Discussion Topic |
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dave yerian
Trad climber
the parking lot
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 5, 2017 - 09:48am PT
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For some reason, it's so easy to forget people in our lives who are no longer with us. For myself, anyway, I'll never get over John's death. I live with him every day in my heart.
Let's remember John, not just for his climbing, but for who he was as a human being.
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G_Gnome
Trad climber
Cali
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We were just talking about the last day we spent with John when we met at the Dike Wall just two days before he died there. I haven't gone back there yet and don't know if I ever will. He is remembered Dave.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Trad climber
Will know soon
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Certainly not the greatest photo, but holds a heart full of memories.
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Tom Patterson
Trad climber
Seattle
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Doggone it...I just liked him.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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How can John ever be forgotten?
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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It's crazy. I emailed the AAC after John's death and asked why his obituary
wasn't in the Journal and they gave me a lame excuse that the obit section was limited to 'members.' What a stoopid answer. Considering John's
accomplishments he should have been on Page 1 of the Journal that year. . .
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wayne w
Trad climber
the nw
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Jul 11, 2017 - 01:32am PT
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Thanks for starting this thread, Dave. I too, think of John often.
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immanti
climber
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Aug 19, 2017 - 04:51am PT
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Hi everyone, and thanks for the thread Dave.
"The white cracker rapper..." "Baj-har", he'd say.
As anyone can see here, he lives on, in our hearts and memories.
I often smile to myself as I remember something we did, some story he told, some advice he offerend or some thought he shared.
He was permanently curious. Always eager to explore, to learn, to meet people, taste new food, or look for new ways to solve old problems.
And he was sharp as a tack. He expected excellence -particularly from himself- and despised hypocrisy, prejudice and mediocrity.
He was an inspiration to me long before we became friends, and he still is.
So keep the memories alive -tell the stories, share the pics. And, if you like, throw on some funk while you do.
Cheers, JB.
-Dario
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Aug 19, 2017 - 05:08am PT
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Listening to Miles right now, and got George Clinton on deck!
Remembering how much fun we (Bachar, Ed Hartouni & I ) had climbing in the gym in Oakland that time....
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Aug 19, 2017 - 09:23am PT
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that was a great day indeed Jaybro! three old men complaining about their broken bodies, and climbing to 10d (in the gym).
Bachar exclaiming "they jump off those boulder problems from that high!" He was just recovering from such a landing himself, outside.
Though time is limited, every time I lace up my last remaining pair of Acopas I smile.
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Aug 19, 2017 - 09:55am PT
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Hey DARIO!!!!! Miss you man, still wearing a couple pair of Acopa's. hope you are well!
Peace
One of my daughters gifts to me
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jgill
Boulder climber
The high prairie of southern Colorado
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Aug 19, 2017 - 12:49pm PT
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From a memorable day many years ago. RIP John.
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville & Yucca brevifolia
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Aug 19, 2017 - 04:48pm PT
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I only met John a couple of times, not climbing but in social situations. He seemed genuine and reserved.
He was the most eloquent speaker at Mike Reardon's memorial and the funniest as well. It is times like that when you see a person's true character. He wanted the crowd to know that life is now, this moment, and not the past or future.
He was a force to be reckoned with on the rock but, more importantly, he cared for others in a brutally honest way.
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dave yerian
Trad climber
the parking lot
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 22, 2017 - 11:18am PT
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Thanks everyone. John was a force to be reckoned with and most of all a friend. Yerian
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Aug 22, 2017 - 11:58am PT
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When we were both quite young .... heck John was in high school and I was going to Pierce College. John would ride his Kawasaki 175 all the way from Torrence to Stoney. After Stoney he would stay at my place... "The Oliver Moon Hotel" as we called it and then get up at like 5:30 am for the ride to school.....
One time he was having charging issues with his little motor bike. So I told him "we need to charge it... you open up the seat so we can get to the battery and I will go inside and get my charger..."
Now John was one who really never worked on cars or knew what a left-handed screwdriver was good for.... but I had asked him to get to the battery. He didn't know about the release latch on the side of the seat but he knew that the seat had to come off of that sucker-- somehow-- he could see the battery under the seat.
