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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 5, 2011 - 08:39am PT
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Thought it might be nice if you posted a few good words about John or a good story today.
I remember John being at a very happy stage in life one of our last visits. He had met his soul mate and was very much in love, that's all he wanted to talk about, he was at a good stage in fatherhood relishing his son Tyrus......he seemed relaxed,content and happy. Thinking hard about John today. I know yer watching down on us Brother!
Peace
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the kid
Trad climber
fayetteville, wv
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John lived his life his way, never compromised style for a grade or a route. He carried the torch til the very end and did it with style and passion unmatched into todays world of short cuts and glory seekers. He was a role model for many and a mentor and friend to me. It was an honor to share a day of bouldering or go climb on a rope with him, each one more memorable than the last. There may be climbers who push the envelope that he built, but there will never be one so core, so gifted and so connected to the sport.
I miss him and will remember his words of encouragement, his friendhsip and support over the years.
Kurt
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Johnny K.
climber
Southern,California
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When I think of John,climbing or not climbing,a huge smile always comes to heart.He was,is and always will be one of the most amazing souls to have touched so many people in so many different beautiful ways.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Barely knew him, but everyone knew he was a giant figure.
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Doug Robinson
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Through the weeks of debate over Growing Up, John was the best opponent we had. Things got messy and personal, flame wars would break out, people degenerated to name-calling and threats. Not John. He was sure, from his point of view, that we were wrong. But he never made it about us. He kept his spotlight on the style of the climbing, and kept refining his statements. He knew perfectly well what he felt, so he kept working on how to express it. Finally, toward the end of what at the time became the longest thread ever, he got it down to the shortest post:
Up is up, down is down.
I really admired John for that. Wish I could have told him before he was gone.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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I still have to say I was graced to see him in Golden, Colorado
just a couple of days before we lost him. No question, the best ever.
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Wished I'd have known him better, and for longer... a complicate guy in some respects, but certainly one of the most able climbers of his generation, and accomplished.
I was amazed to have been so inspired climbing with him the one time that I did... and to have learned so much in such a short time. Oddly, I had thrust in my face an article (in Life?) about him and his soloing regime in Tuolumne, and soloing in general, by a friend who demanded I admit that climbing was dangerous and that I should cease doing it. That was in the 80s, and it put into stark contrast the choices we make as climbers against the "rest of society." Here was a bit of celebrity, and probably not much more, and a bit that the climbing community probably frowned on... it was a deep demonstration of the choices we make, with no expectation of wider acceptance, and no sympathy for the consequences of our choices.
John seemed to have accepted that for all those years. He had an amazingly consistent vision.
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pa
climber
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Late night drive back to Mammoth, coming back from Europe, glad to be rid of airports, looking forward to John's arms and Tyrus's smiles...suddenly, out of the darkness, a shadow, a thud...bird hits the windshield. I pick it up, it's still alive, I nurse it through the night with Tyrus and John.
In the morning it is dead.
As we head up to Matrimony Wall for a few pitches, I hang back with the bird hidden in my shirt, wanting to bury it, but shy about admitting to such things.
When I catch up to John, he looks at me for a bit, then says;"You buried that bird didn't you?". I asked him how he knew and he answered: "I know that look that's in your eyes...been seeing it in the mirror every morning since the car accident."
Thank you all for remembering the greatness of his heart.
paola
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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"I believe it is essential to have a spiritual base- whatever it is- to help you deal with the larger difficulties in your life. People can't tell you what to do. It is relevant to figure out why we are here and what we ought to be doing about it the best we can. Those who have risen to the top, they have an ingredient of inner strength that comes from having connected to the greater nature. Ricardo Cassin comes to mind, and John Bachar. Decades later we meet them and feel their energy, their spirit, their connection with the cosmos. They understood all that stuff."- Tom Frost
More roots JB here...
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=930925&msg=1407332#msg1407332
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
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I only knew John from here, from chatting with him. Of course I knew of the legend before.
