL
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EdBannister
Mountain climber
CA
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Jan 19, 2010 - 10:56pm PT
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Largo,
generous human,
artist,
two of the best compliments i know how to give and both well deserved.
and Mr. Braun posted the funniest pic in honor of you I have seen in a long time.
thanks for all your contributions Largo,
Ed
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Keeper of Australia Mt
Trad climber
Whitehorse, Yukon , Canada
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Jan 20, 2010 - 02:46am PT
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Largo is to climbing what the Gretz is to hockey - excepting he performs as well on paper as he does on rock. If there were a Climbing Hall of Fame he would be in it for just about every category = performer, builder and media.
Got to love his wickedly wild sense of humor - that little epic of his where he desperately finishes the route on a wing, prayer and a fortuitous root - which he then negates in order to sandbag a young turk (ey) has got to be a classic.
His climbing books are a huge contribution to the sport and they contributed to one of my modest memorable moments - climbing Cat Crack at Squamish - a couple of metres from the top with my lead waiting on his second and I have this freaking crack that isn't cooperating with my fist for a jam. I would have been pretty ticked to not have made it to the top and as I am contemplating what outpouring of expletives would be appropriate to that possibility - I had a brain flash - maybe a John Long moment - I remembered I had seen a pic of something called a hand stack
in one of his books - so gave it a go. Bingo - just what the doc ordered - it worked like a charm and I managed to haul my aging carcass up to the top. So indeed their is wisdom in the words (and pics) of our elders and
we should pay them appropriate homage, contribute to their retirement ambitions and keep them supplied in good brew as appropriate.
Not having Largo in the climbing mix would be like having Black Forest cake without the cherries. Not nearly as decadent and fulfilling. He makes all of us better in spirit with the best of laughs.
So kudos to the Main Man and I hope he keeps rolling for another 50 at least.
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Blinky
Trad climber
North Carolina
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Jan 20, 2010 - 09:27am PT
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In my circle of friends, John's article 'Pumping Sandstone' legitimized bouldering as a pursuit with it's own rewards. It stopped being just practice, we started naming problems and pushing the limits of human connective tissue. It was a major influence, thank you for that Mr. Largo.
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TrundleBum
Trad climber
Las Vegas
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Jan 21, 2010 - 08:52pm PT
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Only met the man once.
I was climbing on the apron. I forget what route I had done but I was on the ledge above the Green Dragon, Sailing Shoes and Anchors Away area. As I belayed my partner up I was watching Largo climb below. It was so long ago I can't remember exactly but as I recall the route Largo was on was Green Dragon. Even though he took one small 'Blooper' slider/fall he basically cruised the thing. I will never forget thinking "Ho Mahn, that dude sure is graceful and focused for such a huge dude on a seriously difficult friction route.
I have always had this issue with 'Hero worship', I don't do it well. Not to say that Largo wasn't a total hero of mine. I had seen him plenty hanging out with the likes of Bachar, Kaulk and Cashner around Camp-4 but this encounter was of the real kind.
I was sitting there belaying and smoking a Marlboro. Onto the ledge mantels Largo and after setting up a belay but before putting his second 'on' he looked at me and politely asked if he could bum a dimp off me. Of course, with no wise cracks I gave him a smoke and a light but certainly refrained from the kick in the ass to get it started. Perhaps it was my reverse 'Hero Worship' psychology or maybe part of my "How cool is this famous person' testing regime. I looked at him and asked his name. He said 'John" in response. I said "Hey cool I can remember your name easy, it's my first name as well. But hey, I don't forget faces but names stick much better when I know someone's full name, what's you last name John?" He just rolled his eyes and head my way and said "John, just call me John that's all you need in order to address me."
I asked what he thought of the route he had just climbed, mentioning that I had gotten my gimpy, skinny arse up it a short time prior. Bear in mind that at that time Green Dragon was a little controversial with regard to rating. As well it was on the Apron aka: the "Women's Wall". Largo made no disparaging remarks. He said the rating was perhaps a little soft and that he was not sure you could call it a .12 but no doubt well into the .11+ area. He said it was enjoyable to do a slab route that was technically difficult but with out the typical death run out/s of earlier slab test pieces and he gave a 'Hat's off to the guys that put it up." That comment surprised me a little. I thought, does he not know who put it up? Does he not know who Cantwell is? Or... Is this just another piece of his nonchalance towards his reputation and the climbing community at large?
Largo:
You owe me a dimp uncle...
A while back I posted a thread about my dear friend, teacher, confidante and partner in crime Aunty Nona Beamer from Hawai'i. Much to my surprise Largo was one of the early responders too the post. His words were pleasant and supportive and included a quoted snippet of writing he had composed. That reminded me that Largo is a professional writer.
Many times I have considered soliciting his advice as I would like to try my hand at writing. I have more than once chucked an outline of a letter I started to compose to him asking for advice. Chucked'm ? Why ? Well cuz the dude is famous and I would be asking for info that involves his professional career for free... Probably not cool?
Perhaps one day I will bump into him again and I can ask for a cigg and that can launch into further topics of discussion. I hope that if that day comes, that he will not have a cigg on him to give.
Largo:
I hope the quit smoking campaign is going well ?
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Double D
climber
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Jan 21, 2010 - 11:32pm PT
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I remember pulling into Idyllwild very late into the night when Largo was hanging with a bunch of rouges including Fred East, Auggie Klein and Kurt Rieder. I had a few slide shows to put on in the LA & OC area over the next couple of days and Largo immediately asks where and if I knew my way around. “No clue” I said “but I remember that REI is in Carson.”
