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Messages 1 - 96 of total 96 in this topic |
SLowRider
Trad climber
Longmont, CO
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Topic Author's Original Post - Feb 24, 2016 - 05:46pm PT
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I'm deeply saddened to have lost a great friend and someone who loved my family and mom as though they were his own. Scott and I have been friends for 46 years and we have shared just about every major life event together. We fought like brothers constantly and we laughed hysterically over stupid sh#t like friends do and we cried together one too many times over loss's of girl friends, climbing partners and the loss of his father and my mother. Scott was a good friend and a solid climbing partner on the stone and I'm going to miss that knuckleheads laugher and I'm going to miss him seeing my baby girl grow up as he was known as "Uncle Cozy" to my daughter.
He fought an epic battle to recover from his fall from over a year ago and just as recent as few days ago we were talking about and making some small goals to hike parts of the John Muir Trail together and perhaps see if he could do a short overnighter in Rocky Mountain National Park this Spring.
As you might have read in another blog he passed away yesterday afternoon while hiking some nearby trails in the Santa Monica hills. Most likely from complications from his past injuries, Doing what he loved, planning on future adventures and knowing he had friends that cared about him.
I love you brother and I'm F'in going to miss you...! I hope you're hanging out with my mom and your friends.
Peace
Cory Dudley
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Feb 24, 2016 - 05:48pm PT
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Even though I never knew Coz, he was a member of the tribe and he will be mourned and missed.
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msiddens
Trad climber
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Feb 24, 2016 - 05:48pm PT
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Just heard that. RIP- original hero
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Feb 24, 2016 - 05:49pm PT
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What! NO!.. dammit. Seemed he was doing miraculously well after that terrible fall.
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Feb 24, 2016 - 05:50pm PT
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Thanks for your post Cory. So sorry for your loss of a great friend.
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skcreidc
Social climber
SD, CA
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Feb 24, 2016 - 05:51pm PT
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I never new him, but this just sucks........ :(
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johnboy
Trad climber
Can't get here from there
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Feb 24, 2016 - 05:56pm PT
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First off, my most sincere comdolences to all of his family and all of his friends.
I'm very deeply saddened to hear this, I know many of you knew him well and im sorry for your loss too. I like what he brought to the campfire here and will miss his input1 myself.
Your free now Coz, climb as high as you want.
Climb On
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Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
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Feb 24, 2016 - 06:57pm PT
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FAWK, I want you all to know' that
an amazing, Thunder Wind! Rang the bells in my yard
and the reports from that F`cracker
was joined with my screams of Cos-grove~
till the dogs barked ~ neighbors & my wife turned on the LIGHTS
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SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone
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Feb 24, 2016 - 07:11pm PT
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Beautiful tribute!
Your pain and angst is so evident
My favorite Woodsworth
Susan
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Puppetboy
climber
California, USA
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Feb 24, 2016 - 08:21pm PT
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I drove to work that day with Cozzy, Oct 2014. I saw him fall that day at work. I, as well as others tended to my friend, as his body was busted into pieces beyond what I have witnessed anyone live beyond. He spoke to me in that moment. The man Scott is, and who we all know, was trying to get up, aside from the trauma that was inflicted on his body, it woulda killed most men.
The same spirit & drive that Scott had as a climber, He had as a person, his work, views on life, daily routine, etc. My respect and Luv for Scott is not from admiring his climbing, although badass, it is from the Man he is. The Voice he held. Not only for climbing, for rightesnous of humanity, for how he saw it. Agree or not, he stood for his view, which always held compassion for a desire of peace and allowed me to stand back and take a second look at my judgement of others. I am happy to say, Scott was my friend; and I his. While i cannot fill one hand with people i would say are my true friend, that is enuff said.
I came to LA for work a couple of days ago...spoke to Scott after i landed...was to have Dinner with him now...
While i am still in shock, my words maybe not clear...
I am blessed by Almighty to have had a relationship with someone i totally respect, and was my friend.
While of course more days are always better...Scott did much with the one's he had....
He certainly grasped Our attention...climber or not...
May we all be wo fortunate to have Beautiful people in Our LIVES...
People we truley Luv & Admire..
pray for his journey...
Much Luv
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Feb 24, 2016 - 09:06pm PT
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Two words
Southern Belle.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Feb 24, 2016 - 09:13pm PT
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hey there say, slowrider... and puppetboy...
my condolences and prayers for you both, as you get through this very hard, sad time...
thank you for sharing your heart, as to your dear friend...
i only knew him, through online, and, as my brother's friend...
but, to me, all the climbers, are special, each in their own way, though i
have not come to know them, all well, yet...
i remembered his great fight to recover, and was with you all, to cheer him onward, and this, this is extra sad, to see there was not more time for
him to still enjoy the few other newer goals, that you shared that he had...
god bless...
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Jan
Mountain climber
Colorado & Nepal
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Feb 24, 2016 - 11:52pm PT
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Shocking and sad. So many people who didn't even know him were captivated by the story of his terrible accident and recovery. I wish there was some way to restore the accounts of his first ascents which were deleted from this thread. Condolences to his family and all his friends, including those who never met him.
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BruceHildenbrand
Social climber
Mountain View/Boulder
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Feb 24, 2016 - 11:59pm PT
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We have such a short time on this beautiful planet. Luckily for Scott he seemed to have made the most of his time here. We can only hope to do the same.
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Watusi
Social climber
Newport, OR
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Feb 25, 2016 - 12:12am PT
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God Bless You Scott!
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Heisenberg
Trad climber
RV, middle of Nowehere
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Feb 25, 2016 - 03:32am PT
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Blue Skies Scott.