He came off as a very thoughtful and honest guy here. Very genuine. He was never shy about stating his thoughts on matters. I really dig that about him.
He was always genuine. Always will be. Cheers, Paola!
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micronut
Trad climber
fresno, ca
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I was a college kid when I first read about The Bachar Yerian. It blew my mind. Then I read how strong a Bachar Ladder could make me. I immediately went out and made one and within one week had a severe case of tendonitis in both elbows. That thing was a nightmare. I concluded John Bachar must not be human. I wish I could have met him.
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TripleS_in_EBs
climber
Poulsbo, WA
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Paola,
I was introduced to you and John one day at Whitney Portal. That brief encounter is forever seared in my memory. John was so enthusiastic about a new shoe he had just developed. He described all the details and offered to customize a pair of them - but that was all really just a reflection of his enthusiasm for climbing and for sharing his hard-won experience with others who were trying to develop as climbers. Wish I had snapped a photo of his smile that day, but, perhaps better, I've got the picture in my mind.
I also have to say that the article you wrote in Alpinist about your ascent of Oz with John was golden. Wow, you captured something amazing there. Thanks for that.
Blassings to you.
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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From: John Bachar
Date: September 21, 2006 11:47:38 AM PDT
To: Peter Haan
Subject: Re: msg from Peter Haan
Peter, Yeah thanks. It was good to see you as well. You still look
the same - I couldn't believe it. Thanks for the support, it really
helps. The thing you said about accidents too - they happen no matter
what, sometimes you're in the front seat, sometimes you're in the
back. That actually makes some sense to me - I haven't heard it put
that way yet but it "sticks to the ribs" better than what most
everybody else has told me.
You gotta know that you were a pretty big hero to me and Kauk. We
were always a bit intimidated by the stuff you were doing back in the
day. Klemens too. You guys were big and serious. Sh#t,...we were just
scrawny little dudes. Everybody seemed so big - not just size but
reputation and aura as well. Anyway, thanks again for showing up at
Steve's memorial. I hope we can go climb a bit this spring if you're
into it. Maybe some off-width? We'll get Ronnie out there too!
Cheers, john
On Sep 21, 2006, at 8:11 AM, Peter Haan wrote:
> Hi John and Anastacia,
>
> It was great to see you after all these years, John, and to meet
> you Anastacia. I hope your drive back home was reasonably
> comfortable. Thanks for inviting me to the Oakland hills
> memorial. It was really helpful for everyone there. Of course it
> was excruciating at first but I felt a huge burden leave us all
> towards the end, and it seemed that a special sort of new happiness
> took its place. I don't think I had ever met Steve Karafa, but came to
> support you two. And it was really great to finally meet Dave
> Yerian. Hopefully he will contact me soon so we can do stuff
> together down here.
>
> Accidents such as these can and do happen to all of us; sometimes
> we're at the wheel, sometimes we are in the back seat. It just
> happens, and it occurs all the time and to everyone, including
> Wolfgang G and Roberta N., you and me. I hope you understand that
> we all support you and that in your heart, guilt and regret do not
> take the place of the important business of going forwards,
> continuing to be the superb climber and man that you are. You are
> one of our heros, and for plenty of permanent and great reasons.
>
> best Peter H.
>
Twenty-two months later he was gone.
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 5, 2011 - 01:42pm PT
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Paola, thanks for your input here. I was hesitant to mention your name, but after talking with you this morning I'm glad I posted this thread. Heavy heart and many thoughts today, but I always know that John was happy and had love in his heart at the end. Give Tyrus a big hug, I'll talk with him later today. We had a great weekend...Malto Buono!
Peace
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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drove up to the lakes last week, first time ive been since the memorial.
stopped off at steelfingers on the way home.
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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Thinking back to the slide show at Neptune’s that snowy February night in 2009. The crowd was alive and the excitement was palpable. Few had ever heard John speak and most knew John only from his routes and campfire tales.
