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mrs bon groppolly
climber
FlagSTAFF
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Aug 26, 2014 - 09:18am PT
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I lived at Brushy Run in Seneca Rocks, WV in the early 90s for a couple years. Life there was so fun and heartful with the small climbing community that included Brian (new as a climber), Eric Anderson, John Govi, Jim Cirilano, Tom Cecil, myself (Alison Hutter), Tony and Karen Barnes, and others: a true Mayberry. It was the best two years of my life and Brian was a big part of it. I will miss him. This earth is quite a bit less unique without him here. RIP brother. See you some day on the other side.
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rockgeir
Trad climber
Tucson, AZ
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Aug 26, 2014 - 10:07am PT
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Rankin,
I was also glad to hear Diesel is safe and cared for.
I really like reading all of these stories about Brian. The outpouring of love and respect for him is both well-deserved and good to see.
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Crista
climber
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Aug 26, 2014 - 10:47am PT
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He was like a brother. Always accepting, humble, and there if you needed him. I first met him as a tag-along on a climbing trip with Brian and a friend. I was 19 years old, and had joined the climbing community desperately seeking the bonds I had difficulty creating in my family life. We were then friends, neighbors, and occasional climbing partners. When I met the man I would end up marrying, he gave him the scrutiny that any father would have, then they became fast friends. I have more pictures of Brian wrestling with my pup Utah on the ground then I can count. She passed away after 10 years this past January. It makes me happy to think they have each other to keep company on the other side. Although lost himself, he always took the time to find a light for us other lost souls.
He will be severely missed.
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the albatross
Gym climber
Flagstaff
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Aug 26, 2014 - 01:41pm PT
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Miss this guy:
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dirt claud
Social climber
san diego,ca
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Aug 26, 2014 - 04:09pm PT
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Brian sounds like an amazing human being. Beautiful words Burt. Very sorry for you and Cristas and Ammons loss. Hope any friends and family reading this thread can feel some healing from these great stories about his life.
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Studly
Trad climber
WA
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Aug 26, 2014 - 04:59pm PT
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Oh man, I never got to meet the guy. Sounded like the type of dude you would want to meet. Just heard legendary tales of him. Another time and another place, safe travels.
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rox
Trad climber
Flagstaff
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Aug 26, 2014 - 06:44pm PT
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I am so happy to read all the acknowledgement and respect for Brian, his amazing climbing abilities and feats. He seemed to never believe to be noticed for his accomplishments—because he chose not to market them—but obviously his being noticed now. Wish he could read all your comments.
He loved climbing and it brought him to life. He was a bold adventurer who delighted in discussing a delicate placement on a solo A5 as he did one of his first ascent sport routes.
I loved listening to him jabber on about his climbs, always onto the next project. He shared many new route possibilities and adventures with me. Our first big adventure was Half Dome, when I did not even know how to place gear. For months he explained how to clean a traverse or pendulum, bought me the Big Walls book by John Middendorf and John Long and explained the bad form of bailing. I was determined to see that wall through, and luckily got to climb walls with him in Yosemite, Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan before it was over. We spent months scouring The Red for new routes and put up routes together in the New River Gorge every winter with neck warmers on our drills so the batteries didn’t die.
Climbing the aid routes on the Rainbow Wall in Red Rocks was his idea. But he sent me up on the crux pitch of Sergeant Slaughter and then we pulled the rope and gear over and over until I sent the crux of Emerald City. He was just as psyched for me as he would have been for himself. He knew my abilities better than me and once told me I could’ve climbed harder if I’d just been a sport climber. I wouldn’t give up any of it to climb harder.
Though our relationship was notoriously rocky, the time we spent on the rock was magnificent. He gave me the same hard-nosed and loving training he did all his trainees. He helped me enjoy climbing to the fullest. It’s been a long time since I hung out with Flyn’ Brian. At a Red Rock Rendezvous awhile back we talked and laughed about the great times we had. And most recently at two of our dear friends’ wedding he hugged me and shook my spouses hand, introduced me to Flo. It was a precious moment. He knew how to take the higher ground. Thanks Flyn'. May you be at peace now.
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Bldrjac
Ice climber
Boulder
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Aug 26, 2014 - 07:17pm PT
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Did not know him, but the pictures show such a man filled with so much life, so much energy. Terribly sorry for his friends and family....may you all find peace somehow through his loss.
Pam Roberts
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Aug 26, 2014 - 07:21pm PT
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Roxanna...what a wonderful tribute to your time together. Life has many twists and turns and relationships blossom and fade but we are all better off recalling the magnetisim that brings us together.....nothing is forever.
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sweetDADDYp
climber
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Aug 26, 2014 - 07:21pm PT
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Rox. it is the truth. a daring adventurer exploring the abyss. GMC Wall, RRG, Motherlode, ca. 1998
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the albatross
Gym climber
Flagstaff
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Aug 26, 2014 - 07:32pm PT
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It has been a struggle to decide what (and if) to share any stories about our crazed adventures and the amazing friendship I shared with Brian. Brian told me for years to avoid sites such as this and to ignore the climbing media "parasites". At the same time, I know the media sharks are circling, smelling blood in the water and looking for a good story so they can make a buck and see their name in print.
My purpose in sharing some of these stories, along with the others who actually knew and respected Brian, is so the world may come to understand that Brian was so much more than an incredibly talented climber - and the salty-gruff maniac which he has been consistently portrayed in the rags, in fact he was a very evolved man in most senses. He was indeed the amazing person and more that has come alive in this thread over the last couple days. The last thing in the world I seek to do is dishonor the memory of this great warrior and his brief time in our lives.
