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F10 Climber F11 Drinker
Trad climber
e350
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Aug 15, 2006 - 09:33pm PT
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So sad to hear this news. Went to hop on ST for a little climbing info or other entertainment and this stuff pops up, what a bummer. Be safe out there
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JuanDeFuca
Big Wall climber
Stoney Point
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Aug 15, 2006 - 09:41pm PT
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It was an accident. They happen.
I nearly pulled the same trick on 395 near ridgecrest in a Ford Explorer. Road Hazard, over corrected, over corrected again and regained controlled at 75mph. I very easily could have shoot out into the desert and rolled it 6 times.
Scared me to death.
Also, have drifted off Hwy's when I was spacing out. Then swerved to get back on the road.
I cannot tell you how many times I have fought to stay awake driving home on 395.
I consider driving the most dangerous thing I do.
Seat Belts.
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hashbro
Trad climber
Not in Southern California
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Aug 15, 2006 - 11:49pm PT
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Wow, my heart stopped the instant I saw the title of this thread a moment ago. Please no, not another friend gone in relative youth.
I'm very sorry for Steve's family, but joyous that John and Anastasia will pull through. Another powerful reminder to seize the moment, cuz it could be our last.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
St. Louis
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Aug 16, 2006 - 12:27am PT
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Yes PTPP, Anastasia is "our" Anastasia here on ST.com.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Aug 16, 2006 - 12:30am PT
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I was only at OR for 2 days, saw John and considered going over to say hi, but had an appointment.
Stayed over and yesterday sampled Jeff Lowe's via feratta so I only just got home. After 500Km of driving and only minutes from home I was a bit punchy and with the headlights on low nearly didn't see the 12' stepladder that apparently had blown out of somebody's truck and was laying diagonally in my lane. My ridiculously low 40" high car would never have cleared it.
We take the safety of driving for granted but its probably the most dangerous things most people do. I've been climbing more than 38 years and the worst injury I've ever had was a fractured spine from a motor vehicle accident.
According to insurance actuarial tables (and this boggles my mind) one in three people will be involved in a motor vehicle collision in their lifetime that involves a fatality to at least one of the persons involved.
Driving is fvcking dangerous folks. I avoid even needing to go to the store for a quart of milk until I need a whole bunch of other stuff too. I avoid rush hour traffic as much out of fear as annoyance. I avoid driving Halloween night and New Years Eve. And as a rule, I take a break at least every 200Km or LESS.
Its so sad to be continuously reminded of how potentially dangerous this world is AFTER THE FACT.
I guess it takes somebody in Jody's line of work who has to confront the harshest realities on a dailly basis to bear it in mind as much as we all really should.
My heartfelt condolences to the families involved. Speedy recovery John.
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Hummerchine
Trad climber
East Wenatchee, WA
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Aug 16, 2006 - 12:34am PT
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Whoa, how incredibly horrible. So very sorry to hear this. Best wishes to John in his recovery, you will all be in my prayers.
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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Aug 16, 2006 - 12:42am PT
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I am very sad to hear of this tragedy. My condolences to Steve's family. This must be devastating for John and Anastasia and I hope for them a full recovery, both physically and spiritually.
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Fluoride
Trad climber
California somewhere
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Aug 16, 2006 - 12:43am PT
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"I cannot tell you how many times I have fought to stay awake driving home on 395.
I consider driving the most dangerous thing I do."
A huge ditto on that Juan. I've almost fallen asleep at the wheel coming back from weekends in the Valley or Sierra more times than I can count. Luckily by this point I've got the drives pretty well dialed to know where I can pull over and take a catnap. Sometimes even just a half hour nap will make all the difference in making the drive a much safer one. When the head starts to nod, I'm pulling over.
After every weekend of climbing I'm usually more relieved I survived the long drive to and from the rock than the actual climbs themselves. Cause between our own driving, and the habits of others (love it when oncoming semi's on the narrow stretches of the 395 start drifting into your lane), driving can be just as dangerous than any climb sometimes.
What's really sobering is this summer, I really can't recall reading of any fatal climbing accidents. Yet we lose Roberta and now Steve to car accidents.
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guyman
Trad climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Aug 16, 2006 - 02:47am PT
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This is not good, not at all.
John and Anastasia I hope for your speedy recovery.
Rest in peace Steve.
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Patrick Sawyer
climber
Originally California now Ireland
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Aug 16, 2006 - 08:33am PT
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Yep, I avoid driving (haven't driven in close to ten years, but here in Dublin public transport is good and I ride my bicycle every day to work).
Only fell asleep driving once, on 395, and if it wasn't for Claude Fiddler sitting next to me in the front (he was awake and grabbed the wheel) we all would probably have been toast.
