Re: Suicide Photos

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Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 15, 2016 - 05:01am PT

I've been on taco for 8 mo maybe. So I'm just at about 5.0 on the basic topics here.

But I recognize so many of the stories that I grew up with at Suicide and elsewhere. Many of the posters I could maybe guess who they are or are obvious like Largo. Others I can't.

For example Dee ee. She spells out my name exactly (which I don't mind at all) about sharing a route together but I can't remember. That's frustrating to me cause there were like only three woman climbers around then at Suicide.

Ekat, you posted my name once but I actually remembered you. I got you some packs from Wild X for field testing I think years ago.

Who's the third woman.

I know Guyman from way back and I know he remembers me but:
Sean C. Could do one arm mantles endlessly
Dick S. Made top secret stuff for the navy and his dad won the Nobel
Dave O. Too strong for his own good
John L. the African explorer and fearless on any route. He would do anything to get there
Dennis Astrophysicist, couldn't adequately explain to Dave O. why hemorrhoid medicine could not be applied with a pencil (the eraser end)
Mingo Fixed shot up US fighter planes during the VN war, Well it’s got these big holes here so this other stuff got’s to go over here now.
Rich G. The trapeze catcher, walked the wire by the generator crack I think (long gone) just cause he could
Ed E. Always got himself in a fix climbing, and the same not climbing, Unfortunately often with me.
Bob. The taxi driver climber
Randy V. Wrote the book
Charles C. Who would knock your head off if you called him Chuck, or Chas. It’s Charles!
Fish. Not the real FISH the other one
FISH The real fish, the one with the cold slimy exterior but that makes the coldest slimbing gear
Troll If anyone has muscles in his sh#t he did. He picked up the barrels of sh#t and heaved them in the truck, not like the automatic contraptions we have now.
Ed L. Said he was going to open a nursery. OMG I thought: Peter Lorre comes to mind. Ok plants are ok. Not children.
Gib L. Unflappable, makes his own Jumars
Dibs Always back your van carefully as to not hit other cars.
Tobin S. Doesn't need a word more said, except he could eat two chili sizes in a sitting to get them for free.
Mike G. Could drill a bolt on a stance that I could hardly clip to
Richard H . Hmm which way
Rob M. Some star wars figure comes to mind
Ricky A. Ok I'm not going to die today
Dean F. Tying my feet to the rope seemed like a good idea at the time
Herb n Eve. Let’s have a cup of coffee. That’s ok we just need one cup
Mike n Mauri Let’s go where there aren’t any people
Dave E. I don’t need a bolt yet
Dave S. Ok if you say so
Meica I never did a lay back before
Gary A Lets go to the space station or the iron door cave.
John B Good lead he said to me. I’ll never forget that
Jim W Go take some falls
Tom G Tom and Mike made quite the pair
Bill H Who couldn't turn on the heater in his car because of the dead mice in there. He worked for a lab and mice got out in his car regularly.

Who else

It seems like everyone knows everyone which is nice

Local story

Tom G was teased sometimes as "Te the Ho fra He" "Tom the homo from Hemet" . My next door neighbor who I'm not really buddies with (he's an anal retentive as#@&%e) but I have to put up with him and is named Tom. So I always think of him as "Te the Ho Fra He". I just learned that he is from Hemet, so he really is. And he's planning to move back there into a trailer park when he retires.

Hope I didn't offend anyone with my long rambling post and mentioning so many people. Or possibly anyone I forgot.

P

Spider Savage

Mountain climber

The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles

Dec 15, 2016 - 07:08am PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Dec 15, 2016 - 08:32am PT

Hey P, what or when was the route we shared bitd??? I have records and can check stuff.

Color me curious.

....and no, I'm not a she. I do have painted toenails right now though!!!LOL

guyman

Social climber

Moorpark, CA.

Dec 15, 2016 - 09:21am PT

I do remember you....

nice list of folks.... many are around the TACO and some have, unfortunately, moved on to the other side of life.

Post up photos....

You...

Me ... in 1976 garb...

