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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Mar 27, 2012 - 11:06am PT
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I think he went to that climb reasonably sure the dangers were manageable.
I was not being critical, but introspective of our approach to climbing. We all go out to do climbs and believe that the dangers are manageable, but, of course, we have only a limited ability to manage those dangers, and choose to take that risk.
That is what we do, what we choose to do.
It is this aspect of climbing which sets it apart from mere "sport" for we ante up our very lives as a part of the wager to buy into the rewards of an adventure completed. We all believe we'll be back to share that experience.
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Brian in SLC
Social climber
Salt Lake City, UT
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Mar 27, 2012 - 11:57am PT
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Really sorry to hear this.
His well crafted POV posts were great!
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Mar 27, 2012 - 01:41pm PT
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Bless you share that Tribute Luca.
Regarding the route he died on, he had written
"For me that route has a meaning, transcending things like difficulty or beauty..."
There's a tragic beauty in dying on a route you feel that way about. I wish him Godspeed on his journey and also peace and safety to his family
Peace
Karl
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leonardo
climber
davis, CA; Sardinia, IT
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Mar 27, 2012 - 02:33pm PT
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I didn't know Lorenzo, but his death deeply touched me.
Once, standing on the Mammoth terrace (I admit with a vein of presumption) I thought that I was maybe the first person from Sardinia to climb El Cap... and then I discovered there was this "Enzolino", who was also a scientist, he was from Sardinia and had touched El Cap before me...
I enjoyed reading his posts and sometime I could clearly recognize in his attitude a little bit of the proverbial Sardinian stubbornness...
Andasa in Paghe Lorenzo
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skipy
climber
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Mar 27, 2012 - 02:52pm PT
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Hello all
I am not a climber but a colleg of him. I worked very close with Lorenzo.
He was always open for new ideas in the job and had always a plan B. Enzolino I will miss you.
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Mar 27, 2012 - 04:02pm PT
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Really really great to get some friends of Lorenzo from overseas posting here. Thanks again to Luca.
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Kalle
Mountain climber
San Jose
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Mar 27, 2012 - 09:28pm PT
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Oh boy, I am deeply shocked.
I have never climbed with him, but learned to know him as real good colleague here in Zurich. Lorenzo was a very kind person and very, very smart. His questions during our seminars proved that he spent deep thoughts on every physical problem discussed.
He gave me a bottle of wine from Sardinia "as reward" because I alerted him about a job posting ... and he got the job!
I'll miss him deeply, although I probably would not have the chance of meeting him frequently in the future.
Next time in Yosemite, my thoughts will go to him and his family again.
Grazie Luca for this obituary.
Kalle
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Mar 27, 2012 - 10:11pm PT
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Luca and friends and family, so sorry that this tragedy has taken Lorenzo at such a young age and at all.
My sincerest condolences to Lorenzo's wife for her sudden loss.
Thanks for sharing some glimpses and details of his rich and interesting life.
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stevep
Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
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Mar 27, 2012 - 10:32pm PT
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Thanks Luca for the news, and my condolences to his friends and family.
When so much on these type of forums is offensive blather, a reasoned argument such as his is much appreciated. I'm reminded of someone else of Italian ancestry that I don't agree with -- Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. With Enzolino it was the same, I disagreed with his viewpoint, but I could see the arguments were coming from a sharp and thoughtful mind.
RIP.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Mar 27, 2012 - 10:39pm PT
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Very sorry to hear this. Many thoughts for his young family.
Susan
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gug
Trad climber
Italy
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Mar 28, 2012 - 03:12am PT
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I have known him since 2002 in italian climbing forums and it was really interesting to have discussions with him: he had always interesting point of views, a lot of arguments for his opinions, he was very informed about alpinism techniques and history and he was always fair in the discussions.
We talked also a lot about arguments not related with climbing and mountains: religion, politics, science. He was really a man with great culture on a wide range of topics.
I am very sad in the last days because I know that I really will miss him immensely.
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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Mar 28, 2012 - 07:57am PT
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Luca, I am so glad you started this independent thread. Enzolino's passing is too significant to be lost amidst the chaos of the chopping thread.
