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MH2
Boulder climber
Andy Cairns
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The best. Well done.
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nah000
climber
now/here
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thank you for taking the time to share this...
sorry it took his passing to hear a few stories about a ripper making continuous bombing runs while flying just under the radar...
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i-b-goB
Social climber
Wise Acres
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Thanks Andy, another loss too young who burned so bright!
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Charlie B
Social climber
Santa Rosa, Ca
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Lost a bro. A good bro. Will miss you always honk. F*#king bummer.
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Lurking Fear
Boulder climber
Bishop, California
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D2R2,
I suspect it had something to do with being et al to the captain, although he told me a different reason.
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Zirkel
climber
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Jun 10, 2017 - 09:59am PT
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I worked with Matt in radiology for seven years. A couple of stories stand out:
Apparently Matt used to work as an ER tech at Mammoth Hospital while considering a potential career in healthcare as a means to make a living on the Eastside. One busy day, while in the ER, he pointed to a guy sitting in the corner reading a book and asked, "what does HE do?" A coworker replied that he's an x-ray tech. Matt declared, "That's what I want to do!"
I can't confirm nor deny the IV stories, but I will say that Matt had his work-related recovery dialed. From the moment he clocked in till the moment he clocked out he was sitting on the couch in the break room, feet elevated, with a book in his hands (Matt was a voracious reader). The only times I saw him get up during the work day was to take a phone call, x-ray a patient or to break for lunch at Manor Market.
I'm reminded of a quote heard long ago, something to the effect of... "Work is the price that must be paid. Enlightenment begins at 5 pm." To me, this in many ways embodies Matt.
Although it's been a couple of years since I've last seen him, I still can't comprehend the fact that he's not still out there, somewhere, flying under everyone's radar. Matt Ciancio was, in my mind, THE consumate Eastsider and will always be remembered as such.
Fly well, my friend.
Dave
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wayne w
Trad climber
the nw
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Jun 10, 2017 - 04:27pm PT
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Beautifully written tribute to an all-time crusher, Andy. R.I.P. Matt.
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Bargainhunter
climber
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Jun 10, 2017 - 08:50pm PT
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Andy, I love your pic of Matt in the purple shirt on Freerider.
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ryankelly
Trad climber
Bhumi
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Jun 11, 2017 - 12:54am PT
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one of those people I mostly just heard stories about from others, great stories that made me laugh.
way to live it up this time around the sun Honky, my hats off to you
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marty(r)
climber
beneath the valley of ultravegans
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Jun 16, 2017 - 02:55pm PT
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Thanks for that, Andy. Sad but true, some of the best writing in our community often comes out of tremendous loss. Be well on the other side, Matt.
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Stimbo
Trad climber
Crowley Lake
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Jun 16, 2017 - 07:27pm PT
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Thanks Andy for the nice tribute. What a loss.
jim
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madbolter1
Big Wall climber
Denver, CO
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Jun 16, 2017 - 08:18pm PT
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That was an incredible OP!
I never met him or even heard of him, but I was deeply touched and inspired by what you wrote about him. Thank you for sharing.
You were blessed to have a friend like Honky.
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Little Guy
climber
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Jun 22, 2017 - 11:32am PT
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One of the times Matty didn't free solo Snake Dike alone...
Nathaniel Walker
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Nick Danger
Ice climber
Arvada, CO
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Jun 22, 2017 - 12:10pm PT
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Andy, A really inspired bit o' writing for a very inspiring human being - you do your departed friend justice. Remarkable tribute, really. RIP "Honky", and thanks for shining your light in our world.
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tom woods
Gym climber
Bishop, CA
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Jun 22, 2017 - 06:20pm PT
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Lurking Fear- Santa's Little Helper was the dog on the Simpsons. Homer didn't want to keep him, but his kids did, and the dog was so quiet and sweet that Homer had to let him into the home.
I think it was a fond nickname.
I only climbed with Matt for a winter or so. He was the one that brought the propane heater to El Dorado roof.
Here I was- all hippy dippy dippy low impact, and he showed me the error of my ways.
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DanRistow
Trad climber
Los Gatos
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Jun 23, 2017 - 12:52am PT
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Blakey
Trad climber
Sierra Vista
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Jun 23, 2017 - 05:32am PT
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What a guy! A great and worthy obit.
Steve
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BLUEBLOCR
Social climber
joshua tree
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Jun 23, 2017 - 09:51am PT
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That's the best tribute I ever read, Thank You!
RIP Honky
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olivier
Social climber
Hood River, OR
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Jun 28, 2017 - 12:12pm PT
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Matt,
You were a great and genuine friend, and all-around nice guy. Always positive. Fly on, buddy.
To everyone who chimed in, and especially to Andy for detailing a life well lived, thank you. An incredible tribute.
The pictures are amazing. I'll try and dig up a few when I get home.
Oliv
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Tanya B
climber
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Jun 29, 2017 - 01:06pm PT
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I was privileged to spend many summers as Matt's house guest even though I was in the backcountry more than I was there. At that time I was one of the few females in Honky Heaven and Matt always treated me like a special sister. There was endless banter, training tips, looping of the videos The Last Waltz and The Eiger Sanction, breakfast at Silver lake, Surfer Bob climbing demonstrations, Dick Erb wisdom, eggplant parm, ice cream lunch breaks in Bishop, and by the end of the 2 months I felt like knew the entire East Side climbing scene if only by their nicknames. My last trip to the Sierras Matt bought a backpack and all the "f*#kyf*#k" gear that mortals, who can't climb routes car-to-car like Matt did, need so he could camp out the night with us. Matt hated camping- I knew this trip was special.
I was below the crux pitch on the Mithral Dihedral when Matt came soloing up behind us, passing my partner. He had already soloed the Fishhook. He didn't have a harness to clip my anchor, he just stood there and chatted. He knew leading the cruxes of the route was my goal and that I was finally ready for it. He gave me a pep talk, button up palm shirt flapping in the wind, chalk on his face, cheap sunglasses and pleated polyester dress pants: it was Matty at his finest....and off he went.
And that is how I will always remember Matty
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