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| Messages 1 - 18 of total 18 in this topic |
PhilG
Trad climber
The Circuit, Tonasket WA
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Mar 30, 2016 - 09:03am PT
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Agree with Ekat.
I can't think of anyone, other than Werner who has helped so any climbers.
Well deserved award.
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Mar 30, 2016 - 09:17am PT
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We can thank John for many things, including innovations to high-angle rescue which have saved the lives of many of our climbing comrades, and especially to training those who would rescue us if we were out of luck in that steep wilderness.
While he would insist that this isn't about him, he has been an important contributor to helping us be safer. His article on staying alive in Yosemite is worth reading over and over again, no matter how many times you've read it, you will learn something new on each reading.
So I add my voice to the chorus of well wishers. And my thanks that John is there, and has been there, all these years.
Best to you John!
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FRUMY
Trad climber
Bishop,CA
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Mar 30, 2016 - 09:43am PT
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Thanks for a lifetime of helping others.
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Mar 30, 2016 - 11:31am PT
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John was always the best, respected by all. (That I know of!)
Super super funny Dill moment: After a rescue and gear was being sorted, he picked up my friends pipe that came carelessly tumbling out of a pack. As he handed it to my anonymous friend he said. "Is this a piece of some kind of new climbing gear?"
My heart was in my throat for a moment til I realized all was well. Sheesh!!
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Mar 30, 2016 - 11:36am PT
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I have fond memories of John when he was a Camp 4 dirtbag like the rest of us in the early 70's. Who would have imagined that he would remain in the Valley and have such a positive impact on so many people.
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JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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Mar 30, 2016 - 11:38am PT
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My heart was in my throat for a moment til I realized all was well.
My first reaction was fear when I saw the thread title, too. I'm glad that I can, instead, celebrate a well-deserved honor.
John
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Mar 30, 2016 - 11:46am PT
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JD knows JD well. That bowl haircut style that he used to effect was pretty noticeable back in the day. I can't help it. That's what I remember most about John.
I know him also as a selfless man who gives himself to the service of the public generously. He's also dedicated to improving the SAR team in YV and the hard work shows.
The old pro is seldom the best pro, but it is in his case.
John is older, even, than donini, believe it or not, by a good chunk of years.
He's getting pretty hard of hearing, too, according to PluckyDucky. So bear that in mind if you run into John.
edit: And surprise, suprise, superise! The date at the top of Fimrite's article clearly states it was written in 2008.
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LuckyPink
climber
the last bivy
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Mar 30, 2016 - 11:46am PT
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Much appreciation and respect to John Dill but I believe the award was 2008.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Mar 30, 2016 - 01:22pm PT
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We met under difficult circumstances. I had just messed with his ex.
But he must be an amazing guy. I heard he went to MIT. That must be where he learned to shorten our age difference from 19 to (according to the article) 8 years.
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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Mar 30, 2016 - 01:26pm PT
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Also glad to hear this is a happy thread.
Super helpful guy.
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WBraun
climber
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Mar 30, 2016 - 02:35pm PT
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Tales from the crypt .....
There was a sar team member in the 80's who always received some marijuana brownies in the mail from time to time.
So one time he brings the box to the SAR cache straight from the Post Office
and opens the box and Dill walks by and sees the brownies and wants one and eats one not knowing it's history.
Hahahaha everyone is freakin out thinking OMG John is going to get stoned the guy with brownies is going to get busted.
They kept waiting for something to happen, and were sweating big time, lol.
Nothing happened because that one particular time there was no marijuana in them.
Hahahaha .....
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Mar 30, 2016 - 03:08pm PT
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John once told me a story about his impecunious student days at MIT. He said that he worked at a lab for extra money that used rabbits for their experiments....hare was his daily fare for the next year.
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steveA
Trad climber
Wolfeboro, NH
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Mar 30, 2016 - 03:23pm PT
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On my rare visits to the Valley, I always make a point to visit John, and say hello.
I wish that I could post a really early photo of John, which is in slide form, sitting around camp 4, racking gear for some big wall, when he was just a climbing bum.
Does he ever get tired of his job???
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Anne-Marie Rizzi
climber
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Mar 30, 2016 - 06:55pm PT
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I was lucky enough to be with John at the dinner during which that award was presented, in 2008.
John was one of my dearest friends and companions during my 11-12 years in and around Yosemite. I still love him with an unexplainable fondness.
He showed me how to aid climb, and set out a progressive learning sequence. Wish I had a scanner so I could post the wonderful photos he took of me during those days. And then I finally did the Chouinard-Herbert, on my 21st birthday, my goal.
He was a good photographer, too. And very very generous. He lent me thousands once, when I was in need (and I repaid him with interest) and, I believe, helped Gary Colliver with funding for his home.
A marvelously genuine human.
Here's a photo at the 2008 dinner.
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Darwin
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Mar 30, 2016 - 08:11pm PT
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I honor, like and appreciate John because he didn't haul Luke's, Matt's and my sorry asses into jail a few times he could have.
And from a story Luke told me:
rescue in the 70's in night time at the base of El Cap. Staging at the bottom, but waiting right close to the base. "ROCK!!! ROCK!!!". It misses Luke, but John puts his hands on the top of his head and a rock nails Dill right in the top of the cranium. He doesn't drop like a ton of bricks, but he does bend over and pukes.
I still think of that story bunch of years later and still get quite nervous when I'm not wearing my hemet at the base of a climb.
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
ne'er–do–well
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Oct 22, 2016 - 07:18pm PT
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