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WanderlustMD
Trad climber
New England
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May 26, 2017 - 06:42am PT
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I met Matt a few years ago when he was working on the Freerider. He and his partner rapped in when we were dragging ass up the Salathe to work the upper third of the route. Obviously a talented climber and seemed very good natured. This is lousy news, condolences to all who knew him.
Matt
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Lurking Fear
Boulder climber
Bishop, California
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May 26, 2017 - 07:00am PT
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I worked with Matt for 13 years, and skied, climbed, and hike with him. My wife and I will miss him a lot. I always admired his boundless energy and that he always said what he meant. No sense to this; I'm really sad. Condolences to his family and friends. Andrew Stevens
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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May 26, 2017 - 01:03pm PT
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That's really sad, Dick. Condolences to all who knew him. These damn flying sports are taking too many climbers. Take care, folks.
BAd
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Urmas
Social climber
Sierra Eastside
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May 26, 2017 - 03:11pm PT
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I am saddened by this news! Matt and I had some really fun and memorable times together. I watched him move up through the grades, climbing ever harder, until he was out of my league. On our last climb together, he dragged me up the Crucifix on HCR (He made me lead the wide pitches though). His enthusiasm and joyous, friendly character will be greatly missed. Such a shame!!
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pyrosis
Boulder climber
Bishop, CA
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May 26, 2017 - 04:54pm PT
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I will miss your smiling face, your boundless energy, your irreverent sense of humor. Rest in peace, Matt. Until next time...
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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May 26, 2017 - 05:03pm PT
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Very sad. I didn't know him but the tributes on this thread make it clear that he was quite a guy.
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Capt.
climber
some eastside hovel
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May 26, 2017 - 05:12pm PT
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Also only knew Matt in passing but I can definitely second the notion of him being constantly psyched. Endless energy and stoke. Condolences to all friends and family.
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Bargainhunter
climber
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May 26, 2017 - 05:18pm PT
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Tragic Loss. He was always a pleasure to work with. Very sweet and patient with his patients.
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drF
Trad climber
usa
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May 26, 2017 - 05:44pm PT
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Fantastic tribute Christine.
So sorry for your loss
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Connie Merritt
Social climber
New Fairfield CT
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May 26, 2017 - 07:10pm PT
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Thank you for sharing all these beautiful memories of Matt.
Love, his family in CT
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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May 26, 2017 - 07:15pm PT
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Hangin with Lonnie, he's bummin
Peace
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T2
climber
Cardiff by the sea
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May 27, 2017 - 10:51am PT
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Though I have never met Matt I am sadden from his loss. His passing has me reflect deeply on my direction and future with certain adventures. I was to be soon introduced to Matt through a mutual friend so that we could play in the sky together. I am sorry that I never got to experience any of Matts energy and kindness that you all speak of.
My condolences to all of his family and loved ones.
BSBD Matt
I hope we cross paths on the other side!
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the pope
Trad climber
BISHOP
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May 30, 2017 - 02:22pm PT
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Not only was Matt an amazing climber, adventurer and crazy deadhead , he was a kind and a talented xray tech who kept us all laughing and charmed his patients with his quick wit and smile. We will miss his energy and joy for life. May the four winds blow you safely home... S.T.P
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le_bruce
climber
Oakland, CA
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May 30, 2017 - 07:35pm PT
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We met Matt and his partner up high on the Salathe. Ever been in a deal where you're kind of near your capacity, and working hard to keep it together? Then a person shows up who is so clearly capable, and relaxed, and full of good vibes and humor - that it alleviates your own stress and fear? That was Matt, you could tell after one exchange - the type of person capable of elevating others.
From another thread:
We met Pete and Matt in late June up on the Salathe. They were working the Freerider from the Teflon up on a 100m cord. Had the pleasure of watching them on the picturebook corner from the belay below the roof. Both of them were using PhD levels of body English on that thing, especially the second, .12 pitch - something wild to see. Only wish I'd had my camera.
Also, suuuuuuper nice and full of good energy those dudes. They were on a classic east-siders 24 hr Valley run, having left Mammoth around 11p the night before (we first met them on the Block at maybe 6 or 7a that morning).
They passed us mid-afternoon on the FR variations out left after being gracious about waiting for us to clear the belay. Around 8 or 9p we were relaxing on Long and saw a headlamp flashing from down in the meadow, then heard what we figured was one of those guys bellowing our names up with encouragement and good psych. Good vibes like that are worth gold up there for any team like us pushing our own limits.
We watched their lights pull away from the meadow, headed back to the east side for a Mammoth->Teflon-and-up->Mammoth 24 hour run. Plus they were hucking multiple laps on the barnburner pitches.
Pete belaying Matt across the "Five Twelve in No-Man's Land" pitch, at least that's what we called it (that f'ing pitch looks insane out there in space). My partner is nearing the belay on the headwall:
Matt on lead, bottom left:
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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May 31, 2017 - 06:10pm PT
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Matt sounds like one of the special people we we have all known and will miss dearly.
Sorry for your loss, everyone.
I offer my since condolences to Matt's Family and many many friends.
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Heisenberg
Trad climber
RV, middle of Nowehere
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May 31, 2017 - 09:11pm PT
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I met Matt in 2005-2006. Living in Mammoth/Tom's Place.
He was a machine back then and looks like he still was today. Him, Brent O and Jason L. we're hard to keep up with. I believe it was him and Brent who did the Rostrum, Astroman and Crucifix all in one day.
The dude was an artist to watch climbing. Pure style and class on vertical terrain.
Such a humble, kind, motivated and positive person to be around.
Thanx Matt for being yourself.
See you on the flip side.
BSBD
Cya
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jeff_scott
Trad climber
Lodi
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Very sorry to hear that, he seems like a great person. Last year there was a pair tandem Jumpers killed there the day before my daughter was to go on a tandem jump herself. So my wife made me change venues, it does have a long history of accidents. One of my ex students jumps there all the time for years (my daughter was to jump with him) insists that is safe. I live nearby and watch the jumpers almost every day, kind of fun but sad with the deaths each year. I also know the vineyard owners and they get kind of creeped out by all accidents.
Sorry for the loss...
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snakefoot
climber
Nor Cal
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though i did not know matt, condolences to the family and friends. this is heartbreaking and some great posts from above. When things get ugly in a wingsuit, they get bad fast and sounds like he was fighting a death spiral. i have been in a few of these and it can be difficult to get out of, especially when you get thrown on your back and the risers are pinning your head to your chest as the canopy dives toward earth. rest in peace..
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CrisAlex
Trad climber
East Side
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The Eastside lost a good soul. He sure did have an amazing spirit and always was a great person to be around.
RIP Matt.
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