Brian and I spent several weeks underground, exploring various abandoned mines across the SW. Those were some wild, out of this world experiences, in some ways like those big walls we climbed, but with far less chance of a rescue and the consequences of any mistake much more serious. We'd spend many hours on the phone, emails and internet planning our missions. It was an unusual life experience to delve into and something I wouldn't trade for the world.
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Kalimon
Social climber
Ridgway, CO
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Aug 26, 2014 - 08:09pm PT
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Good sh#t albatross . . . bummer deal here.
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the albatross
Gym climber
Flagstaff
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Aug 26, 2014 - 09:42pm PT
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It's cool to hear the stories from so many people who noticed the brilliance of Brian McCray.
Here's a glimpse of his glow:
Can't remember what miserable little rat hole this was in, but do recall spending a lot of time talking about life that weekend.
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horsethief
Sport climber
garden grove ca
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Aug 26, 2014 - 11:56pm PT
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Brian I just tried to call you. As usual Its been awhile since we talked, a'lot has come together for me. I was excited to let you know that i finally got a place of my own in Japatul SD, and that my door was always open for you here. I wanted you to know how much I appreciated the times you let me stay there in Vegas with you when I was on the outs. Of course I wanted to remind you that I'm still holding you to that lead up the rainbow wall you owe me for that HILTI, however dreadful the approach. But mostly I just wanted to hear your voice and collaborate on the deep soul brother issues we share. I was desperate enough to email you... and I seen the news… my heart is crushed…Brian was the salt of the earth, hard to beat that smile. Ill see you soon my friend. I'm still holding you to that climb!
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BLUEBLOCR
Social climber
joshua tree
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Aug 27, 2014 - 12:04am PT
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^^^Beauty Bro!
wish i could've climbed with him
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jludes
climber
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Aug 27, 2014 - 02:13am PT
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Yo Albatross,
There is nothing at all wrong with informing the climbing public about the nature of Flyin' Brian. Indeed, it's a wonderful tribute to a man who lacked the accolades he deserved in his life, and to convey to people information to those who did not know him.
I understand that Brian may not have like social media. But we all know he was astute enough to know that those who loved him would not and should not keep from sharing stories about his nature and exploits, with his passing.
Brian trimmed his life a bit short for whatever reason, but no one should be faulted or feel uneasy about talking about what took place prior to this abbreviated ending. I think there is some wisdom to be gleamed from his beautiful and tragic life, and this is all up to us. It's what we are left with to figure out. Rest in peace McCray.
John
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Norwegian
Trad climber
dancin on the tip of god's middle finger
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Aug 27, 2014 - 06:17am PT
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i'm gonna highjack this thread
and talk about myself.
with complete respect to mr. McCray,
i'd like to discuss the false state.
donini's note on the inner-workings
of a person's mind well introduces my discussion,
There is so much that goes on behind the closed door of a person's mind that we aren't privy to.
i, like bryan (as some of you have suggested,)
have a hyper and vivid imagination.
i call it the false state, not implying negativity.
it is a hands off world, where you make, break, and freestyle reality.
it can be wonderful, but it can also turn turgid.
i have runs where i fail to check back in with the real state,
and my heart and mind go transient and divergent.
it is in these times where interpersonal and inner-personal
struggles abound.
to be completely honest, i use and abuse
supertopo and all of you as therapy agents
for i like my doors open,
and i need the lot of you inside my drama,
for then i reconnect with the warm side of life.
our false state has it's place in our journey.
it is a necessary gem to offset the often times heavy real state.
i advise to make merry with this;
entertain it's shows, both good and bad,
but it is the enduring artists' prerogative
to find a safe passage to ground.
and to let the thunder abound.
rip it up on the other side, Mr. McCray.
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rockgeir
Trad climber
Tucson, AZ
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Aug 27, 2014 - 06:44am PT
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Great stories and pictures Albatross!
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kk1982
Trad climber
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Aug 27, 2014 - 11:13am PT
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Flyin Brian, you took me under your wing. I met you in Zion ten years ago and not till then or ever again did see a man on rock with wings like yours. You flew up new routes on your Angelino wall crag with style and command I was so inspired. I was down on my luck, my dreams of an 'all in' climbing life were being shut down by a looming federal probation term that was to ship me home to Pennsylvania. I was still reeling and processing grief from my sisters suicide that had racked my life; you let me tell you my story and helped take one more step toward healing. Brian, you took me with you to your secret crag in the middle of 'F' nowhere, showed me how you climb and establish routes like it was second nature, explained to me your sobriety was fundamental in your ability to live out your dreams on these rocks. You inspired me. Your routes in ZIon are some of the nicest looking lines, the most Extreme. I hope somehow the message gets through, I hope in some way you know that you are special. Brian, I'm back in Utah and I'm trying to repeat your route Ball and Chain and I wish I didn't wait to call you and try to rekindle an old, brief, but very meaningful friendship.
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EJN
climber
under a rock
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Aug 27, 2014 - 12:34pm PT
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Got a chance to talk to Brian last fall. We mostly talked about Zion and climbing ethics, and a little about his personal climbing history. We met at his house and talked for a few hours.
My first impression of him was his arms: they were gigantic. He looked like he could uproot trees with each hand.
My second impression was how welcoming he was. I was a student in school, and he was helping me out with a research project. He welcomed me into his house and talked with me for a while.
By the end of the conversation my lasting impression of him was the fire in his eyes, and in his belly. He clearly had a drive to do more, and to do better, and the discipline to get it done. His resume and life certainly show that.
I'm glad I got to meet him, and am sorry for his passage.
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