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mooch
Big Wall climber
The Immaculate Conception
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 13, 2009 - 05:44am PT
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Dear friends, it is my deepest regret, with tears in my eyes, to tell you all that Bruce Bindner (aka 'Brutus Of Wyde') has passed from this life and onto the next. Bruce was on his way tonight to meet me to climb Castle Rock Spire in Sequoia National Park when his car went off the road and was killed instantly. As I sit here emotionally exhausted, I find it hard to put into words the order they need to be. Having a good friend taken from you so quickly feels outright unfair and unexplainable. Bruce was the kind of guy who would quite literally give the shirt off his back and give it to you if you needed.....then offer his trousers! Bruce's heart was always filled with compassion, a giving attitude and the wit that went beyond human comprehension. If you were down and out, he would cast miles of smiles and humorous 'one-liners' to pull you out of a downward spiral. In the time that I got to know him, he never once asked for anything back in return, always defining this as "the way we do it at the Old Climbers Home". He has touched so many lives along the way and left his mark within this community, leaving a deep imprint with those he shared his life. My heart goes out to some specific folks tonight......Em (aka 'Nurse Ratchet') and Craig (aka 'Dingus'), knowing the pain they must feel from such a loss. I certainly miss him too! But I also celebrate his life and honor a man of men, a steward of this community and the heart and soul of obscurities. Brutus......rest peacefully, my brother.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Jun 13, 2009 - 06:06am PT
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Wow, sad news.
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T Moses
Trad climber
Paso Robles
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Jun 13, 2009 - 06:09am PT
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Shocking. We'll miss him greatly. Words don't do a man like him justice.
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hooblie
climber
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Jun 13, 2009 - 06:10am PT
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aawww mooch, guys, everybody. i'm really sorry to learn of this. it hits very close to home and is a real stunner. my heart goes out to friends and family, which is us. our lives are short, even at best. it's just that much more clear that we should cherish our gifts and be clear in the moment. hold together and treat each other with the proper love, in the time we are given. very sorry
edit: just stopping back in from an initial tour of the man's posts. it's heartbreaking to lose one who nurtured the loving connections that make life so sweet. em, the depth of your loss will unfold for me as i tenderly sift through what he left for us here. i feel myself missing having met him with each turn of the page. the record of the trail he blazed is one i'll be grateful to follow
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Jun 13, 2009 - 06:35am PT
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I have never met any of you but have read your posts and enjoyed your TR's immensely ! I do know grief and loss and pain. So it is with all my heart I send my condolances, my love and prayers and thoughts to family and friends. If you ever want to email, please do. I am a good listener. When Dan died I thought the world had also.
To Brutus of Wyde....godspeed.
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perswig
climber
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Jun 13, 2009 - 07:30am PT
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God, that's going to hit close to home as the left coast wakes up this morning.
His excellent TRs and beta here and elsewhere clearly showed him to be a climber of all seasons, and a solid partner - the best accolade I can think of.
My condolences to his family, and to those of you who climbed with him. Very sorry for you, Dingus.
Dale Persing
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rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 07:33am PT
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Oh shit! I'm so sorry to hear this. Brutus was one of a kind. I didn't really know Brutus well, but had the chance to climb with him here in Josh back in the late 90's, and had a few beers with him in El Cap Meadow. Super nice guy. I'm really sorry to hear this.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Jun 13, 2009 - 07:57am PT
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I'm so sorry to hear this.
My condolences to his family and friends.
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Jun 13, 2009 - 08:20am PT
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Dang.
Didn't know him, but very sad to hear this.
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Captain...or Skully
Social climber
North of the Owyhees
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Jun 13, 2009 - 08:37am PT
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Wow. That IS shocking news, first thing in the morning. I'm Real sorry to hear this.
We'll miss you here, Brutus.....Condolences to your friends & family....
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divad
Trad climber
wmass
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Jun 13, 2009 - 08:43am PT
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Sorry to hear this.
My best thoughts go out to his family and friends.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Jun 13, 2009 - 08:44am PT
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So far this month has been pretty bad.
How sad! What a shame, a fine person who will be missed. I was just telling nature how we had to get Brutus to do another 'fest.
My heart goes out to Em.
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Jun 13, 2009 - 08:47am PT
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That's awful news. Through his own words going back to the rec.climbing days, and through
many stories and pictures by others, especially Dingus ... Bruce seemed almost a friend.
Deepest condolences to his family and true friends. Mooch, well said in sadness.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Jun 13, 2009 - 08:47am PT
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Another blow to the family today. Oh no......
I never met Brutus, unless it was back in the day somewhere, but I always enjoyed his writing and photos here.
To all of you who knew him and loved him, I'm very sorry for your loss.
Another notch in the cross. I've posted this thing too many times this year.
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Prod
Trad climber
A place w/o Avitars apparently
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Jun 13, 2009 - 08:51am PT
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I wish this was a sick demented joke! That sucks.
Prod.
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noshoesnoshirt
climber
I don't even know any more
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Jun 13, 2009 - 08:56am PT
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My condolences to friends and family
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mooser
Trad climber
seattle
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Jun 13, 2009 - 08:59am PT
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What very sad news to wake up to. To those who knew him, my sincerest condolences.
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MisterE
Trad climber
One Step Beyond!
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Jun 13, 2009 - 09:15am PT
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I am so sorry to hear about Bruce. A generous and kind man, my heart goes out to Em this morning.
I feel fortunate to have spent some time with him, he will be missed.
Erik
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Tork
climber
Yosemite
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Jun 13, 2009 - 09:24am PT
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Sad news. He will be missed
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mojede
Trad climber
Butte, America
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Jun 13, 2009 - 09:34am PT
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My sympathies go out to a "wide" brother, his friends, partners, and all that knew him.
The Taco will surely miss his presence..
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johnboy
Trad climber
Can't get here from there
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Jun 13, 2009 - 09:38am PT
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Terrible news to read first thing in the morning.
I never meet him but feel like I have through all the post of his and his friends. Everyone has nothing but good things to say about him.
My deepest and sincere condolences to his family and all his dear friends.
John
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Jun 13, 2009 - 09:46am PT
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I am blown away by sadness and shock. Oh my. To his friends and family - my deepest condolences. There just are not words for something of this magnitude.
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Daphne
Trad climber
Mill Valley, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 09:47am PT
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What a shock. I will hold love and light and prayer for all his loved ones and I dedicate this weekends climbing to him. Godspeed, Brutus of Wyde. You will be sorely missed.
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rincon
Trad climber
SoCal
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Jun 13, 2009 - 09:47am PT
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OMG, this is horrendous news. What a tragedy.
So sorry for those who knew and loved Bruce, I wish I had known him, he seemed very a real nice guy.
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jun 13, 2009 - 09:47am PT
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Super sad news...I hadn't communicated with Bruce in years, but just reciently sold him some large cams...I met Bruce maybe 30 years ago when he was climbing with Pat Brennan....he was a rock climber , mountaineer, and a friend.........make the most of what you yet may spend, before you into dust descend......Rest in peace, Bruce.
Todd Gordon
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George
Ice climber
Los Alamos, NM
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Jun 13, 2009 - 09:49am PT
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I never met Brutus, but I have read his postings - both comic and serious for years. He was one of the cast of characters on rec.climbing when I first got online back in the mid 90's along with Dingus and others. It has been odd but enjoyable to piece together an image of of a man from random bits of his life.
He was that crusty old hardman that so many of us aspire to be when we "grow up".
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends as they puzzle through this sudden tragedy.
With sadness,
George Marsden
Los Alamos, NM
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couchmaster
climber
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Jun 13, 2009 - 10:03am PT
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I was hoping this was a "joke" and a trip report ..OMG, that's rough. Brutus seemed invincible. Wishing the best for his family and friends....I don't know what to say.
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 10:06am PT
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This is about as bad as news gets. .... What a terrible loss for so many of us.
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Michelle
Trad climber
Damn Humid-as-f*#k Georgia
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Jun 13, 2009 - 10:16am PT
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Holy crap, I was hoping this was a joke too and was prepared to rant. But this totally sucks ass. I never met him but liked what he had to say here. Any SPH lover is in my heart and I feel this like have lost a brother, however distant.
My prayers are with you Em and all those close to you and Bruce.
Edit: go call someone you love and tell them you love them. Surprise an old friend or acquaintence by saying "hi." You never know when the opportunity gets taken from you.
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Jun 13, 2009 - 10:17am PT
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I can't believe this. I'm sitting here in shock, my daughter doesn't understand why I am crying. Bruce was everything a climber should be. And a superb human being too.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 13, 2009 - 10:19am PT
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I guess this must be for real, but I just can't believe it.
Brutus was the very Best....
Hang in there, Em!
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 13, 2009 - 10:22am PT
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This is truly tragic news.
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Chip
Trad climber
Sittin' Pretty in Fat City
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Jun 13, 2009 - 10:26am PT
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There are no words adequate. Very sorry to hear.
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mrtropy
Trad climber
Nor Cal
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Jun 13, 2009 - 10:30am PT
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I only met him once and had a great time climbing with at Pinnacles only a month ago. I feel sick to my stomach. I did not know him well but I feel a real loss. He had so much more to do here.
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Moof
Big Wall climber
A cube at my soul sucking job in Oregon
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Jun 13, 2009 - 10:38am PT
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Sh#t,
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Jun 13, 2009 - 10:46am PT
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To be loved well is to have lived well.....peace, lynne
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WBraun
climber
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Jun 13, 2009 - 10:46am PT
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Holy sh'it!!!!
Unbelievable!!!!!
This is grim. What's going on in this world?????
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maldaly
Trad climber
Boulder, CO
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Jun 13, 2009 - 10:57am PT
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Awwwww, Brutus,
I'll never forget hanging out at the Snow Canyon Sushi Fest with you and Em. I wish, so much, that our lives had touched more. Here are some pics:
Brutus, Flouride and Piton Ron
Peace,
Mal
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:09am PT
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I only met him once - at the Snow Canyon Sushifest. I'm glad I was fortunate to have spent a little amount of time with him and Nurse Ratchet. Two very very nice folks.
This has always been a favorite photo of that time:
He's STRONG!
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Tony Puppo
climber
Bishop
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:11am PT
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Holy crap, no fair.
My deepest condolences to all his many friends and family.
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the Fet
Supercaliyosemistic climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:13am PT
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I'm sad I never got a chance to meet Brutus, but have enjoyed his writings tremendously which showed he lived life to the fullest.
My condolences to friend and family of this special person.
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Maysho
climber
Truckee, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:17am PT
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Really really sad and shocking news. Never would I refer to him as a "gym climber" but he was often seen at CityRock in the early days, and he totally owned the offwidth crack up the main wall. Werner bagged the first ascent, but Bruce did the 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc. and most other ascents of that thing. Always enjoyed encountering him in the meadows lot or the mobil, you could count on him heading out for or returning back from some kind of proud off-the-beaten-path "real climbing" adventure. So sorry for Em and all his great buddies.
Peace,
Peter Mayfield
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Levy
Big Wall climber
So Cal
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:18am PT
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Devestating news! I'm stunned. I only met Bruce once, thru an old GF in Oakland. He was a great guy . My condolences go to his family & friends. So sorry to hear this. He will be sorely missed.
Bill Leventhal
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Fluoride
Trad climber
Hollywood, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:20am PT
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WTF!! Holy crap!! Dwain just called me and told me of this news and I am so goddamned bummed to hear this.
He was just with us at widefest.
RIP my friend. You're meant to still be with us.
Condolences to Nurse Ratchet and DMT especially.
DAMMIT!!!!!!!! First Micah and now this?? WTF!!
Now I'm getting pretty pissed off at the universe.
At a loss....
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Roger Breedlove
climber
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:29am PT
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This is really sad news. My condolences to Bruce's family and friends. Way too early to be called from the OCH.
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Double D
climber
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:34am PT
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Sad news indeed. I always enjoyed his TR's. My condolences to his family and friends.
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nature
climber
Tucson, AZ
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:35am PT
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I'm numb and at a loss for words. Oh Em... Oh Dingus... I'll keep you both in my thoughts all day. You too mooch...
Rest in peace Brutus...
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Largo
Sport climber
Venice, Ca
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:39am PT
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Sorry to all involved. I loved his posts.
John Long
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Bargainhunter
Mountain climber
Central California
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:46am PT
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Tragic news...I loved his trip reports and had corresponded with him by email. He always seemed to climb the adventurous climbs that were especially appealing to me. Peace.
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Gary Carpenter
climber
SF Bay Area
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:50am PT
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He was the best!! A terrible loss for all of us.
Em, you are in our prayers.
Gary
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:51am PT
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Terrible news.
Mooch - after our chat yesterday I was anxiously awaiting a wild exciting tr in a few days. I am so sorry it came out like this.
I have heard of "Brutus'" exploits and climbs for years, and finally got to crag with him last year there in the Hills, you were there too. I didn't try to get too much out of him then, rather just preferring to hang and let the stories roll as they would. He had a great presence.
My heart goes out to those who were his close friends and family.
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Mtnmun
Trad climber
Top of the Mountain Mun
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:55am PT
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Rest in Peace Brutus of Wyde. You will be missed.
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rockermike
Mountain climber
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:56am PT
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So sad.
May the Windhorse carry you quickly home.
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reddirt
climber
Elevation 285 ft
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Jun 13, 2009 - 12:02pm PT
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so very sorry...
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hollyclimber
Big Wall climber
Yosemite, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 12:06pm PT
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To Bruce's family and loved ones...
I never met Bruce. But, as an El Cap climber I have been very inspired over the years by Bruce's stories. One of my favorites, which I have saved on my computer under the caption "the true meaning of wall climbing" was about when he and Amanda Tarr and Eric Coomer climbed the Magic Mushroom. I have read this story so many times, and when I do climb Magic Mushroom it will be in honor of him. I had always wished to interact with Bruce and I am sad that I did not get the chance.
A quote from the story as he recaps the climb, which he called truly magical...
The expressions of joy in the faces of my good friends
as we woke to a new day, knowing the wall at last was
behind us, and knowing that we had just done something
terribly important, no matter how meaningless it would
appear to the rest of the world. Time now to dance, to
drink. Time now to live.
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 12:11pm PT
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nita
climber
chica from chico, I don't claim to be a daisy
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Jun 13, 2009 - 12:19pm PT
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OMG.. such sad news...I only met Brutus of Wyde once, i talked with him briefly at the Facelift, while he was helping Nature roll sushi.
My heart goes out to his Friends & Family... Sincere Condolences to Dingus and Nurse Ratchet.
