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Juan Maderita
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Apr 7, 2008 - 03:26am PT
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Just back from Baja. Fred doesn't complain about sleeping in the dirt, waking up to frost on the bivy bag, rattlesnakes, cactus, or several meals of cold canned ravioli. It's all just another day in a lifetime of non-stop adventure.
Preparing for a wall. (ST's very own "Flex" is on the left.)
Fred leads "What Time is It? 4:20", Canyon Tajo
Fred on "Bartering with Beckey" a repeat of our 2003 FA. He led both pitches in smooth style.
An afternoon first ascent and then a cold cerveza in Baja.
Fred riding "Tajo", a frisky 4 year old.
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hossjulia
Trad climber
Eastside
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My grandmother just turned 90, and while not as active as Fred is, she is in pretty darn good shape for her age. I expect we'll have another big party for her 100th!
I love hearing stories of Fred's continuing adventures, thanks for the pictures. He looks pretty comfortable on that horse!
One of my hero's, along with my grandparents, fer sure.
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eeyonkee
Trad climber
Golden, CO
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Doesn't look a day over 83.
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WanderlustMD
Trad climber
DC Area (it's as bad as you've heard)
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Look at the first pic.
For a second there, I thought he'd shaved his head! His hair blends perfectly with the background colors.
I saw his slideshow last fall, nice guy.
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TwistedCrank
climber
Ideeho
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Fred was a hero of mine when I was 18 and he's still my hero now that I'm 48. Scary.
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Ihateplastic
Trad climber
Lake Oswego, Oregon
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That boy has more style in the step through pic than a thousand gym clowns!
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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First met the Beckster 24 years ago in Cal.
Since then have had adventures in three states with him (sober, not sober, and definitely not sober).
Its pretty clear what brought Fred to Baja, just look to the left in the first photo.
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Gobie
Trad climber
Northern, Ca.
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I had the adventure of drivning from cali to zion once with Fred. It was his car and he insisted on driving. We crossed into other lanes at least a hundred times before we got to vegas. I just got used to waving at people as they drove by saluting us with fingers and horns. I have at least a dozen stories from that trip that would make you pee. Out of respect for my elders I think Ill leave it to that one.
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msiddens
Trad climber
Mountain View, CA
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That's so friggen awesome
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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RE:
" That's so friggen awesome"
yeah and then some -
Fred Becky is my hero. Period.
unbelievable.
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Great post, gives us all a little hope "maybe" we can still climb like Fred when we get that age! Last shot is what Tarbaby is gonna look like in a few years.
Peace
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Fluoride
Trad climber
Hollywood, CA
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He's going to outlive us all.
Hell, he's already outclimbed us all.
Love the pic on the horse. Classic!!!
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WBraun
climber
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He looks good.
He's got that "look", you know the one.
The one that says, I've been there.
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chossyslab
climber
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F.B. is the ultimate. Nobody can touch him!!
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Mtnmun
Trad climber
Top of the Mountain Mun
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Becky on Horse, priceless, thanks for this cool post.
Fred Becky coming to drink your women and chase your beer.
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Fred is an amazing guy, not just for his longevity and his climbs and climbing and his lifestyle, but also as he likes to (shall we say) "cherchez les femmes". Perhaps more in his head now, but anyone's who's on his/her feet and still trying at 85 is pretty awesome.
I know people who knew him 50 or 60 years ago, who say he's hardly changed in that time. Secret route notebook, always on the phone, always checking the weather, always on the move.
Once upon a time I had a chance to climb with Fred - we're acquaintances, and he's done some things with my brother. He called me very early one September morning, and tried to talk me into a trip. Told me he had it all lined up - another climber, helicopter, etc. Wouldn't tell me where it was, of course. I said I'd have to see if I could free up time, hoping to figure out a way - even the experience of a trip with Fred would be worth it. Asked that he call back later.
So I went about my morning activities, but was soon interrupted by some urgent news, and had to go over to my parents' house. Late in the morning Fred called back, even telling me where the destination was (generally), and saying that the pilot was all ready to go. I said I couldn't go, but didn't have the heart to tell Fred why.
It was September 11th, 2001 - no civilian aircraft was flying anywhere in the U.S. or Canada, or was to for days. I guess Fred hadn't heard, but at least he was saved a long drive into the interior for a flight that couldn't happen any time soon.
(The urgent news was, of course, a friend calling to tell me what was happening. I went to my parents to get my father to turn on the TV so we could see, as I don't have one.)
