Announcing Longs Peak Diamond FA DVD Kamps & Rearick 1960

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Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 11, 2011 - 07:45pm PT
I am very pleased to announce the availability of a documentary DVD of the first ascent of the Diamond on Longs Peak by Bob Kamps and Dave Rearick in 1960. Bonnie Kamps has assembled a captivating historical montage to accentuate her engaging memoir of this adventure. The forty minute DVD is narrated by Bonnie and Dave Rearick and features many photos of Bob Kamps. Bob and Dave played a major role in shaping the free climbing game that became the inspiration for so many of us.


From Climb, 1977

From Climb, 1977

I am distributing this DVD as a service to Bonnie and the climbing community. All proceeds go directly to her.

The DVD sells individually for $25 plus shipping as described below. If you are a bona fide retailer, club or outdoor organization, minimum orders of three DVDs sell for $45 plus shipping. A business or institutional check is required for this pricing.

Shipping for individual DVDs is via USPS First Class mail with delivery confirmation within the US is: $3.60(1 DVD), $3.80(2 DVDs), $4.00(3 DVDs).

Larger orders will be sent via USPS Small Flat Rate box with delivery confirmation for $6.00.

Any interested parties please e-mail me with your order or questions. Bonnie's wish is that this very personal and honest chapter in history informs and entertains a wide audience. If you enjoy Bonnie's efforts, please let other people know.
matty

Trad climber
under the sea
Mar 11, 2011 - 07:50pm PT
RIP Bob Kamps!!! I was privileged to know the man and climb with him at Stoney Point. He opened my eyes to new possibilities. This looks awsome. Thanks-

Matt
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 12, 2011 - 12:32pm PT
Bump for Bob and Dave.
tonym

climber
Oklahoma
Mar 12, 2011 - 02:08pm PT
I met Bob and Bonnie in the early 90's. He and Bonnie were on a road trip and stopped off at Quartz Mtn. in Oklahoma. Bob was hiking all the runout climbs and seemed to be really be enjoying himself. I stayed in touch with Bob over the years until his passing in 2005. Miss you Bob.
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Mar 12, 2011 - 02:45pm PT
Interlopers indeed!
They poached a FA that should have gone to Kor, Johnson, or Northcutt.





Ah well,.... it was all the NPS's fault anyway, paranoid over "Eiger birds."

Water long under the bridge, and Layton probably bagged the best line on the wall anyway.
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 12, 2011 - 03:02pm PT
Bonnie does an excellent job of putting such petty controversy to rest...
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Mar 12, 2011 - 03:15pm PT
I was fortunate enough to be introduced to climbing in Rocky Mountain
National Park by Dave Rearick--on the Twin Owls. What an incredible guy.

Steve Are you handling the sales of it? How? When? Contact info?
Thanks!
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Mar 12, 2011 - 03:23pm PT
Like I said, water loooong under the bridge.
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 12, 2011 - 03:30pm PT
SteveW- Read the OP again for the details. Write me off forum if you need any more information or help.
Anastasia

climber
hanging from an ice pic and missing my mama.
Mar 12, 2011 - 06:07pm PT
Reserve one for me! Super Please!
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 12, 2011 - 06:12pm PT
Done! Super Thank You!
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 13, 2011 - 01:46pm PT
Coffee and a bump!
Patrick Oliver

Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
Mar 13, 2011 - 05:34pm PT
Yes, Bob and Dave were the right men for the job
and did a first-rate job. Layton of course, maybe
with Northcutt, would have done well too, but the
Californians were steeped in the no-bolt ethic. Dale
Johnson, for whom I have only the utmost respect, was
more relaxed with bolts, as the ethic hadn't really
yet arrived in Colorado, and he likely would have used
more bolts, good climber that he was nevertheless.
Bob and Dave were simply there, when the park service
opened things up, and they did all they were required to do
to meet the park service's strict demands. Layton was out of town
or something at the time. Bob and Dave were true masters,
and Layton got his chance later on an even more beautiful
route. I was blessed to be able to be on his support party
and greeted him and Charlie Roskosz on the top when they arrived.

