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Wank
Ice climber
Ca
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 7, 2012 - 05:58pm PT
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When I was 18 I met a guy we called Minksy , he took me by the hand and showed me the way , I regret to have to say that Peter Minks died of cancer some where in the north []shore of Lake Tahoe . details are unknown at the moment ,as I receive more info I will share . He was a great Pal ,he left behind 2 awesome boys .[photoid=232535]
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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RIP Pete.
An accomplished climber.
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Ihateplastic
Trad climber
It ain't El Cap, Oregon
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Pete was quite the lad! Met him once in C4. A nice chap. Sorry to hear this.
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Wank
Ice climber
Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 7, 2012 - 06:25pm PT
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One of the most fearless climbers and up till a tumor in the lyphnods took him from us he was in the best of spirits and in true Minks Style
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Wank
Ice climber
Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 7, 2012 - 06:36pm PT
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Minks lived in the TC trailer park with Terry his wife Terry Counts when I first
meet her in the Valley. Pete had this tea cozy that was the union jack on a ski cap I,d show round his camper at 7:30 and wake him to go the the crags so that for sure we would be out by noon ,F*#king loved him so . So many stories over so many years awesome memories
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Trad climber
Will know soon
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So sorry Wank....
Know, really know, what it is to lose someone you love. You will be in my prayers and positive thoughts. It will take time to process the loss of your friend. Don't rush it. Cherish the memories.
Peace to you, lynne
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Lacey
Social climber
Burns,Oregon
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I just found out about the news. I'm shocked and saddened. RIP MINKSY...:(
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Double D
climber
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So sorry to hear this. Minx was well loved by most all who knew him and the funniest Brit I've ever met.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Sad news! But what a strong and splendid rascal he was while with us.
Rest in peace Pete...
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mastadon
Trad climber
crack addict
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Wank, you got any details? I knew Minks pretty well-lived in the trailer park near him in the 80's. Seems like it was just last month that I picked him up hitch hiking and drove him to his place in "The Ghetto", the condos on Lake Forest drive outside Tahoe City. I guess it was a year ago. Sh#t, I hadn't heard anything about him being sick. Sh#t, again.
He'd give you the shirt off his back, literally, if you needed it.
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go-B
climber
Habakkuk 3:19 Sozo
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Sorry to hear of Peter's passing!
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nita
Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
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Sorry to hear this news....RIP,
Wank, I'm pretty sure he has 3 boys.
edit...Lacey, check your email....
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Lacey
Social climber
Burns,Oregon
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Nita, Heard his son Tim was with him last night.....
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errett
Social climber
Grumpy Ridge
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So sorry to hear this. Condolences to Terry and his boys.
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Russ Walling
Gym climber
Poofter's Froth, Wyoming
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Wow! RIP to Minksy.... he had a style not found that much anymore.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Don't think I ever met the man.
Sounds like a great climber and well loved.
Condolences to all Pete's family and friends.
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Allen Hill
Social climber
CO.
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Cancer is so insidious. Sorry to hear this news. I was just looking at a old "Climbing" magazine with a picture of him laughing at Al Harris' plight.
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Willoughby
Social climber
Truckee, CA
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Oh man, that sucks. I never knew him well, but we certainly hoisted a few over the years. I know a few of those Alpine snowmakers and they must be reeling. Here he is giving the "Snowmaker Salute" to a stop sign that he just ran over:
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IV
climber
tahoe
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We miss you already Pete!!!!
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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Love to all his friends. He was one of the great personalities I ever met in climbing and very skilled. We had some legendary times in the early 70s, when Pete lived in Idylwild with Fred East.
Jesus, I'm sad about this one.
JL
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GDavis
Social climber
SOL CAL
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I'm sorry to hear, he sounds like a really amazing gentleman.
its a funny thing, climbers (especially of earlier generations) have looked death in the eye a million times, it always feels like a soldier is laid to rest. A last great adventure...
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Grovehill
Trad climber
UK
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Sad news, I first met him over 40 years ago during the Eiger lecture tour.
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Maysho
climber
Soda Springs, CA
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Wow, so sorry to hear this, I had some good fun times with Pete, first when I lived in the Tahoe City Trailer court in 1980, then in Tuolumne in the 80's when he was first hanging out with Terri, ...he was a good man all around. 7 years ago I got to work with him for a week on a foundation in Tahoe, he was a master of concrete work, and a pleasure to work with and learn from. He will be missed. Imagine climbing the Eiger in wool with the gear of that day!
RIP Pete Minks,
Peter
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Lacey
Social climber
Burns,Oregon
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Will miss you Peter......RIP.......:(
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nita
Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
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Peter (Mayshow) Mayfield, Fritz , from the Band,*The Mutants ..and Peter Minks..
edit: Tobia, i think..because of family members reading this thread, my search to find Peter's former wife.. will now be fruitful..
ps.. please, post up the picture..
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
mammoth lakes ca
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Those aren't hats , those are flying saucers..Sorry to hear about Pete..Only met him a few times but get the impression he got the most out of life...RJ
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Tobia
Social climber
GA
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I met Minks at the same time Mr. Maysho did. He was the "straight man" in an unintentional comedy team along with Mike White (always an entertainer).