“Ho MANN you must have security and guidance!” Next day after bouldering a bit Largo gave me the So. Cal tour royal... I’ll call it the “bust’n yer gut” tour. Best ab workout I ever had was over those couple a days as he kept me in stitches. I think we had more wino’s just trying to get off the street than climbers at the Carson show. I don’t really remember the other ones.
Somehow we managed to take in Rubideaux where he gave me a quick tour of his amazing home turf. I scarcely made it off the ground on many of the test pieces and if memory serves me he was recovering from a split tip…luckily because it was intimidating how hard he could pull down for a big dude. Then it was Corona Del Mar, then down to Laguna Beach just to check out the babes and a quick trip to meet the “rents” before returning to Idyllwild.
I can’t imagine how dull the trip would have been alone and was always grateful for Largo’s multi-day tour guiding service. And yes, I did need security and guidance!
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Curt
Boulder climber
Gilbert, AZ
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Jan 21, 2010 - 11:49pm PT
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I took the only bad climbing fall I ever took at Suicide Rock in 1985. It was some easy 10d thing--but I screwed the pooch and somehow fell. I fell about 20 feet, hit the wall with my right foot on the way down, and was then immediately lowered down to a big ledge about 10 feet off the ground by my belayer. It turns out the ankle was broken in 6 or 7 places and I was feeling a bit like I was going to pass out.
While I was laying there feeling pretty loopy, some guy climbs up to the ledge, unties me from the rope and carries me down to the ground, placing me under a nice shady tree. That's not exactly how I would have chosen to meet JL, but that's how it happened. Thanks, JL.
Curt
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Anastasia
Mountain climber
hanging from a crimp and crying for my mama.
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Jan 21, 2010 - 11:52pm PT
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Bump!
Largo is a great man, period.
AFS
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Jan 21, 2010 - 11:55pm PT
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hey there, all, say, just stepping in here again... .this is a very good read, too! ...
here's to you, largo! more appreciation, and after a happy "re-read", too...
:)
*say, does nature know that there is another OUCH cartoon in the near-beginning here... ?
let's pass him the word, for the collection-files, just in case...
:)
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Daphne
Trad climber
Mill Valley, CA
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Jan 22, 2010 - 12:33am PT
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I will always be grateful for the way he reached out to me after my worst eye surgery and said that reaching out in support of each other is something climbers just do for each other. Then he called me sweet pea.
He's a sweet pea, too.
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drunkenmaster
Social climber
santa rosa
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Jan 22, 2010 - 12:51am PT
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without how to rock climb i would have had a harder time learning how to rock climb. thanks largo!
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PhilG
Trad climber
The Circuit, Tonasket WA
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Jan 22, 2010 - 12:59am PT
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May I add a thank you for your decision to "MOVE!" rather than staying put when we were caught in a thunder and lightening storm on Arrowhead Arete?
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10b4me
Ice climber
Ice Caves at the Sads
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Jan 22, 2010 - 01:15am PT
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Largo is a great man, period.
well said Anastasia
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Watusi
Social climber
Newport, OR
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Jan 22, 2010 - 01:21am PT
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BITD I knew JL when he worked at Ski Mart when they had a store in Pacific Beach in San Diego. Even then, as a junior high school student, I knew of Largo. He had already made a huge impression on me as a climber, but also as a larger than life persona. He always called me "Little Mike" and my (almost daily) visits to the shop were always memorable visits, most assuredly with the most grandiose and epic tales that had my young imagination reeling with possibility. He and John Bachar were definitely the biggest inspiration for me as a young climber to pursue my dreams and I will always be infinitely grateful to him. Viva Largo!!
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socalbolter
Sport climber
Silverado, CA
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Jan 22, 2010 - 12:39pm PT
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Few people can compare with the stories told about them, but Largo comes pretty damn close.
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Chief
climber
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Jan 22, 2010 - 01:38pm PT
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I was hanging in Idyllwild with Gibson, Manson and Cameron in 77-78? and was introduced to John by Greg. There was the usual chat and John asked about Squamish and I suggested it was a good area if you liked nailing, possibly implying that John didn't aid climb.
"Ho Man! Do I like nailing? Ho man, done over a hundred pitches this year man! Do I like nailing? Ho Man!"
It was classic Largo and did I get an earful and feel like a geek.
John's larger than life style be it on the rock, writing or narrating has helped define the sport of rock climbing and our sense of identity as a tribe. Thanks Largo!
Perry
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krutley
climber
here, now
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May 10, 2010 - 04:17am PT
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If this is how to communicate with the man, so be it...
Random memories in SoCal:
-taking a pull off a beer bottle and spitting out a couple cigarette butts, angry as hell, but (sorry) the look on your face was priceless.
-new discoveries at The Relativity Boulders
-beating a tune on anything that didn't move, I mean a badass multipolyrhythmic beyond comprehension al dimeola genre thing
-your commanding presence, voice, strength and genuine warmth. Big man, and a bigger heart.
-bestowing the "Rieder hydraulics" title on me. Wish I still had em.
With all my Heart, you are appreciated.
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Anastasia
Mountain climber
hanging from a crimp and crying for my mama.
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May 10, 2010 - 04:29am PT
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:) BUMP!
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