But this is a good dvd I highly recommend. Dave was my
friend and mentor, and I climbed a lot with Kamps, a great
free climber. That was a different time, a different era,
and Bonnie does a great job capturing it all. I'm so glad
this dvd was made.
Patrick Oliver

Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
Mar 13, 2011 - 05:35pm PT
Though I have my copy, please post how people can
order it.
Patrick Oliver

Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
Mar 13, 2011 - 05:40pm PT
I was just a kid, just starting to climb, when
Dave and Bob did the Diamond. Those were really
exciting times, some of the most exciting days
in my entire climbing experience, as the masters
crept upward on the unclimbed sheer wall....
I had no idea at the time that both would become
my friends...
Patrick Oliver

Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
Mar 13, 2011 - 08:33pm PT
Tucker, there was no "pissing match" at all. The two
showed up, filled out the proper forms, did the climb.
All fair. Layton was out of town, and some of them
later wished the park service had opened it up sooner and wondered
why not and felt a bit cheated. That was it.
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Mar 13, 2011 - 08:37pm PT
Pat, just ignore MTucker.
He does what he can to be the turd in the punchbowl.
Patrick Oliver

Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
Mar 14, 2011 - 01:41pm PT
Two other reasons I thought of why Kamps and Rearick
were, as I put it, the right men for the job.
While in Colorado (Kamps was visiting, had done a
number of routes, in Colorado Springs, around Boulder, etc.,
and Rearick was working in Colorado and starting to be
a Coloradan), they were, bar none, the two best free
climbers in the state. Soon after the Diamond, Rearick,
for example, started the big free climbing craze in
Eldorado by freeing Layton's route T-2, and Dave was
truly a master free climber -- I knew, I was his
humble partner. I watched as my other partner, Layton,
admired Rearick and recognized Dave's prowess
on rock. Of course Layton was an excellent
free climber and would only get better as time went on,
but he wasn't focused on free climbing the way Dave was,
from Dave's experience with Royal at Tahquitz and in
Yosemite. Even Northucutt, with all his pushup strength
and so forth, wasn't the free climber Dave was.
Kamps, as we all know, was a true genius
at footwork, very few people even close to him. And
in terms of sheer ability to get up a rock, Bob
was even Dave's superior. They were a phenomenal
team, had done several of the big walls in Yosemite... In
California, Kamps was Royal's main competitor...

The second reason is that Dave and Bob had all the right
gear. They had the latest hard-steel pitons, some made by
Dolt, and some by Chouinard. These would give anyone an
advantage, whereas the Colorado guys were still using
for the most part the old European stuff... That was a
big difference.

Layton was on fire, though, full of energy, and he would
become the fastest, if not the best,
aid climber on the planet soon enough. And in
moments of inspiration Layton showed his brilliance
as a free climber, such as his lead of Rogue's Arete,
with me, in... what was it, 1963... now recognized
as a bold 5.10. But when the Diamond was there,
unclimbed, the gods, or whomever direct the doings
of this world, seemed to choose, and rightly,
Rearick and Kamps.
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Mar 14, 2011 - 02:46pm PT
allocating funds.....
LongAgo

Trad climber
Mar 14, 2011 - 07:49pm PT
I wrote this blurb for possible inclusion on the DVD jacket, but turned out only a short line or two could be used for space limitations and to catch the eye. Here's the blurb in full as I first wrote it, a little bit in "jacket" language, but the points all stand true in my mind:

"A large, discerning story of the Diamond first ascent. Witness the quiet but powerful souls of climbers Bob Kamps and Dave Rearick, as they keep true to their love of climbing and their bond of friendship to navigate hurdles of competition between climbers, onerous federal permit and safety barriers, weather uncertainties, waterfalls and bivouacs, now dated climbing gear, and finally manage media bungling and celebrity status after their success. Follow along as Bob’s wife Bonnie narrates and Dave of today speaks in exacting detail. Then go beyond the Diamond as Bonnie, with compelling personal touch and wit, shares her lifelong love and admiration of Bob and shows how the passion of the two great Diamond climbers played out into lasting friendship and future climbing days. A remarkably full and insightful portrait of a historical climb, with rich human take unique in climbing tales."

Tom Higgins
LongAgo
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 14, 2011 - 11:42pm PT
Beautiful review Tom!