I have a picture (somewhere of him sitting at the picnic table behind the TMCC while Mike was entertaining me at the behest of Mr. Minks to eat his breakfast.
That seems like yesterday.
Nita, your search ends.
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mastadon
Trad climber
crack addict
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Minks at a C4 reunion. We'll miss you. You're the only person I knew that could out-party the Canadians....
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there say, wank... thank you for sharing... i've posted before:
i'd never of these great legends, if you all didn't post on their
vast-experiences and life....
another thing:
it is really wonderful to see that no matter how old we-all get,
once we are filled with the 'great out doors' you never lose or
let go it, and it never lets go of us (meaning the tug to our spirits)...
my condolences to his family and loved ones, far and wide...
god bless...
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pneame
Trad climber
Tampa, FL
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Sad news indeed. A kind soul who gave me more laughs than I deserved. And rescued me from my own folly at least once....
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Wank
Ice climber
Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 8, 2012 - 04:02pm PT
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Sorry about the miss display Of Punk Roy in the thread, my eyes aren't what they used to be. Talked with so many old friends yesterday ,all feeling this one deeply. Minks had this way of turning the mundane into absolute adventure
truly bold and fearless , renowned for his Tales from the N A wall to Gasherbrum 4 , Thaley Sagar and and Pint of good Ale. I was with him when the news of Al Rouse came to him and it was one of the few time,s I saw Minks tear up. He was from a era of great British Alpine History and was contemporary to the Likes of Joe Brown ,Mo Anthoine ,Tasker and the Burgess twins and told us many stories of his mentor Don Whillans. As he was mine .
The deepest gratitude for having had him in my life . :-(
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LJM
climber
Liverpool
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Hi,
Just found this after a quick Google search.
Peter was my Uncle, although I never got to meet him (I'm in England). He passed away quite unexpectedly due to a blood clot i think, but had also very recently been diagnosed with cancer.
I'm enjoying reading some of the stories about him on here.
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mastadon
Trad climber
crack addict
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Apparently, Minks was in a Reno hospital having a tumor removed from his bladder and died from a blood clot that let loose from one of his legs. He'd been urinating blood for months but didn't think it was serious enough to get checked out.
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R.H
climber
las vegas
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Condolences to the family - It was an honor to know and climb with and share beers over the years with Peter - he was one of the most hilarious people I have ever met - he will be missed.
Richard Harrison
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WBraun
climber
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He'd been urinating blood for months but didn't think it was serious enough to get checked out.
Damn, he was always a tuff hard core guy.
You rarely see guys like him anymore in this type of lifestyle we live in.
Old school.
Goodby Peter until we meet again .....
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captain chaos
climber
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I have to say I'm pretty shocked. I was just talking with Minksy Friday night, he was in the hospital and was talking about the next step, which were tests to see if the cancer spread, etc. He knew he was going to have to deal with some chemo sessions, but wasn't sure to what extent. Some time had passed since we last talked, so we spent over an hour catching up. He was his old self, cracking jokes, telling me stories about his boys which he's very proud of, and life in general. He did say something about his legs being swollen, he said they looked like elephant legs, but they had socks on them and he was on some medication? to help keep a blood clot from going to his heart. about 12 hours went by and I got the call that Minksy was gone... I felt like a bolt of lightening struck me and knocked me off my feet, it was completely unexpected.
Like everyone here, I have some great memories and times with our brother Minksy, he was a great person and character. We climbed the Muir together and had a great time, I'll never forget when he was holding the rope with his teeth (why I don't know) but the coil of rope took off without his noticing it, of course it came to the end which was in his mouth and in turn blew the bridge out of his mouth he just had put in a week earlier. I heard this tink, tink, tink go by and Minsky howling, when I got up to him I realized what the tinking was (his bridge) It was one of the funniest things I ever saw, I was laughing so hard I almost peed my pants, then I realized we still had a long ways to go as this happened on Mammoth, and it was already hard to understand him sometimes as it was, and now with no upper teeth, it was going to be nearly impossible. He eventually got over it and we finished the climb, but not without incident. We had a monster thunder and lightening storm hit us just below the summit roofs, Minksy was cleaning the pitch going off about all the metal on him while the lightening was blowing up all over the place... At first he wanted to bail on cleaning and just jug up to the station, but finally realized it wasn't going to change things, as the station had an even bigger pile of metal, and so he continued cleaning and began singing his old English war songs... or what ever they were, he used to sing them a lot when he got buzzed as well.
So here's to you Minksy, your were a good friend, great person, and good father. I'm sure your boys are as proud of you as you were of them... See you out in the perimeter, tu hermano- Craig
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Stewart Johnson
climber
lake forest
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a hardman indeed. i knew Peter for 25 years of tall tales at the tahoe city pubs. finally i said we have to go climbing.
i talked him into the lead with promises of free beer.
50 pounds overheavy, two different rock shoes and no achilles tendon on the left. with a torn rotator cuff right shoulder...
the fire was back in his eyes, he flashed the pitch.
now the pubs just wont be the same.
thanks for the great times Peter!
paul.