His presence was a welcome and invigorating breath of internationality here on the SuperTopo forum. He made me think. Not knowing him I still mourn his passing and grieve for his young family. My most heartfelt condolences.
RIP Enzolino Castaldi, you made a difference.
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Luca Signorelli
Mountain climber
Courmayeur (Vda) Italy
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 28, 2012 - 04:49pm PT
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@everybody: thanks for the nice feedback. Great to see so much affection for Lorenzo.
I've asked around in several Italian forums for his friends to come here and share few memories of him (there are hundred of stories around him). Here's just an appetizer: the TR of his (and Marco Marrosu) attempt on El Cap, ended when Lorenzo broke one ankle on King Swing, and they had to bail out, abseiling all the way back down to the valley.
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://www.sardiniaclimb.com/articoli/El_Captain/El_capitan.html
The original was in Italian, of course, so this is a Google translation, hope isn't too awful.
As I said, there are hundred of stories about Lorenzo's climbs, hope someone more knowledgeable than me will come here and retell them.
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Gene
climber
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Mar 28, 2012 - 04:54pm PT
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Luca,
Do you or those who knew him have pictures of Enzolino that you can share with those of us who never met this friend in person? Thank you.
g
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Luca Signorelli
Mountain climber
Courmayeur (Vda) Italy
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 28, 2012 - 05:05pm PT
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@Gene: Maurizio Oviglia has some wonderful picture of him taken climbing in Sardinia and on the North Face of Eiger, but I don't want to post 'em here without his permission. I'll ask him if he can do it himself
Here's a picture of Lorenzo (he's the dude on the R) taken during the El Cap trip
http://www.sardiniaclimb.com/articoli/El_Captain/foto/5.jpg
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Kinobi
climber
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Mar 29, 2012 - 02:37pm PT
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Lorenzo: there are very few things I can say.
Last week, I went to pilgrimage to Marco SuperSic Simoncelli town (since there is no grave).
I have no idea where I should pilgrimage to honor you, but for sure I will.
Once I heard you left us, I was in pilgrimage in Siurana. A text message advised me you were gone.
In that endless rock climbing paradise, I felt immediately alone. I packed the rope, and went to the bar.
If I will ever get back on Cerro Torre, take it for granted, whatever it takes, I'll carry a beer to honor you.
RIP
Emanuele
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Luca Signorelli
Mountain climber
Courmayeur (Vda) Italy
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 29, 2012 - 03:41pm PT
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@Emanuele/KinobiIf I will ever get back on Cerro Torre, take it for granted, whatever it takes, I'll carry a beer to honor you
I know you will, I know you should, man... someone has to carry the torch for Lorenzo
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Marlow
Sport climber
OSLO
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Mar 29, 2012 - 04:01pm PT
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As I saw Enzolino he was a man of integrity and courage who didn't bow to the majority or the mob. That's an unusual quality. Most people bow to the majority and the mob because they want to be liked, because they want a better place in the crowd.
And a glass to an old friend is always a good idea...
Addio Lorenzo!
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phylp
Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
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Mar 29, 2012 - 06:18pm PT
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How very sad that he was taken at such a young age. My deepest condolences to his family and all of his friends in the climbing community. I enjoyed and appreciated his contribution to the Forum.
Luca, you seem to often be our source for this type of sad news from Italy and nearby regions. It cannot be easy for you to convey it, but I appreciate that you do it.
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Luca Signorelli
Mountain climber
Courmayeur (Vda) Italy
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 30, 2012 - 01:14am PT
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@Phylp:
I've very, very little time for Internet forums these days because of my other commitments, but I thought it would have been very sad to leave Enzolino's contribution here just "hanging out" because of his sudden passing. I think his Internet and his real life (particularly climbing life) personae were two separate thing, so I've tried to convey here a bit of what he really was (even if I'm probably the least knowledgeable about him, that's why I've called for other Italian climbers to speak about him).
Wish I had more time for happier news, believe me! :)
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