He figured it just pulled off, so he got his incredible strength into it and just pulled up on the seat-- HARD-- pulling the 2 10mm screws and the nuts right through the steel brace!!!!!!!
He knew it wasn't right but the battery was now ready for charging.
And with a little pounding and some over-sized fender washers I was able to get the seat to stay closed.
I do miss John and Tobin and Gary Ayers and Shawn Curtis.... my old climbing buddies who have passed on.
RIP my friends.
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Fat Dad
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
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Aug 22, 2017 - 12:54pm PT
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Interesting timing for this thread. I was just bouldering at the Gunks this weekend in the Meadows with my daughter. The reason why that's relevant is because long ago, a couple buddies and I were hitching back to the TM campground after doing something up by Medlicott. Not having much luck but after a while a red VW van slows and picks us up. It's Bachar of course. He asks us if we're going bouldering and we just nod 'no'. So he goads us a bit for not biting, but we're tired. He stops after a bit by the side of the road and gets out and starts hiking into the woods. We follow him a short ways, see the Gunks for the first time and then wander back to the road to bun another ride. Thirty years later, I finally get back there. JB put up some awesome problems.
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immanti
climber
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Aug 22, 2017 - 04:31pm PT
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Hey Ron, thanks! Awesome gift, very honored by the subject!
Time flies, doesn't it. I miss all you guys, I don't get to come out as often these days. Give me a ring sometime, I called a few months ago but couldn't get through.
Anyway, I'm always glad to see FoJ posting. And I love the stories!
Here's a JB story for you all, hoping y'all might share more...
In early 08, John, Duane R. and I were visiting a crag near Guadalajara. John was going to climb a few routes, Duane was going to shoot a few photos. Once John picked a route and Duane had found a good spot to shoot from, JB changed into a clean, red Acopa T-shirt and started up his warm-up -"Mujer Perfecta", a single-pitch, solid 10c sport route on the most visible face in the area.
Just then I noticed a couple of local characters, non-climbers, hanging out, drinking beer in the shade of a big boulder, about 150 feet away from the route John was climbing. As John began his ascent, they started pointing and making comments, obviously shocked to see someone climbing unroped.
John cruised the route and the 5.8 down climb. After a while, he changed shirts and we all moved off to look for another location. We eventually headed towards the big boulder, which is a classic called "El Cubito" featuring about a half dozen lines, and we came upon the two characters, still hanging out, drinking beer.
After exchanging friendly hellos, they asked what we were doing, to which John replied in near perfect Spanish that he was thinking of climbing the boulder. Their eyes lit up as they began telling him about some crazy güero who had just climbed up the big rock without a rope about a half hour ago.
"Without a rope? No way, that's impossible!" John replied.
"It's true! We saw it, man! He went up unroped, some dude with a red t-shirt!"
"Oh, I don't believe it!" John insisted.
This went on for a minute or two, as I tried not to bust out laughing. Then John declared "Well, if he can climb without a rope, so can I!"
"Sure! Me too!" they joked.
As JB popped out his climbing shoes and started lacing up, they became increasingly worried, telling him how dangerous it was and trying to talk him out of it.
Then, John told them it was in fact he who had climbed the big rock unroped. They got serious for a second, looked him up and down and said "Nah, that wasn't you!"
That got us laughing. I chimed in, supporting John's statement, but they didn't completely believe it until he started climbing. Even they could recognize the way he moved. They had seen other climbers, but none moved so smoothly.
I told them briefly about JB and his climbing accomplishments. They asked why he was there and I explained we were friends and business partners, making climbing shoes. Then they uttered the wisest words I heard them say all day.
"Orale... Oh man! We are really lucky to see him!"
And we were.
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thebravecowboy
climber
The Good Places
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Aug 22, 2017 - 05:02pm PT
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Saaaa-mohkin!
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OnsightOrGoHome
Trad climber
Fair Oaks
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Aug 22, 2017 - 05:26pm PT
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jgill,
I've studied the photo of JB that you posted above and concluded it's not humanly possible to put oneself in that position while moving upward. It's either photoshopped or something unimaginable is occurring. Hmmmm?