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crunch
Social climber
CO
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Cheers to Minksie. Sad news, another climber of that era when climbers were rare and real is gone. Only met the guy once or twice, 30 years ago, but he sure made an impression!
To paraphrase Stevie Haston, Don't Rest In Peace, wreak havoc!
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lostinshanghai
Social climber
someplace
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Not the best way to start the week with.
RIP Peter: you were and a still a great loveable fun guy to have known.
Some where around the office will get the slide and copied to post of you a few years back.
JT
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Double D
climber
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"he used to sing a lot..."
(-; One of my fondest Minks memory was just hanging out in the TC Trailer Park drinking gin and tonics and hearing him do his Roger Daultry impersonation to "We Won't Get Fooled Again." A classic "Brit" moment.
My sincere condolences goes out to his family and close friends.
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IV
climber
tahoe
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Young and new to Tahoe, I met Pete 10 years ago making snow at Alpine Meadows. Since he lived on the way from my house and didn't have a car we worked all the same nights and like any proper snowmaker, we enjoyed many morning pub visits. He truly was tough as nails and we called him the oldest snowmaker in the world. He loved being on the snowmobiles all night almost as much as his boys, climbing, or loud "ROCK AND ROLL BABY!!" The first time I picked him up he spotted a rope in the backseat and asked if I was a climber. After I said yes he let out a loud "OOOHHHHhh NNOOOO!" and we laughed hysterically. Peter became more than a climbing partner and mentor, he truly was a great friend and I'll miss him dearly. I feel very lucky to have shared as many great times with Minksy as I did and I'll never forget how special he was.
Chip
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Son of a Minksy
Social climber
Medford, OR
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Thanks everyone for all your thoughts. My dad was a great man, a great father and a loving human being. For everyone's information he had cancer of the bladder that spread to his lymphatic system. He was in for a long, grueling, and nasty battle with chemotherapy and other treatments. As we all know that is not his style. About 12 hours after surgery on his bladder, he began having breathing issues and and eventually stopped breathing all together. It was suspected that a clot traveled to his lungs. He did go quickly and did not suffer.
I am holding a memorial/celebration of life in his honor. The plan is to have it at Alpine Meadows this coming Saturday.
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Wank
Ice climber
Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 9, 2012 - 05:17pm PT
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I talked to a old friend of Peter's and mine ,we agreed that as we get older more people seem to leave our life then enter . For me the hope is that I can have as positive impression on the people that are in my life as they are to me. Peter was a huge impression , a day didn't go by were I was in aw of his climbing achievements and just fully stoked to be around him,@ Timmy I've know you from day ! and have some great stories for you and Curtis . Hope you boys are well and look forwards to seeing you at the Memorial service . David LeWinter
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minksy 3
climber
wirral england
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Pete was born in Birkenhead a suburb of Liverpool, he has two brothers Alan and David, the latter being myself. His passing has been a great loss to us his English family. Pete as most of you know lived his life to the full, sometimes to the extreme but to us he was and always will be our big brother. We have many memories of growing up together, all of them based on fun and laughter. Mum & Dad (May & Alf) always making sure after any falling out we shook hands and laughed about the stupidity of falling out. The countless times we would have to tread carefully because the downstairs rooms would be full of Peters climbing mates sleeping soundly until my mother started to make bacon butties for the whole bloody lot of them, to many to name, but most of them well known to the world of climbing - great times! As i have already said, he was our brother but to Tim & Curtis he is their dad, so our thoughts are with and for them.
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mastadon
Trad climber
crack addict
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David,
I met your mum, May, in the early 80's when she was visiting Peter at the Tahoe City trailer park. She was great. I had a vintage Italian Moto Guzzi motorcycle and took your mother to the store and around town a few times. That was when I learned what "riding pillion" meant. She just hiked up her skirt and hopped on. She and my wife and several others floated the Truckee river in rubber rafts several times. My wife adored her. I remember your mum talking about her beloved Alfie.
Your brother Peter was quite a character. I'll dig around and see if I can find some old pictures of our climbing adventures together.
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LJM
climber
Liverpool
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That definitely sounds like my Nana May!!!
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Black Feather
Mountain climber
Tahoe City, CA
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Hey. Memorial for Pete at Alpine Meadows Lodge Saturday January 14th, 5 to 8 pm. Slideshow and open mic, Eiger movie in the background. His sons Tim and Curtis will be there. Email pics to dthatcher@skialpine.com. We hope you all can make it, especially those from C4 and faraway.
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chappy
Social climber
ventura
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Jan 10, 2012 - 12:03am PT
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This is really a sad, shocking moment for me. Pete was a great friend back in the day. I should correct that statement and say he is still a great friend of mine. I have no doubt that if he was still with us and he and I were so blessed to have our paths cross again that we would hit it off just as we did in the past. He was just one of those great fun guys to be around. A great climber too. I still remember him as if it were yesterday on the FA of the Silver Strand. Kevin and I were so happy to have an actual experienced English alpine climber along with us. If I may correct Kevin's memory it was the second pitch Pete led (of four total). It was a steep mixture of ice and rotten snow. Hard to get any decent gear in. Pete ran it way out. Near the top of his lead he shouted down, "What ever you do don't pull on the rope!" We didn't and he made it to a belay. On the decent we had some great laughs butt skiing down the decent snow gullies. At the bottom Pete looked like a snowman as he was covered head to toe in snow which stuck to his pile suit. To Terry and his boys all the best. Pete was a great guy.