He handled the performance like he would have handled soloing a 5.9 hand crack: completely at ease, secure, and enjoying himself. He had an understated style, but his comic timing was perfect. He showed a slide from the 80’s of some impressive solo, but there were murmurs from the crowd because of his attire: then-trendy pink lycra tights. He waited a beat, then said something like, “Let this be a lesson to you young climbers out there, give some thought to what you are wearing when you climb.”
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steve west
Social climber
Newport Beach
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So Jesus the owner of Boreal is very impatient,, my wife and I and the sales manager are in the car waiting for john ,,, jesus says steve go find him.
I run back to the lab as john was detailing a shoe to be called the "stinger" it was a new technical shoe that raised the bar for so called slippers.. there was john.. and five factory guys. John is at the chalk board teaching them algebra.. OMG.. they were trying to save leather with the die casts , they needed a little math.. yep his dad would of been proud..
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east side underground
Trad climber
Hilton crk,ca
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miss shooting the sh#t about powder runs at the vons. RIP JB
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WBraun
climber
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Me and Rick Cashner once walked up to look at a new route to free climb.
We looked at it for a while and decided we didn't belong here and realized it's a Bachar lead.
We told him later there's this killer new pitch and it's YOU.
It is what's now called "The Phantom" on the Iota at Reeds Pinnacle climbing area .......
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D.Eubanks
climber
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I remember being on the Sheep Ranch and at dusk John started playing his saxohone in the meadows. The sound of Johns sax bouncing off the East face of El Caps amphitheater was incredible.
He sure had a knack for music too.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there say, ron...
i learned of john here, by reading his posts and the stories about him, posted by others...
*i enjoyed the one where folks were wondering IF it was really HIM that showed up here, when he first came in... i learned right-up that he was "somebody" in the "main stream" of climbing flow...
not only was i very sad about his sudden death, but it hurt deeper that he was on the quest of getting his shoulder?situation solved, so he could enjoy more years of climbing and it seemed he was on the verge of solving that matter, but suddenly never to taste that victory... :(
and, also, being gone from the love of his family and friends, at such a stage in life, when the years are settled-in and new things could grow, through older age, things never dreamed of, in a sense... :(
too sad... :(
sorry i just couldn't seem to brighten it up any here, ron...
hope that was okay...
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fosburg
climber
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R.I.P. Stonemaster.
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 5, 2011 - 10:56pm PT
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Lizzy.... you did WONDERS for the Bachar family with your project. I know I could hardly pass it on after I received it, it was such a great help in the healing process, which is still going on! John's family and Paola will cherish your gift for the rest of their lives, you DID brighten up the situation....you just had to be reminded! Maybe you should tell the story here!
Peace
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there say, ron.... say, thanks.... i think i needed that (pick-up for the thoughts)...
i get too emotionally caught-in, when i see families with loved-ones that hurt or die... think it's 'cause i been a mommy so much, near all my life (due to babysitting, when young, etc)...
as to tell the story:
say, nawwwww, we'll keep the story, as our little "supertopo mystery"
;)) every forum needs a "mystery spot" in between-the-lines,
say, thanks for being a good friend, ron...
:)
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rhyang
climber
SJC
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I broke my neck in a car wreck about a year after John's accident. He sent me a gripmaster to exercise my partially paralyzed left hand. Later he sent me some training advice.
I was still in the hospital when I received his gift, and it really brought my spirits up.
John Bachar Lives !
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Trad climber
Will know soon
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No Words......But up here in the Meadows......no need for them. Peace Dude and Thank you so very much for helping so graciously in sending me on my way to Lynne's life, Part Two. Cheers, :D
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Russ Walling
Gym climber
Poofter's Froth, Wyoming
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John had a lot of talents.... Art for one. Some of his work can be seen in this thread:
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=1498290&tn=100
Drawing that stuff was so F'n funny! He would sit there doing the "topos" and just cracking up. Nobody could see until he was done, and then he would present his "piece". Passing time, drawing topos, being 14 in a mans body, those were good times.