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Redwreck
Social climber
Echo Parque, Los Angeles, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 12:31pm PT
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Oh no. This is terrible news. My deepest condolences to those who knew and loved him. I only "knew" Brutus through his online posts, here and elsewhere, but always found him utterly humane, likable, and admirable.
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mother nature
climber
flowery branch ga
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Jun 13, 2009 - 12:34pm PT
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I met Brutus and Em at Snow Canyon SushiFest. Their help with the sushi was instrumental in making the event a success. To Em, and all their family and friends, I extend my deepest sympathies for this tragic loss.
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Jay Wood
Trad climber
Fairfax, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 12:40pm PT
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I am so sorry to hear this news.
Bruce embodied much that I aspire to be, as a climber and as a person.
His caring, understated competence,and good humor were clear.
Bruce stands out to me as an individual, in this main-streamed world, he set his sights on the far peaks and was little swayed by the modern madness.
His wit, really, was deep beyond fathom. Not used to impress- just what he was made of.
Em, my heart goes out to you. You had a partnership that is rare.
Jay Wood
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murcy
climber
San Fran Cisco
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Jun 13, 2009 - 12:41pm PT
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Wow. Horrible, horrible. Respect to Bruce and sad sympathies to you who knew him best.
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Wade Icey
Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
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Jun 13, 2009 - 12:42pm PT
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Sorry for our loss. Bet you're already up and rolling sushi for the gang. Tell them we'll be along soon.
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 12:42pm PT
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I first met Brutus of Wyde, Bruce Binder, online like so many here, over at rec.climbing. His byline "Old Climber's Home, Oakland, California" was a favorite thought as we all seemed to be headed that way. It is comforting to think that time will just go on and on, and somehow we will sit around in our rocking chairs on the porch, talking to each other, quietly, letting eternity wash over us.
The avatar Brutus of Wyde was known to me for many more years than the man Bruce Binder. It wasn't until the 2007 Yosemite Face Lift that I actually got to meet Bruce and Em for the first time. I drove into the Yellow Pines Campground, Doug was there Ricky D and Bruce and Em were helping with the sushi prep for the anticipated droves of people.
There was a complete naturalness to that meeting, as if we had been around each other for a very long time. Bruce was very open, with a quick wit which was disarming. I don't believe that they stayed long at the Facelift, at least I didn't get a chance to spend much time with them there.
As with many things in life, I had decided that I would have time to sit around the parking lot after doing some climb with them, have a beer and a chat.
The idea of the wide crack training was something that caught Bruce's and Em's attention. The "Bay Area Wide Crew" BAWC, coined by Russ, started with a group of us deciding that we could get better by actually practicing the art. Bruce got into the email loop and we started a long process of synchronizing schedules. And one day Bruce and Em show up at Gary's for a Wide Wednesday session. Everyone signs Gary's machine... the natural tendency is to sign it once having gotten to the top in whatever chosen style you adopt... and so it was that Bruce did satisfy his own style and declared it "Owsome!"
Looking back on it I regret my often hasty departure from the Wide Wednesday sessions, rushing back home, and thinking about that now I have such mixed emotions; how do you spend your time, with whom, how can you possibly decide?
Getting older really is a race to get everything done, to do everything that needs to be done, with less and less time. There seemed to be so much time when we were young, and now there seems to be so little time.
The next encounter with Bruce for me was the 2008 Vedauwoo Boogaloo, which promised, finally, to be a week of climbing and enjoying each other's company, with Jay and Mike and Em, and any other demented soul that thought scraping up offwidth problems at 10,000 feet on a flat mountain plateau somewhere in Wyoming would be fun.
We all talk about sitting around the "virtual campfire," a nice image, but we have a need to sit around the real campfire. A metaphor, though, as the events there are fleeting and unrecorded except in our very being, our conscience. There is no thread to refer back to, no search engine to jostle the memory. What was said there? I can't recall, but the ease of companionship, the tribal ties of climbers, the ancient act of building a fire and watching it at night, probably hundreds of thousands of years of human experience. Nothing has to be written, it is written in our very fiber.
The next day we go our ways, of course, Jay and Mike and I out to Blair rocks, Bruce and Em to a closer destination, their first time. We show up later and solo Edward's Crack and then catch a ride down Bruce and Em's rap lines... we will climb tomorrow, together, our plan.
But tomorrow arrives and there is rain and cold. We get together for a Vedauwoo "brunch" and have fun none the less
Jay, Mike and I go into Laramie to hang at the coffee shop and visit with the old climbing crew, we get back and find Bruce and Em have departed, the next morning I recover a soggy note
on to another climbing area, new adventures and a spot in the sun.
"Glad to at least RAP with you!"
and if I didn't say it at the time, or later,
I am glad, too, at least to have rapped with you, Brutus.
My heartfelt wishes for the best to Em, this has got to be unimaginably hard times for her. And for the rest of the climbing brothers who knew Brutus so much better than I did.
It was my honor to have known Bruce. And a great sorrow that there won't be another time, another place for us to sit around the campfire.
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msiddens
Trad climber
Mountain View, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 12:49pm PT
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Very sad news. My thoughts are with the passing and the friends and family left behind. Never had the pleasure to meet the man but I've enjoyed his online persona. My loss, RIP friends.
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CAMNOTCLIMB
Trad climber
novato ca
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Jun 13, 2009 - 12:52pm PT
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Damm. This hurts. My prayers go out to all.
Brian
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Russ Walling
Gym climber
Poofter's Froth, Wyoming
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Jun 13, 2009 - 12:55pm PT
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Oh wow... how terrible!
My deepest condolences to all in his wyde circle of friends and especially to the good Nurse. So sad.... He was a good man and will be greatly missed.
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Carolyn C
Trad climber
the long, long trailer
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Jun 13, 2009 - 01:02pm PT
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Most heartfelt sympathies to all who loved him. Thank you, Ed, for the very moving tribute - so much truth in it.
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graham
Social climber
Ventura, California
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Jun 13, 2009 - 01:25pm PT
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Wow… really sad to hear this, so sudden, and final. Through his stories I pictured a great character!
Deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Mike Graham
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Jello
Social climber
No Ut
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Jun 13, 2009 - 01:32pm PT
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Ahhhhh......NO!!! Barely got to share a few words with Bruce at the first SushiFest. Knew we were friends before we even met; didn't feel the need to hold back the flow of folks clamouring for more sushi, so figured I'd talk with him sometime in the future, share some impressions of repeating a climb or two of his. Hairline on Whitney - now that's gotta be full-value in anyone's book. His climbs were solid, but his personna was exemplary, in print and when I met him in the flesh. Absolutely a person of warmth, humor, generousity and strength. A wave of love wells up from deep within, spilling over for Em, and Dingus, and the rest of us, too.
-Jeff Lowe
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GDavis
Trad climber
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Jun 13, 2009 - 01:36pm PT
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This is very sad news, my deepest condolences to all those he's touched and influenced, and fond remembrance for those he continues to influence. Good people never go away.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Jun 13, 2009 - 01:43pm PT
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Through almost twenty years of chats around the virtual campfire, starting back on rec.climbing, eventually meeting Bruce at a real campfire somewhere was always something I looked forward to. Now it will never happen.
To all of his family and friends, and to Craig especially, my deepest sympathy.
David
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mooch
Big Wall climber
The Immaculate Conception
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 13, 2009 - 01:48pm PT
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Ed, the words you conveyed openly really dug deep and hit it the best about Brutus and the man he was. Thanks for posting that B&W photo of him.....it speaks volumes of his character. I talked to Em earlier this morning and she deeply appreciates the love, support and warm vibes everyone is putting out there.
I'm still in utter shock over this. Been an emotional train wreck since the moment I got word from Em. I couldn't even stay in the park last night...just didn't feel connected to them unless I had my good friend there. All that potential energy and the excitement of sharing the experience to come.......ripped away; stolen....robbed. I don't know what else to say....I can't see the screen now.
Bruce wrote this to me in an email two days ago as we prepared for CRS:
"....One climb. one pitch, one move at a time."
Dingus......I GET IT NOW!
Feelin' for you Brother!
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kunlun_shan
Mountain climber
SF, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 01:48pm PT
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This is such sad news. I've skied a couple weekends with Bruce and Em, never climbed with them. Bruce is an extremely hilarious guy with a huge heart. And tougher than nails! My love goes out to Em and everyone who else who is dealing with the shock of this, this morning. Bruce had quite a life and I'm grateful that he shared so much with us all. Rest in peace, dear Brutus.
Terry
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Roughster
Sport climber
Vacaville, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 01:48pm PT
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I only knew Brutus through swapping spit on rec.climbing, but the passion he often wrote with and significant contributions he made both there and here made it clear he was a kindred soul in the never ending search for adventure. It is a sad day :(
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Jun 13, 2009 - 01:50pm PT
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Oh man. I have not read all the posts yet. Will go back and do so. I climbed with Bruce a bit in the ditch and JT in the 82-83 season. Good guy. RIP brother.
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hobo_dan
Social climber
Minnesota
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Jun 13, 2009 - 01:53pm PT
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This is sad. I am sorry to hear this.
I'll offer a prayer
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Larry
Trad climber
Bisbee
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Jun 13, 2009 - 02:02pm PT
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I only just met Brutus and Nurse Ratchet a few weeks ago. What a shock.
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Paulina
Trad climber
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Jun 13, 2009 - 02:34pm PT
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RIP Brutus of Wyde. Such uplifting wisdom and humor in his trip reports and posts over at rec.climbing and then here. He has touched my life. He will be remembered and missed.
I can't believe that in the happy madness of Facelift 2007 I didn't meet him and Nurse Ratchet. To you, Em, and Dingus, and those of you who knew him, all my condolences.
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crusher
climber
Santa Monica, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 02:34pm PT
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Em, Mooch, Dingus and all of Brutus' friends and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Sending you love and comfort.
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Jerry Dodrill
climber
Sebastopol, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 02:39pm PT
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No! Not Bruce! It couldn't be. I can't begin to comprehend this.
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Jerry Dodrill
climber
Sebastopol, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 02:41pm PT
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Bruce, climbing to the sky on The Tempest.
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apogee
climber
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Jun 13, 2009 - 02:44pm PT
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Very, very sorry to hear of this loss. To those who knew and loved him, and to everyone else- stay close to those you love, and tell them today how much they mean to you...
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Nate D
climber
San Francisco
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Jun 13, 2009 - 02:44pm PT
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Oh Bruce... what an inspiration. And we never met. Hardly a pic on the internet without a smile on his face...
by all appearances, fully living the dream.
So sorry Em, mooch, dingus, ed, rob, and on and on and on...
What massive void is this? Wyde as it gets.
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Tomcat
Trad climber
Chatham N.H.
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Jun 13, 2009 - 02:50pm PT
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Oh no.I'm so sorry to hear this.My heart goes out to his friends.
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jun 13, 2009 - 02:51pm PT
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Bruce was a true climber;....reciently when I sold him 3 giant cams @ $25 a piece ......he sent me $125;......and sent a note saying thanks for the cams and that $75 was too underpriced......of course, he didn't need to do that;...but that was just who he was.......you will be greatly missed by all...................
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KitKat
Trad climber
Lake Tahoe, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 03:19pm PT
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Tele class through Lake Tahoe Community College will never be the same. My heart goes out to you Em.
Love, Kit
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Jun 13, 2009 - 03:24pm PT
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I am devastated to hear of Bruce's untimely death. He was great fun to meet and talk with here, and at various sushifests. My condolences to Nurse Ratchit/Em, and all his family and friends.
Only two years ago we were celebrating their wedding: http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=420880
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Blitzo
Social climber
Earth
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Jun 13, 2009 - 03:39pm PT
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I just met Bruce a couple months ago. He was an interesting guy.
This is sad news. R.I.P., Bruce.
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 03:46pm PT
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:-(
Bruce was an "institution" - the kind we expect to last forever, in spite of his self-described "Old Climbers' Home". You can read 50 of his trip reports and check out his photos from over the years at:
http://www.summitpost.org/user_page.php?user_id=20713
Em, Dave, Craig, so sorry that Bruce is gone so suddenly. You lived life with him, but expected many more good years.
I think many of us compare the risks of injury/death in cars to downplay the similar risks of climbing. "You have a higher chance of dying on the way to the crag than while climbing." But actual car accidents for climbers seem unusual (they do happen - for example: Wolfgang Gullich, Barry Bishop, Steve Karafa, Roberta Nunez, and now Bruce). I have had some close calls; maybe it is time to up the alert level on the driving.
2008 Climbers Memorial 2007 Climbers Memorial 2006 Climbers Memorial
(although these lists may miss auto accidents unless the climbers were well known)
Just four days ago, I posted Bruce's cool photo of the summit register of Castle Rock Spire.
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=876255&msg=877068#msg877068
Like others have said, I was expecting another cool adventure trip report, while I lounged here at home. No more new trip reports from Brutus, though - life's final TR is a silent one, or written by your partners.
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Gene
climber
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Jun 13, 2009 - 04:12pm PT
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God must have some very ambitious climbing plans and needs the four fine people taken from us this week. The prayers and condolences of the Malone family go out to all their friends and family.
gm
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stevep
Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
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Jun 13, 2009 - 04:17pm PT
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Crap. Didn't know him other than here, but seemed like he was well-liked and a good friend to all.
My condolences to his friends and family.
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Nohea
Trad climber
Aiea,Hi
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Jun 13, 2009 - 04:27pm PT
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Wow that sucks! The dood has been inspirational. I am sorry for this loss Em and wish you much joy in the future.
Aloha,
wil
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aguacaliente
climber
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Jun 13, 2009 - 04:28pm PT
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I only knew Bruce through his writings on the Internet, and I appreciated his attitude - it was clear he had a lot of experience, but he wore it lightly. It's always better to have lived life fully and adventurously as he did, but that doesn't make it any easier on his family and friends, and I offer my condolences to them.
I hope this isn't inappropriate, a note that we are all used to climbing-is-dangerous disclaimers, but cars are dangerous too. Sometimes I think they should have warning labels to scare the public. Be careful out there.
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Trad
Trad climber
northern CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 04:29pm PT
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I'm so very sorry to hear this. I never met him but enjoyed reading his stories and posts all the way back to rec.climbing days, and my sincerest condolences go out to all his family and friends.
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cintune
climber
the Moon and Antarctica
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Jun 13, 2009 - 04:44pm PT
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Condolences to all. His online humor and goodwill always shone forth.