Chappy
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Stewart Johnson
climber
lake forest
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Jan 10, 2012 - 09:36am PT
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"dont rest in peace mate. reek havok"
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Brian Biega
climber
Truckee, CA
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Jan 10, 2012 - 04:36pm PT
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My Condolences to all the friends and family of Peter Minks.
More photos to come...
Regards, Brian
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Stewart Johnson
climber
lake forest
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Jan 10, 2012 - 11:44pm PT
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Peter on the 5.9
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Fritz
Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
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Jan 11, 2012 - 12:08am PT
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Mr. Minks is someone I wish I had known----climbed with, drank with.
Best wishes to Peter & his family!
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Charles Perry
Big Wall climber
Fort Collins CO
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Jan 11, 2012 - 12:00pm PT
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Can't count all the beers Minksy and drank together. Farewell friend.
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IV
climber
tahoe
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Jan 11, 2012 - 12:02pm PT
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rodermck
Social climber
san jose ca.
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Jan 11, 2012 - 04:49pm PT
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Brandi Lyn Mckay sent me message facebook he had cancer call him i did right away,phone not accepting callers at this time,called the truckee hospital not there,i talked to him new years day we talked about climbing and his shoulder injury and other things but nothing about any thing that would take his life so quickly after that thats the way minks was tough, then one Minks RIP, i was hopeing this wasn't true,super topo came in my mail confirming what i didn't want to hear with many wonderful posts and pictures i put on my pic page on my computer and one video from snow making alpine,the first time i met minks the mt room bar in the valley,some one was standing up on the table leading his mates in song wondering why the rangers hadn,t drug him out by this time,i asked some one who this wild drunk wild man was thats pete minks,we remained friends all summer his girl friend a school teacher from england came over to climb,after that invided him to my mothers in san jose he spent a week because she came down sick with my mother taking care of her, with trips to oaklnd fentons for banna splits they are famouus then on to SF to the Buena vista bar famous for friendly parting people and irish coffee, to pinicles to climb with yabo the next day bouldering on the sea clifs pacfic grove great times, he got married to terry lived in C4 north in truckee made many trips up to ski and go out drinking with the fun minks at night,always a blast, they moved in town visted them there then on to a condos or apt north of truckee hard to find would call him from truckee and he would pick me up on the hiway where i parked and take me back would have never found that place terry moved to oregon with her kids and eventually devorsed, i saw him times after that then lost contact then had a phone no, but hard to reach, i called him if he was going to the harding memorial, none of hi climbing friends wanted to go, he as was pissed, tell them this f***king memorial they wanted to climb what a bummer for him, then saw him at the party for old time climbers on east side i haven't seen him sence,only on the phone, the this amazing, climber hard parting minks will live on in history of climbing and memories of people that knew himand cared for him knowing him he would want you to party in his memory not grieve, his memorial at alpine i can't be there even though its aa total bummer, but for every one there let the party begin
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Don'tKnowHim
Social climber
California
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Jan 11, 2012 - 07:13pm PT
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Condolences to the family and friends. I didn't know Peter personally, was an aqauintence of Terry in the very early 80's. I hope she's holding up well and I wish her the very best.
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Wank
Ice climber
Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 11, 2012 - 11:05pm PT
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Awesome @ Paul " Stewart Johnson " Teare . Love the Youtube thanks
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Gordon Hibberd
Ice climber
Ayrshire Scotland
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Jan 12, 2012 - 12:38am PT
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Bye Pete, we had a whale of a time in Patagonia RIP old friend. Gordon Hibberd
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Harry Mammil
Trad climber
Llanrwst
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Jan 12, 2012 - 03:21am PT
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Hi,
I first met Pete in the early 1970s in Liverpool. He was a founding member of WAC - the Welsh Alpine Club that did great things in the Alps in those days. He was climbing with Al Rouse and doing early repeats of routes like Mammoth and first ascents like Positron on Gogarth. Totally inspirational stuff: wild, out there routes on a huge uncompromising sea cliff.
A really great guy too - friendly, considerate and very laid back. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends in the UK and US.
Yours
Mike Hammill
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Jennifer wild child.
Social climber
Spokane. WA.
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Jan 12, 2012 - 05:58am PT
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Ian sorry to see Peter go up to the great
Guides in heaven. He was a great guy!!!!!!
Much love light!!!
Jennifer Wire-Kimball
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steveA
Trad climber
bedford,massachusetts
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Jan 12, 2012 - 06:45am PT
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I was saddened to hear this news. My heart goes out to his family.
I had only met Pete once, in England, around 1970. I was hanging out with John Porter, and Dirty Alex, (Alex MacIntyre). Pete and Al Rouse showed up.