Thank you for the inspiration over the years. Truly a steward and pioneer of the sport.
You will be greatly missed
W.
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kaholatingtong
Trad climber
the city for a change
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Feb 25, 2016 - 03:47am PT
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Wow. Im shocked. I did jot know the man but had great respect for his character. RIP. As said above, we have oh so little time, and never know when it will end. Love deeply and live fully. He was a true champion of such a philosophy. RIP
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Sierra Ledge Rat
Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
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Feb 25, 2016 - 03:57am PT
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Sorry
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steveA
Trad climber
Wolfeboro, NH
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Feb 25, 2016 - 04:20am PT
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Sincere condolences to Scott's friends and relatives. He fought a hard fight
to recover.
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The Lisa
Trad climber
Da Bronx, NY
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Feb 25, 2016 - 04:28am PT
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I am so sad to learn Scott has died. Condolences to his family and friends - his loss leaves a big hole. It is comforting to see the tributes and memories shared here.
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actionDAD
Social climber
Cambridge, MA
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Feb 25, 2016 - 06:13am PT
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Sad news. My thoughts are with those of you who knew and loved Scott. I wanted to share a little story.
16? 17? 18 years ago my wife (now ex-wife) and I were just getting into climbing. A sweet child and a new business were the focal points of our lives and climbing was allowing us what little recreation we had time for. We were loving the challenges of the sport.
We lived in Maine and wanted a climbing vacation (our first without our son) so we looked west and ended up in Joshua Tree for 5 days of a lead-climbing class/workshop/tutorial with Scott.
We didn't know anything about Joshua Tree, lead-climbing or Scott. To say we got lucky is an understatement. Joshua Tree is wonderful. Lead-climbing is challenging, fun, frustrating and fulfilling. Scott was our perfect guide.
Immediately upon meeting him we dove headlong into our adventure. One of his fellow guides teased him as we walked by telling us the we had the great fortune of being led down the trail by the "Tiger Woods of climbing." We didn't know if that was true (or even what that meant) but 5 days later we left Joshua Tree with heads full of memories, new skills that otherwise could have taken years to discover and a new friend.
Rock-star climber or not Scott was a patient and skilled teacher. He was able to work with us as raw beginners in a way that never felt like anything but organic. He was never condescending or impatient. And the stories he told and the wisdom he shared as he spooned (with a knife) his tuna-fish right out of the can onto crackers have stuck with me as very pleasant memories.
One of the things that Scott told us that I think of and repeat quite a bit is this: we were looking up at a climb the top of which was overhung by a huge piece of rock that had at some point broken off from above. It looked both solid and sketchy at the same time. I wondered aloud if it might come crashing down on us. Scott took a beat or two to look and think about my question. He suggested that the piece of rock in question could have sheared off from its previous home 20,000 years ago which, all things considered, was a short time ago...but...that didn't mean it wouldn't come crashing down today. He said, "Geologic-time includes now."
I've always taken that to mean that sh#t can happen at anytime for a whole number of reasons, some of which we can predict others we can't but that is no good reason to keep yourself from living the life you want to live. I have always appreciated that lesson. It seems especially poignant today. Thank you Scott for that. Safe travels. You will be missed.
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Hoffbrow
Trad climber
California
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Feb 25, 2016 - 06:27am PT
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sorry to hear this. I remember hanging out with Scott in Joshua Tree....
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jeff constine
Trad climber
Ao Namao
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Feb 25, 2016 - 07:38am PT
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His last day climbing with me 2 weeks ago. So sad..R.I.P
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HighDesertDJ
Trad climber
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Feb 25, 2016 - 07:51am PT
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I was just wondering recently how he was doing and wondering when he might make a return to the Taco. I am very saddened to hear this but also glad to hear that he was well enough to be out hiking. My fear was to hear that he had passed away in a rehab center or some such thing. I work in trauma and these patients can often have very ugly lives after their accidents.
In high school, with little access to climbers or climbing culture, I eagerly consumed the stories of his attempts to free big routes on El Cap and the subsequent antics. Scott and I clashed politically on SuperTopo but when I was a young man making the J-Tree to Yosemite circuit over numerous seasons Scott was always friendly and eager to share (brag) about his recent adventures. He would eagerly share having just been up on a first ascent in the Valley with legendary aid climbers and complain about how they would rate strings of bird beak placements "A2." For no good reason he, barely knowing my name, would always recognize my face from previous talks and eagerly engage with me one on one. Scott made me feel like I was part of the climbing community.
I have often found that the old adage "may you never meet your heroes" to be painfully true when it comes to climbing but I was glad to have met Scott Cosgrove. May he rest in peace and may his climbing accomplishments stand as inspiration to future generations of adventurers.
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splitclimber
climber
Sonoma County
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Feb 25, 2016 - 07:57am PT
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Thanks for posting that picture Jeff. Cherish it.
Happy to know he got back on the rock after his injury.
Lots of love going out to his friends and family right now.
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ionlyski
Trad climber
Kalispell, Montana
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Feb 25, 2016 - 09:41am PT
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Very nice post ActionDad and a tribute to Scott from a different view. He would like that I'm sure.
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Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
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Feb 25, 2016 - 09:59am PT
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hey,
a short day 'coz" of the storm,
as I walked from the bus stop .....
a juvenile Bald Eagle passed over, slow & low,
we saw the White tail, perfectly
My daughter pointed, and said,
"did He fly to daddy-o"?