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ec
climber
ca
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Gobie,
"Rhymes with Orange." ROFLOL A dried-up one...
 ec
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Gobie
Trad climber
Northern, Ca.
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Exactly Eddie.
Never, ever, absoluteley never, eat the mystery meat out of the mystery crate.
Ok you trolled me. Ill share one more. We stop in Vegas for an all you can eat buffet. Of course with Fred is implied that this is all you can eat later as well. Its two days later and we are climbign in the back part of zion. Fred reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a napkin. Being the generous type that he is he offers some. With a disturbed look I pass and he then unrolls a new york staek that he had in his pocket from the Vegas buffet. BTW, we didint have an ice chest with us.
To be continued...
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Juan Maderita
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 7, 2008 - 11:31pm PT
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A couple more:
Those are not wrinkles, they're "character lines".
He would prefer to sit on the dirt, rather than use a chair while sorting gear.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Gobie,
you only THINK its as fresh as the Vegas buffet.
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Watusi
Social climber
Newport, OR
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Super thread John!! Way to go Fred! What a Guy!!!
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WBraun
climber
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Juan M -- "He would prefer to sit on the dirt, rather than use a chair while sorting gear."
That's not dirt, that's the earth. Real guys like to sit close to the earth and soak up it's energy.
That's why he's so alive still ......
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Watusi
Social climber
Newport, OR
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A friend of the Earth is a friend indeed...
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Dr. Rock
Ice climber
Castle Rock
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I L T S H O
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youngharz
Boulder climber
Carpinteria
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Way to rally Fred and Felix!
That area sounds amazing!
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Migueloso
Trad climber
Tijuana,Baja
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Hi everybody! I had the privilege to share the bolts at the belay last saturday at Tajo with Fred and John....it is amazing how Fred can climb in a steady pace, better than a guy in his twenties!!!
I had climbed for almost 20 years in Mexico and other areas in the world but last saturday was very special, imagine the scenario....chating with a guy that had climbed with the best of the best say Heinrich Harrer and Yvon Chouinard.....it was a day that I never forget!!!He is definitively my first hero!!!
[url=http://www.slide.com/s/h3fyAjOc5T95G5wjId539t1IhsRxuIyM?referrer=hlnk]{{img}}h~~p://widget.slide.com/rdr/1/1/3/W/1d000000065c081d/1/139/kKtmKh0f3j9DgZ6g3KrzaCm7WagS47DY.jpg[/img][/url]
Fred on belay
[url=http://www.slide.com/s/czIm3eCG7z-Q0xG0qjgiBQyRTF58dwbF?referrer=hlnk]{{img}}h~~p://widget.slide.com/rdr/1/1/3/W/1d000000065c0b02/1/156/R3apCudO5T9HzGwYzuYbe2T-WVLa7bMk.jpg[/img][/url]
Fred rappeling
Thank you!!
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doublespiral
climber
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Apr 10, 2008 - 03:42am PT
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Whereabout in Baja is this? I live in southern Baja and would love to find some nice rock if it's anywhere close.
Many thanks!
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rich sims
Trad climber
co
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Apr 10, 2008 - 08:38am PT
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Juan
I was hoping for some Pan AM Picks.
I saw a pic with ledges no?
Rich
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thelawgoddess
climber
seattle, wa
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Apr 10, 2008 - 11:03am PT
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Thanks for sharing the photos. I'm glad to see Becky's still at it! He's so lucky!!! :-)
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Apr 10, 2008 - 11:26am PT
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Somebody took a photo of Fred on the Wrinkles on Prodigal Sun, but I couldn't make him out,..
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Juan Maderita
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 10, 2008 - 12:24pm PT
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Rich: The Pan Am was the main objective. The approach was a bit more than he could chew.
Doublespiral: Sorry, you're several hundred miles away. It's in northern BCN.
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Apr 10, 2008 - 12:50pm PT
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Hi Riley! I suspect it would be a challenge to get Fred to come to the FaceLift. He's sometimes in the Valley, but usually not for long, and not planned ahead. Hopefully someone can let him know, though, in case he's in the area. It would be good to have him, and other leaders of our community, attend and help out. It's intended to be an inclusive event, so the more the merrier - as long as people are helping out, that's all that matters.
Edit: I believe Ron's recommendation is known as the "bait and switch" tactic. But it might work.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Apr 10, 2008 - 01:06pm PT
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Just tell Fred that there are lots of hot single young women, you know, in their fifties and sixties.