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 6, 2011 - 12:17am PT
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Hey Lynnie, back home and sorry we didn't connect this time up. I'll be up in a couple weeks with Yerian....got to spend some good time with Tyrus and that's why I didn't call. Figured you'd get it. Peace to you and all we've shared in yer second life. Had some tears today, glad I have Kelly to help me. She had a blast in the Meadows...go hike up Pothole to the river cascades...it's blasting hard right now. Bachar is all around, I felt his spirit on Sunday, felt real GUD. Yo have a blast this summer and I'll be seeing ya!
Peace
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TYeary
Social climber
State of decay
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John was changing over the last few years. A certain anger was evaporating and a kindness was becoming eveident that had not been present in years past. True , he was a compilcated human, but really, who among us is not? In his gift, he was the best of us. Personally, he was always kind to me, especially after my own fusion surgery. Within the context of climbing, he was someone I idolized. Someone I attempted to Emulate. He set the standard, broke new ground in the realm of possibility, and most importantly, gave me the inspiration to push my own boundries. I have often thought about an afternoon, years ago, spent in the Meadows with John, bouldering. It was like me attempting to play ball with Kobie Bryant. But John made it simple and easy to be mortal in his presence. I think of him often. He made me a better person and a better climber and encouraged me to pursue my dreams in the high mountains. It was, in the end, a most important gift. The gift of a life time. Thanks Bro. You live on in our hearts and deeds.
TY
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aldude
climber
Monument Manor
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Miss ya bro....
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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The last July 5th, some of John's family and friends hiked up to where he fell and did a little ceremony/communion and then met some more family back at the lodge to gather and eat.
On the hike up, we shared some dreams and visions that suggested that John was beyond resting in peace, but rather living large the next life.
I'll share one of those that I was close to. My girlfriend at the time had had repeated dreams of a memorial service for somebody at a stone cabin tucked in the mountains. A place with no glass in the windows nor door in the doorway. In this dream, John was always there and took her to a room and showed her a poster on the ceiling that had something like a starry sky on it. He kept telling her "people think death is like this, but it's really like this..." and he'd peel back the poster revealing an infinite sky of divine light.
She had had this dream at least a half-dozen times by the time Em Knott asked me to conduct a memorial service for Brutus of Wyde at the Stone House on Tuttle Creek. When she saw the photos of the place, she exclaimed "That's the place in my dreams!"
Knowing that put some extra magic in the memorial we had there, keeping both Brutus and John in mind and heart for me.
Much Love John!
karl
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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RIP great one, you are missed.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
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Thanks for blowing my mind, Karl.
Awesome!!!
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Jobee
Social climber
El Portal Ca.
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Once upon a time in a far away land a young girl pulls her VW bug in the dirt turn out at the Knobs parking area in Tuolumne Meadows Ca.. The back bumper sticker of her vehicle reads "I break for Unicorns." The year is 1979, she is 19, and she is about to cross paths with a legendary climber.
Armed with the necessary tools for boulder climbing she carries an oversized pair of E.B. climbing boots, one pair of wool socks (for a squishy forced fit), she wears a very large chalk bag which is slung over her right shoulder; the day is perfect.
As she approach's the bouldering she sees him, her pace slows, thoughts race about in her mind. Should she hide, come back later, climb, introduce her self, or attempt to blend in?
He is shirtless, incredibly built. His quite small athletic shorts are popular for the time especially with runners, white long socks adorn his calves coming up just below his knees with little stripes topping them.
The small black top hat he wore upon his head is strangely out of place amidst the sparkling granite boulders, as she watch's him climb she marvels the fact that it has remained intact throughout the boulder sequence he has selected though it is exceedingly steep, precarious, and strenuous!