OH/....let 'em flow, if ya can...
peace
( in a suburban neighbor-hood, Acre lots, most, much smaller, only once before in deep snow has such a bird flown over)
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Erik Sloan
Big Wall climber
Yosemitebigwall.com
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Feb 25, 2016 - 10:25am PT
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Rest In The Peace of Your Heart Scott!
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ec
climber
ca
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Feb 25, 2016 - 11:21am PT
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I'm shocked...RIP, bro.
ec
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Feb 25, 2016 - 11:24am PT
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Never met the Coz but his deeds are legend. Condolences to his family and friends.
Cheers Scott.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Feb 25, 2016 - 11:33am PT
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I tagged along with Constine to visit Scott in rehab. At the time he was just starting to walk around a bit on the lawns outside. He didn't say anything about it at first, but once we were chatting he told us with an obvious sense of pride and accomplishment. It seemed he was clearly on the rebound.
This is just hard to believe. So sorry. Another great one gone.
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labrat
Trad climber
Erik O. Auburn, CA
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Feb 25, 2016 - 11:36am PT
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Sorry to hear the news. We had our differences but I had respect for the man. Sincere condolences to Scott's friends and relatives.
RIP
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Roots
Mountain climber
Tustin, CA
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Feb 25, 2016 - 11:36am PT
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Shocked and saddened by this news.
Rest in Peace Scott
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roy
Social climber
NZ -> SB,CA -> Zurich
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Feb 25, 2016 - 11:57am PT
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My condolences to his family and friends. This is very sad news. He was a character on this site and I'm sure he will be sadly missed. Roy
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overwatch
climber
Arizona
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Feb 25, 2016 - 12:28pm PT
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Geologic time includes now...so simply insightful. Thanks for sharing that.
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Seamstress
Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
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Feb 25, 2016 - 12:58pm PT
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I served on the AF Board at the same time as Scott. I got a steal in an AF auction - 5 days of being guided by Scott at JT. I was 40, and he was 33. A quick discussion about safety and climbers dying young, I pointed out that he had already lived longer than Christ, and laughter ensued.
I had been so worried that my pathetic climbing skills would make this a very long week for him. I tried to be so enthusiastic and game for everything. I liked him much more than I expected, found him to be a far more substantial person than many superficial climbers I had known. By midweek, he expressed concern that he was doing his best to provide an excellent experience, and he was climbing everything twice - once to set up and once to take down. He hoped I wouldn't be too disappointed if I left him with more time for lunch, to recharge his batteries. I'll never forget that he took his donation so seriously and did a fabulous job providing an unforgettable experience.
It was so good that I bought his services in the next auction. Sally Moser was a huge Cosgrove fan. She chatted with me about how she envied that I got the package. So Sally got to come on the Classic Crack Tour of the Real Hidden Valley. It was a privilege for me.
When I moved out west, Scott talked me into a drive up to BC and took me climbing for a few days in Squamish. No donations, no fees, I was amazed that someone of his caliber and fame would just offer to show a "friend" around a place he thought was special. He had just freed the Grand Wall. It was funny to see the genius and the regular guy. He was not loving a few wet streaks on the faces (human side), yet floated up Split Pillar effortlessly. My little hands could not jam, and the long layback led to a flying exit that my husband caught on film. I was so frustrated at the unexpected struggle to get up that, yet he was empathetic and created a fun plan B which turned around my day.
Loved him.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
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Feb 25, 2016 - 01:15pm PT
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Never had the pleasure to personally meet Scott, but around here I've heard and seen all about him. All good things. Seemed like a cool cat to me.
This is unusually sad for me, and I'm not sure why exactly. I just feel like there's something missing now. He just struck me as a good guy.
Rest in peace Scott, God bless!
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James
climber
My twin brother's laundry room
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Feb 25, 2016 - 01:24pm PT
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I met Scott a few years ago at Santanas in Joshua Tree. We spoke sporadically over the years. After his accident, we talked about recovering from accidents. I talked a bit about my fall in Joshua Tree.
"James, you're my hero right now. Someone should do a story about you to inspire the fallen. I hope to come back to climbing.” His words meant a lot to me.
Cosgrove was a true climbing legend.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Feb 25, 2016 - 02:02pm PT
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I just had a flashback to the times when winding down at Gunsmoke at sunset would wrap up a great day. It was not uncommon to have Scott, JB and Paul Borne all there. Things would get competitive, and respectable numbers of laps were done. Paul would remind us that if you got pumped out and fell off the “lava-gators” would make their meal of you. Of course I was usually the first one eaten.
Good times. Now all three are gone way too soon.
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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Feb 25, 2016 - 02:27pm PT
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surprised and saddened to hear the news. rip.
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looking sketchy there...
Social climber
Lassitude 33
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Feb 25, 2016 - 04:47pm PT
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Very sorry to hear about Scott's passing. Pretty shocking news, particularly given that Scott had come back so far from his devastating accident.
He left an indelible mark on the climbing scene, particularly in Joshua Tree and Yosemite. His FAs pushed the limits of difficulty and boldness and are still highly respected decades later.
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WyoRockMan
climber
Grizzlyville, WY
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Feb 25, 2016 - 05:19pm PT
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Never met the man, but his climbing was inspirational and the lycra spectacular.
RIP Coz
Southern Belle
It loving memory of my friend, mentor and bad-ass human, Walt Shipley.
This story is for supertopo; any reproduction in any mag will be a violation of the Che Guevara power to the common people act.
I'll write as much as I can when I can, that's all I can do. The whole climb was an idea of Walt's, (Walt Shipley) he - in a mad bender - soloed the South Face Harding route, and in the process saw the line that would become Southern Belle.
