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LilaBiene
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 14, 2011 - 01:41am PT
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So many amazing stories about Bill Feuerer here; I hope that he is somewhere at peace and able to finally recognize the love that so many friends and admirers had/have for him.
What I am hoping is that those folks who knew him well might be willing to assist me in my efforts to shed some light on his life during the years 1968/69 and 1970/71.
More specifically, was he located exclusively in the Los Angeles, CA area during this 4-year period? Was he in Anchorage or other parts of Alaska during the 1969/70 time frame at all? Was he still involved with the UCLA Mountaineering Club during this time? I understand that he worked for McDonnell Douglas for many, many years; did he ever work/or do work for Alaska Airlines (perhaps directly, or as a contractor for McDonnell Douglas)? Does anyone have more specific information about his military service and/or the guardians who raised him (presumably in Illinois)? Is there a connection to an S. Schaeffer? I'm also trying to locate a copy of his obituary, which was published in Climbing Magazine (or any other obituary).
There are many more questions, but I'll stop here for now in the event I'm overstepping my bounds making these inquiries.
Many thanks in advance to all. I am deeply grateful for any additional insight you may be able to provide.
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crunch
Social climber
CO
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Jul 14, 2011 - 03:09am PT
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"The Dolt - A Eulogy" was published in CLIMBING July - August 1976
Great essays from several of his friends, Harding, Powell, etc. Sad, sad story.
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frog-e
Trad climber
Imperial Beach California
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Jul 14, 2011 - 10:48am PT
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Long live the memory...
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Jul 14, 2011 - 03:46pm PT
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This doesn't relate to 1968-71, but the Social Security Death Index gives his birth date and says his SSN was issued in Illinois. It also lists another William Feuerer who is 31 years older, with SSN issued in Illinois, so I suppose there is some chance that person was his foster parent? He died in 1981 in Germany.
FEUERER, WILLIAM 24 Sep 1901 Jan 1981 79 XX732 (US Consulate: GERMANY (FRANKFURT)) XX732 (US Consulate: GERMANY (FRANKFURT)) Illinois 340-10-1523
FEUERER, WILLIAM 23 Nov 1932 Dec 1971 39 (not specified) (none specified) Illinois 348-26-5354
Probably best to email Don Lauria and ask him if he has more details on the stories of Dolt's childhood.
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Bobert
Trad climber
boulder, Colorado
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Jul 14, 2011 - 07:33pm PT
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Don't have any info to add, just an anecdote.
I had a climbing shop in Boulder and was selling some Dolt products. One
day I got a call from him - just checking to see how things were going.
We ended up talking for an hour and hopefully making plans to get together on a climb in the Boulder area. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy.
I heard a few days later he was gone. Although I never met him, I felt a real sense of loss.
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LilaBiene
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 15, 2011 - 12:39am PT
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Many thanks for the infos and photos, and especially all of your speedy and thoughtful responses. It's heartbreaking to think that someone so loved felt so hopeless; yet at the same time, it's incredibly heartwarming to see that he lives on still in those lives that he touched.
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karabin museum
Trad climber
phoenix, az
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Jul 15, 2011 - 09:44am PT
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Go to Supertopo forum "Dolt Stories"
Rock on! Marty
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LilaBiene
Trad climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 3, 2011 - 02:02am PT
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Just thought I'd pass along that I was able to locate Bill's birth certificate and identify his parents (the William Feuerer deceased 1981 in Germany appears to have been his father). With some dogged determination, I was also able to locate a number of newspaper references to his days as a boy scout in Illinois, as well as a reference to a Mueller family with whom he was apparently staying at one point. I am certainly no expert as to most of the details of his remarkable life, so I'd be happy to pass these documents along to someone interested in collecting (and verifying the accuracy of) this background information. Please feel free to give me a shout.
As we've had snowfall twice here in New England already, I'm looking forward to switching out my hiking boots for some freshly sharpened skis. Take care, All!