So it went, two strangers climbed simultaneously, he the steepest of the steep the overhangs with invisible possibility. She the lower angled rock, and the vertical with positive holds; both enjoyed their moments. Two people, one space in time.
Her session ends, and small conversation ensues.
What's with the hat she asks? His answer, What's with the boots?
I'm Jo say's she.
I'm John say's he.
Nothing more, nothing less.
In the years that followed they were to become friends, more moments in space, and time.
I miss you John Bachar.
I miss you very much.
Love,
Jo
Another perfect moment with John, and Rick Cashners dad.
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nick d
Trad climber
nm
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My last communication with John was fixing him up with my old pair of blue suede Robbins boots. He was going to take pictures of himself doing stuff in "historic" gear. I think about him a lot, we shared some health problems that we were comparing notes on.
I hope he wasn't wearing my boots when he took the plunge. I don't know why but it would bother me if I knew he was.
Godspeed my friend.
Michael Smith
edit...No one will miss me in death. The only connections I care about are in the here and now.
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Chief
climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
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When I first made it to Yosemite in 76 John, Ron, Dale, Yabo and the gang were the center of the known climbing universe. I was pretty much speechless in their presence and the distance from my climbing ability to theirs might as well have been to the moon. It was easy to perceive John as arrogant and elitist, hell, he was in league of his own and had a right to be.
I think he cut us some slack because we were frostback, beer drinking protege's of Steve and Hugh and had no illusions about hard free climbing and were focused on nailing our way up the Big Stone.
It might have been the next fall when Scott and I were gearing up for Mescalito and my first El Cap route when John drifted by our site and said, "Hey man, I'll come by and play for you guys". Sure enough a couple days later while dangling in our hammocks somewhere near the Molar, the sound of John's sax wafted up from the meadow.
John was the leader of my tribe from that first acquaintance till his passing and I'm grateful to have known him and be inspired by his example.
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Patrick Oliver
Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
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John was my friend. He had a sixth sense for finding me
whenever I arrived in the Valley. I always wanted to warm
up on some moderate stuff, but he never let that happen.
In 1975, for example, he chased me down when I pulled in
and he informed me we were going to do New Dimensions, and we did.
I'm glad I played a role in his life. I won't forget nursing
his wounds, one by one, on the couch of my cabin in Eldorado
in 1978 or so, when he crawled through my front door after
he fell off Greg Lowe's "Clever Lever"
and after dropping to the ground rolled about 90 feet down a
slab. There were bruises and scratches all over his body. Anyone
else probably would have been killed. But then no one else
would have been trying to solo a 5.12 overhang...
I took him to many of the Colorado bouldering areas Gill and I
played at, such as Split Rocks, and he always performed so well.
He wasn't Gill, but he had a tenacity unlike anyone I've known.
He and I had connections in several areas. I was, believe it or not,
a kind of mentor to him, at chess, and saxophone (I played in a
jazz band when I was younger and showed John a lot of things). I
worked with him at chain walking, and he always expressed his
appreciation to me for being a kind of link to Gill. Through my
boulder routes he could sense a little of that bouldering world
in Colorado headed by the master. John went from being a blonde
surfer kind of kid to a wise seer of Yosemite climbing. Kauk too
has progressed from an eager youth to a philosopher of sort, sensitive
to the depths of nature. Absorbing so much of Yosemite, both became
the Valley and knew its rock.
It was extremely meaningful to me to stand on that stage with John,
when at Jeff Lowe's festival they gave John, Lynn, and me those
lifetime achievement awards. That was the last I saw of John. I knew
something wasn't quite right, even then. He seemed troubled by
something, probably his neck not quite healing, or some other related
injury, his hand or shoulder... He seemed distracted, though still
humorous. He seemed in pain yet still able to perform at some
ridiculously high level. He had taken up smoking, probably to
soothe his nerves. I loved the guy. We were mentors to each other.
We were friends, and that's what climbing is all about.