Thanks for posting the long version. This really is a unique and singular climbing documentary and your eloquent words make that plain.
Patrick Oliver

Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
Mar 15, 2011 - 09:08pm PT
Thanks, Tom. Yes that really was the beginning of my climbing.
I had started earlier, but that great climb triggered some kind of
sense of the mystical in me, that dark wall that loomed so huge
and fearsome, the tiny white lines across it that were in fact
large ledges of snow, the shadows of afternoon that fell across the wall,
how inspiring it was even from far below, along the road, to look up
and see the Diamond and imagine two men were up there... Photos
in the newspaper captured the two, seemingly both dressed
in white, or maybe it was the light... I could actually imagine
being up there with them, and as some wondrous childhood dreams
come true I would indeed find myself on the same rope with both
Bob and Dave again and again in years to come... I can't ever
look at the Diamond without thinking of my two incomparable friends.
Chris Wegener

Trad climber
Los Angeles
Mar 15, 2011 - 09:17pm PT
bump for Bonnie
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 16, 2011 - 12:48pm PT
Pat wrote a nice article about a Diamond reunion between Bob and Dave...

http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=506619&msg=1292043#msg1292043
Patrick Oliver

Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
Mar 17, 2011 - 02:52am PT
Steve,that Link. Where does it go? On my computer it didn't
go to the Kamps Rearick reunion piece...
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 17, 2011 - 01:45pm PT
Pat- It works on my computer...
crunch

Social climber
CO
Mar 17, 2011 - 01:58pm PT
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 17, 2011 - 02:00pm PT
Sweeeeeeet Shot Crusher!
Patrick Oliver

Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
Mar 17, 2011 - 02:03pm PT
Wow, look at that beautiful wall. It was so clean and
virgin back when... so little did we know... our gear was
kind of primitive when we did those first routes... The
sense of adventure was wonderful and thrilling.
crunch

Social climber
CO
Mar 18, 2011 - 01:28pm PT
Glad folks like the photo. Rough weather that day, so we climbed on Red Wall instead.

Here's one of the foliage to be seen on the way up to the Diamond:
Lynne Leichtfuss

Trad climber
Will know soon
Mar 18, 2011 - 05:38pm PT
Bonnie, so great to hear from you. :D Thanks for telling me about this site. Having spent just a tiny bit of time with you I know how much work went into this very special dvd.

What's awesome are the details you saved from that incredible event. I so enjoyed viewing the original permits, receipts, news articles and more you were kind enough to share with me when I stayed a brief day with you.

You are one great lady. Cheers, Lynne
Patrick Oliver

Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
Mar 18, 2011 - 05:42pm PT
Bonnie, you might think about having someone copy all those articles
and publications, and start a full exhibit for somewhere, not sure
where, but something along the lines of the Yosemite "museum" Ken runs...
Maybe there's an appropriate place in Estes, but then how many would
see it there. Better maybe would be the Colorado Mountain Club/AAC building
in Golden...
Lynne Leichtfuss

Trad climber
Will know soon
Mar 18, 2011 - 10:39pm PT
Patrick Oliver,

That is a wonderful idea. What these two men accomplished was awesome. Just getting the permit to do this was a challenge. lynne
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 19, 2011 - 12:40pm PT
Saturday morning Diamond bump!

Bonnie alerted me to this news clip.

http://www.9news.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=147326&catid=222
FRUMY

Trad climber
SHERMAN OAKS,CA
Mar 20, 2011 - 10:15pm PT
BUMP - TFPU
Patrick Oliver

Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
Mar 21, 2011 - 03:46pm PT
I'll bump this for Bonnie. It was a great and courageous
thing to put this together, and an important contribution to
the history... Kamps and Rearick were, in my eyes, the greatest.
Both humble geniuses.
FRUMY

Trad climber
SHERMAN OAKS,CA
Mar 22, 2011 - 01:00pm PT
BUMP
Chris Wegener

Trad climber
Los Angeles
Mar 25, 2011 - 01:23pm PT
I know I'm whistling into the wind but...

Climber's forget or don't care about their history. (I know, your're all young and immortal and *far* better than all those old farts who used to putter around the rocks but bear with me.)

