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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Dec 18, 2011 - 08:51pm PT
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hey there say, for bill and his family...
very sorry to hear this... will sure be praying...
climbers REALLY DO care, as to their fallen-climbers-of-rock...
may some open doors come your way, bill, for some kind of success to
get through this awful hard time...
very glad he lived through this fall, may help surface for
whatever his needs will be, in the future...
god bless...
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Dirka
Trad climber
SF
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Dec 18, 2011 - 08:55pm PT
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I wish him and his family the best. Sorry to hear this.
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strangeday
Trad climber
Brea ca.
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Dec 18, 2011 - 09:18pm PT
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Sending positive thoughts, and hoping for a full recovery...
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susan peplow
climber
www.joshuatreevacationhomes.com
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Dec 18, 2011 - 09:28pm PT
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First off, our sincerest wishes for a speedy healing to Bill. It's always difficult to hear of a climber falling. Hang in there Bill and thank goodness you're alive to tell the tale.
Secondly, a thank you to Bernadette for posting these updates on a forum who generally cares about the climbing community.
~Susan
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BillL
Trad climber
NM
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Dec 18, 2011 - 11:11pm PT
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Sending all my best to Bill B. I've not met him face to face. We had corresponded last summer ... quite a bit about climbing ... through the internet. He was very forthcoming and helpful. I have only the highest regard for him and wish him the best in this challenge.
Bill L
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Dec 19, 2011 - 01:28am PT
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Wishing him the best.
65 used to be considered elderly, now a big hazard is an extreme sport injury. Way to live Large
Peace
Karl
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Sara Matisse
climber
unknown
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Dec 19, 2011 - 01:34am PT
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Bill hold tough! Sending healing vibes your way...
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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Dec 19, 2011 - 01:55am PT
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Be okay. Heal. Best energy I can generate for you, friend.
JL
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Spider Savage
Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
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Dec 19, 2011 - 09:19am PT
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Bill's nice guy and an outdoor journalist. Pretty good climber too from what I know. www.becher.com
Saddle rock takes another climber down (this time only temporarily). Perhaps due to the distractingly nice view it is an area where a climber can make a mistake. Hopefully Bill will fill us in when he is ready.
Thanks Bernadette for official press release so quickly.
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kimba
climber
Ventura, CA
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Dec 19, 2011 - 12:26pm PT
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Hello all,
I'm a very good friend and climbing partner of Bill and friend of his wonderful wife. Yes, Bill sustained an injury to his spine, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. He also sustained a broken scapula as well as several broken ribs. Surgery was performed yesterday (successfully!) to stabilize his spine. Various xrays, MRI's, etc revealed no apparent head injury. He still has use of his upper body and arms.
Bill's wife has asked us to please not overwhelm them with emails, posts or phone calls during this very difficult time. If anyone would like more information, please feel free to contact me as I am acting as the "point person" for info on Bill's status. I will try and keep you all posted on his status,
FYI, I believe he was on Right On, but did a variation on the start to the right of the route? note sure about this yet...
I spoke with Bill before his surgery and he wanted to commended the JOSAR team and his climbing partner that day for doing such a great job taking care of him. Bill still maintained his sense of special "Bill humor" (those of you who know him, know what I mean:-)) and I know that will help he and his wife get through this. Please continue to keep Bill and his wife in your thoughts and prayers...
Kim
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Seamstress
Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
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Dec 19, 2011 - 01:16pm PT
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Praying for Bill. It is sad to see such an injury and at this time of year. I hope Bill still will have much joy in life ahead.
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susan peplow
climber
www.joshuatreevacationhomes.com
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Dec 19, 2011 - 01:20pm PT
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Thank you Kimba for the additional information and for being such a good friend to Bill and his family. As a close friend, I'm sure this is a difficult time for you as well. Hang in there and best wishes to Bill as he starts the healing process and changes in their lives.
~Susan
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looking sketchy there...
Social climber
Latitute 33
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Dec 19, 2011 - 02:00pm PT
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Sending our best wishes for Bill's recovery.
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John Butler
Social climber
SLC, Utah
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Dec 19, 2011 - 03:37pm PT
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Big sigh and best wishes
:-|
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BillL
Trad climber
NM
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Dec 19, 2011 - 04:14pm PT
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Thank you for the update, Kim.
In case it saves some effort at explanations, I've linked below a picture with a guess at Bill B's chosen line. If this is correct and unless requested to do otherwise, I'll include the marked photo in this post via later "edit". If not, I'll delete the link.
Possible "Right On" variation.
Bill L
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Fluoride
Trad climber
West Los Angeles, CA
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Dec 19, 2011 - 05:18pm PT
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So sorry to hear about this. Best wishes to Bill on his recovery.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
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Dec 19, 2011 - 07:22pm PT
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God bless ya, Bill. I pray the healing goes well.
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Ashcroft
Trad climber
SLC, UT
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Dec 19, 2011 - 07:51pm PT
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Bill, very sorry to hear of the accident, and I wish you a speedy recovery. Please know that there are a lot of people pulling for you.
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Johnny K.
climber
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Dec 19, 2011 - 07:56pm PT
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:( Prayers to Bill,all of his family and friends.
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Geoff
Trad climber
Sacramento, CA
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Dec 19, 2011 - 08:06pm PT
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I was really shocked and sad to hear about this. I've known Bill for years. He used to be a kayaker, and I used to be an avid climber. I've gotten more into bikes and kayaks, and Bill got more into climbing, and it's been fun to watch him progress via Facebook updates. We're not best buddies or anything, but I've shared more than a few drinks with him, slept in his RV, and always enjoyed his good humor and energy the time we're spent hanging out.
He's an outdoor writer and photographer, and he got me in the paper a few times...All around good guy, and I hope I have 1/3 his energy and enthusiasm when I'm 65.
I've heard from mutual friend, who is very close friends with Bill, that his wife has asked the community to avoid dissecting the accident. I think, in our hearts, we all know we're just one shitty moment from something similar. I can think of dozens of moments in my climbing career that were just pure simple luck that I didn't end up hurt badly...
I did also hear that the injury to his spine is very serious, and his recovery will be long, arduous, and likely never a "complete recovery".
Words don't express well what I'm feeling. It just really sucks.
Geoff
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