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tolman_paul
Trad climber
Anchorage, AK
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John deserves more than a few good words, and I know I'm inadequate to add much of value.
I met him 20 odd years ago when he was in his peak, he struck me as some one that was a bit aloof, but in the sense that he was driven and focussed. No one achieves true greatness unless they have a singular focus, and I'm sure those that knew him well attest to that.
But I didn't get to know him until I got involved in the taco several years back, and mentioned I had a copy of an old video of him soloing. Anyhow, I got to know him a bit and we were bantering back and forth and I was trying to help him setup one of his slide shows up here, we talked about climbing together or skiing/boarding together.
What really struck me about John is that he was at peace. He was always excited about Tyrus and you could tell he was the focus of his life. I also noted how he was just a positive person stoked for everyone. You could tell him about a project or area you wanted to check out, and he would have the same positive spirit no matter who you were, or how difficult the line. He's one of the few people I can think of that would listen to you, hear you, and encourage you for being you. That's a mark of a truely great human, and someone who had moved beyond being focused on themselves.
I've been thinking about John lately and was suprised to come across this thread. I'd had a great trip two years ago, and when I came back found out we'd lost John. This 4th our family took the same trip, which made me reflect on him.
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Grammy
Trad climber
North Conway, New Hampshire
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Jul 20, 2011 - 10:52am PT
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Lots of great things here and so I won't repeat what has already been said, but the thing that most impressed me about John was his ability to help and teach. He was not one of the ones that tucked certain techniques up his sleeve like an ace, instead it really brought him joy to impart any and all knowledge that he had. I still can't believe he is no longer with us, but he will certainly live on in the hearts and minds of those he touched and influenced in this lifetime.
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Robinson
Trad climber
Chattanooga
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Jul 20, 2011 - 11:44am PT
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John and I only crossed paths periodically through the years but when he finally made it down South to hang w me at my place for a month it was like having an older brother I never knew coming home.
JB was of course a hugely talented climber -- and I would argue the best of "our" generation -- with a larger than life persona and, yes, an "attitude" at times; however, I think in many regards he was not only misunderstood but many but also resented by some for the simple reason, I surmise, they couldn't do what he could do.
I still carry around on my cell phone about a half dozen photos of John playing an old sax with some blown out reeds which we found late one night laying in the corner of another climber's home in Atlanta, GA after being out partying till 4 or 5 in the morning. This would have been about ... seven months before he passed. I feel like I owe it to all of you here on ST who knew John to figure out how to get those off my phone chip and post'em here. They're priceless.
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Phil Bard
Trad climber
Lake Oswego, OR
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Jul 20, 2011 - 12:22pm PT
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 20, 2011 - 01:23pm PT
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Yeah still have his name and number logged into my cell. Can't bring myself to take it out.
Peace
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Ihateplastic
Trad climber
It ain't El Cap, Oregon
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Jul 20, 2011 - 02:32pm PT
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Missed.
Ron, I had a voice mail from him maybe 18 hours before his last route. I had it on the phone for quite a while. That pic from Phil puts him in perspective for the rest of us mortals.
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the kid
Trad climber
fayetteville, wv
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Jul 20, 2011 - 02:45pm PT
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Great story Jo!
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TrundleBum
Trad climber
Las Vegas
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Jul 20, 2011 - 03:01pm PT
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Last time I saw the guy was a few years back. He was doing a slide show at a gym here in town. I spoke with him and told him that I still had the Boreal Fire shoes that I bought from him in Camp-4. His response was:
"Ho Man, those things soo sucked!"
I laughed for days, every time I thought about that comment and who made it.
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Fletcher
Trad climber
from the place of breath
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Jul 21, 2011 - 12:06am PT
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A wonderful thread by some wonderful people about a solid gold guy.... Thanks all for sharing and remembering JB. I was coming close to meeting him, but alas, that was not meant to be. For those of us who never met him, he still has the power to move and inspire.