He recruited, the boldest slab climber ever to grace planet earth to join him. Dave (Iron Monkey) Shultz. Dave had skipped bolts on the Bacher Yerian on-sight, and on a regular basis soloed 10 plus slabs in bare feet, up and down.
In a four - five day, ground up, big wall style push, the two climbed the Southern Belle, they tried to run it out as far as they could taking advantage of the plentiful and giant stances, all over the South Face. Years later, others would claim there are no stances; that is pure BS and an out right fabrication of the truth.
Walt and Dave both thought the line would go free, but Walt felt he lacked the free climbing skills to pull off the hard sections. Dave decided to fly to Boulder, Colorado and asked me to join him the following spring to free the thing, an offer I could not even consider turning down.
Between myself and Dave, we had climb almost every scary climb we could think of and wanted to do something beyond, something that would in the long run prove that the media darlings of the time, where not the only ones doing scary stuff.
Dave and I loved the idea of adventure and the beauty of the South Face-alone- above our own glory was really behind the idea of free climbing it; the magic dome truly seemed to be the greatest thing we could do with all the skills we had manage to muster.
It was a hundred degrees in the Valley, the day we hike to the base, sporting 100 pound packs and two girlfriends carrying their share. The girls-sun themselves as Dave and I thrashed up the first few pitches of the arch. I boulder out the first aid section and Dave had a go at the third pitch ( long OW to finger crack) falling short, pulling the rope and trying myself, I failed one move from the top.
We bailed and return the following weekend and stayed for four days, climbing the crack and launching onto the face proper only to be stop again at the crux 12d slab. The climbing to this point had been fairly safe and the quality- out of this world, we where adrift on a massive featured face. Dave manage to red point the crux slab and the 12a death-slab crack above. I lead the next pitch through some dam scary sections, I remember climbing one crack and then pimping to the next as the sun started to set.
The following weekend we climbed what remain of the aid climbing, except high on the upper pitches were - laid in wait for us, two more sections of aid.
I cried out in fear as we Jumared up our fixed lines and faced what Walt had named the Cuntress, a fine etch seam of tips lay backing and the rare bomber stopper. The Iron Monkey just dropped in stopper after stopper and floated the seam for a hundred and fifty feet of what must have been one of the best pitches on earth. I followed more marveling at the beauty of the climbing and location. It is like being in a golden desert surrounded by beautiful golden earth worms disturbing the surface in their sub-terrianing wanderings. Joining the smiling Iron Monkey at the belay, he said how hard do you think it was. "11b," I said, although I knew it was way harder.
It fact, Croft wanted to punch me after he failed on the pitch years later; for my sand bag. But, for the life of me it seemed just like a beautiful experience to climb. Then we ran out of fixing rope and decide to rap back down to camp for the night and rest the following day. I spent the day laying on my back looking up at the summit, the birds and the blazing hot sun and thought to myself, this could be my last day on the planet.
Dave assured me the following pitch, the one Hank would get off route on and break his leg was the most scary of his life. Walt had told the story of how Dave on that pitch, looking at a death fall from 12a moves, was calling out,"watch me, I could come off here." Walt said that he could only laugh, because the only thing he could do was watch him die.
I couldn't sleep, many aid section lay above, possible death and to make things worse I had lost my glasses. But I would wake, try or fall and die, there was no bail in my brain at that time. Dave just snored away and I was getting so pissed at him, that I threw a rock to wake him up, "What's wrong Coz." "I'm gonna die tomorrow and all you can do is sleep." "You can sleep too, just relax, you'll be fine, it's not up to us what happens." And with that he started to snore again as I toss and turned and dreaded the raising of the sun.
At first light we busted up our tattered lines, and drop them, committing to the summit. Traversing out a long dike I got to a blown out section with no bolt, f*#kers! I thought to myself as I balanced to the next section of dike. I threw in some bad gear and punch it up 40 feet of glass 5.11 to a big ledge with a bolt. The first in a 130 feet! A few easy moves, another ledge and another bolt and the wall steepen above me. Bouldering up twenty feet, now looking at a very bad fall... back down onto the serpent like dikes, mantling on a small ledge to my horror no bolt greeted me.
I was in a trance and committed to the 12a/b moves above, unsure of the next move, I felt like I was in another world, no thoughts, no fear, just pure survival, having been willing to fall and die I had no second thoughts, with a final slap I reached what I thought would be a good hold and wasn't, another three feet of hell finally got me gripping a large ledge and the belay. A changed man, and surely one of the only humans willing to do that section.
Little did I know the real amazing climbing lay above. Shultzy took off and flew up an easy but run out pitch that put us in the pot holes. Just huge scooped out holes of rock. Galen Rowel, said on the first ascent of the South Face that, a door would open, we'd walk inside and the key to all knowledge would be printed on the walls. But all I found was the crazed Iron Monkey with an old sling tied around a horn of diorite, that he called a belay.
I knew this was the second to last aid section left on the wall. Shultz and Walt both thought my size would help. Climbing up the outside of the first pot hole I reach up on to the blank vertical wall and found a small hole about 12 inch in diameter, pulled up, mantle, reach as high as I could and found another hole the same size. I repeated the mantle and looked in depression as the four feet to the next golden dike was overhanging and blank. I dime edged out of the hole, searched for an edge and to my complete shock found a four finger crimp. I pasted my feet high and threw a four foot dyno just grabbing the dike, mantling and walking the the top of the dike to the bivy ledge on the South Face route. I couldn't believe our luck and the beauty of the line, so impossible and improbable that if just a single feature where missing it would never go free.