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supafly
Trad climber
vancouver, bc
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Aug 22, 2017 - 06:21pm PT
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I randomly came across the Bachar boulders, just outside June Lake, on a road trip around the US this spring.
I thought about how cool it would have been to run into JB around there.
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Aug 22, 2017 - 06:54pm PT
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Dario! Great story and John had plenty more from his visits with you. I'll never forget "meeting" you, was at PA's house with John, Peter and Karine getting a dinner cocktail session going. Karine was mixing STRONG drinks, we were all getting a bit tweeked. PA was getting a gorgeous piece of beef ready for grilling and the "cook"(John) was on the computer with you in Mexico getting more and more animated by the minute. I tell PA I got the grill covered so Johnny can keep talking with you. Next thing I know, Johnny has some tequila shots in our hands and he's wanting to introduce me to to "my Brother Mexican"! Hence we meet on Scype or what ever it was then. It was a great evening...listening to John and Peter tell stories of their climbing together. I've been blessed to have such great friends. Oh yeah....the ride home from Mammoth with you and Kelly, dropping you in Long Beach. Another classic time Bro!
Peace
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jgill
Boulder climber
The high prairie of southern Colorado
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Aug 22, 2017 - 07:43pm PT
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jgill, I've studied the photo of JB that you posted above and concluded it's not humanly possible to put oneself in that position while moving upward
As I remember it John started the dyno with both hands where his left hand is and both feet on the rock below. A powerful spring upward, but I recall he didn't quite reach the upper hold. No mat back then, of course. (That's how I developed severe lower spine problems)
No PhotoShop.
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immanti
climber
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Aug 23, 2017 - 04:33am PT
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Thanks Dingus MT and bravecowboy.
And thanks Ron. Definitely remember that skype introduction... Good times!
Also... Thrilled to see Mr. John Gill posting here. I know JB was a big admirer, as am I.
Best to all.
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Mike Bolte
Trad climber
Planet Earth
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Aug 23, 2017 - 10:04pm PT
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wow - great shot John Gill! Do you have a stash of similarly-incredible photos that have never been shown to the world?
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The Wolf
Trad climber
Martinez, CA
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Aug 24, 2017 - 12:42pm PT
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jgill
Boulder climber
The high prairie of southern Colorado
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Aug 24, 2017 - 09:28pm PT
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Most are on my website, Mike. johngill.net.
Can you guess this famous climber? He didn't quite make it either.
;>)
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Aug 26, 2017 - 08:44am PT
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Juan Largo!
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LongAgo
Trad climber
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Aug 31, 2017 - 11:20am PT
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Remembering too.
Tom Higgins
LongAgo
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BG
Trad climber
JTree & Idyllwild
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Aug 31, 2017 - 11:38am PT
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Krav
Trad climber
Benicia, CA
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Although I never did know John personally, I did start climbing in the late 70's in SoCal and he was legend at that time, along with Ronny, Largo and Yaniro.
One time I was in the Meadows and saw John at a table by the burger place, probably the 80's. Asked him to recommend a climb and he said "Cucamonga Honey". It was a bit run-out, but I liked that stuff back then. Classic.
And I remember previous to that, he soloed past me on "'Five and Dime" one time as I was hanging out below the crux, trying to find the "jam" to finish the route.
I really miss those days. I still show my old 35 mm slides to my Geology students at the beginning of the school year as an introduction to who I am and the role climbing played in creating the person I have become. They always laugh at the short gym shorts we used to wear, walking around Camp 4. John used to wear shorts like that too. I guess we all did.
Rick
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ron gomez
Trad climber
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Thinkin' of my buddy these days. Miss you John, cherish our relationship....wish so bad you were still with us and tearin' it up. Too many gone...getting lonely, wish we could be all together again like when we were punks with no cares, just to climb.
Peace
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Who could ever forget JB?
4th of youlie
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Sport climber
moving thru
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July 5, 2009 I got a call from I hate plastic. "Are you sitting down Lynne?" Sunburned and happy, I had just walked in the door from several days with family celebrating the 4th of July at Big Bear Lake, CA. I sat down as he told me John had fallen off Dike Wall and died. Shocked beyond belief.....