Fat Dad

Trad climber

Los Angeles, CA

Dec 15, 2016 - 09:39am PT

Nice photos from the way back. Did you ever get Rebolting Guy? I tried that back in the day with Nabolsi and Bob Critchfield (for those who remember him). I got the first pitch, which wasn't too bad. Bob backed off the second, so I went up and couldn't commit to that horrendous clipping stance. Nabolsi said no way, so that was it.

guyman

Social climber

Moorpark, CA.

Dec 15, 2016 - 09:49am PT

I was never able to lead it.... almost hit the deck a few times.... I finally hooked up with E .... and followed it.

G_Gnome

Trad climber

Cali

Dec 15, 2016 - 01:10pm PT

So Peater is Wilkening? Nice to have you here!

I led many peeps up Rebolting. Great route.

Jan McCollum

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Dec 15, 2016 - 08:20pm PT

Like I said I'm still Supertopo 5.0

I still don't know who most of the people are here by their screen names. Though I probably do know many of them from one point years ago.

Sorry Dave E about the gender misID. I don't remember the route we shared only that it was at Suicide and I noticed it in a post.

Sorry about "T the Ho fra He" gaff.I have much respect for that guy. Especially his Needles routes with Mike. Well my neighbor is still Tom the Homo from Hemet.

Ekat: I'm out of the business now but I managed to see Jim and Gregg at the OR show a couple years ago. Tell Jim Hi for me.

G Gnome, Yeah Wilkening is me. Good to meet you again here. I'm totally surprised that anybody knows my last name but I've seen it crop up here 3 of 4 times now.

bajaandy

climber

Escondido, CA

Dec 16, 2016 - 07:25am PT

Bump for climbing content! Kim A. and I on Rebolting, mid 80's.

john bald

climber

Dec 16, 2016 - 07:25am PT

Peater......Good to see you checking in with the old crowd.
I've enjoyed reading your stories!

Bushman

climber

The state of quantum flux

Dec 16, 2016 - 08:37am PT

Peater

Peter Wilkening
No kidding, go tell
I'm still backup challenged
As you remembered so well

Backed over a shopping cart
Just the other day
What can I say
It was just in my way

I remember a cave
You said was your abode
Was there indoor plumbing
Or a working camode?

Your craftsmanship was artful
Your climbing was too
But memory fails me
As most others do

Do you still climb with Pope?
Tell him I said hello
Not the one in the Vatican
But the Mike we all know

And I'm leery to mention
All my of faux pas and bifs
Almost decking was less regretful
Than my more egregious gifts

It's been so long in the past
And I cherish the best
The good climbers and friendships
We all put to the test

And it's so good to see here
The survivors of those days
And that Peater was Peter
Who was part of all the craze

Of the Stonemaster legend
And the routes on the stone
At JT and Humber, brother
Just another mothers son

-dibs,
aka here as bushman

Anxious Melancholy

Mountain climber

Between the Depths of Despair & Heights of Folly

Dec 16, 2016 - 10:17am PT

Weeping Wall traffic
Napping at the bealy is my secret pleasure

TYeary

Social climber

State of decay

Dec 16, 2016 - 12:39pm PT

A few obscure routes
TY

guyman

Social climber

Moorpark, CA.

Dec 16, 2016 - 01:27pm PT

One of my favorite memories I have of the place is the Sunday- late afternoon weeping wall hang. People would migrate over to the base and we would all hang out and "see" each other. This is how route info was shared, climbing plans made and new partners/friendships started.....

That is one of the things I really miss about the old daze.... the internet is not the same.

Pete... you might like this

http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/406102/suicide-tahquitz

Ksolem

Trad climber

Monrovia, California

Dec 16, 2016 - 02:17pm PT

Tony, is that last one looking across Hairlip from the left side?

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Dec 16, 2016 - 09:55pm PT

Dibs or Durbis !!! You're a poet! and you don't know it!!

It's true I lived in a hole
But the hole didn't have no camode.

But the hole was cool and the land was grand. Running and leaping all over when I didn't have to actually work there. Really this was my lifestyle while living there.