I was near blind from the sun as Dave took over for the final aid section, a desperate slab in the horrible blinding heat, he fell off three times and we stop and ate our remaining food. I could almost not open my eyes, but Dave tried again this time nailing the crux and the 90' run out to a 11a mantle, the rock above the mantle turns to an overhanging dike, the rock by magic had large in cut jugs and you really couldn't believe the feeling of climbing through blank rock on overhanging jugs two thousand feet off the deck.
Walt's pitch at 11c was next and my nerves, eyes and mind had had it, I surge through not thinking or caring like a well oil robot just wanting off, 30 feet above my last bolt just cupping slopers and hoping for the best, I fell into the trance again and before I knew it the belay was in front of me.
I'd had it, my nerves where shoot and I couldn't open my eyes, Dave led the last two pitch that had one bolt for pro the last being 10c and has no gear, Leo Holding, years later, would lead this pitch with a rattled Dean Potter, and call it a life changing experience. The Iron Monkey just Laugh and joked and made it look easy.
I followed and soon found my friend at the summit, we knew we had done something amazing, something special. Walking down the outside of the cables with the amazed tourists watching, I remembered an old, overweight guy looking at me and saying,"you two are crazy," I look into his eyes and said," no my friend you are crazy."
We talk and dream of going back but never did and the years past and people tried to repeat the climb, we thought of bolting it to make it safe but when Walt died, we decided to leave it. We where very proud of our climb and thought that the next generation would certainly complete the many other possible (easy to see) lines on the face. We'd never imagine that in the future the boldest climbers would barely repeat the thing.
I remember being with my old friend soloing in Malibu Creek when we heard some guys had rap bolted a line next to ours and claim you couldn't do it on stance, I think I saw the Iron Monkey almost cry at the news,"It's just bullshit Coz," was all he managed." I said, "aw well, f*#k those guys," and my friend agreed.
Anyway, brief story hope u folks like it. Just my musing, if it means something to you then it means something. It's my hope you'll raise to the level of the past instead of beating it down with a heavy hand.
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Feb 27, 2016 - 06:09pm PT
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Bumping. Too soon to leave the front page.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Feb 29, 2016 - 08:21am PT
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Russell Walling, Billy Russell, Roy McClenahan, Scott Cosgrove, Degnan's Deli, early 90s:
Billy Russell, Scott Cosgrove, Russell Walling, Jo Whitford, Degnan's Deli, early 90s:
Roy McClenahan, Dick Cilley, Scott Cosgrove, Tuolumne Meadows, 1985:
Schultz, Cosgrove, Kauk, Hiskes, C4 parking lot, 1980s:
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555
Boulder climber
CT
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Feb 29, 2016 - 09:21am PT
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He was a really nice guy. Sorry to hear this news. Lit a candle last night and said some prayers for his spirit.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Sport climber
moving thru
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Feb 29, 2016 - 06:38pm PT
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Any mention of when Scott's Memorial will be?
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Jan
Mountain climber
Colorado & Nepal
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Feb 29, 2016 - 07:40pm PT
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It was mentioned on the other thread started by the Chief, that it was still in the planning stages and would probably take place in late March.
Edit: The latest is that it is being held March 26 at Todd Gordon's.
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Chief
climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
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Bump for Cozzy!
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
Shetville , North of Los Angeles
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Good pictures Roy...!
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SLowRider
Trad climber
Longmont, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 6, 2016 - 12:18pm PT
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Scott's family have finalized their thoughts and plans for his Memorial Service. Here's a great opportunity to put Scott's tribe together for an afternoon and evening in a place he loved. Following is Scott's sister Lori's message:
A memorial service for Scott Cosgrove (aka “Coz”) will be held on Saturday March 26, 2016, at 1:00-3:30pm at Todd Gordon’s at 9561 Star Lane, Joshua Tree, California.
Come and share your memories, stories and love with those who were a part of Scott's life.
A reception with lunch will follow and an evening gathering around a fire is planned.
Please help us anticipate attendance and RSVP to lelbert@att.net.
Thank you,
Lori Elbert (nee Cosgrove)
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See Ya
Boulder climber
Yucca Valley
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Dam, I just googled my brother Rick Corbin after 8 years, found this site with many condolences to him. Rick was great friends with Scott, I did not expect my first post to be like this. God bless the Cosgroves from the Corbin's.....may peace be with all his friends and family......
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Chief
climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
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Pile of Rocks
climber
Park City Utah
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Please join us in celebrating the life of SCOTT "COZ" COSGROVE
on Saturday afternoon, March 26, 2016 at the Todd Gordon Ranch, 9561 Star Lane, Joshua Tree, California 92252
from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM.
An invitation is extended to one and all.
Come and join us in honoring ‘Coz’…
share memories of him with his family and friends, and reunite with long time friends.
Enjoy the beautiful vistas of Joshua Tree National Park…Scott’s home
and a place near and dear to him. Please share this invite with Scott's other friends who might like to attend.
DIRECTIONS TO: TODD GORDON RANCH 9561 STAR LANE JOSHUA TREE, CA 92252
From Interstate 10 take the Highway 62 exit to 29 Palms and continue north on Hwy 62
(also...
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Phil Bard
Trad climber
Lake Oswego, OR
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Just saw this, terrible news. Scott was such a fine person its sad to hear he is gone. Some photos from back in the day.... RIP, Scott
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jstan
climber
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Enjoy the roads. We do.