I had never met either of them. Rouse was all excited about these psychedelic mushrooms he had and wanted us to try them. We declined.
Wish I had known him better. RIP
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Zambesi
Mountain climber
Wales
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Jan 12, 2012 - 11:04am PT
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Cornwall
It was Minks’ idea to go soloing. He had just got back from the Alps where he had made the first British solo ascent of the Walker Spur, and he was full of it. Al Harris and I were happy pottering about on the Ding Dong Slabs and declined Pete’s invitation to follow a party of French climbers on Suicide Wall. Pete had met one of the French team in Chamonix, a very attractive female guide and he was out to impress. An hour or more later Al and I came round to the base of Suicide Wall to find Pete on the small ledge at the top of the second pitch, about two thirds way up this big imposing wall. There was no sign of the French.
“’Av a look in the guide book an tell me where it goes from ‘ere.” Pete shouts down.
Al finds the page and as his eyes are scanning the description a wide, wicked grin begins stretching from ear to ear. “What’s up?” say I.
Laughing out loud now, and unable to speak, he points to the text. The beautiful black comedy of the situation is infectious, I join his laughter and the more we look at Minks then at one another the more we laugh. Even the gulls seem affected and are screeching a primordial cacophony in this towering theatre of Cornish granite.
“What the f*#k’s up with you pair of prats?” yells Pete.
Our laughter abated and we decided to read out the text together.
“Stand on your second’s shoulder.” We both shouted and immediately fell about in helpless laughter once again.
Milking the situation for all its worth, Al teases Pete and suggests that we call out the Rescue Team. The parries in this strange pantomime continue for some time until Al and I rope up and climb up to the ledge that Pete has been standing on for some considerable time by now. He joins our rope and we finish the climb.
A strange kind of tension hangs over us as we walk away from the cliff; it is still there when we sit in the ‘Rajule’ pub enjoying a beer. Al is talking to Willie the landlord, at 83 the oldest one in Britain and a wonderful character. He worked, as a lad, in the copper mines that go far out under the sea and is telling Al all about the terrible conditions they toiled in whilst the Atlantic was audibly pounding overhead...
Al returns to the table with more pints and proclaims that Willie has told him how we can get into the mines, now derelict and very dangerous. Pete accepts his pint and says: “Harris you’re a tw#t!” The tension is still there – I look at Al, he is wearing that little boy lost face, Pete is not sure what face to wear, “I could have freed that move” he growls. Al smiles, Pete grins, we all laugh. ‘Normal insanity’ is resumed.
Down the mine we went.
Bombashanka.
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steveA
Trad climber
bedford,massachusetts
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Jan 12, 2012 - 11:20am PT
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Thanks for that story. I had a wide smile on my face while reading that!
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Small Brown
climber
UK
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Jan 12, 2012 - 12:31pm PT
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Here are some pics of Pete in his prime, sea level traversing at Gogarth, North Wales. The rest of the team are Claude Davis, Al Harris, Jim Curran, Henry Barber, Mo Anthoine, Nick Escourt and the owner of Wendy's Cafe in Llanberis. The pics were taken by Joe Brown (copyright).
Never forgotten! Cheers Minks xx
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Debbie
Social climber
Modesto, Ca
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Jan 12, 2012 - 01:45pm PT
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I worked in Yosemite for 10 years. From 1976 till 1986. I knew Peter for many years. He was a great Friend!! I will miss Him!!
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levit8r
Trad climber
Dunedin, New Zealand
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Jan 12, 2012 - 08:18pm PT
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Minksy, so sorry to hear you've left us. I tried several different avenues to get back in touch with you over the last year ( I must have preempted your departure somehow!), but alas to no avail!!
Life wouldn't be the same without the times I spent in your company: North Wales, London and Tahoe.
You were a hard bastard to understand at times, but who am I to speak. It was definitely easier to get you out for a beer than a climb! However I've a load of vivid, hilarious and fond memories, and you're definitely the Star Character in my favourite stories.
Anyway, here's my only photo of you, taken at Lovers Leap in 1987: Pete, the proud new Dad with Tim and the late Keith 'Troyd' Peall.
We actually went to "the Leap" a few times together and despite usually ending up at the bar or a party that you'd invariably sniffed out, we did manage to make it onto the rock once or twice. I'll never forget the time we climbed Traveller's Buttress with Egg. You and I seconding the final easy pitch together, deciding to untie and climb up just below the rope ends in order to see the look on Egg's face. Priceless!!
Well mate, thanks for your company, although its a long time ago I'll always treasure that, and there's still the odd one around who'll appreciate those tales I'm privileged to tell.
And I know you won't "go gently into that dark night"!
I'll miss you,
Calum Hudson.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Jan 13, 2012 - 06:49am PT
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Damn....didn't know he was ill. Talked to him a few months ago. Climbed the Nose with Minks in early 70's and then on to Patagonia with him and four other Brits to Patagonia in 73- a really wild ride! Super talented and charismatic guy who didn't have the best lifestyle where longevity is concerned.