I tended the bee's until they chased me back to my hole.
My hole was the place to be
Bandits put their name on the walls
From the old days they carved their names. Mexican bandits mainly.

I recognized some of them. They were famous but all got shot in the end.

But my hole was a hole in the sandstone. Maybe 10 X 10.

I might expose some of my craftsmanship later. Dibs knows what that is.

Bushman

climber

The state of quantum flux

Dec 17, 2016 - 12:45pm PT

Ah, the dreaded pipe incident?

When Tobin called me out at JT for borrowing his wool socks without his permission, and I responded by foolishly and irrationally beaning him in the nose with your soapstone pipe, Pete. The error was multiplied by breaking your fine soapstone work on his nose, which might have likely cracked Tobin’s nose as well, though he would never allow me to see him shed tears or show pain, stoic as he was.

I doubt if my pride was hurt half as much as Tobin’s at having such a disgrace for a younger sibling around during those times. Hindsight ain’t always so golden you know, but there it is. Time wounds all heels as they say, and I’ve had my share, of wounds that is.

On Grief, Shame, and Pride

I've worn shame on the one arm
And my heart on the other
I’ve been sole first responder
To one soul or another
And I’ve had nothing but pride
When I’ve thought of my brother
But there are only a few memories
That I’d trade, if you bother
And one was the look
On the face of my mother
When they said that we’d lost him
Yes, I'm woe not to smother
The pain that was felt
At the loss of our brother
So I’ve little to hide
And would ner make a pother
There’s my shame on the one arm
And my heart on the other
With few memories I’d trade
For this life, if you bother

-Tim Sorenson
12/17/2016

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Dec 17, 2016 - 08:42pm PT

OMG I'm writing a poem

So my batteries are dead
So tomorrow will be fine
To see what the pictures are
You'll have to F*#king wait.

Ksolem

Trad climber

Monrovia, California

Dec 17, 2016 - 10:28pm PT

Bushman it's not often that I read something on this forum which touches my heart as you have.

Jamesthomsen

Social climber

Mammoth Lakes, California

Dec 18, 2016 - 05:52pm PT

Hi Peater! (and thank you eKat for passing on my message!) It's been awhile..... Are you still in Utah? I've been out of the USA for 15 years, but I'm back and living in Mammoth.
Hope to see you somewhere, sometime!

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Dec 18, 2016 - 07:45pm PT

Hey eKat

Here's one of Jessica. I think it was at Curtis's 40th birthday. Or there about.

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Dec 18, 2016 - 07:50pm PT

And Guy

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Dec 18, 2016 - 08:25pm PT

Hey Jim, really!! good to hear from you. I have another photo I wanted to post but could not find it.
I'm jealous that you've not lived in the US for a while. I wanted to move to the Phils but it didn't work out for me. Oh well.

But anyway to you other folks if you remember Wild X this the original Wild X crew.

Jamesthomsen

Social climber

Mammoth Lakes, California

Dec 19, 2016 - 09:09am PT

Great photo Peater....... what a truly wonderful group of people! We had an Ex-WildX party a couple of years ago at Greg's house. About 35 people showed up.....and there were stories about you!

Ghost

climber

A long way from where I started

Dec 19, 2016 - 05:17pm PT

C'mon folks. Bump a climbing thread and get the product reviews off the first page.

jeff constine

Trad climber

Ao Namao

Dec 19, 2016 - 05:21pm PT

Bottom photo over tilted.

Hot Buttered Rump 5.10

rottingjohnny

Sport climber

Sands Motel , Las Vegas

Dec 19, 2016 - 09:17pm PT

Thomsen...Did you use to own Access in Mammoth...? rj

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Dec 19, 2016 - 11:27pm PT

Hey Jeff C

Loved the tilted photo of Hot Buttered. It would make a great cover for the Rack of Lies Mag. (Rock and Ice for those that may not know)

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Dec 19, 2016 - 11:39pm PT

I've seen some posts regarding the sale of vintage Chouinard gear for exorbitant prices. OK but I think a vintage Wild X Klettersack would top that market.

