Quadriplegic on El Cap…

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bradzz

Big Wall climber
vancouver canada
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 16, 2006 - 03:05pm PT
Oh, one other thing.. I need to do this 100% volunteer, the film guys will be paid however.

The idea is that the guys that have helped thus far are all over qualified and deserved to be paid film rigger rates. Two reasons, I could never afford to pay them what they are worth, and I want to climb with friends/partners.. not be someone’s ‘client’. I’m sure you can all understand that.

So, the risk of offending the others -- I just can’t pay one or two locals for their time.

But, I’d like to get well known bad asses involved if possible. If not, I’ll just hang out at the base for some crazy Russians to climb with.

Again, it will be for a film, so yea.. you’d need to try to say something nice about me too.. I know that is a tall order!

You should see the abuse and love CG gives me, dam his sense of humor is… well something.

Tear... you had me at f&ck off..
bz
the Fet

Trad climber
Loomis, CA
Mar 16, 2006 - 03:13pm PT
I'd say play up the sympathy and film permit angles as much as possible and go for the permission to paraglide down. Not only would it be more fun, it will make for killer video.
Rhodo-Router

Trad climber
Otto, NC
Mar 16, 2006 - 03:34pm PT
Seems like with all the loose rock people talk about on the ZM (haven't done it myself) that it might be a poor choice of route to trundle your cart up. The Trip is pretty clean though.
bradzz

Big Wall climber
vancouver canada
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 16, 2006 - 04:18pm PT
Is the loose rock on the steeper pitches? Would I be touching it if we linked few pitches together to avoid these areas?

Trip looks good too, but needs to be steep enough to be able to rap it without touching, or have ropes rubbing on edges.

bradz
bradzz

Big Wall climber
vancouver canada
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 20, 2006 - 01:17am PT
just an open question...

who here would not keep climbing after a life changing injury?

I ask because, I needed to put in ten years of work to get quads climbing and there still are not that many takers.. surely a few bad asses have broken their necks before me?

(sorry… para’s and amputees don't even come into same ballpark as quads, but put it into my head that it could be done)

thoughts? or maybe that is something too dread to ponder?

bz
Holdplease2

Big Wall climber
Yosemite area
Mar 20, 2006 - 01:25am PT
Once a year those nutty rappeller dudes set up a single line all the way from the top of El Cap to the bottom.

It might be totally cool to work with them on timing. They are always setting records and whatnot...like the fastest rap over a distance, the first tandem rap over a certain distance, etc. They'd probably love to be part of "The First Quad Rap" and get their rig in your video.

Anybody know who those guys are?

-Kate.
WBraun

climber
Mar 20, 2006 - 01:33am PT
Friends of Pete's.

One guy once broke the record for the descent. He didn't look to good at the base.
bradzz

Big Wall climber
vancouver canada
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 20, 2006 - 02:26am PT
Were did they setup?

Donny has pics!??

bz
dirtineye

Trad climber
the south
Mar 20, 2006 - 08:22am PT
Hey brad,

Congrats on making a good life out of what you've got!

I dated a super quad a long time ago, so I kind of know what you go through every day, and my hat is off to you.

I'm a three time cancer survivor myself, current;y getting over the third surgery, and I climbed with a friend who still managed 5.11 as he was beginning to give in to terminal throat cancer, but I think you have us both on determination, daring, and spirit.

I'd offer to go with you, but I'll probably be mostly recovered again by then and just slow you guys down. I also probably whine too much, LOL.

About that autograph thing, I'm guessing you can write a little, as my old GF could, with a velcro contraption to hold the pen.
the Fet

Trad climber
Loomis, CA
Mar 20, 2006 - 01:06pm PT
Hey Brad,

I would keep climbing after an injury, and the good thing is, that after having you as a pioneer, I wouldn't wallow is self pity for years. I'd say if Brad did it, I'll do it too, and not waste any time. And/or use it as inspiration to do other quad firsts. e.g. could a quad become a certified/solo sky diver? or build a cool skiing rig.

I think the reason you don't see quads climbing is the same reason you don't see many people doing rock climbing first ascents. Maybe 1 in 100 people would ever climb. Then 1 in 100 people will be into it enough to put up an FA, so 1 in 10,000 people might put up an FA.

So 1 in 100 people, times the percentage of people who are quads (? maybe 1 in 3000) So 1 in 300,000 people may do it. So there's maybe only 1000 people in the US who would even consider it, they just haven't heard of you yet :-)
bradzz

Big Wall climber
vancouver canada
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 21, 2006 - 08:15pm PT
Hey, thanks.. was not fishing for complements, just know there are lots of climbers out there that have been injured or sick etc. Blind, amputees and many others.

Glad to hear more stories of people adapting to keep climbing. I wrote in my blog that there is nothing brave or courageous about adapting.. but the is cowardess choosing to not face obvious challenges, vertical or otherwise.

…About that autograph thing, I'm guessing you can write a little, as my old GF could, with a velcro contraption to hold the pen.

Yea, started there, but don’t need that a longer. I just weave the pen through my fingers.

... could a quad become a certified/solo sky diver? or build a cool skiing rig.

Well, I’ve jumped tandom twice. And thinking about a design for a solo rig so I can land.

Is why my summer plans look are at fly BC

Ski thing as been worked out long ago, but is still not easy for quads. need trunk and triceps to really pull that off.


bz

Ouch!

climber
Mar 21, 2006 - 08:56pm PT
"One guy once broke the record for the descent. He didn't look to good at the base."


Werner, was he trying to break a record?
bradzz

Big Wall climber
vancouver canada
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 22, 2006 - 09:11pm PT
was he injured, or...?

WBraun

climber
Mar 22, 2006 - 09:18pm PT
No he didn't try to break any records. He goofed stetting up his brake bar rappel and shot down 3000 feet on the rope at high speed.

He died .......... oops.
the Fet

Trad climber
Loomis, CA
Apr 11, 2006 - 11:08am PT
Here's a photo of a single line down Dawn Wall.


From http://2climbers.org/gallery/road_trip_2004?page=2
bradzz

Big Wall climber
vancouver canada
Topic Author's Reply - May 24, 2006 - 10:16pm PT
Looks like a wild ride down... better than the ledges in my mind!

Is the south sea's so steap the rope would not need to be anchored at the base?

thnxs
bz
bradzz

Big Wall climber
vancouver canada
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 22, 2006 - 12:40am PT
Squamish Film Fest...

Our film plays on Saturday!

[url="http://www.verticalchallenge.org/images/misc/filmfest.jpg"][/url]

get Tix at:

The Fringe Cafe
3124 Brdway West
Vancouver, BC V6K2H3
(604) 738-6977
Jacob

Trad climber
wetodd ville ca
Jul 22, 2006 - 01:42am PT
if a blind person can climb elcap and everest then why the hell not a quad!!! go for it and dont let anything get in your way! get the whole thing on film, it will be in my personal library and millions of other climbers as well.

bradzz

Big Wall climber
vancouver canada
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 9, 2006 - 07:09pm PT


First off… Let me say that having our film in the mix with Croft, Trotter, Bachar and Sharma is very daunting. These guys are well recognized, world class climbers. So, how did I wind up in the same festival? I guess it helps if the event organizer is also the director of film!
john hansen

climber
Aug 9, 2006 - 11:54pm PT
Werner always has good advice...
Messages 61 - 80 of total 154 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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