Again, condolences to Steve's family and best wishes to Anastasia and John.
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thedogfather
Trad climber
Midwest
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Aug 16, 2006 - 09:09am PT
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Words escape me. Only dealt with John via email and Steve on the phone. Get well John and Anastasia. Condolences to Steve's friends and family. There but for the grace of ......
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Maţţ
Big Wall climber
Kiev
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Aug 16, 2006 - 09:55am PT
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Very sorry to hear this news. Best wishes to everyone involved.
I work a lot of wreck scenes, among other things. It's been said, but it bears repeating: seatbelts will save your life. I can't remember the exact number off the top of my head but IIRC you have a 300% greater chance of dying in a wreck if you are ejected from the vehicle. A highway patrol officer I often work the scenes with has told me that he has never, not once, found a seatbelted person in a wreck who was dead. I'm sure it has happened but it is rare.
Please, please wear your seatbelt.
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eeyonkee
Trad climber
Golden, CO
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Aug 16, 2006 - 09:58am PT
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Terrible stuff. My condolences to John, Anastasia and Steve's family.
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Touchstone Climbing
climber
San Francisco
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Aug 16, 2006 - 10:03am PT
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Touchstone Climbing learned Monday, that Steve Karafa passed away in a car accident this past weekend. We are all still in shock.
All of us at Touchstone would like to extend our condolences to Steve's family, friends and his longtime significant other, Sarah. Prior to working for Acopa, Steve was the retail manager for Touchstone. During his time with us, Steve developed a great rapport with many of us and with vendors throughout the industry. We are very sad to see him leave this world so unexpectedly.
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dirtineye
Trad climber
the south
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Aug 16, 2006 - 10:08am PT
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WOW. Last time I took 4 people climbing, I asked if they wanted the seat belts in the back. They said yes, so I dug em out from under the seat, and they wore em.
IT was just a random thought, could have easily been overlooked, but I guess I'll never forget to do that now.
That's one small thing we could do to give this horrible death a purpose-- remind the folks in the back to use their seat belts too.
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maldaly
Trad climber
Boulder, CO
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Aug 16, 2006 - 10:20am PT
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Wow,
Just got rained out of the Uintas and returned to this sad news. I HATE driving yet still do way too much of it.
JB...here's wishes for a strong and speedy recovery. Take your time and absorb all the energy we can send you. Steve, don't know you too well but peace be with you my friend. Anastaisa, I'm glad your injuries were minor(?) but be careful to rest and take care.
Accidents suck.
Mal
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Hardman Knott
Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
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Aug 16, 2006 - 02:16pm PT
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Does anyone have a picture of Steve Karafa they could post to this thread?
I couldn't find anything online. If he was previously the retail manager for Touchstone,
I would most likely recognize his face, and probably spoke with him at one time or another.
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Levy
Big Wall climber
So Cal
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Aug 16, 2006 - 03:12pm PT
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My deepest condolences to Steve's family & friends. I sure wish JB & Anastasia a speedy and full recovery. These things have a way of hurting long after the physical pain has subsided. I'm so sorry for all those involved. Get well soon!
Levy
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the kid
Trad climber
fayetteville, wv
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Aug 16, 2006 - 03:36pm PT
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after a really good show @ OR i was a shocked to hear the bad news yesterday. I did not know Steve or anastaicia well and my heart goes out to them..
words will never bring someone back..
as for John, he is my friend, my mentor and the one person who really showed me how vision goes with climbing and first ascents!
JB- i hope you have a speedy recovery and let me/us know if there is anything we/I can do to help...
I also want to make the point that i hope it does not take the passing of someone for climbers to realize that in this day and age of numbers, hype, sponsorship and drama- JB opened the door for all the sharmas and potters to follow and WE/They/Us all owe him and the whole stone master crew major props for taking the passion of climbing and the vision that came with it and spreading it around the globe.
i would not be the person and climber i am, would have never experienced the joy and heart break of the free muir, nor had the vision to bolt in Rifle and potrero had i not had the chance to climb with JB and the masters of the 80's!
JB- you will always be my friend and hero and i thank you for allowing me to climb with you all those years!!!!!!
If we need to raise money for hospital bills i will be the first to donate and the first to hit up everyone who climbs to make it happen!
kurt smith
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LongAgo
Trad climber
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Aug 16, 2006 - 03:58pm PT
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John,
Should the back/neck issue be anything where surgery is advised, I am happy to offer information I have gleaned from five years of back hell (now over) and a so-so back surgery. As a ringer of airport security bells from hardware in my back and elsewhere, I know Bay Area surgery, orthopedic and rehab resources well (including UCSF). Happy to offer whatever lessons and cautions my medical wars offer.
Tom Higgins
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