Fatal climbing accident at pinnacles today? 7-15-2014

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Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 16, 2014 - 01:21pm PT

Really sorry to hear this. Condolences to his loved ones. :(

mtnyoung

Trad climber

Twain Harte, California

Jul 16, 2014 - 02:54pm PT

Damn.

I hate news like this. Even though I didn't recognize his name, I still hate news like this.

And then I looked at his photo.

I met Joe (Doctor Kraut) once. And I've never forgotten him since.

I met him in January 2009 when I walked to the base of Machete Ridge at Pinnacles with my then 14 year old daughter and other friends. My daughter wanted to lead the 5.6 route there Corona. As we walked to the base we saw that other people were on the route. But they looked like they were almost done. As we reached the base, they pulled their rope and they were done.

The male of the two then turned around and smiled at us. After a short pause he looked at me and then he called me by name. I had no idea who he was, but I admitted that he had my name right. I asked him how he knew me.

He said: "You're the guidebook author!"

I said: "Yes. How did you know?"

Joe: "Your photo is in the book."

(I had to admit it - he had me there.)

He next thanked me very kindly for the effort I had put into the book.

Then Joe turned to my daughter (Katie). He said:

"Is that your dad?"

Katie reluctantly admitted that I was.

Joe said: "That must be so totally cool, having a dad like that. I bet it's great being able to go climbing with him."

Katie was a very (very) normal teenager. She reacted to Joe's comment as any teenager would: Her eyes rolled so deeply into the back of her head that we thought we'd have to rush her to the hospital.

Joe and his friend stayed with us for a while at the base of the climb. We talked climbing and they encouraged my daughter (she led the route clean). I've never forgotten his kindness and, especially, his incredible and obvious passion for climbing. His comments to Katie and her reaction to them have been a family story ever since.

I always wondered whether I'd run into him again.

nmixter

Social climber

Hollister

Jul 16, 2014 - 04:58pm PT

For more information on this tragic accident, see the story written by the Morgan Hill Times http://www.morganhilltimes.com/news/well-known-morgan-hill-doctor-dies-in-climbing-accident/article_eb31cc40-0d1a-11e4-8f7f-001a4bcf6878.html.

mucci

Trad climber

The pitch of Bagalaar above you

Jul 16, 2014 - 05:16pm PT

Wow, what a tragedy.

Pins has a small and diverse group of regular climbers. Sad to hear we lost a member.

Thanks to Gavin and all of the sar team, good people performing at their best.

Brad, excellent post.

susu

Trad climber

East Bay, CA

Jul 16, 2014 - 06:46pm PT

This is so very sad. Deepest condolences to his family and friends.

That is a sweet story Brad.

lars johansen

Trad climber

West Marin, CA

Jul 16, 2014 - 07:17pm PT

Sincere condolences to family and friends. Thanks to Gavin and the SAR team for another great job.
I owe you guys my life.
lars

Kalimon

Social climber

Ridgway, CO

Jul 16, 2014 - 07:37pm PT

Best thoughts and sincerest empathy to all involved in this tragedy.

Brenda Dutkiewicz

Social climber

San Jose, CA

Jul 16, 2014 - 08:06pm PT

Here is the link to the newspaper article on the accident.
http://www.gilroydispatch.com/articles_from_morgan_hill/well-known-morgan-hill-doctor-dies-in-climbing-accident/article_d98e8390-ae5f-59e1-95bd-c7d696a3b7c0.html#.U8b04m44OfU.facebook

rockgirl

Sport climber

Flagstaff, AZ

Jul 16, 2014 - 08:34pm PT

Tragic. Sounds like the Bay Area lost a good man. :(

ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber

extraordinaire

Jul 16, 2014 - 10:50pm PT

... a piece of belaying equipment ... apparently malfunctioned.

Is that so.

E Robinson

climber

Salinas, CA

Jul 16, 2014 - 10:55pm PT

Very sad, my thoughts are with Joe's family.

Griffin

Trad climber

Monterey, CA

Jul 17, 2014 - 02:31am PT

This is truly saddening. I send my best wishes and support to Joe's friends and family. There is no doubt that the pinnacles has lost a great individual. All my support to my good friends grieving in the Sanctuary community.

Jon Beck

Trad climber

Oceanside

Jul 17, 2014 - 11:25am PT

From the article it sounds like help arrived very quickly, due in part to the fact that his partner had an emergency whistle, how many people carry one of those? Probably a good idea. Supertopo got a link in that article.

CCT

Trad climber

Jul 18, 2014 - 09:06am PT

Many sympathies to friends and family. It sounds like Joe was a truly wonderful man, and our community has lost a valued member.

When the time is right, would it be possible for someone who is aware, to post the details of the accident? If a gri-gri or ATC failed, it would be good to know the details. If something else happened, I would like to be able to guard against it in my own climbing.

clinker

Trad climber

Santa Cruz, California

Jul 18, 2014 - 09:24am PT

Pinnacles will be conducting an investigation and releasing information in due time. To the best of my knowledge it is the first fatality in the park since 2000. Please, again, do not put stock in the equipment failure line from the article, since they couldn't be bothered to confirm there is no "Liberty Wall" at Pinnacles I do not trust their information.

Charles

The lives of the climbers and friends and families were changed in less than 2 seconds. The cause will be determined. Speculation can certainly wait for a couple weeks.

Peace.

HighTraverse

Trad climber

Bay Area

Jul 18, 2014 - 09:33am PT

From Brad's encounter with Joe it's clear he was a generous and kind man. I'm very sad to hear of this accident. Young people often remember chance encounters with kind "strangers" for years. My best to Joe's family and friends and Katie.