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tolman_paul
Trad climber
Anchorage, AK
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Apr 14, 2008 - 02:06pm PT
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I wasn't sure if this belonged in iconic climbing photos or this thread, but it's one of my all time favorite historic climbing pics.
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Steve Wolford
Trad climber
White Salmon, WA
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Apr 18, 2008 - 10:08am PT
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What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. If when I am 80 and I have done 10% of the stuff Fred Beckey has done, I will be content. The guy is a animal and full of backcountry knowledge and still going strong. My hero for many years now. Someone needs to sit down with Fred and get him to write a extended biography. It would become the instant classic. There are so many stories there to tell. I believe he has been in a dispute with the Seattle Mountaineers for years now, and it is all our loss that he has not been publishing lately. Fred, if you are out there man, hear my call! We want to hear it all.
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Double D
climber
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Apr 18, 2008 - 10:19am PT
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Impressive, inspiring and monumental.
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Brian in SLC
Social climber
Salt Lake City, UT
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Apr 18, 2008 - 10:20am PT
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Yeah, given his previous autobiography, "Challenge of the North Cascades", came out in 1969...!
Range of Glaciers published in 2003. That's a heck of a doorstop. Impressive both in content, and in mass...
Wonder what the status of "Direct Beckey" is? Saw a preview of it in Bend in late March 2007...
-Brian in SLC
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Apr 18, 2008 - 01:30pm PT
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This is good! If we just keep at it, keep moving, keep clawing... and keep huntin' that punani.
I've only been reading about Fred for about 35 years...not long.
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FeelioBabar
climber
Sneaking up behind you...
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Apr 18, 2008 - 01:48pm PT
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Apr 18, 2008 - 02:12pm PT
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ya beta recognize!
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Mtnmun
Trad climber
Top of the Mountain Mun
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Dec 28, 2010 - 10:02pm PT
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Bump
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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Dec 28, 2010 - 11:43pm PT
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Layton Kor told me back in 1965 that Fred Beckey was the climber he most admired.
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Damn this looks high
Trad climber
Temecula, CA
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Dec 29, 2010 - 12:14am PT
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To the extent that I hope to doing anything when I'm 85, I hope to be climbing like Beckey.
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Dec 29, 2010 - 12:17am PT
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By now, Fred has more FA's than most of us have done routes! On my first trip to Yosemite in 1965, Fred was there with Layton, and doing first ascents!
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Wayno
Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
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Dec 29, 2010 - 01:25am PT
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He's got almost twenty years on Donini, and still cranking. He looks so "in tune" in those pics.
Don Gordon, one of his partners back in the day, Had some funny stories about Becky. He also said that Fred hasn't changed much in his attitude toward climbing. Unrelenting.
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HighTraverse
Trad climber
Bay Area
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Dec 29, 2010 - 02:12pm PT
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nor his attitude towards women. unrelenting
Megan Bons has written a wonderful note about why Fred's always attractive to women. It's because he truly likes and admires them and isn't afraid to show it.
He's an amazing man. Unique in all respects.
Sashaying down the center line-he's got a patent on that.
Love the gag pic a couple of years ago when he received an honor someplace...I think it was his birthday. In a dinner jacket, big cigar and a scantily dressed bombshell babe on either side. If someone has it they should post it up.
I owe Fred big time for introducing me to one of my closest friends.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Dec 29, 2010 - 02:31pm PT
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Great thread Juan!
Just don't let Fred talk you into going to Cerro Blanco, farther inland. The place is not worth the drive and Fred has apparently been back several times since I went there with him!
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Dudeman
Trad climber
Idaho/Beyond
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Dec 29, 2010 - 02:41pm PT
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Fred is the Man! Very amazing! Thanks for all the photos.
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stilltrying
Trad climber
washington indiana
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Dec 29, 2010 - 04:08pm PT
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Four or five years back my son Joshua called me from the Red River Gorge.
He and a friend were driving over to Roadside to climb. He asks "Have you ever heard of a guy named Fred Beckey?" Sure I responded, "why?" "Well he is following behind us to the crag and he can't drive worth a sh#t !He is all over the road." Later he called back and they had the privilege of climbing the 5.7 "Roadside Attraction" with Fred. A few days later Fred made his way to our gym in Bloomington, IN. and gave his slide show presentation to a group of local climbers. He semed to be nearly deaf and very pre occupied unless he was explaining a slide or when speaking to an attractive young lady :)
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Juan Maderita
Trad climber
"OBcean" San Diego, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 13, 2018 - 01:36am PT
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A bump for Beckey. Descanse en paz amigo mío.
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