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pneame
Trad climber
Tampa, FL
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Jan 13, 2012 - 02:03pm PT
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That laugh on the boat video. Wow, that brings back really good memories.
Thanks.
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Pexhill
Social climber
North Wales
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Jan 13, 2012 - 04:21pm PT
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I knew Pete from my days in Liverpool and working in Ellis Brigham's,
Brighams was the centre of the climbing earth in the 70's and inveriably Minksy, Rouse or Pancho (Mollyneux) would be lurkning in the store somewhere, we has some awsome parties and on one occasion there was a knock on the door at my house in Liverpool and there was Minksy, fully dressed as Laurence of Arabia complete with a huge sword hanging from his waistbelt, "party youth, it's fancy dress, grab a sheet you can come as my comrade"
We went climbing on the Wenallt one day and on the first belay of the route he was desperate for a fag but had no matches or lighter, "hang on youth, back in a jiff" he lowered himself to the ground accosted some stranger in a tent for a light and promptly soloed back up to the belay.
When I lived in Bigil (Al Harris's house)for a short while during the late 70's Minksy was a regular, on one occasion it was deemed that the first decent of Llanberis Pass on a skateboard would go down well, there were at least six of us and they included, Minksy, Joe Brown, Al Harris, myself and a couple of guys I can't remember, as we descended we gathered speed and were weaving all over the road, suddenly a Mercedes comes round the corner to be met with "The Wild Bunch" he screeched to a halt and wound down the window, "What the f*#k do you think your'e doing you bloody idiots, I'm a responsible driver and whats more i'm a rock climber too", Minksy almost peed his pants, the driver suddenly realised who we were, wound up the window and took off sharpish.
I seem to remember the flat stretch by The Faynol Arms was no good for skateboarding so we went to the pub and stayed there for the rest of the day.
I has some great times with Pete, some close scrapes and would not have missed any of it for the world.
He was always kind and also very generous and I will really miss that hearty laugh, RIP matey.
Ken.
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Jim Clipper
Social climber
forests to tree farms
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Jan 13, 2012 - 06:06pm PT
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Quite the man. Please tell more. I wouldn't "hold" a candle ...
Old master?! Tea time bump.
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lostinshanghai
Social climber
someplace
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Jan 13, 2012 - 06:53pm PT
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Sunset Inn: Jan. 1977
Timing? Do not know could be just after Silver Strand ???
As for the other character in the picture: Cochran's dog "Quasmo"
For some reason couple of pictures are somewhere, Might have given Minks slide that followed both Quasmo and Minks smiling together. "Priceless" Rare for me to do but have done very few times.
Edit: lost 15% since took picture from scan then scan to PC. Will get others direct to CD. Sorry for grain and colour. 35mm colorchrome.
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Stewart Johnson
climber
lake forest
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Jan 13, 2012 - 09:29pm PT
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"ruff it up, stuff it up, balls and all!"
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
mammoth lakes ca
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Jan 13, 2012 - 10:15pm PT
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Quasmos was another legend..RJ
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Frenchfree
Trad climber
Salt Lake Utah
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Jan 14, 2012 - 05:47pm PT
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So sorry to hear of Minksy passing. Sounds as if at least it wasn't a lingering end. I ran into him 3 years ago in Tahoe. Was there with my girlfriend at Lovers Leap. Cooked him a Thai curry. He'd mellowed a lot since the 70's (who hasn't).
Most locals know more about his US rock climbs than his Euro alpine exploits (excepting the Eiger).
Maybe I could add a bit. Out of the 200 Brits camping on Snell's field in Chamonix, he was one of the tops. Cautious but strong. He climbed the American Direct on the west face of the Dru with Al Rouse. Although Rouse was eventually a better and stronger rock climber(only by a bit) when they got to the big off width crack(no cams back then) Rouse gave it to Minksy who led it in Mountain boots.
One night in the Alpenstock bar in Chamonix a couple of Brits got beat up by the bar staff for stealing a handful of candies. Next night we went back!! With a french coin in a light socket I fused the lights(we normally used that trick to grab bottles off the bar) upped the tension with the bar staff. The french manager strutting around with a horse crop tried to take Minksy's beer. Beer in his face and the place erupted. Chairs demolished the place. We all ran into the woods for the night fearing police action. Only Minksy braved it out in the campsite. We were all pretty bad lads back then. Most anything went.
I was on Black Spring, a rock route in the Llanberris Pass, my brother leading the second pitch when Minksy showed up and set off to solo it. he got to the crux overhang and started to wobble. I was freaked out(which is what he wanted) and was trying to point out the hidden crux hold, as well as swing our loops of rope his way for him to grab. He burst out laughing in that deep Merseyside laugh he had and easily soloed passed us.
Another time him and Rouse soloed "Vector" together chatting all the way(pretty bold in old EB's.)
Maybe someone else could fill in those details. Watching him on rock he had really good footwork.