I've seen them occasionally at OR shows. I think the owners are really proud to have them. I wish I still had mine.

Jamesthomsen

Social climber

Mammoth Lakes, California

Dec 19, 2016 - 11:52pm PT

Peater, I still have my Klettersack and will be using it over the next couple of weeks. There is a company in Japan making it again, they have the trademark in Japan and Hong Kong.....maybe we will bring some into the USA just for fun. Greg saw one in a retail store for $300.

Rottingjohnny, yes, Access and before that the Mammoth Postal Center were mine (actually mostly Katie's.) We sold Access in 2000 when we moved to Belgium.

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Dec 20, 2016 - 01:17am PT

Jim

Is the Wild X brand still alive? That would be fantastic news to me. To have worked at 3 of the best brands in the industry. Wild X, Gramicci and BD. I also made women's underwear and bikini's in the mean time :).

Now I'm experimenting with retirement. I've already been to Asia 40 times and traveled the US and Canada twice on a motorcycle, I don't have the travel bug. It's just nice to stay at home.

I really wanted to move to the Philippines but that's not happening, not now at least.

Jamesthomsen

Social climber

Mammoth Lakes, California

Dec 20, 2016 - 09:02am PT

Peater,
The Wild X brand is alive and well............in Asia, especially Japan and Hong Kong. Nothing in the USA.

guyman

Social climber

Moorpark, CA.

Dec 20, 2016 - 10:18am PT

Wow.... some shots from the way back....

Do you remember when Bullwinkle took THE FALL YOU DONT WANT TO TAKE on Hair Lip???? put some big ass scrapes across his chest.

and Jessica is alive and well and living the life in Colorado.

Pete...great to see you here.

rottingjohnny

Sport climber

Sands Motel , Las Vegas

Dec 20, 2016 - 06:19pm PT

Guy.....What about Curtis...? Where did he end up after he left Mammoth..rj

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Dec 20, 2016 - 06:35pm PT

Hey Guy, fun to be here

I think Bulwinkle is into massive abrasions.

Like when he took a 120 footer on something on the Glacier Point Apron.

Or when he fell off a skateboard going about 40 mph wearing a T shirt for protection. I witnessed that. He was just one bloody abrasion.

Or when he fell off his Kawasaki triple at Riverside or Ontario Raceway (don't remember which). He was wearing 2 piece leathers which of course slid up exposing skin while he was sliding into the hay bales. He came back to the pits looking like the Straw Man from Wiz of Oz. Walking kind of wobbly with straw poking out from everywhere.

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Dec 20, 2016 - 07:02pm PT

Jim

I saw some Wild X stuff in a HK store some years ago. I thought at the time they were Alibaba knock offs. I met a woman on a plane carrying a Wild X pack. She said she bought it in Japan and it was really expensive.

It's kind of funny how Asia loves US brands, but they're all made in Asia now and cost more than they do here.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Dec 22, 2016 - 12:43am PT

Peter,

I just got back in town and looked back in my records.

The first time I see us climbing together was May 25-27 1974 with Matt Cox, Bullwinkle (aka. Dean Fidelman) Jim Wood and Jim Angione
Suicide Rock
we did:
Captain Hook 5.7
Graham Crackers 5.6
Tabby Treat 5.1
E. Buttress Gully
Continuation 5.6
Commencement 5.9
Stretch 5.9
Skigliak 5.9

2nd time
July 23-24
With Matt Cox, Eric Ericson, Bullwinkle, Mike Pope, Sean Curtis, "Wild" Jim Wilson and Guy Keesee
Suicide Rock

Hair Lip 5.10B
Harms Way 5.10B

3rd time
Nov. 16 1974 Joshua Tree National Monument
with Matt Cox, Alan Lennard

Peyote Crack 5.8 (free solo)
Negasaurus 5.10A
Judas 5.10B
Dandylion 5.10A
Howard's Horror 5.7

4th time
Yosemite/Easter 1975
with-Matt Cox, John Long, Gary Ayres, Meesa Geesee, Alan and Spencer Lennard

Swan Slab (in the rain)5.10 A2/3 (clean) (Matt and Largo (on pitch one) only)
Vendetta 5.10B
Anathema 5.10B
Moby Dick 5.9

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Dec 22, 2016 - 07:20pm PT

Dave

I remember you of course and all the dates are when I would have been there and 99% of those people I remember. But I never kept records of anything or if I did they are long since lost.

