Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2006 - 04:30pm PT
|
Not sure which one you are talking about, but I do remember that we went up to Keyes View and did some "vegetation modifications" so he could launch. I recall asking him "is this going to get us into trouble?". His response, "Not if you don't tell anyonone".
The result: Hack hack, saw saw, trundle trundle....
|
|
Russ Walling
Social climber
Same place as you, man...... (WB)
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2006 - 04:40pm PT
|
WOW! He was one of the last great wild men.... adios for now Raleigh. (R.I.P.)
He gave me a bunch of pics a while back that I'll post up.... good stuff of his wild times... standard fare for him, a bit of rodeo in costa Rica, some stunt plane stuff in Canyonlands, and leading some hard stuff here at home.
|
|
rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2006 - 04:41pm PT
|
"i will prefer to remeber raliegh from better times."
Probably the voice of reason, experiance, and age. None of which I posses.
|
|
Jaybro
Social climber
The West
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2006 - 04:50pm PT
|
Didn't he do something on TV (or plan to) that involved; skydiving, climbing, bicycling, kayaking and god knows what else?
That's Incredible™, maybe?
|
|
rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2006 - 04:53pm PT
|
"That's Incredible™, maybe? "
Nope, I have a video tape of when he did that. It was out of a San Diego news station I believe, but it covered a chunk of SoCal. It was very impressive to say the least.
|
|
Jaybro
Social climber
The West
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2006 - 04:56pm PT
|
An autonomous project, like an evening magazine kinda deal? still wild. He told me about it but I never saw it
|
|
WBraun
climber
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2006 - 05:00pm PT
|
Anybody have a picture/photo of Raliegh?
|
|
healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2006 - 05:09pm PT
|
I didn't know Raleigh, but had a climbing partner depart in the same manner long ago. All in all I'd hate to think of climbing "groomed" of all it's madmen and madwomen, so here's to another one that's taken flight...
|
|
Russ Walling
Social climber
Same place as you, man...... (WB)
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2006 - 05:21pm PT
|
Here are some of those pics he sent me.... the wheelchair one is from a snake bite in I think Costa Rica... very gruesome!!!!! saw the pics and heard the story!
When I was working for Largo RC pitched a TV show to us and sent film too I believe... something like Ultimate Sportsman Challenge type thing. He did something like 12 extreme sports in a day.. hanggliding, motocross, climbing, base, parachute, wind surf, mountian biking, gator wrestling, snowboarding/skiing... all kinds of stuff and there was Raleigh doing them all... and well.
|
|
WBraun
climber
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2006 - 05:33pm PT
|
Holy Molly thanks Russ
I thought that was the Rollo that I knew. He was one crazy dude as I remember.
Once there flew a huge jet cargo plane, a DC something number, over the Valley, very low and going up Tenaya canyon. It came over the park radio that something had been thrown out of it. Back country ranger on Half Dome saw it. A chute deployed and said object was headed into Tenaya canyon.
I see Rollo a few hours later that evening (he hasn't been around at all before that) and made the claim that he sky dived out of that plane.
What demons possessed him to off himself?
Yes he was a character, so sorry he did this and ..........
|
|
Fluoride
Trad climber
on a rock or mountain out west
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2006 - 07:21pm PT
|
Wow. I don't know what to say.
I met Raleigh at the base of Clean and Jerk Halloween weekend of '03 (ironic to think now that rock turned out to be the site of his demise). Totally friendly, ballsy, outgoing. I know there was a darker side and other issues. Sorry to hear the demons got the better of him.
|
|
James
Social climber
My Subconcious
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2006 - 09:18pm PT
|
Condolences to his friends and family. I met Raleigh a few times over the years. I remember hanging with him one morning in Joshua Tree. We ran around the campground together. He'll be missed.
|
|
mike
climber
tahoe city, ca.
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2006 - 09:21pm PT
|
Bummer. I met him at a WFR course in Bishop 6 or 7 years ago. We went to ORG for our day off. Beforehand, he was like "Yeah man, no worries, I got tons of rope and gear!" We got there and he hands me this nasty ass rope, core shots everywhere. I said "Thanks anyways Raliegh, but I'm gonna use my own rope." I'll never forget the pics he showed me of his trip to Thailand!
R.I.P. Raliegh
|
|
rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2006 - 09:34pm PT
|
"I met Raleigh at the base of Clean and Jerk Halloween weekend of '03 (ironic to think now that rock turned out to be the site of his demise)."
Yup, Raleigh and I spent many a day doing "laps" at both Clean And Jerk and Leave it to Beaver. I should clarify, he did laps, I gropped, swore, and struggled my way up Clean And Jerk. We had many a good time and laugh together. I'm really sorry he felt he needed to do this.
Robert
|
|
kevin Fosburg
Sport climber
park city,ut
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2006 - 10:13pm PT
|
Sad news. Raleigh was a great guy. Lots of charm and enthusiasm for whatever was at hand.
|
|
dwell
climber
Pollock Pines
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2006 - 10:31pm PT
|
RIP Raliegh.
You exuded kindness, something I watch for in people.
Although i'd just bump into you here and there, it occured for over a decade, forming a strong image. I always thought we had much in common. Shed a tear boys and girls. A good soul is lost.
|
|
Ammon
Big Wall climber
El Cap
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2006 - 11:00pm PT
|
This is very sad news. RIP, Raliegh. We will miss you.
An unofficial memorial will be happening at Keith Wentz and Brian McCray's house on Saturday the 25th. This is the weekend of the RRR, all is invited.
|
|
Trixie23
Trad climber
J-Tree, California
|
|
|
Mar 15, 2006 - 02:51am PT
|
Ahhh Raliegh, I feel almost like I have no right to talk about him because others knew him so much better than I. My boyfriend for one was one of his climbing partners and shared one particular near death experience with Raliegh in Yosemite. I do feel though that in rememberance of such a vibrant person I should say that Raliegh always seemed to me to be a person who could make you feel pretty damn good about yourself--he was always quick with a compliment, a radiant smile, a hug--sometimes inappropriate ones too, but that just made him Raliegh Collins. I really wondered today what he must have been thinking about in those last moments alone on top of that rock, looking out over the place where he spent so much time. I know a lot of people here went through the "what if I had just..." thoughts in their heads.
I for one wish I had just said one more nice thing to him the last time I saw him, but then, nobody ever knows when that time will be, so this is that time for me....Raliegh, you had a great electricity about you--kept us all on our toes, you were a truly unique individual and you probably lived more every day than most will in a lifetime. Have a great journey to a happier place.
|
|
bachar
Trad climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
|
|
|
Mar 15, 2006 - 10:16am PT
|
Good man. Many good times. peace bro.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!