Eric
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sexy rexy
Trad climber
mammoth lakes
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Jul 21, 2011 - 01:09am PT
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"every foot is a rest" ill never forget that one.
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sexy rexy
Trad climber
mammoth lakes
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Jul 21, 2011 - 01:10am PT
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trundle bum ... i remember that slide show at red rock gym good stuff.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Jul 21, 2011 - 01:19am PT
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Incredible picture, Phil. . .
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tgandee
Gym climber
Atlanta, GA
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Jul 21, 2011 - 09:50am PT
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The few times I got hang out with John, and even fewer times I got to climb with him, it was like being with an old friend when I barely knew him. One of the lasting memories I have of him was when we were in Mexico. He was working at the show factory and he invite me and friend down to climb and check out the show factory and get a little climbing in. It just happened that he invited some guys from Rock & Ice down too. They showed up the day I left, but their account of John, Mexico, and climbing stories with John were spot on in the article they wrote wrote. The story of the 'El Mistico" mask had been talked about over some beers after Tim and I had been at the open air market. We kept the story going about how 'El Mistico' was the greatest soloest out there, but he's never been seen climbing. I was really happy to see the article written about John with something I got to experience with him.
@Robinson - Bring that phone back down to Atlanta, Tim and I will figure out how to get the images off. I can't believe I missed out on Bachar trying to play Tim's sax. I'm glad Bachar got to see Northside Tavern though, he fit right in.
todd gandee
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Klimmer
Mountain climber
San Diego
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Jul 21, 2011 - 11:16am PT
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I sure miss JB.
I got to see and meet him in the ORG a few times. Watched him solo a few routes on the Dilithium Crystal back in the 90's.
I sure enjoyed interacting with John here on ST. I miss him being here.
He is a great inspiring climber. Even though I know I'll never do what he could do, it sure inspired me. Some people are on another physical plane of existence that is higher and different than the rest of us. John sure was and is.
He also is a great thinker and thought outside of the box. A few of us know the truth regarding some very disturbing things that most people hide and run away from. Not John. I like that about him. I will always remember his last thread here on ST, "The Fourth of You Lie." He is a brave soul in so many ways.
He lived on Earth on another plane of existence and waved us up to join him.
Just remember, like Robin Williams says in the incredible movie What Dreams May Come, after meeting with an untimely and unfortunate physical death, he said to his wife from beyond "I still exist."
Physical death is not the end. John still exists. All of our loved ones still exist. Have faith.
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BluntMan
Gym climber
Wild Omar, CA
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Jul 21, 2011 - 12:12pm PT
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I didn't know him but I was fortunate enough to meet him and share a few words with him at Red Rocks back in the late 90's. I had stopped in at the Desert Rock Climbing Center to get a shower. He was at a table selling tickets and said that that the gym was closed due to his slideshow. At any rate, we got to talking for a few minutes and he asked me what I'd climbed that day. I had just done Epinephrine and was full of myself. He smiled and said it was a great route. For me, it was a very memorable meeting.
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Matt J.
Trad climber
Castro Valley, CA
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Jul 21, 2011 - 01:03pm PT
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Though I'd never met John before, he very kindly offered me his time for an interview and shared a story for my book. He couldn't have been nicer about it. I took this picture that day in Mammoth two weeks before the accident. It was an honor, John. We miss you.
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eagle
Trad climber
new paltz, ny
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Jul 21, 2011 - 07:21pm PT
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god rest this guys soul.