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LilaBiene
Trad climber
Technically...the spawning grounds of Yosemite
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 29, 2014 - 10:10pm PT
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Written just 3 short years ago, when I had a "suspicion"...and my family had me nearly convinced that I had taken leave of my senses.
It wasn't until March 2012 that I was able to confirm what my gut already knew.
Lucky me, to have found all of you...
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Sep 29, 2014 - 10:21pm PT
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There is not much room on the Taco for "mawkish: feeble, weak" sentiment.
We need the real deal and you dealt it in spades.
Just like you are dealing with all of life's little and big problems.
"Twas a gift she gave when she came our way.
Twas a sure thing that she couldn't stay away."
Wonderful to see you are in such good shape, all-around, Audrey.
One heck of a lot of thanks for your being a model of perseverance.
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justthemaid
climber
Jim Henson's Basement
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Sep 30, 2014 - 08:20am PT
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bump
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there say, ... a bump for lilabiene...
:)
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LilaBiene
Trad climber
Technically...the spawning grounds of Yosemite
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 2, 2014 - 07:32pm PT
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") <3
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Roots
Mountain climber
Tustin, CA
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Oct 24, 2014 - 09:31am PT
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Here is some DOLT!
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Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
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Oct 24, 2014 - 09:36am PT
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When i went and cheked my nut cleaning tool is one of Dolts Long thin butter knife like pins that spread peanut butter, jam and honey....... Bump for Dolt Stuff
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Oct 24, 2014 - 09:42am PT
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hey there say, Roots... say, i too, love this marketing share...
very nice!
thank you for sharing it...
JUST A FEW fast shares, of parts:
i like the 'stands behind his work'... and
'get on our mailing list, no matter where in the world, you are'...
(well, SOMETHING like that... read it fast, as i have to get to
work around her... )
:))
hey there lilabiene!
hugs... :)
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covelocos
Trad climber
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Oct 24, 2014 - 12:52pm PT
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My piece of Dolt history.
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LilaBiene
Trad climber
Technically...the spawning grounds of Yosemite
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 24, 2014 - 05:32pm PT
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Thanks from my heart for sharing with me. Posted something over on the Dolt Stories thread that blew me out of the water today...it arrived via email out of the blue this afternoon...
I think I need a box of tissues...
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LilaBiene
Trad climber
Technically...the spawning grounds of Yosemite
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 27, 2014 - 07:42pm PT
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I'm quite at a loss for words, as I am so deeply touched.
Tonight after a long Monday, followed by a frustrating, mostly unsuccessful zig-zag hunt through the supermarket for food I can actually eat (ARGH!), I arrived home after 9p, well after the Muppet's bedtime. Sigh.
I wasn't half-way through the door when she bounded up to me announcing: "We got a mail letter, Mama!!!!!" (Followed by her prancing around me with groceries in hand until I put them down and turned my attention immediately to the priority at hand.) :D The energy -- it's in the genes -- what can I say?!
I picked up the envelope and looked at the return address for perhaps a bit too long (I was blown away), when the Muppet threw her hands above her head and asked whether I was going to open it today (lol!)?
Cover to cover, summit magazine from july / august 1964...with the very same back cover posted up-thread by Roots...a special, heart-felt gift right out of the blue, from the very same.
Art, thank you...on the outside, I'm a bit of a puddle, but on the inside, this is how you made me feel...
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
extraordinaire
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Oct 27, 2014 - 11:01pm PT
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The Dolt logo is still perfect graphically.
It would be nice to see at least a line
of clothing newly resurrected using the same art/ vibe.
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Roots
Mountain climber
Tustin, CA
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Oct 28, 2014 - 02:02pm PT
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Miss DOLT -
Thank you. The picture of your daughter made me smile. She sure seems like she has an endless supply of energy!!