"He's a generous go-to hardman when the fissures get wide and the climbing burly."
http://www.climerware.com/brutus.htm
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Karen
Trad climber
So Cal urban sprawl Hell
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Jun 13, 2009 - 04:44pm PT
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I am so so very sorry to all those who loved this man. Having lost Woody not long ago I completely understand the immensity of loss of a great friend. It hurts beyond belief, and no words can make up for the tragedy.
I send my thoughts your way and hope you can find some solace in knowing you got to spend years with this man, having his friendship and bond.
One thing that helped me with the loss of Woody was when one of his close friends told me I had brought many years of joy into his life. I bet you did the same for your friend, I am guessing you guys had great shared adventures, and that you can hold onto those as concrete and dear.
Once again, I am very sorry for your loss and the loss of this man's life cut far too short.
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Fletcher
Trad climber
the end of the world as we know it, & I feel fine.
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Jun 13, 2009 - 05:01pm PT
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I am sorry sorry, Dingus, Em, Mooch, Ed and for the many, many others Bruce touched, inspired chopped down to size and had fun with.
He's one of my earliest memories of the climbing world, back when I was mostly a lurker on rec.climbing. He always stood out and in a good way. He was emblematic of the wacky kind of personalities that you find at the crag and in the hills. I really didn't know what to make of that at first. In the end, I came to realize that I'm one of those wacky people too. He helped me realize this odd little climbing world we all inhabit together is an important corner in my own home too.
He wasn't a prolific poster here, but what he did post was quality, clear headed and to the point. I'm going to miss having him around.
This one really is a shock... hard to believe. This has been a rough month.
Eric O'Rafferty
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dogtown
climber
Cheyenne,Wyoming
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Jun 13, 2009 - 05:05pm PT
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Sorry for the loss, It's hard too deal with I know. Sorry.
Bruce.
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Grant Meisenholder
Trad climber
CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 05:07pm PT
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Oh my god. A black day indeed. Countless hours I've spent reading his entertaining posts. A voice of reason, insight, and sharp wit. Although I never met him in person, I feel I knew him well. Too few of him, too many of me. My deepest sympathies to all who could count him as friend. G
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Fletcher
Trad climber
the end of the world as we know it, & I feel fine.
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Jun 13, 2009 - 05:21pm PT
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Thanks for those photos Jerry. I've always loved the look of Bruce's eyes... a real, no bs intensity to them.
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ben_heavner
Trad climber
Anchorage, AK
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Jun 13, 2009 - 05:30pm PT
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Wow. A tip of the hat to a lifetime climber. Hard to imagine that a staple of rec.climbing is gone. You'll be missed Brutus.
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N0_ONE
Social climber
Utah
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Jun 13, 2009 - 05:36pm PT
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Headed out climbing with a big knot in my gut. I only met Brutus once at the first Sushi fest. Nice guy. So Sad!
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the museum
Trad climber
Rapid City
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Jun 13, 2009 - 05:44pm PT
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We are shocked at this sad, sad news. Our condolences to all family and friends.
We were very lucky to have met Brutus at the Vedauwoo Boogaloo Two last year.
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Radish
Trad climber
Seki, California
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Jun 13, 2009 - 06:01pm PT
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I'm shocked and saddened by this news! It was a string of events that led me to read this here in the Park. I had missed Dave when he applied for the backcountry permit here yesterday and tried to call him last nite with the number he left for me. I have never met Bruce, but have followed many of his TR's and his legacy here in Sequoia. I had hoped on this trip they were taking, to finally get to meet Bruce and also to again see my old friend Dave. I'm sorry for all that came about and thoughts and prayers to all involved.
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WanderlustMD
Trad climber
New England
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Jun 13, 2009 - 06:01pm PT
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I'm so sorry to hear this. I didn't know Brutus, but knew his reputation. Hoped to rope up with him one day. It's always hard when something like this happens.
Best wishes to friends and family,
Matt
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tiki-jer
Trad climber
fresno/clovis
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Jun 13, 2009 - 06:22pm PT
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Can't make sense of this. I sit here with Mooch......I too was looking forward to some wild and cool trip reports along with Helmet cam pictures!!
I was invited to go along with them to Castle Rock Spire.
We were also to go to Hoffman Mtn. later this year...............................I wish we met Brutus.
Mooch(Dave) checked in with me when he was at the trailhead yesterday waiting to meet up with THE MAN!
Then a call with the terrible news. So sad. My heart goes out to ALL friends and family.
Through the internet and forums like this....we are all related.
Godspeed, Brutus of Wyde
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GOclimb
Trad climber
Boston, MA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 06:26pm PT
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Oh shit! This is terrible, terrible news. I only knew Brutus from the online world, but even here, he'll leave a hole as wide as the climbs he loved, from here to the end of it all.
Damn. This is just terrible. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and partners.
GO
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LuckyPink
climber
the last bivy
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Jun 13, 2009 - 07:10pm PT
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Dear Em, May deepest love and care come to you from all around creation.
great honor to a good solid man, there is a lot of grief here.
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Ihateplastic
Trad climber
Lake Oswego, Oregon
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Jun 13, 2009 - 07:13pm PT
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This is the worst week this year. No more for a while, please...
My condolences to anyone who had him in their life.
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Apolobamba
Trad climber
Boise, ID
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Jun 13, 2009 - 07:20pm PT
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Terrible News – My condolences to family and friends.
I loved his Sierra TRs. I know he will be greatly missed by many.
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sweatyballs
Trad climber
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Jun 13, 2009 - 07:21pm PT
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Wow... Hard to believe. RIP amigo. I met Mr. Wyde back in the early 90's out in Jtree, I was just a kid. I appreciated his write-up's back in the days of rec.climbing. Too sad. I always have a weird thought that every time I open up the supertopo forum, I find a post like this. You will be missed.
Mike Esparza
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pip the dog
Mountain climber
planet dogboy
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Jun 13, 2009 - 07:23pm PT
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though our paths crossed only briefly, i later came to much admire Brutus via the .wreck. i always looked forward to his posts. great info seen through a great eye, and always something that had me laughing out loud.
the Hasidim say: "No one is truly dead so long as they are remembered by someone who loved them."
i believe this to be true, and take some solace in it. for Bruce is surely both memorable and much loved. i trust those close to him might find some solace in this too.
michael (^,,^)
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Mike Friedrichs
Sport climber
City of Salt
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Jun 13, 2009 - 07:29pm PT
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Wow. Unbelievable. I met Brutus and Em about a year ago at the Boogaloo and got to hang with them at the Wide festival this spring. He was the kind of guy that you just naturally connected with right away. I feel like I've known him longer. Brutus had so much good energy. Whether it was finding an unclimbed chimney in a slab area, flailing around on the Gristle or fixing some incredible feast at the compound, Brutus was the energy that we all fed off of. He was really generous. I remember hiking back to the cars from the Gristle and he had beers for everyone already out - non-alcohol for the drivers!
Em, I'm so sorry for you loss.
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Ricky D
Trad climber
Sierra Westside
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Jun 13, 2009 - 07:42pm PT
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Just got home from work and find that my partner in rolling from the Yosemite Facelift Sushifest of two years ago has passed away.
I can only offer up heartfelt condolences to friends and family (especially Em and DMT) from both myself and Charming Dawn.
So sad.
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Forest
Trad climber
Tucson, AZ
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Jun 13, 2009 - 07:47pm PT
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I barely knew him here on the taco, but I always found his stories and viewpoint on climbing to be just perfect. I'll miss him, even tho I never met him.
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Jun 13, 2009 - 08:04pm PT
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This is a shot to the gut.
Having just lost a climbing partner, intellectual foil, and good friend, I have some idea of what Dingus, Nurse Ratchet, Em, and the rest are going through.
No words left.
Don't know what to say.
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goatboy smellz
climber
groove tube hell
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Jun 13, 2009 - 08:12pm PT
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So sad what a shocking loss… my heart goes out to you Em and Dingus and Dave and all those he touched online and on the rocks.
A quote from Bruce on why we love climbing.
"They seek those moments when time stands still.
The catalysts are as varied as the individuals who pursue this path: a meteor shower; a
night sky so star-filled that it snatches your breath; another rise of the sun over distant
mountains vast and untouchable; dodging a rock careening crazily down a gully; a
desperate icy struggle through whiteout and ground blizzard down to the safety of camp
after an unsuccessful summit attempt; standing atop a mountain with a friend, the whole
world at your feet, a blinding sun blazing out of a flawless sky, taking the time to watch
that sun dip below the horizon even though camp is still many miles and many thousands
of feet distant; stumbling over boulders and through brush in the darkness; watching the
starlight and the storm wrest for possession of the night sky, seated on a narrow ledge
beside your rope-mate with only the clothes on your back for shelter, shivering the night
away, knowing that, sometime in a distant place you cannot now touch, the world will
once again grow bright, the sun will rise, and you will look out on the infant day with
new eyes."
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=579304&tn=27
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Captain...or Skully
Social climber
North of the Owyhees
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Jun 13, 2009 - 08:14pm PT
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WORD.
Bruce knew, huh?
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Aaron Johnson
climber
Bear Valley, CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 08:23pm PT
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I crossed paths with Brutus only once at the top of Bear Creek Spire. We had dropped out water bottle and Brutus was insistent on sharing his remaining water. It wasn't much but it helped. Hiking out with Brutus was and enjoyable end to a long day.
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healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
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Jun 13, 2009 - 08:24pm PT
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That's just not possible...
I can't believe that and that it's turning out to be another tough year on our community. Am glad to have met him briefly at the first Sushifest. My condolences to all who loved him.
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TYeary
climber
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Jun 13, 2009 - 08:26pm PT
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My condolences to family and friends.
Tony
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ec
climber
ca
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Jun 13, 2009 - 08:51pm PT
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So sad. Condolences to Em. Bruce was the man!
 ec
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David Knopp
Trad climber
CA
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Jun 13, 2009 - 09:04pm PT
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i knew Brutus from selling him the wide sh#t at Marmot and he always had a kind word for us goombahs there- i recently met em too and she was so kind to me about all the beta for Lone Pine-my heart goes out to her, and i hope for her eventual peace.
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east side underground
Trad climber
Hilton crk,ca
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Jun 13, 2009 - 09:10pm PT
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very sorry, condolences to family and friends
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nature
climber
Tucson, AZ
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Jun 13, 2009 - 09:25pm PT
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This is still so hard to believe. Sharing the sushibar with him and Em a couple times brings back fond memories. As we said our goodbyes at the first sushifest Em offered some words to me that I hold so very close to my heart. The kind of words that make you look at yourself and your life in a different way. I want to reach out to her but I don't know how to do this. Maybe soon I'll see the way...
I can only imagine her pain.
Watercress and smoked trout == The Sierra Roll (A Brutus recipe)
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troutboy
Trad climber
Newark, DE
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Jun 13, 2009 - 09:50pm PT
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Like so many others I first met Brutus through rec.climbing, then later met a few times in person through mutual friends.
It's amazing how much we come to like and appreciate people through mechanisms such as rec.climbing and supertopo, and how difficult it is when they are no longer with us.
My heart goes out to Em and all of Bruce's friends and family.
Tim S.
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looking sketchy there...
Social climber
Latitute 33
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Jun 13, 2009 - 10:31pm PT
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This is very sad news indeed. We need more climbers with character like Bruce, not less. Sarah and I send our heartfelt thoughts to his family and friends.
R Vogel
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MH
Trad climber
Mays Landing, NJ
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Jun 13, 2009 - 10:47pm PT
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I'm generally a lurker her on ST, but a loss such as this will get me out. Brutus had long been on my list of people I wanted to meet and climb with.
My heart goes out to Em and all of Bruce's friends and family.
Mark Heyman
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crøtch
climber
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Jun 13, 2009 - 10:58pm PT
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Em, I'm so very sorry.
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bc
climber
Prescott, AZ
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:04pm PT
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While ice climbing in Lee Vining several years ago I watched an experienced team climbing a a few routes over from us, and I thought I recognized one of the climbers. They topped out, and later as they trudged through the snow below us I heard his partner call him Bruce. I didn't know anyone named Bruce, so I let it go. They left, and later that day it dawned on me that, hey, that was Brutus from the internet! I've always enjoyed his posts and photos and truly regretted not getting the chance to say hello to him that day. I feel like I've lost a great friend I never met. Love and peace to all his family in this difficult time.
Bill Cramer
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Bobo
Trad climber
San Francisco
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:06pm PT
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I was on only one trip with he and Em, more recently we'd say hello to them at PG San Francisco. Bruce was one of those people that acted like you were an old pal even if you weren't, he was always glad to see you...good traveling to you Bruce.
Em you are in our hearts and prayers.
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paganmonkeyboy
climber
mars...it's near nevada...
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Jun 13, 2009 - 11:46pm PT
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I am so sorry to hear of this. My condolences to the family and friends - I wish there was more I could say.
-Tom
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Melissa
Gym climber
berkeley, ca
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Jun 14, 2009 - 12:12am PT
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It would be hard for me to say just how much of what I think or know about climbing rocks was learned from Brutus on rec.climbing.
The greater loss is in real life, and I'm full of regret for all of the loose talk of getting together that didn't happen or Wide Wednesdays that I didn't go to in the name of traffic.
I can't quite comprehend this loss, especially for Em.
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bajaandy
climber
Escondido, CA
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Jun 14, 2009 - 12:17am PT
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There are in life certain people who have the ability to 'shine through'. Having only read his musings at SP, and not having had the pleasure to meet the man in person, I can honestly say that Brutus of Wyde had a gift. How else can I explain the sense of loss I feel right now? I never even met him, and yet I feel like an integral part of the tribe has been taken away, well before his time. I can only imagine... no I CAN'T imagine how those of you who knew him and knew him well must be feeling right now. Numb, I would expect... My heart goes out to you. A terrible, terrible loss. My deepest sympathy and condolences to family and friends.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Jun 14, 2009 - 12:17am PT
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hey there, to mooch and all, say, i did not know him, by my heart is very very sad to hear this...
my condolences to you all, friends and family...
god bless, in the wake of this sadness... very sorry that your dear friend is gone... :(
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spyork
Social climber
A prison of my own creation
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Jun 14, 2009 - 12:25am PT
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Oh no. So very sad. My heart goes out to Em and all Brutus' other friends.
Steve
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John Moosie
climber
Beautiful California
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Jun 14, 2009 - 12:26am PT
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I never met him except here on the Taco, but I wish I had the power to bring him back. I loved his trip reports and the way he lived his life. A good man.
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rcknsno
climber
California
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Jun 14, 2009 - 12:27am PT
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I'm still in disbelief - how could this happen to someone as warm, kind and funny as Bruce? I consider myself fortunate to have had an opportunity to know him.
Em, my heart goes out to you. The relationship you and Bruce had was truly inspirational.
