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Tiff A
climber
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Aug 27, 2014 - 12:56pm PT
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We've been getting a lot of questions regarding where people can send flowers or cards. In lieu of sending flowers we ask that you send a card to Brian's grandmother. She was a loving presence throughout his life and, as anyone can understand, she is having a difficult time right now. If you have a good, upbeat story about Brian, please write it in a card and send it to his grandmother (mind your language in your letters please, she is a 92 year-old lady after all). Stories of Brian would do more than any flowers ever could.
Please send cards to:
Melba McCray
One Country Lane, Apt B105
Brookville, Ohio 45309
Thank you,
Tiffany and KurtBurt
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the albatross
Gym climber
Flagstaff
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Aug 27, 2014 - 01:09pm PT
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Thanks for sharing all these stories, keep them coming! I have to think that right now Brian would want us celebrating his life.
"There is so much that goes on behind the closed door of a person's mind that we aren't privy to."
Though well intentioned, I'm not sure if this quote fits in the case of Brian McCray. Brian was very open with his thoughts and ideas which is one of the many reasons he was so special a creature.
We spent many hours discussing the meanings of life, it's frustrations, rewards, and purpose. Brian was a student of life and spent much time devoted to the study of the workings of the mind and of mankind.
CREMATED HEART
Blanched and fragile as old paper flowers,
pale and sad as a spinster's skin,
antique lace on the tips
of your fingers,
your best friend's ashes
scattered
to the wind.
poem written by Scott Baxter
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redrocker
climber
NV
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Aug 27, 2014 - 04:05pm PT
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Thanks W.L., that is really good.
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the albatross
Gym climber
Flagstaff
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Aug 27, 2014 - 04:07pm PT
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That's a great idea to send a card to Grandma Melba. A number of years ago Brian sent me an email pic of the two of them entitled, "Two Warriors".
I hope that people around the world are celebrating the beauty of Brian McCray. He'd never admit it, but I suspect he might have wanted that right now. He was cut from a different cloth without a doubt.
One of our tribal elders sent me this lovely text:
"Always having to pretend that the light is where it's at can be exhausting when too much light can, in fact, blind us. It's then that some have to retreat to an equally beautiful underworld for refuge and to regain vision. I'll bet Brian's there."
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HighDesertDJ
Trad climber
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Aug 27, 2014 - 04:11pm PT
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My condolences to all those who knew and clearly loved him.
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Burt
Social climber
Angelus Oaks, Ca
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Aug 27, 2014 - 09:02pm PT
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Ammon working with you two was so nuts! I loved it so much! Did you do the Jacksonville job with RIL? I can't remember cause if you did I have to tell the Burger King story....
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville & Yucca brevifolia
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Aug 27, 2014 - 09:06pm PT
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It looks like Brian filled a wonderful and adventurous space while he was with us.
My sincerest condolences to those that knew and loved him.
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shipoopoi
Big Wall climber
oakland
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Aug 27, 2014 - 10:09pm PT
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darn it brian! this is truly sad news. my wife heather and i shared the most intense adventure of our lives with brian and his then wife roxanna on a first ascent in pakistan. brian was freaking hilarious at almost every moment, and really stepped up to the plate on our free ascent of Hainabrak east. brian led an overhanging slot/offwidth at about 17'000 on that climb that we called 5.12a
the trip was adventurous also from the married couples aspect. as two married couples, we were prone to all the triumphs and tribulations that expedition climbing can bring out. some crazy stuff for sure, but man, the four of us styled a new big wall free route on our first trip to the karakoram.
good climbing on the other side brother, steve schneider
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md307
climber
jackson, wy
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Aug 27, 2014 - 10:29pm PT
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Brian McCray was a great human being. While much is made of his climbing ability, his determination, his gruffness and his surliness I will always remember first and foremost his KINDNESS and HONESTY. He gave me a home when I needed one and he was my friend. As is obvious by the many stories of love, respect and gratefulness on this post, Brian gave and helped many. Brian, rest in peace.
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Fluoride
Trad climber
West Los Angeles, CA/Joshua Tree
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Aug 27, 2014 - 10:59pm PT
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Ammon & Burt...thanks for all the pictures you're posting of Brian. Gone too soon but will never be forgotten.
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Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
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Aug 27, 2014 - 11:18pm PT
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Another kind soul, lost in the wind. My condolences to those who loved and cherished him. May your memories be fond. You shall never forget.
Thanks for the inspiration to keep pushing Brian!
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the albatross
Gym climber
Flagstaff
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Aug 28, 2014 - 08:07am PT
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It's wonderful to see the outpouring of love and support for the mighty beast that was Brian McCray.
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Burt
Social climber
Angelus Oaks, Ca
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Aug 28, 2014 - 08:44am PT
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I used to laugh all the time when we would be out and about sometimes at nice places and he gets all cleaned up, but in the middle of whatever was going on he has show rubber in his beard or hair. Rox and me laughed about that the other night. Always shoe rubber and a hint of some type of tobacco smell always seemed to follow him.
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wbw
Trad climber
'cross the great divide
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Aug 28, 2014 - 09:34am PT
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From what is written here, it is absolutely clear that Flyin' Brian was an exceptional person. I can really feel the pain that his close friends are going through, and I hope that with time that will change for you.
As a climber that has always struggled to accomplish anything in climbing, Brian's expertise and speed on walls is incomprehensible. There is also something admirable about a person that prefers to let his actions speak for themselves.
R.I.P. Brian. I wish I had known you.
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the albatross
Gym climber
Flagstaff
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Aug 28, 2014 - 10:11am PT
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This is a keeper:
Man those were some miserable-fun times of suffering.
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couchmaster
climber
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Aug 28, 2014 - 12:32pm PT
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I'm always sorry to see the brightest stars in the sky burn out too soon so that their special brilliance disappears. I never met him, but I thank you all for sharing some stories and photos of a great dude that was clearly of the highest caliber on so many different levels.
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BASE104
Social climber
An Oil Field
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Aug 29, 2014 - 08:10am PT
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Man. So sorry for his friends. I didn't know him, but you had to live in a cave to never hear of him.
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the albatross
Gym climber
Flagstaff
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Aug 29, 2014 - 11:55pm PT
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It's going to be interesting to start seeing some of the climbing tales about this legend emerge.
One aspect of Brian's climbing that always struck me was how equally adept he was at both difficult free climbing and extreme aid. He had the know how for whatever it took to ascend (or descend) vertical terrain, above and below ground, quickly, with heavy loads, in difficult conditions.
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ms55401
Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
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Aug 30, 2014 - 12:11am PT
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He had the know how for whatever it took to ascend (or descend) vertical terrain, above and below ground, quickly, with heavy loads, in difficult conditions.
that's the name of the game
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