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Chief
climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
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Mar 10, 2016 - 08:09pm PT
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Bump for Cozzy
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Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
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Mar 11, 2016 - 07:23am PT
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BUMPiN'
One time while cleaning a nut or trying to
I punched myself in the nose,
started a nose bleed ,
left the stupid nut and climbed up, to smoke a bowl,
Coz was laughing till he saw I'd bled on one of his runners,
then he was pissed, about the nut and the stain,
he made me trade him
For a freshy.
30 yrs ago at least...
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 11, 2016 - 02:14pm PT
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'Love that Phil Bard portrait with the yellow Sportiva tights and pink tank top!
I always thought he looked way too mean for those dainty threads.
IIRC, Scott knew that, and said something about the sun being in his eyes making him look too serious.
This is all very important, you know.
He was really proud of his route, Father Figure.
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WBraun
climber
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Mar 11, 2016 - 02:32pm PT
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One day we went to Knobby wall to do some laps.
Coz decide today of all days he's going to free solo the knobby wall.
But I already set up a top rope and told Coz to tie in.
He protested and said I solo all the time.
But, I made him tie in anyways.
He gets to the crux move near the top and breaks the crucial hold right off and falls.
He then says wow!!!! good thing I tied in today.
On the FA of Power Point I lead the long OW pitch and then his lead was the POwer POint pitch.
He's now run out a ways and looking at a serious injury potential fall if blows the power point moves.
I yell to him to put bolt in, he yells down he don't need one and will go for it.
I'm way scared now know what's in store if he blows these next two crux moves.
He starts to head out on these overhanging crimper face moves and hesitates.
He comes back down and tells me he decides to put a bolt in.
The bolt goes in and and goes for the moves and falls.
Then yells down how glad he is to have put the bolt in.
He would've died on that fall without the bolt .....
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 11, 2016 - 02:45pm PT
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Yep, big long sweeping fall, left into the dihedral.
That bolt he put in was junk too. The hole was fairly cratered out ...
I know, because I was too chicken to pull any hard moves with that thing as protection.
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shipoopoi
Big Wall climber
oakland
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Mar 11, 2016 - 02:51pm PT
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great stories werner, awesome photos phil. remembering the man coz i knew and loved today. ss
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Mar 11, 2016 - 03:41pm PT
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Thanks for the stories, Werner!
Sounds like you guys made a pretty good team, so many good climbs.
Did someone go back and replace the bad bolt on Power Point?
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Mar 11, 2016 - 05:14pm PT
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Anybody remember Caddy Shack?
There is a scene where Chevy Chase walks down the green with his protégé.
"You take drugs Danny?"
"Every day."
I just love that scene. Jeepers, did we ever smoke a lot of weed while climbing BITD.
(Also before climbing, usually after as well ...)
In 1990, I moved to Colorado. Cozzy visited Boulder somewhere in the early 90s. We teamed up with this ex-pat German guy I know. The three of us climbed a direct version of Anthill Direct on Red Garden Wall. It clings to the arête out right. Not real hard, but 5.10 and typical sketchy Eldo.
Scott and I did the leading. Of course we smoked a bowl at every belay station.
"What is it with you California guys, always whipping out the pipe."
Indeed.
Back in the 80s, Scott did the FA of a JT route which he named "Sun Bowl". The crag had a curious parabolic shape to it. It captured the sun perfectly and there was a nice ledge at the base.
One day Scott was pretty stressed out: pro-climber type stress. (The usual problems. Injuries, money, girlfriend or the lack thereof and etc.)
He just wanted to take us to his Sun Bowl, and smoke a bowl. Maybe get a workout. At this particular space in time, he was in his happy place. He lit up, tried to forget his problems, and proceeded lapping the thing.
I wouldn't say, that in the moment, he shed his cares like a snake skin or anything, but he had this idea as to where he might find contentment. And that's where we went with him.
I decided then, that if any of us get even that far in life, we are not doing so bad with all of it.
Well, Scott no longer reflects much sunlight, if any.
But I can imagine his spirit stoking up in his happy place, in his Sun Bowl. Every day.
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Gilroy
Social climber
Bolderado
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Mar 11, 2016 - 05:25pm PT
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... he had this idea as to where he might find contentment. And that's where we went with them.
I decided then, that if any of us get even that far in life, we are not doing so bad with all of it.
Amen. Thanks for that, Roy. Never met the man but he climbed with some friends in this small world we climbers inhabit. Mad respect. Legend.
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Chief
climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
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Mar 11, 2016 - 06:12pm PT
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On of the many great climbing adventures I had with Cozzy was free climbing the Chouinard-Herbert on Sentinel.
I remember being real unhappy on the approach scrambling unroped over some pretty exposed terrain as Coz led the way as I knew for a fact that at least one really good climber had perished 3rd classing on Sentinel's lower flanks.
I was relieved to finally arrive at the start of the business and rope up and commented to Coz that the approach was kind of spooky and that the formation did feel like a tombstone.
As we cruised along the mood lightened considerably.
Coz had a great sense of humour and could come up with some dark but funny notions.
Somewhere along the way I commented on the crux of the route above us and speculated as to why they were the Afro-Cuban Flakes.
Cozzy mirthfully decided they were actually the Afro-Farrakhans and cooked up all sorts of reasons why we needed to be concerned about them.
It turned out the flakes weren't that bad and we climbed the route car to car in about five hours.
Cozzy and I found the the whole idea of the dreaded Afro-Farrakhans absurdly amusing and long after our adventure on Sentinel would make wry reference to them and the possibility they could be lurking on any climb, not just the upper regions of Sentinel.