Karin
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Fletcher
Trad climber
the end of the world as we know it, & I feel fine.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 12:42am PT
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Goatboy, that quote of Brutus' was sublime. We knew he "got" it, but he could also eloquently articulate it as well. Thanks for sharing that.
Eric
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10b4me
Ice climber
Rustys Saloon
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Jun 14, 2009 - 12:44am PT
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how much worse can this week be?
I can't believe this, but alas it's true.
didn't know Bruce, but certainly knew of him.
my condolences to Nurse Ratchet, other family members, and friends
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bobinc
Trad climber
Portland, Or
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Jun 14, 2009 - 12:45am PT
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I am also very saddened to hear of what happened. I had planned (hoped) to meet Bruce one of these days. He is the alpinist I wish I had been (or might still be). I have always enjoyed reading his accounts of ascents, whether on big walls or in the outback. Such a downer to hear that he missed a turn on the drive to another adventure... this one seems to hurt more than most. My very deepest condolences to those who knew him best and loved him.
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roy
Social climber
New Zealand -> Santa Barbara
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Jun 14, 2009 - 12:52am PT
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My condolences to all that knew Brutus. This is very sad news; The photos and trip reports show a great character who knew how to live life. He will be sadly missed.
Roy
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Hardman Knott
Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
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Jun 14, 2009 - 12:56am PT
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I'm at a loss for words - my heart really goes out to Em.
I hope Em is getting lots of hugs - She and Bruce always looked so happy together.
This seems so unreal.
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Greg Barnes
climber
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Jun 14, 2009 - 12:58am PT
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Karin and I are heartbroken. It's hard to wrap our heads around this.
Em, all of our love.
Seems like only yesterday that we were in Red Rocks, crawling through bushes, dropping dirt and branches on each other while we pushed packs stuffed with giant cams under and over boulders, cleaning dirt out of our eyes and dodging loose rocks. Bruce just exuded the love of the moment, that the worse the approach became, the better the day was going to be. Just a unwavering attitude of "this - this is what it's all about!"
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Patrick Sawyer
climber
Originally California now Ireland
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Jun 14, 2009 - 01:08am PT
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Tragic. Sincerest heartfelt condolences to Em, Criag and all family and friends.
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Frozenwaterfalls
Ice climber
California
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Jun 14, 2009 - 01:19am PT
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So sorry to hear this news! I just got back from Yosemite since we bailed due to all the rain and feeling bad juju after seeing the rescue helicopter head off on a longline rescue (recovery?) mission and now this news. I met Bruce and Em at a Yosemite clean up event (before the Facelift). I was sitting at the campfire next to them watching Yosemite Falls when I muttered - "Gee it would be great if that thing ever froze over." They both slowly turned to me and Bruce asked if I was from California. I had recently moved from WA so I answered no and he and Em then asked if I ice climbed which I fervently answered yes. Bruce then proceeded to give me a bunch of beta for more obscure alpine ice routes in Sequoia which I quickly added to the memory bank. He then gave me beta for an approach to an obscure alpine route he liked. Em quickly told him to stop sandbagging me with an approach requiring wading through a field of 6 ft high poison oak. In the spirit of the conversation, I then gave Bruce info on how to do the Queets Basin approach to Mt Olympus. He had an inkling that I was equally sandbagging him back and just smiled. I ran have run into he and Em intermittently over the years and it was always great to compare notes on climbs they had done in the Canadian Rockies or ice climbs. And it was so wonderful to hear about their El Cap route together (though Em and I agree that higher ratio hauling is okay!) So terribly saddened to hear this news and know that a fellow ice climber and fan of the alpine is gone. My heartfelt condolences to Em and all of Bruce's friends and family.
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climbrunride
Trad climber
Durango, CO
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Jun 14, 2009 - 01:23am PT
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F#@k! This sucks! I didn't read everything. Couldn't. Too many good people dying lately. I just hope that his family and friends can somehow deal with this OK. Sending my best thoughts and condolences.
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Eric Coomer
climber
Colorado
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Jun 14, 2009 - 01:30am PT
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This has been a very, very sad week. First Jonny Copp, now Bruce.
Bruce taught me so much about climbing. He was on his way to climb the same peak that he and I did the first winter ascent, and my first, first ascent... all those years ago... 1996...
He will be sorely missed.
Eric
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 01:31am PT
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I miss you bro...
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crøtch
climber
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Jun 14, 2009 - 01:35am PT
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Just popped in again to tell Em that her & Bruce's climbs together have been a great inspiration to my wife & I. We will always fondly remember coming down from our first Zion wall together to run into Brutus & Nurse, who never having met us kindly left us a celebratory beer back at our car after following our progress and knowing that we would be back that day.
Condolences to Dingus, Karl and all the friends of Brutus of Wyde. True hardman. Rest in peace.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 01:37am PT
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 01:38am PT
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Bill
climber
San Francisco
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Jun 14, 2009 - 01:55am PT
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I only had the pleasure of meeting Bruce a couple of times, but he was one of a kind. This is a very sad loss. My condolences to those who were close to him. Life is wasted on so many people, it's sad to lose someone who knew how to do it properly.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 01:57am PT
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He has magical powers to stay on the rock...
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 02:08am PT
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The Oakland Deal Meat - like drug deal gone awry
Brutus hears of this guy that sells smoked meats in Oakland. The meats are smoked in a tall smoker at Donner Summit. Apparently the high elevation makes it better. I don't disagree.
In what appears to be a boarded up old business building near the Old Climber's home. Brutus doesn't see anyone out front. Can't see in the windows. Doesn't even look like a business.
So Brutus wanders around back looking for a business marquee of some kind.
He sees a door and knocks. No response at first. Then the guy all of a sudden responds by yelling:
"SHOW YOURSELF!"
hah!
That part of the story makes me smile.
Brutus shows himself to where the guy can see him thru a peephole or something and Brutus explains that he's the guy that called about the smoked meats and they proceed inside the building to make "the deal." Super cheap for some of the best cured cuts of meat I've had.
Miwok, Scuffy and I spent all day today on 108 thinking about Bruce, Em, Dingus and all the amigos and the good times we've had climbing and hanging out. This ain't easy.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 02:11am PT
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Brutus showing how to keep your beer cold
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 02:13am PT
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Showing us how it's really done.
Munge - "How hard is it Brutus?"
Brutus - "5.8+, I don't climb harder than that"
;)
:)
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Moquah
Trad climber
Carson City Nevada
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Jun 14, 2009 - 02:35am PT
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I met Brutus in Joshua Tree with my friend Larry just this spring. We were on a quest for wide climbs when we stumbled upon Brutus and a number of other climbers on their own wide fest. In the next few days I ran across him and Em a couple more times. He was gearing up for Drawstring just as we got done. This after I was commenting to Larry that Drawstring would probably not receive another ascent that spring. I also ran across him and Em after they climbed Monkey Buisness in the Little Humk area. We chatted about him possibly needing help replacing bolts on the Steck-Salathe and could I tell Larry to get in touch with him. He seemed friendly and easy to talk to. We talked about this and that and I walked away with the feeling that he was really the genuine article. I have the feeling that he got full-value for his short time here. Godspeed Brutus. Don
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 02:35am PT
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"Munge -- Ratchet and I always hang out at the Richland Market at the back of the lot. Good sushi & stuff. We occasionally grab & go at the Del Taco, but we are (and always have been) rather clueless about what is COOL [TM].
Thanks for the great climbing this year, and here's looking forward to more of the same in 08.
Merry Christmas Tacoans!
Brutus"
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=276786&tn=20
Is the Richland Market still there? I think I'd like to try a Sierra Roll.
Brutus is cool, by definition.
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Barbarian
Trad climber
slowly dying in the OC
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Jun 14, 2009 - 02:54am PT
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I met Bruce only once. I knew him mostly from reading his trip reports and his commentaries, and still I sit here fighting back the tears. He was one of those guys who got it. He understood the joy that comes with sunrises and sunsets, shared ledges and lunches, and finding that warm sleeping bag after a day in the cold and wind.
My condolences to those he leaves behind, especially Em.
eKat is so right. Today is the day to hug those you love and let them know how you feel. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.
Too many have left our campfire this year, and now another is gone.
Rest in Peace, dear Brutus of Wyde. Rest well.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 03:01am PT
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I think this is one of my all time favorite Brutus images...
It's on a route he put up called "Big Gulp" at the Quickie Mart on 108.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 03:02am PT
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Curt
Boulder climber
Gilbert, AZ
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Jun 14, 2009 - 03:15am PT
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'...Sorry to all involved. I loved his posts.
John Long..."
I would like to second that.
Curt
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BMcC
Trad climber
Livermore
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Jun 14, 2009 - 04:38am PT
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Sad, so very sad.
Only knew Brutus from his witty writing on STopo and elsewhere, and from several phone conversations we had when I called about conditions and his availability to get out climbing. Our calendars never meshed: he was always already committed to so many, many other projects and excellent adventures. Inspirational man.
My sincere condolences to Em and Brutus' other loved ones and friends.
Bill McC
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Bargainhunter
Mountain climber
Central California
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Jun 14, 2009 - 04:42am PT
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I just drove up the General's Highway tonight and pulled over to a great overlook of the Castle Rocks to take a picture in honor of Bruce. The spire and the top of the fin were shrouded in a dusky alpine mist. I could imagine Bruce up there playing in the thick of it...grinning and enjoying the good times.
I then continued driving up the hill and hiked up to the top of Moro rock with my 75 year old Dad as the fiery ruby orb of the sun touched the horizon (my 70 year old Mom was too car sick to hike up with us!), then we hustled down the stairs into darkness, startling the foraging deer.
Farewell Bruce and thank you so much for your contributions!
I'll post the photo when I can figure old how to download it off of my Dad's digital camera.
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micronut
Trad climber
fresno, ca
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Jun 14, 2009 - 04:56am PT
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oh man....just terrible....I was stoked you guys were gonna go get on Castle Rock Spire and was looking forward to a trip report. What sad news. I'm terribly sorry for your loss and all those who knew him.
Scott
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schwortz
Social climber
davis, ca
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Jun 14, 2009 - 06:24am PT
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""...Sorry to all involved. I loved his posts.
John Long..."
I would like to second that.
Curt "
and a third
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JMC
climber
oilfields of Sumatra
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Jun 14, 2009 - 08:57am PT
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Just wretched... My heart goes out to all of Brutus' friends and loved ones.
-John
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MisterE
Trad climber
One Step Beyond!
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Jun 14, 2009 - 09:33am PT
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"Munge - "How hard is it Brutus?"
Brutus - "5.8+, I don't climb harder than that"
I laughed and I cried.
Thanks, Munge...
Erik
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 09:35am PT
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Oh no. This is too much. WTF?!
Dingus and others who knew him well, sorry. Was nurse ratchet in the car?
This really sucks ass!!!! Rest in peace, Brutus, and may God bless you.
DMT, I know he was a good bud of yours, sorry.
Wasn't he the dude making pancakes for everybody at Facelift '07? With Em?
Sorry, Em, I never introduced myself to you guys but you're in my heart. I can still see him knockin' out the pancakes for everyone with you.
Sorry.
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nature
climber
Tucson, AZ
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Jun 14, 2009 - 10:46am PT
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going out climbing today.... throwing all my widest gear in my pack and hoping to find something Wyde....
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TKingsbury
Trad climber
MT
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Jun 14, 2009 - 11:10am PT
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I met Bruce briefly last year at the boogaloo, and had always enjoyed his posts here...a wonderful person.
My condolences
Tom
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mcreel
climber
Barcelona, Spain
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Jun 14, 2009 - 11:32am PT
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That's terrible news. I never met him, but his presence here and on rec.climbing was so positive and always enjoyable that I feel like I knew him. My deepest regrets to his family and friends.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Jun 14, 2009 - 11:39am PT
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 11:50am PT
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The best I can do...I believe Brutus and Em were doing pancakes under the Greentop in the background.
Pictured are Hartouni, Murcy, Crimpie, Fattrad, Jingy, Jaybro, and Ablegable (Eric Gable). And myself.
I hate to sound sappy, but I love you guys.
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snowey
Trad climber
San Diego
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Jun 14, 2009 - 12:02pm PT
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I never met Bruce but during my contact with him during the whole MSMR controversy he was polite and logical. He seemed to be the only that didn't get sucked into the emotional side of the argument and functioned as the voice of reason. I felt that this positively reflects on his character.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 12:33pm PT
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 12:36pm PT
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love the pic of Brutus with 'Batso'
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Dr.Sprock
Boulder climber
Sprocketville
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Jun 14, 2009 - 12:39pm PT
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When the last rose of summer pricks my finger,
And the hot sun chills me to the bone,
When I cant hear the song for the singer,
And I cant tell my pillow from a stone,
I will walk alone by the black muddy river,
And sing me a song of my own,
When the last bolt of sunshine hits the mountain,
And the stars start to splatter in the sky,
When the moon hits the southwest horizon,
With the scream of an eagle on the fly,
I will walk alone by the black muddy river,
And listen to the ripples as they moan,
Black muddy river, roll on forever,
I don't care how deep or wide, if you've got another side,
Roll muddy river, roll muddy river, black muddy river, roll.
When it seems like the night will last forever,
And theres nothing left to do but count the years,
When the strings of my heart begin to sever,
And stones fall from my eyes instead of tears,
I will walk alone, by the black muddy river,
And dream me a dream of my own,
I will walk alone, by the black muddy river,
And sing me a song of my own, sing me a song of my own.
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marty(r)
climber
beneath the valley of ultravegans
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Jun 14, 2009 - 12:49pm PT
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Goddamn Reeper, quit taking the good ones!
Bruce was the inspiration for the 'Elders of Wide' moniker and a whole lot of adventure. I'd followed his trip reports for ten years before meeting him and each time I ran into him he was full of humor, enthusiasm, and drive...even on the 5.7s at the gym.
Em, if you're reading, know that there's love and support at the ready from many corners of the inter-tent.
Does anyone know how to get in touch with Alex Schmauss? If he hasn't heard already, someone should let him know of Bruce's passing.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 01:02pm PT
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Pic taken when heading back out from recon ona crag that sits behind a locked road that "mysteriously" opened for us...
Munge - "Hey Brutus, isn't it going to look kinda funny if one of them finds us on that side of the gate?"
Brutus - "What do you mean? The gate was open when we found it."
keys to adventure
edit- Sprock, that's not HH.
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Dr.Sprock
Boulder climber
Sprocketville
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Jun 14, 2009 - 01:11pm PT
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full props for hetch hetchy, as that is Highly Illegal and hugely enforced!