This is a wonderful presentation that shows the opening up of a new frontier. It is easy to forget that everything was not always sticky rubber, cams and bomber bolts. We need to look back occasionally and remember where it all started and how primitive and uncertain it used to be.

I highly recommend it to all who share an interest in our sport and its origins.

Regards,

Chris
Bonzo

Sport climber
Austin, TX
Mar 25, 2011 - 03:26pm PT
Bob was not only a great climber, but one of the friendliest and kindest people I ever met, even to newbies, which I was when I met him.
jogill

climber
Colorado
Mar 25, 2011 - 03:45pm PT
Also, sharp and witty. Great guy.
bookie

climber
Mar 26, 2011 - 01:33am PT
This may be convenient for some as we take CC's and Paypal. We are distributing the Kamps/Rearick DVD on our website chesslerbooks.com, and also on ebay, where we offer free postage! We also have Pat Ament's great new film, The Disciples of Gill, same free postage deal on ebay.
Quasimodo

Trad climber
CA
Mar 26, 2011 - 02:16am PT
Bob inspired me to climb just for the pure love of climbing. He was an inspiration to generations of climbers. I miss his kindness and enthusiasm. No one could match his footwork even when he wore miss matched climbing shoes. Nothing would stop Bob from enjoying a day out climbing. I fondly remember the day he bouldered at Stoney with two left shoes and commented how the left shoe on his right foot outside edged "great".

I will never forget friendship and smile.
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 26, 2011 - 02:38pm PT
The beauty of this DVD is that Bonnie has done the legwork and all that needs to happen is distribution for the history to be widely known and appreciated.

Buy a copy and let your friends know if you like what Bonnie has done for the community. It is a great documentary!
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 27, 2011 - 12:56pm PT
Coffee Bump...
Patrick Oliver

Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
Mar 30, 2011 - 11:40pm PT
Steve is doing a good job distributing the Diamond dvd. I recommend it.
There are at the moment only two places to order the Disciples of
Gill, through my website, patament.org, and at Chesslerbooks.
Hopefully it will reach climbing shops one of these days. I'm
not setting any speed records.
Pat
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 2, 2011 - 12:58pm PT
Nice review Jim! It is a real treat to watch.
PapaDrew

Trad climber
Idyllwild, CA
Apr 11, 2011 - 05:17pm PT
Bump for Bonnie
SuperTopo Review Team

Trad climber
Mill Valley, CA
Apr 12, 2011 - 11:21pm PT
Just got my copy. Amazing footage and great story telling. Way to give Ken Burns a run for his money. Must get for any climbing history buff....
Jan

Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
Apr 13, 2011 - 01:28am PT
I'm so glad Bonnie did this!

I regret that I was only able to talk to her briefly at the Sacherer memorial but I loved her sense of humor about climbers and climber husbands in particular, and felt then that she had a lot of stories inside of her that she wanted to bring forth.

I hope this is only the beginning of her public remembrances of that era.
MTucker

Ice climber
Arizona
Apr 13, 2011 - 01:39am PT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110664546176&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 24, 2011 - 12:29pm PT
MTucker- Since you won't respond off forum...

Please delete Chessler's advertising from this thread. It undercuts my own sales.

As I mentioned in the OP all of the proceeds from my individual and distribution sales go straight to Bonnie. She wants to get this very compelling and personal story out into the world and I would love to see more Kamps material come to light.

This DVD is a very tasty slice of early Colorado big wall history.

I just revised the commercial rate sales minimum to three copies to make it easier for the specialty shops to carry it. REI isn't selling climbing DVDs anymore as of my last inquiry so the smaller outfits are your source now. Or buy direct...

Cheers- Steve
MTucker

Ice climber
Arizona
Apr 27, 2011 - 11:14pm PT
Steve Steve Steve

Complain Complain Complain

You don't have free shipping.

You complain that someone else selling the product undercuts you sales.

Yet, you just made a better deal "to make it easier" for them to get the DVD and sell it. Even trying to sell to REI.

WTF?

Pretty short sighted.

You should say "Buy from me, not the other guy that I just sold them wholesale to. I hope I get maximum dollar and they get stuck with inventory".

MTucker- Since you won't respond off forum...

Please delete Chessler's advertising from this thread. It undercuts my own sales.