The Lennards, the homemade hash boys. They also got arrested for GTA (grand theft avocado) if I recall.

Hair Lip was when Bulwinkle fell off the lip.

Easter of 1975 I came up with... in his Mercedes and he had a half pound in the trunk. And gave each of us a key.

Mike G. and maybe it was Tobin got stuck up on Washington Column that week when it snowed.

Thanks for the memories.

jeff constine

Trad climber

Ao Namao

Dec 23, 2016 - 08:03am PT

n John Long and the Goyle at the base of the Pirate. 1982

Johannsolo

climber

Soul Cal

Dec 23, 2016 - 10:47am PT

Nice shot of South Arete, here is another:

apshaitwister

Sport climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 11, 2017 - 09:45pm PT

Hey all,

Curtis and Jess's daughter here. A conversation with my mom earlier tonight led me here, and I couldn't help but chime in.

My dad's happily back in L.A., getting paid to hang out at drag races and car shows (anyone who knows him would know that that's a dream come true), and my mom is indeed in CO.

Peter, if you'd like to swap contact info, I know one person who would love to hear from you.

-Rita

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Jan 12, 2017 - 04:46am PT

Hi Dear Rita,
here is Max

Your dad always wanted to move something fast (cars) and I'm so glad that he's doing that now.

I'll cobble together another email addy and let you know. The Super Topo mail to mail service does not work.

Just so you know I met you the first time when your were 2.

Peater

mooch

Trad climber

Tribal Base Camp (Kernville Annex)

Jan 12, 2017 - 09:33am PT

Yet to go free......'Forest Lawn' (A2+)

mooch

Trad climber

Tribal Base Camp (Kernville Annex)

Jan 12, 2017 - 01:03pm PT

I came back a year later to give Munge a go......cottonmouth and my tail between my legs!

How goes it Big P!? Heard from our favorite 'Breaking Bad' chem teacher lately? A Simpson sesh sounds in order!

jeff constine

Trad climber

Ao Namao

Jan 12, 2017 - 03:48pm PT

Peter Hays On site of Etude BITD.

EdBannister

Mountain climber

13,000 feet

Jan 12, 2017 - 03:49pm PT

i remember a route being chopped because it wasn't one of your club who put it up...

later the same line was done by approved personnel and listed as a first ascent.

Even this "Re: Suicide Photos" is reminiscent of the attitude, "Suicide Photos" was started previously and still visible when you started this one.... ok..

perfectly illustrative

bvb

Social climber

flagstaff arizona

Jan 12, 2017 - 04:18pm PT

It occurs to me that although I logged what must be many hundreds of days climbing at Tahquitz, Suicide, and Black Mountain, I don't have a single photo to show for any of it. Seems odd, but the memories are as vivid as ever.

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Jan 12, 2017 - 06:04pm PT

Rita

Send anything to iseemtoforget@gmail.com

Peater

ps: Love to your mom Jess and your dad Curtis.

apshaitwister

Sport climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 12, 2017 - 06:59pm PT

Peater! (We always remember you as the dental tool polaroid guy) I love that photo! Max and I still climb to this very day, thanks to my mom and all the wonderful friends she and my dad had. In fact, when I visited my mom for the first time at her new digs, we took a family outing to Boulder Canyon, a delicious 30 minutes from home. She always seems to land next to a good pile of rocks.

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Jan 12, 2017 - 07:03pm PT

Hi Ed

**"""i remember a route being chopped because it wasn't one of your club who put it up...

later the same line was done by approved personnel and listed as a first ascent.