Lars Holbek, another Hetch Hetchy boater, is the only other person i know of to do that.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 01:40pm PT
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Reserved for our brother...
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'Pass the Pitons' Pete
Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
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Jun 14, 2009 - 01:47pm PT
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I feel so very sad to read this - a man I never met yet to whom I owe so much! My condolences to Brutus' friends and family.
I have only read the first posting, but wanted to tell you what Bruce did for me. Some years ago, he made an early ascent of Tempest, a very hard route up the SE Face of El Cap starting out of the Alcove in the South Seas area. He told me that he had used Russian Aiders on this wall, that he found that they performed exceptionally well for him, and that I really ought to try them.
When I told him I had no source for them, as Trango no longer made them, Brutus packed up his only set of Russkies [a rare and unreplaceable gem of gear in the climbing world] and mailed them to me up in Canada. What a trusting soul was Brutus - to mail his only set of gear up to me so I could give them a try.
I was sold on them immediately, and later returned them to Bruce - but knott before I found myself a pair!
And that was Brutus - a rare and unreplaceable gem of a man in the climbing world.
With profound sadness,
Pete Zabrok
Ontario, Canada
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Jerry Dodrill
climber
Sebastopol, CA
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Jun 14, 2009 - 02:21pm PT
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Wow Pete. I posted some pics from that ascent of Tempest up thread with Bruce wearing those russian aiders.
Here's a re-post.
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JOEY.F
Social climber
sebastopol
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Jun 14, 2009 - 02:24pm PT
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I am so sorry for his family and friends.
I was comming back from the local crag 2 weeks a go
and some punk TOTALED my car, I walked away.
Driving, ugh...
When I finally get on the wide, I will think of your friend, Brutus of Wyde.
Sincerely,
Joe.
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JohnRoe
Trad climber
State College, PA
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Jun 14, 2009 - 02:52pm PT
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So sad. Never met the man but could "hear" his distinctive voice since I started lurking on r.c many years ago now.
Another shout out of sorrow and sympathy
John
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HandCrack
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 05:26pm PT
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I've been in shock since I heard about this yesterday. It's just so very sad; I'm at a loss for words to describe how badly I feel.
I met Bruce when we both lived in Santa Barbara in the early eighties. We climbed locally in S.B. and a number of other spots, including Joshua Tree, Red Rocks, and the Eastern Sierras. Most memorable of all was doing The Prow in Yosemite, where he taught me a lot about aid climbing and did more than his share of the work needed to get us to the top.
I remember following him on many off-widths and squeeze chimneys before I learned from others how hideous they could be!
We had been in touch very little in the recent past, but I still hoped that I would have the chance to climb with him again sometime.
What I'll remember most about Bruce was his boundless energy. I don't ever remember him getting tired, indeed there were many times I wished he would slow down some so I might have a chance to keep up with him!
He was singled-minded in his approach to climbing - totally committed to the sport in all its facets - truly a climber's climber. His loss is a great blow to the family of climbers.
For me, and I'm sure for many others, this is going to take some time to get over.
Brandt Allen
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 05:39pm PT
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His Summitpost profile photo..
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 05:41pm PT
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The Wagon Wheel properly slung on the route Wagon Train
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 05:45pm PT
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Pic from Los Alamos Mountaineer site... who now host the North American Classics data...
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 05:46pm PT
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From Karl's site... Brutus on Galatic Hitchhiker
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Ottawa Doug
Social climber
Ottawa, Canada
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Jun 14, 2009 - 05:58pm PT
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I never met Brutus, but felt that I knew him from his posts, an awesome trip report from the Muir, etc...I don't know what to say...other than he seemed like a great guy, I knew he had recently been married...devastating for those who knew him.
Sincerely,
Doug
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Jun 14, 2009 - 07:12pm PT
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Around 1980, Pat Brennan, myself, and Bruce left the trailhead at about 7:00 in the evening on Christmas Day to go to the top of San Gorgonio Peak in So. California......we hiked with headlamps for hours and it got colder and windy, and about 2:00 AM we reached the top in windy, probably sub zero temps;...I had a full down suit on.......it was cold and windy, but not too cold to get out the wild turkey for a few nips on the summit.....the lights from the freeway down on I-10 were fabulous, and the evening was magic.
Another adventure with a very adventurous lad, Bruce Binder....the climbing world misses Bruce greatly....
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Jun 14, 2009 - 08:33pm PT
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Oh. Coming home from the weekend, the first post I saw over on Gunks.com contained the awful news of Brutus' fatal accident. My heart jumped, wishing it weren't so, knowing the loss being felt, especially by the love of his life, his heart and soul, Em. I am so sorry.
I only met him in real life the once at the St. George SushiFest, but of course read many of his stories, and read of many of his exploits here and on other places online.
What a kind, thoughtful and generous person he was at that sushi party, assisting in every possible way while simultaneously entertaining those around him and letting the joy of the party wash over him. He was fully immersed in life, that was so clear.
I have a few photos from that party to share. Here he is, helping with the cleanup, even though he had been working non-stop with Nature to serve us beautiful sushi creations.
And here he is, showing his stuff during an impromptu "Feats of Strength" moment which - somehow - had morphed from Pensylenvy doing some breakdancing(if I recall properly):
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Matt
Trad climber
primordial soup
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Jun 14, 2009 - 09:36pm PT
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well this really f*#king sucks
so sorry to hear this shocking news
that guy was so unique and special
always off climbing something cool
1st time there was a bay area ST get-together (@ jupiter) he snuck his CC to the server and picked up the whole check
every time i ran into the guy it seemed he was offering me something
there was a time when it seemed like i was always running into him (theM), but not for awhile now
just wish there was something to say to soften the blow on those who were really close to him- hi M, thinking of you...
well hey, at the rangers won't be f*#king with him any more!
safe passage bruce-
may all your climbs in heaven be FAs
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Zander
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Jun 14, 2009 - 11:31pm PT
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I am stunned, heartbroken.
I’ve only met Brutus a handful of times, climbing at Golden Gate Wall, my shop and the gym. It was clear he had an incredible joy in life, with his quirky, quietly hilarious sense of humor, all told with a twinkle in his eye, matched by his great but very individual climbing talent. I felt so fortunate to spend time with him. For those who really knew him well I cannot imagine what you are feeling. Em, my best wishes are with you. I hope for you all the strength and courage possible.
Zander
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Fletcher
Trad climber
the end of the world as we know it, & I feel fine.
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Jun 14, 2009 - 11:44pm PT
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Todd: that is a magically sublime story... I can completely envison it.
Lovegasoline: you captured that aspect perfectly... very similar feelings to what I have and I'm sure for many others.
Brutus was loved and new knew how to love.
Eric
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Anastasia
climber
Not here
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Jun 14, 2009 - 11:51pm PT
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Too many people going that are such wonderful souls. I really hate cars.
I send my condolences and love.
Anastasia Frangos
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Jun 14, 2009 - 11:52pm PT
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GODDAMMIT!!!
I just got back from climbing this weekend and come home to this?
I can't even... jeezuz...
Em, Dingus...I hope you can hang on. My head is spinning.
This ain't right.
Edit: my favorite shot from the last time I got to climb with Bruce and Em - April 2006, Sedona
The world is less bright tonight...
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FeelioBabar
climber
Sneaking up behind you...
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:01am PT
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F*@K!
My heart goes out to those close to him.
Another sad loss for us all.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:14am PT
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Awesome pics, Munge, and everybody else...keep 'em coming. This is a good spot to put them.
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nature
climber
Tucson, AZ
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:15am PT
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For Brutus (earlier today)
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Tom
Big Wall climber
San Luis Obispo CA
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:23am PT
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What a gyp . . . a car crash.
Here's a topo of one his routes, that he sent to me back in '02:
EDIT: Notice that the expando pitch is called, The Pinata.
Perfect. Absolutely perfect.
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Greg Barnes
climber
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:24am PT
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Not too hard to spot our (what we had previously thought of as "big") cam next to the Brutus collection:
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Studly
Trad climber
WA
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:27am PT
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Peace to you Brutus of Wyde, wherever you may be, on whatever adventure you are on!
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dlintz
Trad climber
Neebraskee
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:45am PT
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My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and those of us who only knew him online. He will be missed but never forgotten.
Mungeclimber, Chief, and Jerry, thanks for all the great photos in this thread.
Doug
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:48am PT
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The Cinco De Mayo topo reminded me of the Gatoritas!
He was a master mixologist. Best part of one day was me pulling out a Mammoth Brewing Co ale can in the backcountry... as he made the Gatoritas, I declared "here's your beer chaser!" His eyes lit up. You know how he does with his eyebrows going way up. :) I just felt like I was learning to contribute like he did so many times.
AND had is own climbing gear company! What was the name of that again? I bet there is a thread with a reference to it around here somewhere.
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yo
climber
I drink your milkshake!
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:50am PT
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Wow, very sorry to hear this. One of those very rare ones.
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tokyo bill
Social climber
tokyo
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:52am PT
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His posts and TRs were an inspiration to me when I was starting out, and all along the way. Wish I could have met him, but even absent that I feel the loss.
Condolences to all who knew him.
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Brandon
Trad climber
Santa Maria, CA
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Jun 15, 2009 - 01:28am PT
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I was fortunate enough to climb with Bruce. I had heard of him because of all the rad places and FAs he'd climbed in the Sierra. Finally we were focused on the same objective and got to climb together. The first and only time we got to climb together was our route on Castle Rock Spire. A week prior to our second(and successful) attempt on the route, Em and Bruce had driven all the way from the Bay Area, hiked to the basecamp(dealing with poison oak, snakes, bears, mt. lions, ticks, probably pot farmers too) and stashed gear, food, and tequila. On their way down, at about the halfway point, they had left a bottle of sunscreen. They noticed that it had teeth marks in it, from a bear. They continued back down to the car and called to say that we'd needed to bring in more food because the bears likely would eat it all during the week. So, when Bruce and I hiked up for our attempt, we brought a full supply of food and another bottle of tequila. To our suprise, the original cache of food was untouched and we now had too much food. We had to force ourselves to over eat and over drink each night, not typical for a backcountry trip.
But the situation I remember most from that trip is when we topped out on the Spire. We were trying to outrun a thunderstorm. We could hear thunder booming from the East.
Bruce was about a pitch below the summit when we peered into the backcountry and saw the lightening bolts and rain approaching. We sped to the top, took a few summit photos and started to bail.
Bruce had a committing, but fast way off the spire, rap his route "Spike Hairdoo". However, it needed one of its anchor bolts replaced. I waited on top of the Spire, while he's drilling the bolt and noticed how there were spots on the the spire that were devoid of lichen from lightning strikes. I sat there and watched the rain and lightning approach, knowing there wasn't anywhere to run to. A rainbow appeared over the Fin and then I heard Bruce's voice call up that he was done. We got out of there fast and finished the tequila back at camp.
I had always planned to do another project with him. At least I got to do one of the best climbs ever with him.
Brandon Thau
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Jun 15, 2009 - 01:31am PT
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pretty cool, Brandon.
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susan peplow
climber
www.joshuatreevacationhomes.com
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Jun 15, 2009 - 01:55am PT
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Brutus had so much more to give to all of us. Humor, trip reports, beta, routes & friendship to name only a few.
My deepest condolences to Em, his family, friends and loved ones who knew him best.
Susan Peplow
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Omot
Trad climber
The here and now
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Jun 15, 2009 - 02:01am PT
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Sigh...well this sucks. I never had the pleasure of meeting Bruce, but I sure wish I had. His kind heart and love of life were evident in all his writings, and all that has been written about him.
My heartfelt condolences to all his friends and family.
Tomo
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Tom
Big Wall climber
San Luis Obispo CA
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Jun 15, 2009 - 02:02am PT
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Bruce and I exchanged quite a few emails over the past seven years. It was always a pleasure to hear from him. He was one of the very first people to believe in the Valley Giant, and his collection is more vast than Greg's photo would suggest.
Here is the Brutus of Wyde topo of Tempest, a route that's a very severe test of a mountaineer. His topo offers up a hint of his sense of humor, and a good deal more of his sense of being accurate for those traveling after him:
EDIT: Brandon's photos show the Mighty Wyde One with Russian Aiders strapped to his legs. Sometime about 2003, Bruce loaned his Russian Aiders to PTPP, sight unseen, and with no collateral (or even a promise to return them!). PTPP used them (on Bermuda Dunes?) and was convinced the RA system was better. After that, PTPP got his own pair (and returned Bruce's) and would tell anyone who listened: Russian Aiders are a great improvement over clumsy, old aid ladders.
I used Bruce's Russian Aiders on that wall, too. And liked the system.
Even today, right now, PTPP is posting here on ST about how much he liked Theron's efforts to get the Russian Aider system available again.
And none of that would have taken place, if it weren't for Bruce.
Oh, if only I could produce a big, golden Wyde crack cam to send off with Bruce.
A car crash.
We were robbed . . . .
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Old5Ten
Trad climber
Berkeley, CA
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Jun 15, 2009 - 02:12am PT
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Just found out the horrible news from my wife. Em, we are so sorry!!! Brutus of Wyde was truly a great, larger than life person. I first met Bruce at City Rock, intrigued by his upside down climbing (which I desperately tried to imitate) of the flaring chimney/OW. Talked to him a few times on the fringe, but not much.
Many years later I would run into him at various places, mostly the Wilderness Exchange, and talk to him a bit more. One of his many admirable traits was that of 'walking encyclopedia.' He knew more about popular and obscure routes in the Sierra and elsewhere than anyone else. Big on the list at the time was his secretive 'Dirty Dozen.'
A few years later my wife and I joined Bruce and Em on a rebolting mission of 'Hairline,' a Brutus of Wyde original on the overhanging East Face of Mt. Whitney. We spent a week ferrying loads, fixing, rebolting, jugging, and living on the wall. It's in situations like these that you really get to know a person. Someone mentioned 'tough as nails' - yes, Bruce was that. Many mentioned his kindness and they are correct. Not the fake kindness that we experience everyday when random people smile at us, but the empathy that truly understands when someone is in need. The type of kindness that gives to those more in need even at the cost of self sacrifice.
Bruce was a teacher by example, an inspiration, a guiding light - certainly for me. Watching his drive and will to constantly get out and explore, to climb, to face and overcome hardship, to make the best of things with what was given to him at the moment. Never a complaint, humble and self-depreciating, and always the perfect sarcastic, but not mean, wit. I remember threatening him with a tape recorder as he breathlessly rattled off one liners on the approach to Tahquitz. The man was funny and continuously made me laugh. Bruce, we will miss you, but we will not forget you!