As I mentioned in the OP all of the proceeds from my individual and distribution sales go straight to Bonnie. She wants to get this very compelling and personal story out into the world and I would love to see more Kamps material come to light.

This DVD is a very tasty slice of early Colorado big wall history.

I just revised the commercial rate sales minimum to three copies to make it easier for the specialty shops to carry it. REI isn't selling climbing DVDs anymore as of my last inquiry so the smaller outfits are your source now. Or buy direct...

Cheers- Steve
guido

Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
Apr 28, 2011 - 12:10pm PT
MTucker what is your problem?

What don't you understand?

Few people today have done as much as Grossman in contributing to the heritage and history of American climbing.

Your accusations are ridiculous, embarrassing and a waste of time, so buzz off.



Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - May 1, 2011 - 11:33am PT
Thanks Guido.

What a moron...

Back to the history. A description of Dave and Bob's excellent adventure from the Sierra Club Bulletin 1960. Thanks again to Bill Amborn for the SCBs.

Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
May 1, 2011 - 11:50am PT
What a great DVD!

Thanks to Bonnie and everyone involved.

I'll never forget my first trip to Stoney Point, with Julie Lazar, must have been about 1982. Bob was there at the front boulder and immediately picked us out as newcomers. I told him we had just arrived on the west coast and up until now had mostly climbed at The Gunks and Adirondacks.

He took us on the tour, showing us dozens of fierce mantels and thin crimpfests. Finally, when the fingers were sufficiently thrashed we arrived at Hot Tuna. Jesus. Talk about a schooling.
Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
May 7, 2011 - 02:44pm PT
Bump...

My brother was here visiting from his home in France last week, I showed him the DVD. It was better second time than the first.

Bob was a very particular climber. When trying a boulder problem or climbing route his goal was not just to do it, he had to make it look easy. Once at Stoney Point I watched him do a very hard bouldering move. He did it, but struggled a little. Afterwards he said "That doesn't count. I just got lucky..."
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - May 8, 2011 - 05:44pm PT
Thanks for the good review Kris.

I personally can't get enough Bob Kamps and Dave Rearick. I talked with Dave a couple of days ago and he was totally understated about his ability and accomplishments for such a brilliant climber. Old school humility...
Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
May 9, 2011 - 08:30pm PT
Bump…

I just had a flashback, to a day spent with Bob in Joshua Tree. It was hot. Climbing in the sun was out of the question and even in the shade conditions were not ideal. We walked around Hidden Valley, Real Hidden Valley and on over to Hemingway looking for a climb which suited us.

I would say “How about this one?”

Bob would say “I’ve never done it, but I want to save it for a better day.”

Bob would say “How about this one?”

I would reply “I’ve done it before, it’s too hot now and I don’t want to get spanked…”

This sort of thing went on all day. We ended up having a great hike, lots of conversation, and a fierce bouldering session at Turtle Rock at sunset.
mike m

Trad climber
black hills
May 9, 2011 - 10:12pm PT
Didn't Kamps write the first guidebook for the Black Hills Needles?
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - May 14, 2011 - 08:38pm PT
Bonnie sent me a scan of the cover of this super-rare guidebook first put out by Bob in 1971. A labor of love containing several maps to the complex landscape.

Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - May 15, 2011 - 09:28pm PT
Needles Bump...
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - May 30, 2011 - 03:17pm PT
Tandem rappel bump!
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 12, 2011 - 02:59pm PT
I was pondering Bob's love of the Needles this morning over my coffee. Amazing that so many California climbers spent time at an area so far away.
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 25, 2011 - 04:07pm PT
Bump for Rob's favorite Knobs!
jogill

climber
Colorado
Jun 25, 2011 - 05:16pm PT
I was pondering Bob's love of the Needles

He loved the face climbing, the tiny holds, the tiny summits and the ambience of the Needles. Boy, was he good !
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 3, 2011 - 02:03pm PT
As a face climber myself I have always appreciated Bob's particular passion for just the right stone! Turning fantasy into reality...

Happy July 4th all!
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 31, 2011 - 03:02pm PT
Never had the pleasure of watching Bob climb...I would love to see some movie footage, if anyone happened to take the time.