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LilaBiene
Trad climber
Technically...the spawning grounds of Yosemite
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 28, 2014 - 03:25pm PT
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I brought the muppet along to the First Oakdale Climbers Festival when she was 3. There we met a number of folks who knew Dolt well, one of whom was Don Lauria.
At some point, we were standing near Don, and the muppet was, well, exuberantly expressing herself physically. This prompted Don to chuckle and shake his head.
I asked whether Dolt had similar levels of energy? Don replied: "Yep."
I grinned, knowing the feeling quite well. ;D
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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bump for a story that never gets old
energy anyone?
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Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
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That the soft goods business came later, is of no matter.
This was a moment that I wanted to tell with just a picture,
Some of us remember calling them 'Snaps'.
Let me try-
The bag is almost square,
it tappers toward the top, but only by about 2 inches.
it is big and dark blue almost like new denim.
It has a red thread that spells out the letters, DOLT,
in the familiar 'raised L' logo.
The name tag is low but not in the middle.
That space is where there is a pocket.
It was an innovation, it runs from the bottom to the middle of the bag,
A good sized, zippered, Topo pocket. Minimalist, utilitarian, a head of its time,
It provides a double layer on the front of the pack.
A YKK two-way zipper runs around the length of this sturdy pack. So that it can open all the way up & lie open flat or 'standing, 'Clamshell' opened only half way.
A bit like a Ski boot bag with the elegance of a simple, strap sack.
If you have ever seen an Emergency Medical 'jump' or 'go' bag it looks a lot like that.
It has black 2 inch seat belt wedding in two strands that wrap around the body of the bag and centered between the tapering straps, the zippered pocket.
The straps extend up above the pack, in a classic tote handle style.
Basic loops that are full strength.
On the back are the vintage rolled polished metal buckles that allow one to adjust the straps to carry back-pack style or not. I have not slid them around and the pack is pristine, supple and
Proud! If a pack can be so!
I swear it is better made than most of the other gear from that period.
The buckles, stitching & utilitarian simplicity would make Bill proud.
it was produced at the same time that The Great pacific Iron works was starting. I can just imagine Chouinard looking it over and copying most, if not all of the neat fit together look.
This is a pack that has a soft ensolite Removable back pad.
A feature that I have always liked and insisted on in my numerous packs.
I like this bag so much more then the fresh made junk I just bought from Black Diamond.
The packs are the same size,
I had hoped that the new thing would be bigger.
Then I would have used the Dolt bag as a gear tote - it's clear purpose.
I want to tell you that when us 'Ole'Dads' the ones who know ( appreciate )
the age and the pedigree of this pack see it - it is king of the hill.
It gets passed hand to hand eliciting, comments like "that's a great pack" and "So Cool"
Yes , yes it is cool and great;
but better still is the fondness we as a community hold for all things
DOLT
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Hey, Audrey, look what I found that I told you I didn't have any of!
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Bump for the memory of Dolt, and Lila!!!!
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LilaBiene
Trad climber
Technically...the spawning grounds of Yosemite
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 9, 2015 - 09:21pm PT
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Oh. Oh, my. Mouse, how can I ever thank you??? I think my heart might just explode with joy.
These must have been taken within the first few minutes of us meeting for the very first time! We both kept looking at one another and then looking away and laughing in a mix of overwhelming emotion and recognition. I cannot begin to explain what it feels like to look into what appear to be my own eyes looking back at me, and hear a voice so low and similar to mine, and to see my own hand gestures...all for the very first time. After seeing pictures of Dolt, I can see where my face differs from hers -- she has very fine, lovely, almost doll-like features, with a sweetly upturned nose, and I have more of Dolt's angular, rugged features. But I could see some of me in her, as well, and I could hardly wrap my brain around it! Our eyes are the exact same color blue...