Elmar and Lisa
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froodish
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
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Jun 15, 2009 - 02:15am PT
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Condolences to those who were close to Bruce. I never had the pleasure of meeting him but have enjoyed his writing for many years on wreck dot climbing and here.
The world is a smaller and less interesting place without him.
Cheers Bruce.
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crøtch
climber
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Jun 15, 2009 - 02:31am PT
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A Brutus of Wyde gem from the rec.climbing days.
WARNING!!
ALL INDIVIDUALS USING, REFERRING TO,
TALKING ABOUT, OR THINKING ABOUT THIS
TOPO MUST READ THIS!!!
This inaccurate topo is based on dim
recollections, half-baked guesses, and
outright lies. In NO WAY does it tell
the full story. You would probably be
better off just trying to find your own
way up the mounatin, than you would be
if you used this topo. But that
statement in no way implies that I am
in any way responsible if you don't
use the topo, and something bad happens anyway.
Nature is unpredictable and unsafe.
Mountains are dangerous. Many books
have been written about these dangers,
and there’s no way I can list them all
here. Read the books.
The area depicted by this topo is covered
in steep terrain with loose, slippery and
unstable footing. The weather can make
matters worse. Sheer drops are everywhere.
You may fall, be injured or die. There
are hidden holes. You could break your
leg. There are wild animals, which may be
vicious, poisonous, hungry or carriers of
dread diseases. These may include poisonous
amphibians, reptiles, and insects; insects
to which you have allergies, or whose
multiple stings can cause anaphylactic
shock; mammals which may include skunks,
badgers, marmots, lions, tigers, and bears;
predatory birds, and all other manner of
beasts. Plants can be poisonous as well,
and even when not poisonous, can inflict
serious injury like a sharp stick in the
eye. This topo, and the author of this
topo, will not do anything to protect you
from any of this. I do not inspect, supervise
or maintain the ground, rocks, cliffs,
wildlife, vegetation or other features,
natural or otherwise.
Real dangers are present even on approach
trails. Trails are not sidewalks, and folks
have died and been seriously injured even
on sidewalks when they have tripped on cracked
concrete, plunged into meter boxes with
missing covers, been mugged, hit by cars,
had pianos fall on them... Trails can be,
and are, steep, slippery and dangerous.
Trail features made or enhanced by humans,
such as bridges, steps, walls and railings
(if any) can break, collapse, or otherwise
fail catastrophically at any time. I don’t
promise to inspect, supervise or maintain
them in any way. They may be negligently
constructed or repaired. Some trails in
the area are only maintained by Nelson Bighorn
Sheep, who have little regard for human life
or human safety, or any humans whatsoever.
In summary, trails are unsafe, period. Live
with it or stay away.
Stay on the trails whenever possible. The
terrain, in addition to being dangerous,
is surprisingly complex. You may get lost.
You probably WILL get lost. The chances of
getting lost multiply geometrically after
the sun goes down, due to poor visibility.
The sun goes down at least once a day in
this area. Not to say that you won't get
lost during daylight hours. In either event,
carry a flashlight, extra bulb and batteries,
compass, GPS, altimeter, cellular phone,
food, water, matches and first aid supplies
at all times. My advising you of this does
not mean there are not other things you
should be carrying. Carry them all as well,
and know how to use them. I am not responsible
for the consequences if you fail to heed this
advice. In fact, I am not responsible for
the consequences even if you DO heed this
advice and, for example, end up in an unplanned
bivy because you were carrying too much g*dd@mn
stuff, stumble into the bivy fire at 2 am when
you get up to take a p!ss, and severely burn the
flesh on your hands. You have only yourself to
blame, so leave me out of it.
Rocks and other objects can, and probably will,
fall from the cliffs. They can tumble down
slopes. This can happen naturally, or be
caused by people above you, such as climbers.
Rocks of all sizes, including huge boulders,
can shift, move or fall with no warning. If you
don't believe me check out the talus slopes at
the base of some of the rock walls. They
didn't just grow there. Use of helmets is advised
for anyone approaching the rock formations. As a
matter of fact, approaching the rock formations
is not advised. That is pretty stupid too. But if
you DO choose to risk your worthless scrawny neck
by going near rocks, shoulder pads, knee pads,
elbow pads, athletic cups and supporters and
other body armor may be handy as well. These
items can be purchased or rented from
mountaineering shops and athletic supply stores.
They won’t save you if you get hit by or
scrape against something big or on another
part of your body. A whole rock formation
might collapse on you leave nothing but a
grease spot. Don’t think it can’t happen.
It does, and it probably will.
Weather can be dangerous, regardless of
the forecast. Be prepared with extra
clothing, including rain gear. Hypothermia,
heat stroke, dehydration, frostbite,
lightning, ice and snow, runoff from rainstorms,
flashfloods, etc. can kill you. Rain can turn
easy terrain into a deathtrap, can drown you
if you're looking up into the sky with your
mouth open, and vastly decreases traction on
pavement. Snow is even worse, the hazards
ranging from snowball fight injuries to avalanches.
If you scramble in high places (scrambling
is moving over terrain steep enough to use
your hands) without proper experience, training
and equipment, or allow children to do so, you
are making a terrible mistake. Even if you know
what you’re doing and are the most experienced
and safest climber the world has ever known,
you are still making a terrible mistake: lots of
things can and do go wrong and you may be injured
or die. It happens all the time.
Furthermore, scrambling amongst the huge boulders
in this canyon, even without exposure of high
places, can result in serious physical and/or
emotional injury, or death.
This area, and this route, are not provided with
any rangers or security personnel on any regular
basis. The other people in the area, including
other visitors, USFS employees, foreign agents,
biologists and nature freaks, and anyone else
who might sneak in, may be stupid, reckless, a
religious fanatic, or otherwise dangerous. They
may be mentally ill, criminally insane, drunk, using
illegal drugs and/or armed with deadly weapons and
ready to use them. I'm not going to do anything about
that. I refuse to take responsibility.
Excessive consumption of alcohol, use of
prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications,
and/or legal or illegal controlled substances while
frequenting this area can and probably will affect
your mental state, alertness, and decision-making
abilities, and could make an already dangerous
situation even worse. Even abstinence won't
protect you from the actions of others under
the influence of such substances. Tough luck.
Not my fault.
The driveways, freeways, highways, streets,
alleys, back roads and unimproved 4WD tracks
leading to this area kill hundreds of folks
each year. Many of these fatalities are folks
who aren't even on their way to this canyon,
who in fact have never heard of this canyon,
but are simply innocent victims. Not so you.
You have been warned. You could get killed
driving to the trailhead. Wearing your seatbelt
tightly fastened with the lap belt low across
your waist improves your chances of survival,
in most cases (except that one steep section
of road) but does not and cannot guarantee your
safety. You might die before ever stepping out
of your vehicle at the trailhead, or on the way
home. It can happen any time. If you think you
are immune from this kind of thing, you're
fooling yourself.
This is not a sterile environment. Bacteria,
viruses, protozoa, protoviruses, fungi and other
forms of life and protolife which may or may not
be currently included in either the plant or animal
kingdom are capable of causing you serious bodily
harm, illness, or death. These kinds of biological
agents are both endemic in the area or present in
the plant and animal populations; and are also
capable of being carried or transmitted by your
climbing partners and travelling companions. I'm
not going to take responsibility for this, either.
My advice for you to treat drinking water, wash
your hands before and after going to the bathroom
and before eating, and to not indulge in unprotected
sex in this area, in no way obligates me to be
responsible for the consequences if you fail to
do so, nor does it mean that even if you DO take
these precautions and something happens anyway,
that I am to blame. Not so. Forget it. Nada. Negativo.
If you climb, you may die or be seriously
injured. And the longer you climb the greater
your risk of bad luck, which may or may not
be compounded by hubris, catching up to you.
This is true whether you are experienced or
not, trained or not, and equipped or not,
though training, experience and equipment may
help. It’s a fact, climbing is extremely dangerous.
If you don’t like it, stay at home. You really
shouldn’t be doing it anyway. I do not provide
supervision or instruction. I am not responsible
for, and do not inspect or maintain, climbing
anchors (including bolts, pitons, slings, trees,
etc.) As far as I know, any of them can and
probably will suddenly fail without warning and
send you plunging to your death with a bloodcurdling
scream, likely pulling your partner to his or her
doom as well. There are countless tons of loose
rock ready to be dislodged and fall on you or someone
else. There are any number of inobvious,
extremely and unusually dangerous conditions existing
on and around the rocks, and elsewhere in the
canyon. I probably don't know about any specific
hazard, but even if I do, don’t expect this
topo or its author to try to warn you. You’re
on your own.
Furthermore, the fact that I'm not trying
to stop you from being in this area in no
way implies, nor should it be inferred, that
I approve, recommend, advocate, or otherwise
in any way affirm that such action on your
part is anything but incredibly stupid.
Rescue services are not provided by anyone
near this climb, and may not be available
quickly or at all. In fact, if anything
really serious happens to you in this area,
you'll probably be dead before word ever
reaches civilization. Local rescue squads
may not be equipped for or trained in mountain
rescue. They probably won't be. If you are
lucky enough to have somebody try to rescue
you or treat your injuries, they will probably
be incompetent or worse. This includes doctors
and hospitals. I assume no responsibility. Also,
if you decide to participate in a rescue of
some other unfortunate, that’s your choice.
Don’t do it unless you are willing to assume
all risks, and don't blame me when it goes
bad and you end up getting yourself sued in
the process.
By using, or even just looking at this topo,
you are agreeing that I owe you no duty of
care or any other duty, you agree to release
me, my relatives, heirs, dependents, and anyone
else I care to name, now and forevermore,
from any and all claims of liability, even
though my actions may be grossly negligent
and/or be construed as reckless endangerment,
manslaughter, or other misconduct up to and
including premeditated murder. By consulting
this topo, you agree to waive forever any
rights that you, your partners, dependents,
heirs, inlaws, and others known or unknown to
you may have, to legal compensation resulting
from anything that has anything to do with this
topo, including but in no way limited to paper
cuts from the edge of the topo itself. If
you try to sue me in spite of all this, you
agree to pay my lawyers fees regardless of the
outcome of the suit, and you expressely agree
to re-imburse me for any loss or injury, be
it financial, physical, emotional, or imagined,
which I may experience as a result of such lawsuit.
I promise you nothing. I do not and will
not even try to keep the area safe for any
purpose. The area is NOT safe for any purpose.
This is no joke. I won’t even try to warn
about any dangerous or hazardous condition,
whether I know about it or not. If I do decide
to warn you about something, that doesn’t
mean I will try to warn you about anything else.
If I do make an effort to fix an unsafe condition,
I may not try to correct any others, and I may
actually make matters worse! I may have done
things in the area that are unwise and
dangerous. I probably did, but I don't remember.
Sorry, I'm neither competent nor responsible.
The topo gives you bad advice. Don’t listen.
Or do listen. It's your choice, but you face
the consequences either way, whatever they may be.
In short, CLIMB AT YOUR OWN RISK. If you,
or your heirs, relatives, dependents or others
known or unknown to you; your partner or your
partners heirs, relatives, dependents, or
others known or unknown to your partner, are
the slimy kind of lawyer-touting parasites who
would try to sue the author of a topo, If you
can't take responsibility for your own decisions,
knowledge, routefinding and plain dumb luck,
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE stay far far away from this
route and this canyon, give up climbing, and die
of some completely natural, painful, and slowly
progressive disease.
Thank you, climb safe, and have fun!
END of Disclaimer
Credit is due to Russ Walling for the original
inspiration, and to a rumored sign at Seneca Rocks
from which I unabashedly stole some of the text.
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Tom
Big Wall climber
San Luis Obispo CA
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Jun 15, 2009 - 02:45am PT
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Thank you, Cr0tch, for that gem of delicious insight into the ironic, comical aspect of the Brain of Brutus that, sadly, we no longer have access to.
Bruce is now, and will always be, missed.
I can only hope that Brutus of Wyde and OUCH! have a better place to do what they do best.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 15, 2009 - 03:34am PT
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This thread needs the beer dam pic...
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Madbolter
climber
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Jun 15, 2009 - 03:35am PT
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Brutus...wow.
I just heard the news today. What a senseless loss. I've not even lurked much these days, but it's nice to peek back in and see the outpouring of love and concern for Bruce and Em.
May his spirit keep climbing.
Rex Pieper
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Eddieeagle
Trad climber
Newcastle NORTHERN IRELAND
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Jun 15, 2009 - 08:27am PT
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Firstly my sympathies to Em and Bruce's family. I'm greatly saddened by his sudden departure. I first met Bruce and Em at my local climbing wall Class 5 in Marin County. When I showed an interest in mastering the art of climbing wide cracks Bruce give me excellent advise along with a tick list and the stories of old. I know that the climbing community have benefitted greatly from his work by helping revise topos, rebolting and 1st ascents, I well remember the 50 year anniversary re-ascent Bruce made with Allen Steck of the classic line Steck/Salathe on Sentinel Rock. Repecting the adventurous nature of of those that came before us and their ability to pass their great wisdom on.
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Gunkie
climber
East Coast US
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Jun 15, 2009 - 09:11am PT
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Damn it. That's all I got right now.
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Gary
climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
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Jun 15, 2009 - 10:03am PT
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Tonight I'll hoist one to a life well lived.
RIP
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T2
climber
Cardiff by the sea
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Jun 15, 2009 - 10:56am PT
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Sheesh Really sad news. I am sadden for him and those loved ones he will be waiting for on the other side. So sorry Dingus and Nurse Ratchet.
Tommy Thompson
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Dick_Lugar
Trad climber
Indiana (the other Mideast)
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Jun 15, 2009 - 10:59am PT
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Ditto here. Bruce sounded like a great guy and sounds like he had a very full life of adventure, friendship and companionship. Very unfortunate to lose someone of that caliber. Condolensces to those who were close to him.
Frank
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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Jun 15, 2009 - 11:49am PT
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wow, just got back from the weekend and found this. terrible news.
condolences to all--
kerwin
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Rhodo-Router
Gym climber
a greasy pinscar near you
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Jun 15, 2009 - 11:52am PT
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There is a big hole in the heart of this community, I'm sure...here's to that spirit of joy and exploration moving on to the next big dream in the sky.
We should all hoist one and farm some remote chosspile that his spirit will live on.
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pc
climber
East of Seattle
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:40pm PT
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Very sad indeed. Great to see some of the stories here. Some new some old...
Warm thoughts to his family and friends,
Peter
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seamus mcshane
climber
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:42pm PT
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RIP Brother of the Stone.