i believe there comes [or should come] a point in a middle aged mans life to say when when it comes to solo climbing. he had a wife and a kid wtf is he doing soloing? i guess his ego got the best of him and he always felt the need to prove himself
kaulk and yabo were my favorites from those days
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Yeti
Trad climber
Ketchum, Idaho
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Jul 23, 2011 - 03:24pm PT
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The day John died I was climbing at the City of Rocks. The next morning I heard about the accident from Michael Kennedy and the news, among other feelings, took away my appetite for climbing that day. Instead, I hiked up a big hill above the City and built a cairn for John and sat there a long time and thought about him before coming back down. I later told Tom Kimbrough where it is and Tom hiked up there and added to the cairn. Sometime later I returned with Doug Colwell and we built it up a bit more. To my knowledge, which of course is incomplete, we are the only ones to visit John's City of Rocks memorial.I encourage anyone who wants to add to John's cairn by adding a stone or two or a memento (an old, well used Fire or Acopa, prayer flags, a photo, a lucky charm....) or just a visit to say hello. It is easy to find and takes about an hour hike. Go to Decadent Wall, look west, go to the highest point of the big hill you see and find an open area out of the trees and you will see the cairn. It's a great hike on a rest day from climbing and a good way to remember and honor John Bachar
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Studly
Trad climber
WA
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Jul 23, 2011 - 03:49pm PT
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The world seemed a bigger bolder place with John Bachar in it. Admiration and respect for one of the Stonemasters who never compromised his ethics and stood tall thru it all.
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chez
Social climber
chicago ill
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Jul 23, 2011 - 04:02pm PT
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hey Eagle, the thread is called a "few good words"
I don't think his last day had anything to do with ego.
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 23, 2011 - 04:21pm PT
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Yeah Chez, I PM eagle and asked that he please remove the post. We'll see. I would think if he knew the details(date of OP)he might get it and chose his words differently. I think most people who've posted up knew the purpose of the OP. Let's continue to keep it positive!
Peace
Edit: A BIG thanks to all those that have posted up something positive. I've sent the link to Tyrus and John's Dad so they could appreciate some good words about Bachar.
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Sam R
climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
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Jul 24, 2011 - 10:11am PT
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Every time I hear a hot sax riff- BACHAR LIVES!
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Tony Bird
climber
Northridge, CA
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Jul 24, 2011 - 10:40am PT
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Thanks for blowing my mind, Karl.
yes, karl--you seem to have the gift.
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Jul 24, 2011 - 11:10am PT
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"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure." - Helen Keller (1880 - 1968)
Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it!”
W.H. Murray (1913-1996) scottish mountaineer
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pa
climber
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Jul 24, 2011 - 11:46am PT
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Eagle,
when the air will shiver around your last breath, will you know what forces brought you to that point, exactly?
For that matter, what forces bring you to speculate, (inappropriately, given the OP) about a situation and a person you know nothing about?
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TYeary
Social climber
State of decay
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Jul 24, 2011 - 01:14pm PT
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Ron,
I have several names and numbers in my cell still.
I can call but there's no answer. At least not the voice I want to hear.
I feel ya bro.
The numbers are still there.
TY
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Robinson
Trad climber
Chattanooga
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Jul 26, 2011 - 05:21pm PT
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 26, 2011 - 05:41pm PT
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Robinson....he looks happy to blowin' the horn! Last time I heard him play was in the woods on the east side. I was layin' in my tent late at night and he played this so so sweet slow solo. So fitting of the scene and place!
Peace
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 5, 2015 - 08:07am PT
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Thinking of our Brother this morning. Woke up, looked outside, first thing I saw was a hawk circling above my back yard......Bachar visiting perhaps??!!
Peace
Edit: Yo Yerian!
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Jul 12, 2015 - 12:00am PT
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hey there say, ron... thank you kindly for sharing this with the taco, here...
it belongs on front page, :)
someone may have been busy and missed it...
very nice share...
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Jul 12, 2015 - 01:56am PT
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 5, 2016 - 02:19pm PT
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Was looking at this photo and low and behold....I get a message from Tyrus, John's son! Timing was scarey, but we have each other on our minds!
Peace
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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I was fortunate enough to see John give a show in Golden, CO, just
a couple of days before he left us. His speaking of his climb
of the Rostrum petrified me. You're missed, JB.
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| Messages 1 - 74 of total 74 in this topic |
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