Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
skitch
climber
East of Heaven
|
|
|
Aug 20, 2014 - 12:00pm PT
|
I knew Janee from the climbing gym in Portland, super fun and outgoing person. I hope this doesn't change who she is, but since she's been climbing for a long time I'm sure she understood the dangers of soloing.
I hope she finds peace with this, she's a really good person.
|
|
klk
Trad climber
cali
|
|
|
Aug 20, 2014 - 12:11pm PT
|
very sorry to hear this news. i didn't know brad, but it sounds like there was only a degree or two of separation.
if you are dehydrated enough to cramp, you are also losing small muscle control and probably some judgment. tough reading about his decision at the notch. i know lots of us have been there.
all the best to his friends and family.
|
|
skcreidc
Social climber
SD, CA
|
|
|
Aug 20, 2014 - 12:19pm PT
|
Very sad to read this. RIP Brad, and my sincere condolences to friends and family.
|
|
NutAgain!
Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
|
|
|
Aug 20, 2014 - 12:44pm PT
|
I don't know Brad or Jainee, but this is sticking with me... thoughts along the line of "there but for the grace of God or a random twist of fate go I."
My first climbing date with the lady who would become wife, we solo'd most of Matthes Crest but had a rope and some gear with us. We lingered along the route, and decided to rap off when it was getting dark at a point just before the final gendarme. Wife-to-be rapped down to a bolted rap station and pulled the rope. I cleaned the anchor gear and down-solo'd a dihedral in my hiking boots to get to the bolts.
Similar spot, similar stakes, and I continued living with little thought of it after I reached a safe purchase. We have an illusion of control of our circumstances, but ultimately there is no rhyme or reason why one person survives and another does not.
For whatever little it is worth in a time of grief, here is a virtual hug from a stranger who wishes the circumstances of your suffering could be undone. I'm sorry for your loss. I wish you the patience, space, strength and courage to deal with it in whatever way you can, to continue living, to remain open to giving and receiving love.
|
|
Stevee B
Trad climber
Oakland, CA
|
|
|
Aug 20, 2014 - 02:05pm PT
|
I don't know Brad or Jainee, but this is sticking with me... thoughts along the line of "there but for the grace of God or a random twist of fate go I."
My thoughts exactly. I identify with so much. A few months ago I broke off from a long circuit with a friend to solo Cathedral as he headed back. I started cramping halfway up. No warning signs prior. Gave me a scare.
Matthes takes me 3x longer than Cathedral to solo. I think the mental fatigue of knife ridge soloing compounded by physical fatigue is considerable. I can see how someone could miscalculate their energy reserves relative to that task, taking only the physicality into account and dismissing the mental side as a purely psychological factor.
|
|
Patrick Sawyer
climber
Originally California now Ireland
|
|
|
Aug 20, 2014 - 02:58pm PT
|
condolences to family, friends and fiancée
|
|
Texplorer
Trad climber
Sacramento
|
|
|
Aug 20, 2014 - 03:57pm PT
|
Heartfelt condolences to a stranger's family and friends. So sad and so close to home. I have climbed Matthes several times ropeless and once also started cramping on the route. Wish we could bring back what appears to be a wonderful person with a great life.
|
|
Michael Nicholson
Big Wall climber
Thousand Oaks
|
|
|
Aug 20, 2014 - 04:04pm PT
|
RIP Very Sad...
|
|
Kunal Patel
Sport climber
Rohnert Park
|
|
|
Aug 20, 2014 - 05:06pm PT
|
I had talked to brad a few times at vertex...my heartfelt condolences to his family, dearest friends and fiancee...we truly lost a kind soul. Everyone else please be careful out there!
|
|
jstan
climber
|
|
|
Aug 20, 2014 - 06:38pm PT
|
Due to the circumstances in this case, we see unusually clearly the unsustainable loss weighing on so many people. The next time we make a decision to pursue some wonderful achievement, we need first to ask, "do I really want to put all my loved ones at risk?"