I can only rejoice in the belief you are cranking the wides in style with other fallen mates.
"I sense a disturbance in The Force"...
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Brian in SLC
Social climber
Salt Lake City, UT
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Jun 15, 2009 - 12:56pm PT
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This internet thing can be so…cold. Terrible way to find out of a friend’s passing…
Em, I’m so sorry. Someone, if there’s a memorial, please let me know.
Been too long since I’d seen you guys. Ugh.
From one of our many sessions at Ironworks, Rocknasium, Class 5, etc. Jupiter’s in Berkeley:
So many memories of the Brewtus. We climbed together initially in the gym. He was a fixture on several websites I frequented, and, a worthy read is to go into rec.climbing and surf up some of his wisdom. His “put” was refreshing, given the meanness on that site, which, I knew from asking upset him and finally drove him away.
We first met when a mutual friend of ours and I suggested a gym night in Davis at Rocknasium. Bruce drove all the way up from Oakland to meet up with us. I’d heard he was a fairly good climber, but, not from him. He was modest to the point of ridiculousness. Which, of course went out the window when you watched him climb. Strong. Gymnast strong. And, a lifer.
We hooked up climbing indoors and out for a few years. Ice climbing in Utah (his picture is in the Utah ice climbing guidebook in a couple of locations, including a funny picture of him posing on avalanche debris in the road). I remember after climbing in Santaquin Canyon, Bruce wanted to check out American Fork, just to see it. We drove there, and, got out of the car to scope “License to Thrill”, which I explained was a popular and fun climb. There was a bail ‘biner quite a ways up the route, maybe 20 feet or more off the deck. Before I could warn him off, Bruce had soloed up the thing in his plastic ice climbing boots, snagged the biner, and downclimbed. No sweat. I remember thinking, “wow”, as I knew how hard those moves were and why that bail ‘biner was there.
If you look at the Utah ice guide, you’ll see a picture of Em leading the GWI, and, Bruce is off to the left, soloing. But what the caption doesn’t say, is that Bruce is headin’ up to check out a fixed pin, which he bootied of course.
Em, Bruce and I climbed the Lost Arrow tip together. What gracious hosts! Bruce was dubious of the single 300 foot static line I brought, ‘cause it looked a tad thin, but, he humored me and it made the rappel and the tyrolean pretty easy to rig. When I jugged across, Bruce handed me a Sapporo. Our bivy the night before, with Bruce’s excellent cooking “chicken tits” on the open fire, was superb. What a great trip, short as it was, off my usual, at the time, business trip to the area.
I imported Bruce to the City of Rocks to lead an offwidth route. Amazing watching his technique. On that trip, I found out he pretty much knew the entire dialog of the Wizard of Oz, which of course we qued up once at my place, synched with Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.
When our mutual friend from that first meeting at Rocknasium went missing on Shasta, Bruce was there for us. I spent a long night in Oakland at the Old Climber’s Home, in a borrowed -30F sleeping bag that I sweated my ass off in. Misery loved company. Sure enough, Bruce and Em joined some other friends in late May on Shasta, where they found Zippo. Met up with them a few weeks later, at another gym (San Jose this time I seem to recall) and they shared some of that, including photo’s. Profoundly moving and sensitve. I can still remember that night with clarity. Bruce’s write up in the 2001 ANAM summarized that accident.
We attended Zippo’s funeral in Sacramento about this time, nine years ago, already. Crazy how time flies. Bruce read a poem he wrote, and, those in earshot bawled their head’s off. Posted below. Bruce not only penned great route topo’s, but, also was a great writer.
Heavy sigh.
Tip a Sierra Nevada for you my friend.
-"Brain" in SLC
Poem Bruce read at John Miksits' funeral in June 2000:
***
Cold.
Hard to think. Shivering.
Craig. Where's Craig? Oh. That's right.
Gone on ahead of me, somewhere.
Wind. Darkness.
Later. No shivering.
Later. Warm. Where?
Wind howling over the top of the col. I'm on Shasta. Have to get
somewhere.
Up. Body stiff. Dark. Out of the bivy sack. get headlamp. hard to make
hands work.
Warmer.
Walking now. Feeling better. I can see now. See clearly. night.
walking
downhill. Don't need the headlamp. I can see the whole world in the
darkness,
glowing like the living thing it is. How come I could never see it
before?
Drop the headlamp. How could I ever need it again, when everything is so
bright?
Through the mountain, through the world, through the whiteout and wind,
through hands held up, see stars. "Whiteout": what is that and why did it
have me so confused? I can see everything so clearly now. See through
my closed eyelids. I see with my soul -- see all the other souls bright
like
the stars--
Have to go somewhere.
Not a voice calling, not lights signalling . Something? Someone?
A calling, a place remembered, somewhere before my life began,
before I knew I was me, or first heard the beating of my heart.
calling me back. back to warmth, warm darkness where night is unknown,
surrounded by brightness, basking in joy but knowing nothing else except
as a memory, the past, present, and future coalescing into what IS...
Expanding... No longer feel ice pellets blasting my face.
Wind no longer a vicious beast, hardly a whisper now as it roars over
the col... expanding awareness, the mountain so small inside me,
I search for something... for the bright stars in the web of lights I
have
touched... and have become... Family, each of us part of each
other's lives since before we opened our eyes for the first time to
look at the outside world...
and Doreen. and Sarah. and Joey.
Others so close... Troop 259... Friends... climbing partners met face to
face
or simply through the threads of communication stretching out like a
silver
web in the darkness between people. Everyone, everywhere I've touched,
still touching, still there.
Still expanding... the living earth within my borders now, and everyone
I have known bright stars I have touched a part of me now and I a part of
them... with them, of them.
Brighter... Still -- called? pulled? no, drawn. Drawn to what is
ahead,
if this place beyond time and space can have aheadness...
What have I learned?
smile in the darkness. Yes, it is good. Thank you all. We all learn
from
each other. We are all gifts.
Brightness. Joy. Love.
Coming home, to where it all started, before I was, full circle, seeing
this
place, again, not seen since before I was born, seeing again,
for the first time...
Bruce Bindner - fellow climber
Oakland, CA
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 15, 2009 - 01:17pm PT
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THAT was Brutus.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 15, 2009 - 01:34pm PT
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thx Brian
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Les
Trad climber
Brooklyn
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Jun 15, 2009 - 01:47pm PT
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f*#k, this saddens me more than I can say, and I never even met the man. But I will never forget that he, without my even asking, offered to send me one of his topos when I inquired via e-mail about Mt. Slesse's Northeast Buttress. He asked me for my address, and within days, I received a laminated copy in the mail. Unbelievable. That one small kindness told me all I needed to know about the man, and I am utterly floored by the news of his passing. What a profound loss this is to the climbing community, and really, to humanity at large. Brutus of Wyde (one of the coolest handles ever), may ye rest in peace.
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bobinc
Trad climber
Portland, Or
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Jun 15, 2009 - 02:00pm PT
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Brian-- thanks for posting that. I have not been affected so much by anyone's passing in a very long time (and I never met Bruce except indirectly). I really appreciate all of the tributes everyone has written and extend deepest condolences to all of Bruce's friends and family.
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poop*ghost
Trad climber
Denver, CO
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Jun 15, 2009 - 02:01pm PT
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Bruce... this just is not fair. Nope... it is just horrible and I miss you.
I met bruce right after I started climbing. I didn't know him other than as the guy who climbed the OW at the gym, feet above head.
He offered me his big wall gear w/ no questions just a smile.
He and Em brought us into their home and shared wonderful food w/ us.
He brought me into his favorite places and shared his routes with a smile.
He always had a cold one to put in your hand.
He had eyes that were crazy... they looked right into you.
He loved to sandbag you.
He loved Em with emotion you could feel from just watching them together.
I can't imagine a world w/out Bruce.
I can't find any consolidation... tonight I'm getting tanked.
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Jerry Dodrill
climber
Sebastopol, CA
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Jun 15, 2009 - 02:31pm PT
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Contemplating the objective, the great warrior strikes a signature pose.
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mooch
Big Wall climber
The Immaculate Conception
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 15, 2009 - 03:06pm PT
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Of all the things I observed from Bruce, it was his flat out genuine love and care for Em! God, just to see the two of them together was magical (and an example to all married couples). A narrative between Brutus and Em when he, Em and I were putting up routes in A-Hills earlier this year.......smooth cat:
Nurse Ratchet: Ok, Bruce....you're off belay.
Brutus (hushed voice): Really? Ya wanna roll in the hay?
Nurse Ratchet: Huh?
Brutus: Off belay?
Nurse Ratchet: Yes. You're off belay.
Brutus: Thanks Em! (with a subtle tee-hee after)
Brutus then looks over at me, "Gotta love that woman for puttin' up with my hopeless romantic nature!" (insert crazed look from Brutus)
Em, if you're reading this, that exchanged happened during the FA of "My Little Lab Rat" (.10b). Love you Sweet Nurse!!!
I will cherish the memory of Brutus, Em, Mrs. Mooch and I, hangin' out in the jaccuzzi at Dow Villas, one cold night out in Lone Pine. Enjoying some great Tempernillo and a beautiful full moon......yackin' away about FA's and far off adventures yet to be planned. All the while, Brutus providing a loving shoulder rub down to Em. They were hopeless! Love as it should be.
Dood will always be THE MAN!!
Bruce......I love you! Gotcha here in my heart! Looking forward to our next adventure!!
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Footloose
Trad climber
Lake Tahoe
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Jun 15, 2009 - 04:11pm PT
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So sad. My deepest condolences to family and friends.
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labrat
Trad climber
Nevada, CA
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Jun 15, 2009 - 04:58pm PT
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Very sorry to hear this news. Good thoughts to family and friends.
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superboy
Trad climber
Sonoma,CA
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Jun 15, 2009 - 04:59pm PT
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Like many others here, my wife and I were greatly saddened upon learning about Bruce’s tragic accident. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all of Bruce’s family and friends particularly Em, ED, and DMT.
We had the pleasure of sharing a ski lease with Bruce and Em in our cabin in South Lake Tahoe for several years. Although we never managed to go on any big climbing adventures together, we spent many afternoons and nights planning and scheming the next day, week, months adventures around a warm wood stove and drinking Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. I will always cherish the memories of Bruce bar-be-queuing outside in a blizzard in his red suit while reading a book via headlamp. We would check on him once in a while…. gingerly stepping outside while trying not to dislodge the giant ice dam hanging dangerously off the roof which he termed the “death serac”. We have a cabin logbook where Em and Bruce faithfully recorded their outdoor adventures each trip. Bruce’s off beat humor shine through with his many drawings of Potts the back country skier who never seemed to hit conditions right…thrashing his way through wind blown crust and up to his neck in sierra cement. I managed to ski a few times with them with one particularly spectacular day up Round Top with Em, Bruce, DMT, and Dave. Unfortunately, we haven't seen Em and Bruce as much recently since they decided they were getting too "soft" at the cabin and traded a warm fire for snow camping.
Bruce, you lived life large... you will be missed.
Ben Smith & Liana Kirk
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Jun 15, 2009 - 05:36pm PT
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If anybody is going to get VIP treatment in the afterlife, it is Brutus of Wyde.
Only thing is, he'll be so busy helping them make the food for the afterparty that he'll only have a fantastic time, instead of a heavenly wild time.
I'm on the road, just got the news, and, after a round of tears and meditation to send him my love and good will, I can only type this quick installment.
I don't care if he never climbed a rock. Getting to know Brutus was an inspiration on how to be a truly fine human being.
Over the top...A Saint without a God (an obvious One anyway)
One story from just a few weeks back.
Brutus and Em showed up at the tail end of my Birthday party in Southern Yosemite just to help clean up!
Sadly we were already gone. I was sitting in my house and this "character" shows up looking in my back window. Turned out to be Brutus! I didn't recognize him at first because he lost a ton of weight.
Em follows and they bestow gifts of prayer flags and homemade Jam. How I will relish the last nibbles of that sweetness.
So Brutus tells me about the diet he went on to get fit and not worry about dying of a heart attack like his doctors threatened, and recommends the same for me.
Both Brutus and Em...hearts of gold...walking the extra 10 miles to take pleasure in serving and stoking out somebody else's life and heart.
A week or so later I get a message on my answering machine from a voice claiming to be "The Angel of Death" warning me to change my diet or else (turns out to be Brutus looking for a crash pad after something fell through)
Now I better worry since Brutus and that Angel are now acquainted. I wish him soaring ecstasy on his new greatest adventure.
For Em...Words cannot express my dear. Even typing this wells tears in my eyes. Much love to you dearest sister. I'm there for you day and night.
I had the greatest privilege of preforming Brutus and Em's wedding ceremony in a high alpine meadow in the Sierra a few years back. Their love inspired and inspires.
More to come later perhaps.
Here's a link to a little climbing story about Brutus and Em
http://www.yosemiteclimber.com/EmandBrutus.html
What can I say? We can feel and mourn our loss without making it a sad story, because the story goes on and why assume the worst?
Love and Care for all. Let's take Brutus's inspiration and find a morsel of food or a cold beer for a weary climber and take pleasure in the pleasure of our friends and community.
Karl
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bobinc
Trad climber
Portland, Or
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Jun 15, 2009 - 05:42pm PT
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Karl-- thanks for the thoughts and the pix/link. I just back from re-reading that story on your website. Hope you are doing okay.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 15, 2009 - 08:19pm PT
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This weekend we all should climb something fun for Brutus. Weather is looking pretty good up there.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 15, 2009 - 08:22pm PT
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Anyone headed out SPH way?
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Jun 15, 2009 - 08:53pm PT
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is there a list of Brutus first ascents available? maybe we should have an extended celebration of Bruce's route contributions and spread out and do his routes... then Trip Report back here next week...
just a thought...
anyone got a list?
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 15, 2009 - 09:17pm PT
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Ebola? Wagon wheels?
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drljefe
climber
Old Pueblo, AZ
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Jun 15, 2009 - 09:18pm PT
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Yeah, what t*r said.
A few days away from the computer and more sad news.
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mooch
Big Wall climber
The Immaculate Conception
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 15, 2009 - 10:11pm PT
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'Pass the Pitons' Pete
Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
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Jun 15, 2009 - 10:46pm PT
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Em,
Well, I finally read all the posts and I'm just crying my eyes out.
Bruce really *really* loved you a lot, Em. It rang through in everything he wrote. You were very blessed.
I don't understand why things like this happen. It's so unfair and so wrong. I hope you can look back on the wonderful times you two shared, and the love you shared, and be thankful.
Hang in there, and feel the hurt. It's -because- you loved each other so much, that it hurts so much. I'm so sorry.
