Chris Vandiver early to mid 1970's

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Peter Haan

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Topic Author's Original Post - May 17, 2006 - 08:11pm PT
Here are some never before seen photos of Chris V. He was a brilliant and unbelievably bold climber, with broad experience that still continues today, some 37 years now. He climbed in Wales, and all over the West and Southwest. He began at Indian Rock, and many may remember how very good he was bouldering. He now lives in NE California with his beautiful, cool wife Laurie, and has become a formidable woodworker and builder. We worked together on the Ellison estate recently (the japanese village complex in Woodside).

Climb below Reed's I think 1975

The Good Book, early ascent, crux lieback pitch

Vendetta, early ascent






Lunatic Fringe, 1975
Jonny D

Social climber
Lost Angelez, Kalifornia
May 17, 2006 - 08:42pm PT
Nice Peter. Do you have any recent photos of Chris? I haven't seen him since the early/mid 90's when he lived in Santa Fe.
More Air

Big Wall climber
S.L.C.
May 17, 2006 - 11:16pm PT
I climbed with Chris a few years back, he doesn't look like he has aged much. He was quite fit, and at the time, was climbing 5.12. He had some great stories about the good ol days.
WBraun

climber
May 18, 2006 - 01:01am PT
The meatgrinder shot doesn't look right.

I don't believe thats the meatgrinder?

Vandiver why you no come here no more?
Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California now Ireland
May 18, 2006 - 09:53am PT
Use to boulder with him. Great climber.
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
May 18, 2006 - 02:40pm PT
Thanks for sharing - I've been enjoying your photos.

[edit] Thanks for flipping the Lunatic Fringe shot - very nice!
guyman

Trad climber
Moorpark, CA.
May 18, 2006 - 03:08pm PT
Keep the slides a comming...Thanks
bob d'antonio

Trad climber
boulder, co
May 18, 2006 - 03:12pm PT
Like Jean...I haven't heard a peep from Chris in the last 14 years. Hope he doing well and still climbing.
Peter Haan

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Topic Author's Reply - May 18, 2006 - 03:19pm PT
Thanks Clint, I just redid the Lunatic photo.
LongAgo

Trad climber
May 20, 2006 - 08:30pm PT
Thank you, Peter. Been wondering where he is as we enjoyed many climbs together in distant past. Especially loved his love-hate relation with Pinnacles, wry squint and occasional cursing on the likes of Shake and Bake. Will try to locate him in "NE California."

Long ago at Indian Rock, Chris and several of us weekend warriors were trying for the first of a little problem called Pipeline Traverse. Chris went out mid-week, got it and left a little "did it" note folded up behind a handhold on the climb. Next weekend when we all found the note, Chris watched the hoots and hisses, stood back and shrugged with his infamous smirk.

O the little and great, gone days ...

Tom Higgins
Largo

Sport climber
Venice, Ca
May 20, 2006 - 08:45pm PT
I think that pic above the one on the Fringe is on a route called Cramming--a dard thin hand crack that in pre-cam days was a bastard to protect with Hexes.

JL
Bruce Morris

Social climber
Belmont, California
May 20, 2006 - 09:15pm PT
Yea, it does look like the start of "Cramming" before you get into the knee bar and security. Think it used to be called "High-Quality Cramming" or just "High-Quality." Awful stiff for 5.10d even today.
Jaybro

Social climber
The West
May 20, 2006 - 09:51pm PT
'Cramming' in Yosemite and 'Bellcrack' in Vedauwoo have a lot in common.

If you like one, the other might seem eerily familiar; reach for the jam while using your shoulder and opposite leg for unlikely purchase...

Each in it's own vernacular; the Bell is wider than the Cram; Two of my fave's; these are what cams were created for.
Peter Haan

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Topic Author's Reply - May 21, 2006 - 12:41am PT
HI buds.

Yes, that is Crammin. Really fierce first section, obviously 5.11 a-b, and kind of boring really, another athletic SOB. Thanks Johno and TomH. Do think of you all lots. Vandiver is in Graeagle, CA last I heard, and coming down to the Bay Area for work. Fantastic wife Laurie, btw. Contact me if you want his phone number circa a year ago. I am sure he would love to hear from you.

Best to you, PH
Messages 1 - 14 of total 14 in this topic
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