Even this "Re: Suicide Photos" is reminiscent of the attitude, "Suicide Photos" was started previously and still visible when you started this one.... ok..

perfectly illustrative"""
**

Ed: First of all I'm a ST noobie. If I did something wrong then I'm sorry. I've been offline in the climbing community for about 20 years.

The "re Suicide Photos" post has led me to so many friends that I don't know how I would have found otherwise.

I don't know what club you are referring to. Sure I climbed Valhalla several times, but I never chopped any bolts on anything.

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Jan 12, 2017 - 07:36pm PT

Dear Rita
Always kept your mom on belay.

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Jan 12, 2017 - 10:03pm PT

bvd

If I ever had a camera I couldn't afford to use it. So the memories are all we get to take away.

I have a scar on my right arm from a tree branch below some climb. It serves as a photo of that route for me.

:)

rmuir

Social climber

From the Time Before the Rocks Cooled.

Jan 13, 2017 - 08:57am PT

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Jan 17, 2017 - 11:31pm PT

Hey Rob

I wasn't there at the suicide party because I wasn't old enough. My parent's wouldn't let me go.

Great photos. What do you think Bull will do with them.

It's sort of my missing years during that time. I had to mow the lawn some weekends and others I was granted permission to join the climbers.

wingding

Trad climber

Claremont, California

Jan 20, 2017 - 04:52pm PT

wingding

Trad climber

Claremont, California

Jan 20, 2017 - 05:14pm PT

GibO

Trad climber

Breckenridge

Jan 21, 2017 - 10:41am PT

Wow Peater, thanks for bringing back some memories. Great to see your post.

Peater

Trad climber

Salt Lake City Ut.

Topic Author's Reply - Jan 21, 2017 - 11:24pm PT

Hey Gib

Took a 20 yr stint off line on forums but it's fun to re meet a lot of folks.

EdBannister

Mountain climber

13,000 feet

Jan 22, 2017 - 10:46am PT

Peater, no problem,
glad you found old friends.

Coreshot

Trad climber

Bozeman, MT

Apr 13, 2018 - 08:12am PT

All, reading back on this thread from a couple of years ago, it seems that many of you know Peter (Peater) Wilkening. I am jumping on here to try to connect some dots. Sadly, my friends and former coworkers at Black Diamond informed me that my friend and longtime coworker at Black Diamond, Peter Wilkening, passed away in his home in Salt Lake City recently. I used to work with Peter for over a decade at Black Diamond. He worked on harnesses and tents, and was a master. He was found in his home by a neighbor, and seemingly has no known next of kin, and BD has no emergency contacts on file. A I am just wondering if there is anyone in the old CA climbing crew that still remembers Peter well enough to know if he has any next of kin or anyone there he kept in touch with. I worked closely with Peter over the years, and we had a mutual respect for one-another in climbing and product, and enjoyed a good work friendship. We shared a common passion for live music, the Grateful Dead, climbing in Tuolumne, and the Sierra. He spoke of the old days, but never in enough detail for me to know all the names. I'd love to hear stories from some of his old crew, and find out if he has any family or other folks who may be able to ensure he doesn't just end up in a state funeral.

Bullwinkle

Boulder climber

Apr 13, 2018 - 09:15am PT

Very sad news,please email me I can help with next of kin. deanfidelman gmail.com

G_Gnome

Trad climber

Cali

Apr 13, 2018 - 09:21am PT

That is sad. I always really liked Peter, he was so enthusiastic. Another one of us is gone.

Tarbuster

climber

right here, right now

Apr 13, 2018 - 09:53am PT

Damn, another of us with a good heart now has none, having lost it to the ethers, but we'll be sure to collect it and keep it for him.
Vaya con Dios, Peater.

looking sketchy there...

Social climber

Lassitude 33

Apr 13, 2018 - 10:57am PT

Can't help with family contacts (but do email dean).

This is sad news. Peter was always a very kind soul and very low profile, but a big part of the So Cal scene in the 1970s. He worked many years for Mike Graham in his sewing business in Ventura. Always enjoyed my interactions with Peter. It was nice to see him post up on this thread more recently.

