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Gym Birdwall
Gym climber
The
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Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 10, 2011 - 03:49pm PT
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In celebration of Paul Humphrey's life.
We lost Paul to cancer July 29, 2011.
Paul was an amazing man. An awesome climber and a patient teacher.
He would rush to set up ropes so everyone could climb.
He was my best friend, my climbing partner, my love, my life.
Please bring your own stories of Paul to this thread
Rejoice, post pictures, smile and tell campfire stories online.
His last wish was to climb. On and on and on.
"Why not keep climbing with my friends," he said. "why not?"
Put a bit of ashes into chalk and off I go...climbing new routes,
jamming into cracks, holding onto a rock.
Make it so! I have Metolius chalk socks awaiting.
That's right...Paul's Balls.(Paul's great sense of humor to the end)
Good Times, good times.
Contact me if you'd like one
take Paul climbing, celebrate his life.
Climb on Paul
Love you babe,
Ruth
aka Gym Birdwall
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tonesfrommars
Trad climber
California
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Aug 10, 2011 - 04:11pm PT
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Bump bump. Hear hear! What a great picture. I didn't know Paul so I don't have any campfire stories, but I got a little glimpse of this great guy here so I'll be looking forward to revisiting this thread. Really sad he had to go so soon. But also glad that his pain has ended.
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neversummer
Trad climber
30 mins. from suicide USA
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Aug 10, 2011 - 05:06pm PT
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BUMP...i didnt know him but heres to keeping his legacy alive.
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Iclimb5.1
climber
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Aug 11, 2011 - 08:56pm PT
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OK, I'll go. Just a few random memories of the wordsmith, Paul.
...He was working as a tree climber and living in Corvallis for a while. Jeff and I picked him up one evening to go to a bar and on the way into town we saw a gaggle of crows on some park grass. Paul said something like, 'What is this, Crow-vallis?' I will forever remember that term he coined when the crows come out in spring.
...Way back in the early climbing days in Humboldt I was up on a climb, Paul and others at the base. Having large calves runs in my family, it's a genetic thing, and Paul noticed my large calved when I was on the climb. He said something like...'Wow, your calves...they mooed at me!' I was laughing too hard to be insulted. Classic Paul.
...Jeff hates Starlings because of the fact that they're an invasive species. So one year, Paul got Jeff the book 'Arnie, the Darling Starling' as a birthday gift. Jeff also happens to not like crowds or cities; all the people get on his nerves. Either written in the book or on a card was the sentiment 'Misanthropes unite!'. I don't think he coined that phrase but it reflects Paul's sense of humor and how he enjoyed words.
Vicky
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nature
climber
back in Tuscon Aridzona....
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Aug 11, 2011 - 09:02pm PT
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Paul and I shared a similar passion. We both wrote guidebooks for Northern California. I started mine in 1991 or so. It was self-published. After I left Humboldt Falcon "wrote" a guide to the area. Most of my info was plagarised. Paul, Eric and a few others approached Falcon (not sure in exactly what manner) and pointed out the "problem". the book was eventually pulled from publication. In conversation with both Paul and Eric I told them they could have all of my info to do whatever they like.
I have a copy of that Falcon guide and can confirm that everything for the coast that I produced was ripped straight out of my pages.
They produced Bigfoot Country Climbing.
http://www.adventuresedge.com/store/product.php?productid=28&cat=103&page=1
Their book was loaded with stacks and stacks of new routes. Routes that began to go up just as I was leaving.
I still need to get back there and get out to the limestone. It's sad I've never been there.
I guess we also shared a love for rubber chickens.
Miss you bro!
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climbrunride
Ice climber
Sailing Hawks Boulders, CO
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Aug 11, 2011 - 10:06pm PT
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Campfire stories...
It was actually at a campfire where I met Paul. At an Indian Creek SushiFest. He was a super cool guy, and very excited about climbing and telling stories of putting up FA's in way Northern California. Then I was talking to someone else for a bit, then drifted back his way and he and Ruth were talking about how bad someone's cancer was, how terribly sick they were and it sounded to me just totally hopeless - that person was at the end. I asked who they were talking about and he said it was him. I felt like I had been hit in the chest and my jaw just about dropped into the sand. I was shocked that someone so full of life and excitement could be so sick. His smile and demeanor never gave a hint. (Well, I think he had a cane and I guess the cane would have been a hint, but I had just overlooked that as yet another athlete with an orthopedic injury.)