We were both wearing small pearl earrings, the only kind either of us ever wears...just when you think you are self-determined... :D
In these pictures, my birth mom's baby sister had just given me a sweater knitted by her grandma for her grandpa, James Garfield Schaeffer (rugby and football coach @ UCLA in the early 1900s). The sweater is lovely in meaning and stitching and incredibly warm -- I wore it every night last winter. The sweater was very special to her, and she gave it to me...I think I held on to it very tightly trying to get a grasp on reality.
A while back it dawned on me one day that if you pronounce "Adriane" in German, it's made up of "Audrey" and "Anne" (the German version of Ann, my birth mom's name, and coincidentally (?) the muppet's middle name). How is that even possible?!
Mouse, these pictures are beyond precious to me -- I'll never be able to thank you enough. We're both camera shy, not being particularly photogenic, so it never occurred to either of us to capture the moment. We have another angel looking over us...
Yes , yes it is cool and great;
but better still is the fondness we as a community hold for all things
DOLT
We're grateful for the never-ending kindness, and will continue to do our very best to pay it forward...
Bussi from the muppet!
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jgill
Boulder climber
The high prairie of southern Colorado
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This charming ongoing story represents the very best of ST. Wish I had met the famous Dolt back in the day! I certainly heard stories from Yvon and others.
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Thanks are not needed, oh great benefactress. You already promised me that book about grouchy old tourists back in the fifties, so fergeddaboutit.
I will treasure that bussi, howmever.
And I thought it a camp campfire activity to bestow you a newer, more descriptive name yet:
AudreyLilabieneOddToddBorisovFeurerDoltMuppetMom
I don't know what prompted me to dig through my files, boredom, I suppose. But I recalled your telling me you had no shots of your auntie. Is her name Adriane? That's not quite clear and I've forgotten and am too lazy to look. Anyway, I'm glad I posted the pics & very glad you saw them.
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Fossil climber
Trad climber
Atlin, B. C.
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Oct 10, 2015 - 10:08am PT
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Muppet, you and your mum are both beautiful people.
Nice shot, Mouse!
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Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
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Oct 10, 2015 - 12:36pm PT
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I had hoped to find the better, camera to share this great Dolt back pack.
I've been using the Dolt pack to carry my whole climbing kit.
Slings and 8-10 cams, so a small rack with a few wires,
& doubles of the smallest three tri-cams.
I Almost never carry the 'boat anchors' #s 5-6
But when I do I carry doubles...,(#s 7-8?? please NO!)
Along with shoes, harness, 'biners, a belay device or two.
Water, snacks and a shell layer, for walking In, before sun up
and back out after sunset.
The pocket holds a lot:
A map/topo page, flashlight. & a head lamp.
a lighter, & a flashlight whistle compass mirror match case,
that has a serrated blade and utility cord wrapped around the two, , ,
it sounds awkward, I use it all the time..
Two or three kinds of paper. some first aid stuff. .
with all that,
it fits in with all the top roping here in small rock hell,
It even holds a length of static line,for a top-rope set-up.
The DOLT basic bag / back pack,
it stands on its own.
.
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LilaBiene
Trad climber
Technically...the spawning grounds of Yosemite
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 20, 2016 - 04:17pm PT
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Just had to share this. These are so beautiful, and there are not many left as I understand it from Mark. (Some asshat hacked his site, so if you want to order one of the panos, be sure to type in the address as opposed to using a link.)
I love it so much that I just ordered a second one for home -- I'm actually missing it!!!
:D
Attending the AAC annual dinner next weekend -- anyone else going? Would love to see a friendly face, as I am not notoriously a social butterfly...lol.
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Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
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Jul 18, 2016 - 06:13pm PT
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bump, hey kiddo Are you lurking?
if so Im sending you a note to provoke a reply.
if you have already been in contact ?
please let me know
the irons are Hot it is time to strike a double whammy mine and yours, or have mouse help craft the goal oriented letter. . . ?
well maybe you should
 as a daughter to another daughter - try to contact the Y one(?)
would be a good plan...
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