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Fogarty
climber
BITD
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Aug 16, 2013 - 08:29pm PT
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Susan, Russ & Friends, you are all true Angeles.
God Bless Our Friend!
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ElCapPirate
Big Wall climber
Reno, Nevada
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Aug 16, 2013 - 09:01pm PT
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ammon with the " d-u-eyepatch " that what blitzo called it r awesome
Yup, that was Blitzo's "D-U-AIIIGGGHHH-patch", I'm wearing... just a more piratical way of saying it, ha ha.
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F10
Trad climber
Bishop
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Aug 16, 2013 - 10:49pm PT
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Was climbing on Dozier today and couldn't stop thinking of him....
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Jingy
climber
Somewhere out there
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Aug 16, 2013 - 11:15pm PT
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I've been reading everything since my last post… hadn't realized the time, nor the situation.
Hoping for the best for our friend Blitzo. For strength and courage.
Blitzo bump of power
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Aug 16, 2013 - 11:59pm PT
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Elcap... thank you for that, Dozer dome it will be.
Blitzo, sleep well
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em kn0t
Trad climber
isle of wyde
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Aug 17, 2013 - 12:06am PT
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Deeply moving to have followed this thread over the past months, to see the world through Blitzo's photos, and to see him through the mirror of his friends' love.
I couldn't think of a better way to go then to be surrounded by my closest friends. Y'all are amazing in your dedication and love.
amazing grace...
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nita
Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
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Aug 17, 2013 - 03:09am PT
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Some more music.....
Night Blitzo, i hope you are having sweet dreams..
[Click to View YouTube Video]
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BLUEBLOCR
Social climber
joshua tree
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Aug 17, 2013 - 03:23am PT
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Ive pretty much made it up in my mind that I won't be talk'in to Billie again..
But my heart will never ever let him go.
Billie, when you reach that summit anchor!
Put me on belay, quick!
And watch me!
I'll be following soon!
Keep me tight, bitch!
Cause you know I don't like falling an inch!
And like Clint and George when they summited the Totem Pole!
You know when I climb up to ya, I'll be carrying the beer!
Belay On?
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ElCapPirate
Big Wall climber
Reno, Nevada
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Aug 17, 2013 - 03:46am PT
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Blitzo! I'm going to take a HUGE whipper on Sunday, just for you bro!
You will feel the tremor in the force when it happens... guaraaanteeeed!
Lot's of love, matey!
Thanks for all the good times.
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Aug 17, 2013 - 04:37am PT
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Blitzo's hospital room is, again tonite, filled with people and beer;.....just as he would like it to be. He is hanging on still for some reason;.....maybe it will be clear to us soon.....
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Sioux Juan
Big Wall climber
Costa mesa
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Aug 17, 2013 - 11:04am PT
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Blitzo we all love you
here are some lyrics from the doors
made the scene
week to week
day to day
hour to hour
THE GATE IS STRAIGHT
DEEP AND WIDE
break on through to the other side
break on through to the other side
break on through..............
.................steve
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StahlBro
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
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Aug 17, 2013 - 12:03pm PT
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^^^^^^^^
What Cragman said.
I did this for Grandmother after she fought her transition for 4 days. Her Pastor told me to whisper it was ok and time to go. She relaxed and departed within 20min.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Aug 17, 2013 - 12:22pm PT
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Bump for the Bloot, and all of his friends there with him!
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phylp
Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
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Aug 17, 2013 - 12:30pm PT
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^^^ Ditto, Cragman and Stahlbro.
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Fletcher
Trad climber
The great state of advaita
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Aug 17, 2013 - 12:33pm PT
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The Blute abides! When he's ready, he'll be ready. We all come with an expiration date, we just don't know exactly when most of the time. Even in situations like Blitzo's.
Peace and good sailing today.
Eric
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Russ Walling
Social climber
from Poofters Froth, Wyoming
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 17, 2013 - 12:39pm PT
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Blitzo has passed: 1:31am, 8/17/2013, surrounded by friends.