Largo

Sport climber

The Big Wide Open Face

Apr 13, 2018 - 11:51am PT

Very sorry about Peter, very much part of the crew back in the 70s So Cal climbing scene. Mike Graham and/or Dean F. can probably direct someone to Peter's kinfolk.

paul roehl

Boulder climber

california

Apr 13, 2018 - 12:00pm PT

Really sorry to hear this. Peter was one really nice guy and an incredibly strong climber. I can only think of him as young and strong powering through moves out at Stony. Very, very sorry to hear.

Jamesthomsen

Social climber

Mammoth Lakes, California

Apr 16, 2018 - 04:53pm PT

RIP Peater.

We got to know each other at Stoney in the early 1970s and then he came to work with us at Wilderness Experience. His passion, other than climbing, was to find ways to make products better. We shared a lot of time together at work and climbing. We used to have races to see who could assemble packs faster...Peater always won.

One of the worlds nicest people.

Last row, left. With his signature hair and headband. 1974/1975

Off White

climber

Tenino, WA

Apr 16, 2018 - 06:44pm PT

Ah, when I just now started reading this thread from the start, looking at the dates, I had a feeling it might take a sad turn. I don't think we met, but we occupied some of the same spaces around the same time, sad to read of his loss; his joy and wonder at finding all ya'll again was abundantly evident in this thread.

Coreshot

Trad climber

Bozeman, MT

Apr 17, 2018 - 09:33am PT

Peater's long-time friend, Jessica (Jess) Larrabee has agreed to arrange for his remains to be cremated and will plan a memorial for later in the summer. The cremation is expected to cost around $900.

I am appealing to all who knew Peater to kick in a few bucks to help cover this cost. Here is a link to the GoFundMe page:

https://www.gofundme.com/peater-wilkening-memorial

Coreshot

Trad climber

Bozeman, MT

Apr 18, 2018 - 10:51am PT

All,

The support for the Peater Wilkening Memorial GoFundMe has been fantastic, and we have raised money in excess of our expectations. I am thinking I will take the page down, unless anyone disagrees. Thank you to everyone who contributed. It is a really great show of support for Peater, and a testament to the community.

Next step will be for me to get the money to Jess. She is working with the medical examiner's office and the crematory to arrange everything for Peater.

illusion dweller

Trad climber

Colorado

Apr 26, 2018 - 09:55pm PT

Greetings and thank you so much to everyone who donated to the GoFundMe campaign that Coreshot created for Peater. It is a testament to how many of us loved him. We can only hope that he knew this as now we have only memories in lieu of his physical presence.

I wanted you all to know that Peater has been cremated and I should have him with me in the next couple of days. I will keep him at my home in Colorado until August, when I am planning a memorial to honor his memory, most likely in Tuolumne. I will let everyone know the exact date when I have one. I will be using the excess funds donated to purchase some libations & food for the event, as well as a few photo enlargements. I am also considering, at the suggestion of Coreshot, making a donation in Peater's name to the Access Fund unless anyone objects. I think Peater would have approved.

I am also creating an email list of everyone who is interested in attending so I can make sure you all are updated with the details as they develop. Please email me if you would like to be added to this list. jessperrlarr@gmail.com.

Thank you all again for such overwhelming support in record time. Peater would've been blown away.

P.S. Just for clarification, I am not a regular visitor to SuperTopo and due to this was not aware that apparently there was another "Illusion Dweller" in the past who was less then well received. eKat informed me that I should change my "handle" because of this but I was unable to edit my information. I just want to make sure that everyone knows I am not THAT Illusion Dweller :)

guyman

Social climber

Moorpark, CA.

Apr 27, 2018 - 08:46am PT

Thanks for doing this.

Coreshot

Trad climber

Bozeman, MT

May 16, 2018 - 08:08am PT

All,
I thought you would like to see that Black Diamond has commemorated the R&D Sew Lab at the SLC headquarters (a room where Peater spent a lot of time tinkering with ideas for harnesses and tents) as the "Peater Wilkening Sew Lab" in his honor. Check it out! Permanently etched in glass!