Paul was talking about his years old dream of climbing Supercrack. And he was finally on his first trip to Indian Creek. He did not know if he had the strength to get up it, but he was determined to give it a go.
The next morning (I wasn't there, but heard the story at the campfire that night) Donini set up ropes around Supercrack Butress. And Paul got on his dream route. And he made it! It took him several hangs, but he was super sick and weak, after all. Donini was impressed and just wanted to tell everyone Paul's story, and how he worked so hard and wanted it so much and how he got up his dream route. I think Donini was honored to be a part of that.
And I am honored to have met Paul and learned a bit from him. I'll always remember the gleam in his eye, how he could be so happy and excited about climbing, and hanging out with other climbers, when he was facing such a monumental struggle. There's a lesson there for all of us, courtesy of a brave, strong and vibrant hero who left us too soon.
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Gym Birdwall
Gym climber
The
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 11, 2011 - 10:27pm PT
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Gym Birdwall
Gym climber
The
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 11, 2011 - 10:30pm PT
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The Lisa
Trad climber
Da Bronx, NY
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Aug 11, 2011 - 10:42pm PT
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I am so sorry to hear of his passing but my, that last photo is so full of triumph! That is an amazing feat. I look forward to reading more stories about Paul.
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climbrunride
Ice climber
Sailing Hawks Boulders, CO
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Aug 13, 2011 - 05:04am PT
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BUMP
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JOEY.F
Gym climber
It's not rocket surgery
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Aug 14, 2011 - 12:46am PT
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I only met Paul and Ruth and Gym a few times, at the Rock Ice and Mountain meetings, and one time at the gym. What a cool fun guy, and wow could he climb. I will never forget Ruth at the belay saying "COME ON CANCER BOY!!!"
RIP Paul. Glad to have known you a bit.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Aug 14, 2011 - 07:29am PT
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Wow, very touching. Thanks Ruth for putting this up.
Paul put up some great threads around here, and was a positive "online" force, which we always need.
He talked climbing, not politics, amen.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Aug 14, 2011 - 12:16pm PT
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I started reading Paul's thread last August thinking about how damn brave he is. How could he do it? In October I was DX with ovarian cancer. Sharing posts with him and drawing from his strength about how to live life in spite of cancer became my salvation. We dreamed about one day naming a climb "Forever Remission". I was so happy to meet him in Dec at the Donini lecture. I miss him a great deal and owe so much to him. Susan
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Aug 14, 2011 - 12:56pm PT
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I ordered a "Paul's Balls". It's a great idea. Think of how many places he'll get to travel now.
In a PM, I shared with Gym Birdwall how I have been slowly sprinkling my dad's ashes in magical places for over 20 years. You wouldn't believe some of the places that his spirit has been spread. The Alaska Range, The Great Wall of China, Big Medicine in NV, El Capitan and many many others. This is what will happen with Paul's spirit.
Get a Paul's Balls!!
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Spider Savage
Mountain climber
SoCal
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Aug 14, 2011 - 01:04pm PT
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Somewhere in the distance, another climber is born.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Aug 14, 2011 - 06:50pm PT
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A few more posts for Paul.
He was a real climber, not a poser.
He was a force for good positive stuff on this site.
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North
climber
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Aug 15, 2011 - 12:32am PT
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I've been climbing for a fair number of years, climbed a fair number of places, and met a fair number of climbers. When I read about another great person who happens to be a badass that has passed...well... I really don't know what to say. Sorry never seems to cover it. These people separate themselves not by what or how they climbed, skiied, surfed, whatever, but rather how they lived, loved, and treated others. I often didn't know some of these people, but their inspiration helps me continue during some difficult times. We should all be as strong they were. Be at peace.
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Gym Birdwall
Gym climber
The
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 15, 2011 - 02:58am PT
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I thought you might enjoy this pic of Paul at Trinity Aretes.
He bolted countless routes in Northern California.
The drills were heavy and slow a few years ago.
I can only imagine the strength and skill to complete the task.
He is my inspiration too, Thanks North.
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Gym Birdwall
Gym climber
The
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 15, 2011 - 03:46am PT
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Gym Birdwall
Gym climber
The
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 20, 2011 - 10:39pm PT
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I just found a Paul thought jotted in a tiny notebook. June 2011
"I've come to the conclusion
that conclusions aren't conclusions."
"They are solidly believed,
temporary guide posts which often change."
woooa that's a good one Paul.
I miss our talks,
I miss YOU,
Ruth
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