Watching John Gill move over stone was enthralling!
scuffy b

climber
dissected alluvial deposits, late Pleistocene
Nov 21, 2011 - 12:43pm PT
I had the pleasure of watching this DVD yesterday. Next step, I must go up
higher in this thread to find the details for ordering my own copy.
It is the bomb!
a wonderful production, a glorious tribute.
I recommend it MOST HIGHLY.

Thanks so much for making this.
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 26, 2011 - 12:45pm PT
Bump for Bonnie's excellent effort here...
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Jan 2, 2012 - 09:06pm PT
Certainly one of the highlights of 2011!

Plenty of copies available so check it out and support this worthy project!
Peter Haan

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Jan 2, 2012 - 09:43pm PT
Really!! It is a great treasure that Bonnie has brought forward, people. Get a DVD; you will be amazed and moved!
Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
Jan 2, 2012 - 09:50pm PT
I got mine... (bump)

Now you get yours!

Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Feb 19, 2012 - 12:45pm PT
You heard the man!

Get some...right now!
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 10, 2012 - 01:44pm PT
Fourteener Bump...
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - May 6, 2012 - 02:45pm PT
Quality Bump...
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 9, 2012 - 07:19pm PT
D1 bump...
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 17, 2012 - 01:57pm PT
Bump for a dandy stocking stuffer.
Fossil climber

Trad climber
Atlin, B. C.
Nov 17, 2012 - 07:40pm PT
I’ll have to get that one.

Back when they were trying to get permission to do the climb, the NPS was apparently reluctant. Bob or Dave (can’t recall which) contacted me and asked if I could recommend them to the NPS staff. I was a new ranger in Yosemite then, but stuck my neck out and wrote to the Superintendent telling him that these were extremely competent climbers and should be allowed to climb. I imagine it's in the files somewhere. Sort of stuck my neck out, not going through channels.

Anyway, one way or another they got to go. Felt good about that. Wouldn’t have felt so good if they hadn’t made it, or had an accident.
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 17, 2012 - 09:06pm PT
Wayne-That certainly makes you a BIG part of the team considering the extent to which those folks had dug in their heels!

Write me off forum and I'll make sure that you get a copy.

Great to see you in Oakdale!
jaaan

Trad climber
Chamonix, France
Mar 31, 2013 - 03:52pm PT
Steve sent me this DVD last week. I knew just a little about the ascent (well, actually only that they'd done it and of course I'd seen the photo of the Estes Park celebration with Dave, Bonnie and Bob being cheered in the car) before but I learned so much more - the red tape they had to go through before the climb, the fact that climbing was banned on the Diamond, the absolute coup that they achieved in simply getting permission, and of course the understandable jealousy of the local climbers who had this prize snatched from them. Bonnie makes a fantastic job of the naration, as does Dave Rearick in his contributions. And for anyone interested outside the US, the DVD works fine on European machines.

Thanks Bonnie and Dave!
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 1, 2014 - 10:19am PT
Bump for Roots...
jgill

Boulder climber
Colorado
Dec 1, 2014 - 10:39am PT
Dave, who is 82, now lives at the Meridian Retirement Home in Boulder.
Roots

Mountain climber
Tustin, CA
Dec 1, 2014 - 11:23am PT
I need a DVD! -Looking forward to watching it!
Roots

Mountain climber
Tustin, CA
Dec 17, 2014 - 10:40am PT
Great DVD - really enjoyed it!
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 29, 2016 - 10:37am PT
Ed Webster just sent me this wonderful press photo of Bob and Dave receiving an award at Fort Carson in 1960 after their successful ascent of the Diamond.

guido

Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
Mar 29, 2016 - 10:49am PT
Wonderful photo! Certainly two of my heroes as a kid in the Valley.
Fan

climber
Mar 29, 2016 - 12:05pm PT
jgill

Boulder climber
The high prairie of southern Colorado
Mar 29, 2016 - 01:15pm PT
They look so young . . .

Bob is gone of course, and Dave lives in an assisted living complex in Boulder after suffering one or perhaps two strokes. He's in his mid eighties now.

A legendary duo.
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 17, 2016 - 12:16pm PT
Makes a great stocking stuffer folks so order one today!
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Topic Author's Reply - May 28, 2018 - 09:49am PT
Proud D1 Bump...
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