There is no such thing as a single person.
|
|
crankster
Trad climber
|
|
|
Aug 20, 2014 - 07:36pm PT
|
Jstan, so true.
|
|
Matt's
climber
|
|
|
Aug 20, 2014 - 09:03pm PT
|
i don't think its so simple, jstan-- a climb like mathes crest is not all that 'safer' roped up...
|
|
jstan
climber
|
|
|
Aug 20, 2014 - 09:06pm PT
|
Rope or no rope was not the problem. Time.
|
|
Delhi Dog
climber
Good Question...
|
|
|
Aug 22, 2014 - 01:45am PT
|
^Nice Jebus.
Peace and healing to all friends and family.
|
|
Jerry Dodrill
climber
Sebastopol
|
|
|
Aug 26, 2014 - 12:43pm PT
|
On August 16, we lost one of the great ones. Brad Parker was one of my closest friends, climbing, mountain biking, and adventure partners. He was a collaborator on many photo shoots and was the embodiment of beauty, power, and grace. An avid surfer, rock climber, and yoga teacher, Brad (36) was killed in a fall while traversing Matthes Crest in Yosemite National Park on August 16, 2014 just hours after proposing to his girlfriend Jainee Dial on the summit of Cathedral Peak. To those who knew him, Brad will be remembered for his remarkable life. In the week after his death an emotional wave of love and positive energy poured over our community, bringing us all together into one unified tribe.
From our many adventures, I have a tremendous collection of images showing Brad's passion for life. Over the past few days I've been digging through the archives, reminiscing about the times we shared. Some of the photos are now up on my website. This is still a work in progress and will take some time to complete. Meanwhile, please enjoy, and feel free to share the link. There are two galleries, one celebrating Brad Parker's life, and the other is images of the past week's memorial activities.
Breath, and B-RAD,
Jerry
http://jerrydodrill.photoshelter.com/gallery-collection/B-RAD-Parker/C00000M5MMU421Ds
|
|
Jerry Dodrill
climber
Sebastopol
|
|
|
Aug 26, 2014 - 12:49pm PT
|
From a letter to a couple friends this week:
"This has been a difficult occurrence for all of us climbers. We find ourselves questioning the risks we routinely take without hesitation, and analyzing the value of the rewards. There have been many critics of the way in which Brad died, claiming that soloing is selfish and unjustifiable. I cannot defend the decisions that we make up there, nor the value. The risks are real, and the consequences have implications that reach far beyond our imagination. But the things we do, the bonds we form, and lessons we learn, shape and sculpt us into the insightful human beings that we are. The education we receive in the mountains, both positive and negative, is only pointless if we are unable to apply it across the spectrum of our existence, and share it with those who will never climb."
|
|
Stevee B
Trad climber
Oakland, CA
|
|
|
Aug 26, 2014 - 12:58pm PT
|
So sorry for your loss Jerry. The photo album is a beautiful tribute to someone who was obviously well loved and touched the lives of many.
|
|
SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, or In What Time Zone Am I?
|
|
|
Aug 26, 2014 - 01:01pm PT
|
Thank you Jerry. This has been a hard week. Those images are beautiful. I had been tucked away in the mountains, unknowing, and returning to so many lights taken away has been very hard...and I personally knew not a one.
That he was your cherished friend I can only touch upon your ache. The beauty of who he was and how loved he was shines through in quiet splendor of your images.
I'm always drawn to a Wordworth quote at these times
“What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind;
In the primal sympathy
Which having been must ever be;
In the soothing thoughts that spring
Out of human suffering;
In the faith that looks through death,
In years that bring the philosophic mind.”
Susan
|
|
clinker
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, California
|
|
|
Aug 26, 2014 - 01:05pm PT
|
Thanks for sharing Jerry.
We were nearby on that beautiful Saturday in Tuolumne. Sorry for your tragic loss.
The bonds made in the crucible of difficulty and danger are deep and strong. To be loved by friends is is life's greatest accomplishment.
Peace to all who loved Brad.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!