I'm still stunned. John, along with others on the Taco, helped me find direction when my husband, Dan, died a year plus before JB. I owe much to John and cannot believe it has been, what, 9 whole years since the rock and his community have been without him? As he would say, "Yikes!"
Remembering John and all our friends we are without tonight. I am reminded to make my life count and to love those in my life. Hugs and and love to John Bachar Jr. and Yvonne as well as Tyrus and Paola.
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G_Gnome
Trad climber
Cali
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On this day in 2009 I spent the afternoon climbing and hanging with John at the Dike Wall. Little did I guess that 2 days later he would be gone. I had known John for so long it was hard to imagine. There are way too many people that I miss that are now gone.
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Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
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the template, the mold, A, -be that- if you dare!
for how we were all to see,
And to have seen
IT
almost pure; the life guide in guide mode.
just to hear his notes float out past some smokey boulders
Was a thrill
thnx jack . . .
it still takes my breath away
"no one is pure , son"
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Sierra Ledge Rat
Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
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I had seen John around, but finally met him in the Mountain Room Bar that night after his free-solo on Nabisco. He was so humble. Cool guy.
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TripleS_in_EBs
climber
Poulsbo, WA
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Here's a link to the Climb Talk Radio John Bachar interview from 2009.
https://archive.org/details/completebachar
Salute to John; to his accomplishments and to the standard of rock climbing ethics, vision, and mental approach that he carried forward.
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Trashman
Trad climber
SLC
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Amen Frostback, I remember seeing that thread title 9 years ago yesterday and thinking he seemed more complex than the caricature I’d read about in the mags(expected more Rand from him). Couldn’t believe it later that day when I heard.
Was thinking of another missing friend this morning. To all those who’ve lost loved ones, know that many others are out there thinking of and missing them as well, their impact was, and always will be real.
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
ne'er–do–well
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Was looking at his last post here Jul 5, 2009 - 01:12pm PT -- I suspect he was waiting for Dike Wall to go into the shade.
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Rollover
climber
Gross Vegas
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JB and JB
Probably 32 and 18 respectively
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Miss you John.
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Rollover
climber
Gross Vegas
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Base of Short but Thin just before Bachar soloed it
IIRC.
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Rollover
climber
Gross Vegas
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Zombie Woof .12burly
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Rollover
climber
Gross Vegas
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John Bachar and Richard Harrison
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Sport climber
moving thru
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Great posts all and a wonderful tribute to John.
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ron gomez
Trad climber
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Bachstar....as in Bachar. Oh by the way....Wil is the BEST sounding guitar I've ever heard! All ranges sound.....PERfect! I just LOVE it.
Peace
EKat knows what I'm talkin about.
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ron gomez
Trad climber
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The old Camp 4 reunion campout/reunion/parties we use to have on the Eastside, one of them I picked a place to camp kinda away from the crowd. John invited me up to camp, after things calmed down I went back to crash. Jihn kinda followed me back and I think he kinda knew I was around in Josh when he was “learning” to “play”. It was horrendous in Hidden Valley listening to the “sexaphone”. Well that magical night, he set up close to my camp spot and played the most gorgeous, sexiest, smoothest saxaphone lines as I listened to a lonely moonlit night and fell asleep to my buddy playing for me his artistry!
Miss ya John
Peace
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ron gomez
Trad climber
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Well whatever ya'll did......WORKS! It is amazing how the bass strings and treble strings all seem to voice the "same". Volumne level and it seems resonance is the same across the board. Figure picking or with a a pick, incredible! Sustain......I only dream of that kinda of sustain. And it's a small body! Blanchard is a wizard with sound and art. I spend half my playing time just starring at the appointments...woods are gorgeous, abalone is almost irradescent, everything seems to flow into the next.
Peace
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ron gomez
Trad climber
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In keeping this "on topic", quite the compliment coming from you guys that I get it! I wish I could play to this guitars capability, but I think I get sound! Music is a truly magical and blessed thing to "get" and I think along with the human body...John and I shared, music. We liked many of the same artist, shared appreciation for different genres and appreciated musical diversity. I'm happy he played yer guitar Kath...I'll think and feel that when I play Wil.
Viva BachStar and Bachar!
Peace
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