Next tale is a little raunchy but what the hell. Buxton climbing conference in the 70's. Rouse had a room which meant so did everyone else. Late at night British mountaineering official sees water flowing down hotel stairs into the lobby. Runs upstairs flings open bathroom door in one of the rooms. Bathtub overflowing. Minks, unidentified maiden and Henry Barber in bathtub(hence the overflow) Official cries "is there a burst pipe". Minksy calmly answers "don't worry youth, I'm a plumber"
His sons must know they had a great dad who was respected not only for his climbing but also his humanity. Go slowly old pal.
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Abenda
climber
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Jan 14, 2012 - 09:19pm PT
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I posted this on the other minks thread before I saw this one.. I'll just copy and paste here.. can't say much more.. totally sad i did make more of an effort to go find him.. just figured we would be in the old folks home together.
Well what can I say. Not such good news. My heart wants to know what happened but really I dont want to know. I dont do wakes anymore.
I remember going together to his first son's baptism in Tahoe. We both were standing there in church wondering if God was going to smite us down at any minute.
I hope he got some new teeth before he died.
I called Fritz Fox to let him know.
Danm, another break in the wall.
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Abenda
climber
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Jan 14, 2012 - 10:35pm PT
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I just went through this whole thread.
Thanks Wank for remembering that i'm still here. Yes this is me Punk roy aka Wonder. I'm going to change my handle. I'll make a thread about it. I wish I knew who you are.
I'm still in shock. I live alone in Seattle now and dont go out much as I'm just trying to make ends meet. I live in my shop. I just figured I would catch up with everyone later. But time is just flying by.
I would love to see Terri again.
When I was in India in 2009 I did a lot trekking in the western Himalayas. Went to a lot of temples, swam in the sacred rivers. Yes, I found out the meaning of life that there is no meaning to life. It is what it is. Everyone has their own personal problems. Mine are not yours & yours are not mine.
I'm glad Peter didn't go through all that suffering that was planned for him. We have all have been through enough suffering as it is.
I guess I'm just rambling now. But what else would I do.
Yes Stewart, Peter was the greatest singer of old pub songs ever. And late in the evening when he would break into O'Riely's Daughter that was just the shiet. He had the timing just right on the pause right before "ruff it up, stuff it up, balls and all." Getting a little bit misty.
Nita, I'm sure Fritz would like to have a copy of that pic. Tell Sue I said hi.
I know I was not always the perfect person to be around BITD, maybe still not, but if I can make it up to anyone I'll try. I'll be 60 this year so reality is knocking at my door. I'll go let him in. If I remember any good stories I'll come back.
Cheers, roy wonder (my new handle will be mrroy - Thats what they called me in India)
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mastadon
Trad climber
crack addict
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Jan 15, 2012 - 01:36pm PT
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And a good time was had by all...
Here are the Yosemite C/4 representatives at Minks' memorial, from left to right:
Dave Hitchcock, Masta, Mike White (aka Whitey), Debbie Brossman/Burton (giving the Minksey salute), Chuck Cochran (hiding behind Debbie), Hugh Burton (scowling), Terry Counts/Minks, and Charlie Roe
There were hundreds of people at the memorial. Most of the people knew Minks from his days at Alpine. There were a few, including Wank, that knew Minks from his trailer park (Camp 4 North) days. We were the only ones that knew him from his earlier Yosemite days. Actually, there were a few more Yosemite people that didn't make it into the picture.
Minksy, I'll buy you a beer on the other side........
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nita
Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
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Jan 15, 2012 - 02:28pm PT
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Don, Thanks so much for the update & the picture, so cool to see everyone....(-;.. (-;
I bet Mink's enjoyed his memorial....
any pictures of the Peter's boys ?
edit:....Terry..Terri....hey..Sister...
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Lacey
Social climber
Burns,Oregon
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Jan 15, 2012 - 02:56pm PT
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Thanks for posting the pics Of Mink's Memorial, I was just wondering about it. Wish so bad I could have made it.... I was there in Spirit. ROY, Your post choked me up old friend I miss ya buddy... Hope your good.... XOXOX Lacey... :(~~~~~~~~~~PS, Please post more photo's of the service.....Thanks. Hi Nita, did ya get in touch with Terri?
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Aid 007
Mountain climber
Colorado
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Jan 15, 2012 - 04:37pm PT
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Pete was a legend in his day. A VERY good climber. He was one of the 4 major British soloist around Wales. There was Pete; Cliff Philips; Eric Jones and a young Al Rouse. I'd known him for a number of years and when they filmed the Eiger it snowed above The Traverse of the Gods and Pete led the team out in horrible conitions. Then in 1971 I'd just got off the hill and went to The Alpinstock bar to find Pete and Rouse guzzling beer. They'd just done the 1st Brit ascent of the Hemming route on the Dru. Minks had freed the difficult offwidth cracks. Barely any pro in those days. It was Pete who started the famous Alpinstock brawl. He chucked a beer in the manger's face. He had an impish side to him too. We were below Dinas Mot - Snownonia and he was soloing The Diagonal route (delicate, slabby) in mountain boots. Near the crux he pretended to wobble and scared the pants off us. Then started to laugh at his prank. One time at one of the many Al Harris parties people were dancing and carrying on and getting hungry. Pete went into the kitchen to prepare beans and sausage. I happened to go to the kitchen and saw him taking a pee into the pan and mixing it all together. I never said anything but we watched together as people hungrily ate every bit. He was fun all through his hectic life.
