BVB, the passing of an American Legend…

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Messages 161 - 180 of total 222 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
micronut

Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
Jul 27, 2017 - 04:09pm PT
My condolences as well. I was always enamored by his persona and humor here on The Taco. Seemed like a funny dude who could throw down on some stone and stayed stoked for it till the end.

Scott
rmuir

Social climber
From the Time Before the Rocks Cooled.
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 2, 2017 - 12:56pm PT
There will be a memorial service in San Diego on August 6th at 3 pm. The location is the Calvary Chapel, 7525 El Cajon Blvd in La Mesa. Everyone is welcome, it's likely to be a fairly religious service, organized by his older brother Steve and the rest of the family. No doubt there will be some spontaneous climber hang out afterward.

rizzuh

Mountain climber
San Francisco, CA
Aug 16, 2017 - 04:42pm PT
What a legend! Just when I was started thinking I was old school; climbing at the gorge in the mid 90s. Think again!
Dickly

Social climber
KY
Aug 16, 2017 - 05:40pm PT
The dude could wrestle a branch out of his way for a pebble ascent like no other, no saws needed.
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Aug 16, 2017 - 07:27pm PT
In the beginning there was Big Stone...with suspenders in lieu of any backpack.
Pretty sure the MAN never had a spare tire to his credit.
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
Aug 16, 2017 - 11:30pm PT
Rizzuh, think that all you want! Old skool is a state of mind. :)
Gilroy

Social climber
Bolderado
Aug 17, 2017 - 05:04am PT
Though I never met him in person he embodied the irreverent anarchic soul of climbing to me in so many ways. The lack of his colorful presence leaves the craggy American landscape a bit more bland. Condolences to family and friends who so clearly loved him and cherished his company

thebravecowboy

climber
The Good Places
Aug 17, 2017 - 11:36am PT
never knew Bob was a Parkie. What division did he serve? I have a tough time envisioning Interp
Off White

climber
Tenino, WA
Aug 17, 2017 - 02:13pm PT
Bob started out watching pressure gauges for the water system in Yosemite. I think his impressive ability to do nothing for hours on end marked him for management material, so they sent him to training in Boston for a few years. He moved to Torrey UT where he worked as the Administrative Office in Capitol Reef NP for what may have been the best years of his life. Having a growing autistic child, life in rural Utah was difficult at best, so he moved to Salt Lake City where he spent several years as the NPS liason for the Winter Olympics. Knowing that an assignment like that could very well wind up with him transferred to the Administration in Denver, a fate worse than death, he'd negotiated a bail out plan that gave him the option of choosing the park he wanted to work at along with the funding for his position for some period of time. After the Olympics he picked Flagstaff for a home, where he worked for some time in the joint office for Wupatki, Sunset Crater, and Walnut Canyon National Monuments. Rather remarkable for a man once considered "Least Likely To Ever Have A Career."
Off White

climber
Tenino, WA
Aug 17, 2017 - 02:16pm PT
A friend recently pointed out that despite his late life image as a pebble wrestler, he was also a serious hiking machine for awhile, with a one day car to car ascent of the Lowe Route in the Lone Peak Cirque (blowing past the campers in the early morning), numerous long ascents of summits along the Waterpocket Fold in Capitol Reef, and a one day free ascent of the W Face of El Cap in 1987 in impeccable time and style.

Oh, and he wrote poetry too.
thebravecowboy

climber
The Good Places
Aug 17, 2017 - 06:54pm PT
thanks OW, I was thinking of Bob the other morn before this bump.

Dude was legit.



And here's to shrugging off the requests of others that might not have yer best in mind.
Tarbuster

climber
right here, right now
Jan 7, 2018 - 12:52pm PT
Please go read Off White's obit in Rock and Ice:

http://rockandice.com/climbing-news/climbers-we-lost-2017/#bobvanbelle

A poignant excerpt:
The last thing he wrote accompanied a photograph of a dirt-road junction in the La Sal mountains of Utah:

"Interstellar crossroads of the lowbagger gods, the backcountry road junction to end all backcountry road junctions, where time stands still…. Make sure to bring spare tires; two is better, three is best. Have your affairs in order: a full tank of gas and a carton of cigarettes, matches, chalk bag and shoes, and companions, if you choose, who like you are the vanishing connoisseurs of the reckless and uncurated 21st century epic. You could die out there. You could live forever."
thebravecowboy

climber
The Good Places
Jan 7, 2018 - 04:29pm PT
I think of the dude often. Never knew'im, but damn if the cloth ain't cut and patterned similar... I wish moreso!


Cheers to the man, and STFU Tar. ;-) That's a fuggin' axle-cracker of a roadset, and don't forget the Zags in H-ville!
Gilroy

Social climber
Bolderado
Jan 7, 2018 - 04:53pm PT
While I steadfastly support his status as St. Everyman, I understand something of BVB's struggle with the weight of living and the demands of responsibility that often preclude a trip to the rocks. Still his artfulness in his approach to life is apparent. Salud!

Thanks for bumping this ongoing American Legend, Roy.
Trashman

Trad climber
SLC
Jan 28, 2018 - 05:39pm PT
Stooges just came on, about to type up a quick note, then, damn…

F*#k 2017, couldn’t be more happy to leave that 365 days of loss behind
F'ueco

Boulder climber
Peoples Republic Of Boulder
Feb 1, 2018 - 01:57pm PT
I just found this pic of BVB from a 2007 rendezvous at Mount Woodson.

plund

Social climber
OD, MN
Feb 1, 2018 - 02:51pm PT
Love the tumbler for the whiskey...definitely fitting for an American F'In Legend....
F10

Trad climber
Bishop
Feb 1, 2018 - 07:51pm PT
BVB, the Woodson thread is missing you.
RIP and keep on climbing higher.
Off White

climber
Tenino, WA
Feb 2, 2018 - 12:12pm PT
nature

climber
Boulder, CO
Feb 8, 2018 - 06:43am PT
Happy Birthday BVB

(not actually if it is his birthday but Facebook says so. But it also says he woulda been 113 today. almost seems legit)
Messages 161 - 180 of total 222 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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