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fosburg
climber
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Mar 11, 2016 - 07:12pm PT
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Great stories Werner and Perry, thanks!
I only did a few climbs with Scott but they were really good ones. At a certain point he wanted to get more proficient at aids climbing and we teamed up for Son of Heart. He honestly made the Kierkegaard Chimney look easy, I'll never forget watching him float that pitch.
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
Shetville , North of Los Angeles
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Mar 11, 2016 - 09:04pm PT
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Tarbuster...The Chase line is hilarious.... i like the Sun Bowl happy place...
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E
Ice climber
mogollon rim
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Mar 11, 2016 - 09:16pm PT
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Nice one roy
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E
Ice climber
mogollon rim
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Mar 11, 2016 - 09:23pm PT
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hey foz
everybody that leads the kierkagard floats it......or dies
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WBraun
climber
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Mar 11, 2016 - 09:34pm PT
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everybody that leads the Kierkegaard floats it......or dies
So true.
When I got there ... there was barely any light left and me and Walt bivied there.
It was my lead in the morning, but with that dim light the Kierkegaard looked like a death pitch to me as I only had one piece that fit in it.
I could barely sleep that night, I was freaked.
But in the morning it came into light and looked way less fearsome.
Of course we all cruised it ......
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fosburg
climber
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Mar 12, 2016 - 03:23pm PT
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Around '93 Scott recruited me to do World's End on the Titan, having seen it from the Sundevil and claiming it "didn't look too bad". I agreed to meet him down there and showed up a few days early. As soon as I saw the line, I got total Snail Eye was determined to back out of my commitment which I in fact did as soon as he and Cal showed up. We did wind up doing a single push ascent of West Side Story though which was really great.
Good times with an understanding and completely solid partner!
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Rockin' Gal
Trad climber
Boulder
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Mar 14, 2016 - 06:36pm PT
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I don’t remember exactly where I met Coz, most likely Joshua Tree, but once meeting him there was no forgetting him. I was lucky to be along for Leslie and Claude’s Hidden Valley tour with Scott. Coz was always generous with his time.
Somehow at an Access Fund auction, I had the winning bid on a day of climbing with him. (Leslie must not have been there.) I’m sure when he offered it he thought it would be a quick tour of some JT classics. I said, What about Spook Book in the Needles? And, in enthusiastic Scott fashion he said, Sure! Amazing route, one-of-a-kind experience. We climbed a bit in Colorado when Scott came out for Cory’s wedding or other events. I never knew that Green Spur had upper pitches until we went out to Eldo and climbed it one day.
I’m not sure if anyone knew about his guiding/training of Navy Seals on El Cap. Maybe it’s top secret, but he was proud of those guys and his role. I talked to him at the start of the Iraq war and asked him, Do you really think we should be in there? He hung up on me. Apparently a couple of his buddies died in the initial fire fight and he was really broken up about it. Later we re-connected, but there still was distance.
Integrity. That’s big in my world. Also in Scott’s. There are just some people you are on the same page with, and you are dialed in from that point.
Vaya con dios, mi hermano.
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Dimes
Social climber
Retired from Everything
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Mar 16, 2016 - 08:13pm PT
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Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
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Mar 18, 2016 - 03:57am PT
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I'm also double posting, in hopes that some of the folks who have not added to the voices here will post a picture if not a memory. it seems strange the who of who has not been heard from?
I hope that they will post a picture, or a word or two about the boy they knew, the man with strong opinions, that Scott grew into. He was one of the very best natural climbers who grew and turned into a remarkable person.
whatever his beliefs ,? Politics? Strident statements ? were, the people that he interacted with from a vast cast in so many differing walks of life is impressive. I've spoken to people that felt hurt , ignored by him , yeah? Me too. But Scott Went from where to where? Just the fact that he did all that is reason enough to say a kind word.
I do not think that anyone that met him was not effected by that meeting if you exchanged ten words with him he was unforgettable.
Where are the folks that knew the man!?
He was strong willed and singular in his positions on some things for sure.
I did not follow his postings, why did he get banned?
Can we all get over what ever the distastefully said things were?
One Word-smith, a giant of the tribe, seems most oddly silent.
Be it that he, they, are seen together in the oldest pics when they were boys
It is strange that . . . . . .Has nothing to add?
( this guy is so big that calling him out by name is taco suicide )
Frank Lucido
Boulder climber
Tahoe
Mar 23, 2016 - 01:05pm PT
I think I was introduced to Scott by Joe Hedge in the '80s in Josh and we went bouldering eons before pads.
We climbed in the Valley and the Meadows and then lived in Bishop at the same time in 1994.
I thought he was invincible and that nothing would ever get him because in Bishop he was wheelchair bound yet quickly recovering from two broken ankles.
When he was coming home from the hospital from the first broken ankle he was riding in the back of a pickup in a camper shell when his girlfriend rolled his truck and he broke his other ankle.
In Bishop he was had his homemade "patented" "CozWillWalky" balancing device for his rehab. We had a lot of fun climbing in and around Bishop.
Coz was a tactician. I remember him lecturing me about my chalk bag.
He asked why I had it hanging so low and I told that him I didn't know.
And he lit into me. "Man,you got to think about that sh#t."
I thought he was being kind of a dick, but you know what, he was right. All that stuff does matter in a tight spot.
It's like when I asked him what his secret to hard sends was.
He told me that he "never let go."
I thought that was kind of stupid at the time.
But,
I thought about it and I realized how often I did let go instead of actually having the rock pull out from under my fingers.
Once we took a trip out in Nevada looking for new rock and at night he insisted I break out my rope because he believed in the old wives tale. I told him it was totally bs but he wouldn't be dissuaded.