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chappy
Social climber
ventura
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Jan 15, 2012 - 04:41pm PT
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Sorry I couldn't make it to Pete's memorial. I"m visiting my parents in San Jose this weekend. Lot's of people I would have enjoyed seeing and reliving our experiences with Pete. When I get home to Ventura I will try and find some photos of Pete on the Silver Strand and post them.
Chappy__
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
mammoth lakes ca
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Jan 15, 2012 - 04:48pm PT
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Beans and sausage when mixed with piss , contain many anti-oxidants...RJ
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Rollin
climber
HI
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Jan 15, 2012 - 05:25pm PT
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RIP to a great legend, and he is no doubt so proud of the awesome party in his honor. Heard is was awesome, and fantastic so many turned out. Speaks volumes of his spirit he shared.......
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Brian Biega
climber
Truckee, CA
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Jan 16, 2012 - 09:33am PT
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Peter Minks-
Thanks for keeping us inspired!
Sounds like quite a party the other night. Way to bring everyone together in Celebration and Honor of a Great Legend!
You will continue to be in our thoughts...
Regards, Brian
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the eggman
Trad climber
england
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Jan 17, 2012 - 05:04am PT
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Ah Minksy! hadn't seen you for about twenty years but memories of all the fun we had on the crags and in the bridgetender bar when we all lived at crazy lake, are as fresh and real in my mind as if they were yesterday, don't think i ever laughed so much in my life we just never knew what mad escapade you would cause happen next!.
i remember the first time i turned up at your trailer in C4 north and inqured "does peter minks live here" and a gruff bear with a hangover from the depth of his den growled in perfect queens scouse " who the f*#k wants to know". You were the only man who could down more booze,ingest more substances, smoke more spliffs between the fags than anyone else i ever met oh and i almost forgot get up the next day and climb a 5.11.
like me and as is evident from this thread a great many of us feel priveledged to have passed some time with you and you will be missed by a great many.
adios you crazy diamond
egg
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counts
Social climber
portland,or.
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Jan 17, 2012 - 05:40pm PT
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hey everybody thanks, for the great stories and well wishes.i've got quite a few stories myself , but i think i'll keep most of them more private. the memorial turned out fantastic. sooo many people showed. so good to see all our long lost friends [we were the ones lost i think]. a job well done by pete's sons for putting it all together. i know how hard it was for them. i can be reached on facebook under theresa minks [well what can i say],his sons as well tim minks and curtis minks. Pete will be missed by all myself included, never will i be the same for the time i spent with him all the better for it though.hey egg e-mail me. all those people from the past thanks for time u spent creating good memories at our house. love to u all
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Sierra Ledge Rat
Social climber
Retired to Appalachia
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Jan 17, 2012 - 05:43pm PT
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"Out of the Shadow and into the Sun."
I saw that movie when it first came out. Great flick, I still have a VHS copy.
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the eggman
Trad climber
england
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Jan 21, 2012 - 02:44pm PT
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Juat found a great piccy of minksy taken by my mate chris griffiths hope he dosn't mind me posting it
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Abenda
climber
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Jan 23, 2012 - 11:07am PT
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Hi Great photos of Minks everyone.
But if anyone sees this post and can deliver a message to Counts (Terri Minks) can you tell her I've sent her some emails.
She first sent me some through ST so I sent her one back. Then I sent her one through her yahoo account.
But since yahoo hates me and I don't do facebook I think I'm in her spam box.
Can someone please pass the message on to her that I'm not ignoring her. Thanks
Roy Wonder
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IV
climber
tahoe
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Jan 24, 2012 - 12:51pm PT
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Like the man, Minksy's gear has such a cool vibe. We'd like to get this stuff in a museum somewhere. Any ideas?
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Jan 24, 2012 - 04:27pm PT
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Lower one is a Wart Hog.
I have a bunch in better condition.
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Son of a Minksy
Social climber
Medford, OR
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Jan 27, 2012 - 08:10pm PT
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I just want to thank everyone for all the great thoughts and prayers. Remember my dad is in a much better place than all of us. He is smiling down on us. He never had to suffer and he was not alone when he passed. His memories will live on in the hearts of us all. If anyone would like to email me any stories I would like to compile them into a book. I know there are plenty out there to fill it. Thanks again for all the support I realized how big of a family we all truly have.
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Oct 12, 2012 - 10:53am PT
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I have heard of Pete Minks in the past. He was legend.
I am sorry for everyone's sense of pain and low-down blues.
I am tempted to say something about dying while doing what he loved.
Instead, he sounds like the kind who did what he loved all his life and never looked beyond that or expected anything for free.
It's another case of I missed knowing a good man.
I'm sorry for that, as well. But I have my share of friends and am blessed in other ways.
It's a big world, you can't know everyone, and this sport is becoming over-populated anyway...
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Tobia
Social climber
Denial
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Oct 12, 2012 - 01:05pm PT
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mouse, right on about over population and not just in reference to climbing.
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