It is a sad time for all those he has touched either directly or though his photo work.
He loved having fun and had no shortage of that during his run. Without saying, he was a great photographer, but also loved beer and knew a lot about it not just from the right end of the bottle. His stories were unrivaled and as unreal as they seemed, they were true. He did the living in communes thing, lived large in Hawaii, owned something like 11 Great Danes while living in a trailer, worked in a casino and told us of the wild tales of altered states throughout the entire US with his early days in New York being especially entertaining.
He was a movie buff and knew all about movies 90% of us will never see, or would want to. His personality allowed him to fixate on certain movies, watch them about 20 times, and then have the entire move seared into his brain, able to recount any scene at any time.
His music library is beyond huge, with Zappa being his favorite. He knew the lyrics, the musicians, the where's and when's of every album he owned. And he owned tons. Talking to him about music was always a learning experience and had little tidbits about the most obscure shout or riff in the background, and who was doing it. He was a real fan of the music and it was something he really enjoyed.
His photo work will be his legacy to those that did not know him personally. It is hard not to run in to a Blitzo Photo on Mountain Project or in many guide books. He was the right place right time guy for many legendary climbing photos featuring the best climbers of the day on their signature test pieces. Shortly the site http://www.BlitzoFoto.com will be operational and will feature the bulk of his portfolio. He wanted a foundation type thing to be funded by future print sales from that site to help out kids that had an interest in photography. We will continue to work on making that happen.
Even with the inevitable bumps in the road that life deals out, and he had more than his share, he remained a fun and somewhat upbeat guy, under conditions that would crush most. He was always a good sport with our ribbing, kidding and 3rd grade Photoshop manipulations of his image. He didn't have much, but whatever he had he would share, be it some high end beers, some new music or just some laughs. He was a dependable and trustworthy (albeit slow!) worker, the best dog sitter I've ever known, a solid friend, and someone that you just wanted to help out. We helped him because we wanted to, not because he ever asked for it. Mostly though, he was just our pal, and we will miss him dearly. We are all diminished with his passing.
There will be some sort of Blitzopalooza in probably a couple of months, most likely in October out here in Josh. Stay tuned for info.
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Fluoride
Trad climber
West Los Angeles, CA
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Aug 17, 2013 - 12:46pm PT
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thanks Russ...he knew how much he was loved. Even til the very end. Literally. He felt the love in that room earlier this morning and finally let go.
Wonderful obit to our amazing Blitzo. I will miss him dearly but am so lucky to have had so many amazing and hilarious times with him. We're all better for having him in our lives.
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phylp
Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
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Aug 17, 2013 - 12:51pm PT
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My sincere condolences to all his wonderful friends and his family. Those of you who were able to be there by his side, surrounding him with love in his final weeks, and those who loved him and sent those thoughts from afar - what a difference you made...
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Aug 17, 2013 - 01:01pm PT
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hey there say, russ... oh my... say, i fell asleep last night at 1:30, which is early for me, and i was wondering how blitzo was...
he was leaving us, here, and moving on, now, i know...
also, sooze, phyl has her quilt here, for you:
i am putting little tid-bits of dates, etc on it for you...
it is a gift now for you, since the blitzo quilt needed
big squares and would not fit to this...
we both are hoping it will be a good blanket for you,
back home, as you 'leave care-giver mode' and
get strong at being home, without blitzo...
you are not forgotten through this hard loveing care,
that you have given...
god bless...
my condolences to the sister of blitzo = martha
and my condolences to locker, and ALL the close dear
friends of blitz...
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Leggs
Sport climber
Tucson, AZ
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Aug 17, 2013 - 01:06pm PT
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Rest in peace Blitzo...
To the caregivers and friends... you are all so very special and this community has given me hope once again.
"Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation."
~Rumi
Peace to all... and a great big hug.
~Lisa Mae
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