He had to put a circle of rope around him so that the rattlesnakes wouldn't cross it and crawl into his sleeping bag during his open bivy.
About four in the morning he started pounding on my camper shell demanding that we shoot off a .22 we had with us,
because he was worried that all the elk he could hear walking around us grazing we're going to stomp him to death.
Of course that was ridiculous,
but when Coz had a idea in his head there is no telling him he was wrong.
We kind of drifted off to different ends of the state and I didn't see him much the last couple decades, but I can't tell you how many routes and problems I got up by repeating the just "don't let go
From crushed to climbing . . .
When winched back from the brink , medically
And given the Coz drive, (the tempting to call Superhero) ,the work must have been - titanic -
just regular, for Scott, way he went at living. All in energy, He Made His Life Count, -
It is a bitter pill, . . . .
Sometimes, after. Having survived , come thru heavy healing, & after intense physical therapy -finally when starting to be feeling, - 'more one self',
then, given that almost there feeling, that feeling can lead to feeling 94% back, & like the only thing holding you back from 100%, is the Meds.
The feeling of blahs, a loopy buzz from the blood thinners, & other meds. . .
Meds mixed to regulate & ease the metabolic rate, so that the meds, would stay in the system longer.
I have felt this, and wonder if Coz had either skipped or forgotten to take something?
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Mar 18, 2016 - 04:47am PT
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Really incredible thread, with lots of heartfelt tales by those that knew Scott. I am humbled every time I revisit this thread.
I still don't know exactly what happened the day he died. Did he fall from the trail, like our friend Jim Anglin, or did he simply pass from his previous injuries?
I too am proud of my time training Navy SEALs, and I understand his love for them.
At any rate, his name will live forever on the burning stone of the South Face of Half Dome! Drive on Ranger, drive on.
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Mar 18, 2016 - 12:29pm PT
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Bump for my question about what really happened?
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Chief
climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
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Mar 20, 2016 - 06:39pm PT
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To the best of my knowledge, Cozzy collapsed while hiking and the event was unwitnessed.
I heard that there was nothing conclusive determined by the autopsy.
I can only surmise that it was related to the massive injuries he sustained and was so valiantly recovering from and that maybe he was pushing too hard too soon.
We've all tried to make some sense of it but the fact is, he's gone and leaves a big empty spot in a lot of lives.
Flying from Toronto to Palm Springs Friday.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the gathering.
Too bad it take's a friend's passing to bring us together.
PB
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Chief
climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
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Mar 21, 2016 - 04:52pm PT
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Bump.
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jeff constine
Trad climber
Ao Namao
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Mar 21, 2016 - 05:05pm PT
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BUMP. Coz and Dave Lane getting ready.
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spsmc
Mountain climber
Swall Meadows,CA
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Mar 23, 2016 - 10:43am PT
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Well sh#t. Scott and I corresponded over the last month about getting out and just climbing. Nothing hard and as easy as old and broken bodies can do. It is the getting out that counts, not the grade. These things that we always plan to do and then that we never do and will always regret.Damn!
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Seamstress
Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
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Mar 23, 2016 - 11:25am PT
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I wish I could be there to pay my respects. I won't be missed. But I will miss him, his rants, his big heart. I will visit JTree of Squamish soon, and I will think of him as I stare up at the climbs we did and think of the banter shared.....
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bootysatva
Trad climber
Idyllwild / Joshua Tree Ca.
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Mar 24, 2016 - 08:23am PT
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Scott was always supportive and kind to me even tho I'm not a super climber. He took the time to say something kind and helpful when I was flailing on some route.
I feel honored to have known him and I feel a loss in his passing.
Ernesto
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BLUEBLOCR
Social climber
joshua tree
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Thank You Mush Puppy Ken
That's a very nice write! Those words very much resonate with my own love of climbing, life revolving around it, and the people that we connect within it..
And thanks for the heartfelt honesty
:)
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Sport climber
moving thru
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burnin' vernon, thanks for taking the time to add yet another layer of the friendship stories we can all remember Scott by. Peace, Lynne
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Yes, I also really enjoyed Burnin' Vernon's construct.
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burnin' vernon
climber
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Thank you for the kind comments. I'm happy people enjoyed it.
Peace--
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BASE104
Social climber
An Oil Field
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Jun 11, 2016 - 08:41pm PT
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I watched the movie Lone Survivor yesterday evening. A good film. A true story about 4 navy SEALS in combat, and the later loss of a whole Chinook full of SEALS.
I slowed down the credits, because I know some guys from working on a movie long ago. I like seeing them in the credits. Camera guys.
Under stunts was Scott Cosgrove. And there were some hairy stunts in the film. Made me think of him. Sorry he is gone.
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BLUEBLOCR
Social climber
joshua tree
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Jun 11, 2016 - 08:47pm PT
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Hairy stuntist indeed!
may you be resting in peace Scott..
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jeff constine
Trad climber
Ao Namao
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That woman he got in the crash with, is NOT THAT SWEET. LOL. I know.
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Feb 24, 2017 - 03:16pm PT
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I can only choose to see Scott conquering his injury, getting a final chance to love and share with his close peeps and having done that went out in a flash in the splendor of nature, off the the real greatest adventure Stoked to have shared a bit of the journey with you and respect that addressing our sometimes differences of opinion actually brought us closer Be free my friend
Peace
Baba
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BLUEBLOCR
Social climber
joshua tree
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Feb 24, 2017 - 07:17pm PT
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me too^^^
Loving words.
Cheers!
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