Pete Zabrok
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mark miller
Social climber
Reno
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Jun 15, 2009 - 11:09pm PT
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Dear Em and relatives of "Brutus", I'm very sorry for your loss and my most sincere thoughts go out for you.
I met "Brutus" at the Utah SushiFest, his and Em's unselfish work to help Nature put on a delicious feast for the maddening herd was inspirational and an insight into the quality of both individuals.
"Brutus's" TR's over the years have brought to the forefront the ol' school style and tradition of when the going gets tough the "Brutus's" among us keep going. Our world is a lesser place with his passing. Godspeed Bruce.... We'll all see you at the Sushifest on the other side.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 16, 2009 - 12:59am PT
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Mooch,
Thx. Look at his fingers, love just pouring out.
M
edit...
Ed, I don't know of any definitive list, but I'd love to start compiling one. What a list!
Jay, yes, definitively!
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 16, 2009 - 01:20am PT
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Brutus humor.
:)
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 16, 2009 - 01:21am PT
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more Bruce humor
say the route name quickly over and over. you'll get it eventually. :)
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Dirka
Trad climber
SF
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Jun 16, 2009 - 02:08am PT
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I am so sorry to hear this. My blessings to his family and friends.
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skajhook
Gym climber
Ronninge, Sweden
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Jun 16, 2009 - 02:25am PT
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This is so sad and I feel so sorry for Em. He was a truly inspirational character and I still remember his laughter when we told him we were heading for south face of lone pine peak.. Bruce humor :-)
Erik S.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 16, 2009 - 03:10am PT
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The King out in no man's land finding the path for his people.
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up2top
Big Wall climber
Phoenix, AZ
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Jun 16, 2009 - 03:36am PT
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Bruce was a legend in my eyes, and clearly in those of many others. His posts on rec.climbing were some of the first I recall reading after picking up climbing back in the 90's. He was a straight-shooting, no BS kind of guy with a wicked sense of humor. Damn, he could tell a tale.
By pure chance I met him and Em the morning I arrived in Yosemite back in '95 (I think...it may have been '97). I had just pulled in from the long 12 hour drive and went straight to the bridge to park and go hang out in the meadow. I pulled in behind two folks who were racking up to go do some cragging and I recognized Bruce from pictures. I introduced myself and all three of us had some brief conversation about climbing, about life, and about the silliness of the internet. Almost in passing I made a comment lamenting how my recent marriage had cut drastically into my climbing time and I asked them how they managed to work it out. They both grinned at each other and told me "we're not married!" I guess the knowing grin they shared was an inside joke for them, because it wasn't a couple of months later that I remember Karl posting up here on the Taco about their wedding ceremony. The legendary couple had finally tied the knot.
I'm grateful for the few moments our paths crossed. Em -- my heart goes out to you. The two of you were a beautiful, loving couple and our community is diminished greatly by his loss.
Ed
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John Mac
Trad climber
Littleton, CO
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Jun 16, 2009 - 10:13am PT
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Wow ... you go away for a few days and you come back to this....
Very sad. I never met Bruce but felt as though I had know him for a long time because of the taco stand.
Deepest sympathy and condolences to all family and friends.
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Jun 16, 2009 - 11:02am PT
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A little climbing with Brutus...
I was fortunate enough to be able to rope up with Brutus (and Em) occasionally. The first time was in June of 1995, almost exactly 14 years ago. If Brutus had a "signature climb", it had to be the Steck-Salathe, and I know he spent a lot of time up there, both climbing, and doing maintenance on the route. I "met" Brutus initially via the early days of rec.climbing and then for real through my friendship with Inez Drixelius, who climbed a lot with Bruce back then.
Bruce picked me up at the airport in Oakland to head to the Valley. he'd been doing some bolt replacing up high on the route and had a pile of gear still up on top of Sentinel. We drove on out, loaded up packs with bivy gear, and headed up the dreaded descent gully.
A ways up the descent, we ran into 300 feet of snow blocking the way. Climbing up this with a big pack in half-blown-out running shoes felt pretty harrowing at the time, but Bruce led the way, kicking good steps for me in the snow with his heavy boots.
Bruce near the notch to the side of the summit area, still smiling, happy in a place he loved.
Near the top, we dropped off our loads. Brutus headed off to a snowbank to stash some of the refrigerated-type goodies, and I headed to the top to boil some water and drop off the bivy gear. We loaded up the maintenance gear and headed back down.
That night, the three of us bivied on the slopes below Sentinel, rising at 5am to a scones and fresh blueberry breakfast. We were headed to the base of the route before 6am.
Brutus headed up the first pitch at 6;12am. We had a long day ahead.
That first pitch was a bit of a wakeup call that early in the morning, with surprisingly burly climbing right off the bat. Bruce was relaxed and confident.
Headed up the third pitch with Inez belaying.
Brutus at home in the depths of the Wilson Overhang.
My favorite shot of Brutus, as he gets set to enter the Narrows pitch. We'd talked quite a bit about this pitch before the route, with Bruce telling stories about some large friend who'd nearly gotten stuck, but when he would scream, his chest would contract just enough to allow movement. I wasn't excited about that prospect, so I opted to go outside. After leading the pitch in about five minutes, Bruce pulled up the rope, clipped a few cams on it, and then swung it back into the chimney (outside the chockstones) so that I could tie in and climb up the outside. I was very grateful.
The day was long, and some of the night as well. We topped out on the route at 11;59pm, Bruce leading the way up the last pitch via headlamp. After I climbed, he left me to belay Inez while he headed off down to the notch to retrieve the food. As others have said, there were always things to do and he did 'em. That night, we didn't have a bivy-style snack. We had a full on feast, starting with huge grilled prawns. Then mushroom and rice pilaf along with the usual chicken "tits", all the while passing around a couple of nalgene bottles, one with water, and one with wine. Hands down best summit celebration I've ever had. Bear in mind, I had no idea what was on the menu, or what Bruce had smuggled up to the notch to bury in the snow. I think he quite enjoyed the surprise and delight as each new luxury was announced and savored.
The next morning, as the sun woke us, Brutus came over and handed me a large bottle of cold Mountain Dew, which he'd found out from Inez was my go-juice of choice in the morning. I was speechless to think that he'd lugged something so heavy, yet so trivial all the way up there just to make my morning better. As others have said, that was just the way he took care of his partners.
We spent some time hanging out up there, enjoying the warm sunshine and basking in the glow of a successful climb. To this day, whenever I think of Brutus, I think of him statuesque posing like this atop Sentinel Rock.
We'll miss you brother. Rest in peace.
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guyman
Trad climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Jun 16, 2009 - 11:19am PT
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Sorry to say I never was lucky enuf to have climbed with Bruce.
His climbs have spanked me a few times, so I feel like I knew him.
He will live forever, his climbs will continue to spank climbers long into the future.
Thank you Brutus.
Guy Keesee
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Jun 16, 2009 - 11:20am PT
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Beautiful story and pictures, Greg.
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mooch
Big Wall climber
The Immaculate Conception
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 16, 2009 - 11:33am PT
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Brutus two weeks ago working the Wilson Overhang....on his 6th trip up Steck-Salathe with Em (her 1st). He sure put some love into that route!
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 16, 2009 - 12:39pm PT
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oh, I'm so psyched to see pics from the recent "SS" trip!
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charley
Trad climber
nw pa.
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Jun 16, 2009 - 12:46pm PT
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Another great man I never met. So sad.
My condolences to family and friends.
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cleo
Social climber
Berkeley, CA
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Jun 16, 2009 - 12:58pm PT
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Oh geez, so sad. I only met Brutus once, at the Planet Granite, and he was stuffed into a chimney there - so cool to watch him.
My thoughts are with his friends and family.
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Pewf
climber
nederland
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Jun 16, 2009 - 01:12pm PT
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I'm so so sorry to hear this. It doesn't seem fair that a life so fully lived could end so quickly. I know there is little that anyone can do to ease the grief that those close to him are feeling now, but I hope there is some small comfort in knowing how many people were touched by Bruce's life. There are few people who can leave this earth so much improved by their thoughts and actions.
My deepest condolences to Em, Craig, and all who loved him.
Amanda
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amyjo
Trad climber
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Jun 16, 2009 - 01:16pm PT
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Dear Em
Thanks for the poem
Amazing woman that you are.
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Conrad
climber
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Jun 16, 2009 - 03:46pm PT
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Met Bruce on the Steck Salathe in 94 and at Peter's gym around the same time. I was looking forward to seeing him once again, in a predictably random place and time.
Sincere condolences to family and friends.
Peace.
Conrad
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Aging Trad
Trad climber
Austin, TX
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Jun 16, 2009 - 03:50pm PT
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Though I never met the man, I know that I and hundreds of others like me will miss him every day! My sympathies to his friends and family.
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14re3
Boulder climber
Twin Peaks ,CA
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Jun 16, 2009 - 03:53pm PT
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Thank you all for your pics & stories! I am his older brother (Jurel) jeff thank you again
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 16, 2009 - 04:02pm PT
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As you know, your brother was quite the guy, and touched a lot of us, deeply.
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superboy
Trad climber
Sonoma,CA
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Jun 16, 2009 - 04:03pm PT
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Dingus,
One more Bruce Round Top Picture:
Tipo says thanks for the compliment. He is seven and still accompanies me on many adventures.
Still think of that day and the fine people that shared it.
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superboy
Trad climber
Sonoma,CA
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Jun 16, 2009 - 05:21pm PT
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Here he is on the true summit:
If I recall correctly its only a couple of feet higher. I think I just tried to jump really high to get to the same altitude.
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mooch
Big Wall climber
The Immaculate Conception
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 16, 2009 - 05:28pm PT
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Rob (Munge) -
Will try to call you later tonight. Talked with Dingus earlier. Not sure if you two have chatted yet. DMT and I swore to climb very soon. How about a trip to Shuteye soon? Say July 4th weekend.
BTW, Em wants to go to Hoffman this September, as already scheduled. You still on board Rob? Dingus?
Jeff-
Brother, I want you to know how deeply your brohter impacted my life. Even his subtle gestures of wit and weirdness were lessons in human living and loving. He was a brother to us all.
In our last conversation before heading to Sequoia this past Friday:
"Brutus....did you bring the Sapporo?"
"'Course I did! What kind of circus do you think I run anyway?"
:) Love You Brutus!
P.S. I'm parched.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 16, 2009 - 05:34pm PT
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Most def onboard for Haufbrau there Mooch.
Was going to call Dingus tonight about plans too. Let's talk. Em would like to go this weekend.
Can't do the 4th of July in So Sierra. My sweet heart veto'd in favor of the East Side.
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mooch
Big Wall climber
The Immaculate Conception
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 16, 2009 - 05:36pm PT
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Gotcha on the no-go July 4.
Gotcher number from summitpost PM you sent. Will call after a long cycling ride tonight.
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14re3
Boulder climber
Twin Peaks ,CA
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Jun 16, 2009 - 07:02pm PT
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So will ED!!!
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 16, 2009 - 07:20pm PT
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TROGDOR!!!
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Jun 16, 2009 - 07:55pm PT
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Since I posted pics of the first time I ever climbed with Brutus, I figured it seemed symmetrical if I posted some pics of the last time I climbed with him (and Em) in Sedona. April of 2006.
The route is called Sedona's Scenic Climb, and is 5 long pitches of beautiful sandstone climbing to the summit of Gibralter Rock between Oak Creek Village and Sedona proper.
Em and Brutus on the approach. Brutus lending a spotting hand...
Brutus at the top of pitch one. As he usually did, he graciously praised my lead and made out like it was hard for him.
Brutus heading off up the buttress of the second pitch.
Skyline shot of the same (second) pitch.
The third pitch starts with a really cool traverse out left from the belay ledge. The attention-grabbing start puts you on a good stance, so I swung around and snapped this picture of Brutus and Em (taking pics of me) back at the belay.
Not to be outdone, Em ponied up for the lead of the fourth pitch and floated it in grand style.
Brutus got the final lead, finishing off the route.
A bit of scrambling takes you to the very top of the formation, yielding some of the best views you can get of the beautiful red rocks of Sedona. Brutus assumed his usual relaxed summit pose.
Posted earlier... Brutus making one of the rappels from the route.
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Jun 16, 2009 - 08:03pm PT
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The day following the climb of the route in Sedona, my wife and I drove up through Prescott, where Bruce and Em were staying with her daughter, and then continued north to the basalt cracks of Paradise Forks.
Brutus automagically hones in on the nearest wide stuff...
...and heads right up... (photo by Em)
Brutus taking a lap on the Pillow Talk handcrack.
Em finishing the left Yogi Crack while Bruce belays.
Brutus racking up on the canyon rim.
...and leading the left Yogi Crack.
Brutus indicating that he's done for the day and ready for beers.
Great days. Wish there were more...
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14re3
Boulder climber
Twin Peaks ,CA
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Jun 16, 2009 - 08:12pm PT
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wow
thank you
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Melissa
Gym climber
berkeley, ca
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Jun 16, 2009 - 11:16pm PT
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Thanks for sharing all of your pictures.
Poop*ghost...I forgot that your rig was borrowed until I read your post, and then several little things that you told me throughout the climb that Brutus and Em taught you came back so vividly that I cried again (as several of the memorials here have brought me to do.)
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Velvet Skye
climber
Crestline,CA
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Jun 17, 2009 - 01:49am PT
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Name is Rhonda, but online please refer to me as Velvet Skye, or Velvet.
I am one of the three neices mentioned in jurel's posts. Who will dearly miss my uncle. Just today, as I was searching for cards in a local store for E.D. and my "Aunt" Em, I was in one of those states where you are thinking it is all a bad dream that will go away in time. Although I know it won't, and that haziness is a part of the process. (i started this process last year as I lost a child at 21 weeks gestation. A boy who was dearly wanted and is still dearly loved.) And as I chose appropraite cards for these fine ladies, I realized that I am in pain too and tears were trickling down my cheeks.
I need to know how to attach photos, I don't have videos, I haven't got any of climbing, but i do have Bruce with my son, his Great Nephew, Caspian. They were doing one handed pushups. My son was 6. (now he's 9)
Bruce understood my boy's intensity and energy, and channeled it. Now I can see why, he too had an abundance, and a zest for life.
Thanks for this thread and posting all your stories and thoughts. I am glad to know my uncle was well loved by all, the way we loved him.
I had always hoped for more, more time with my uncle. He will be so missed.
So now Uncle Bruce, is time for the climb of your life, I'm sure the mountains in heaven are bigger and better than any that Earth can boast. Go forth and conquer with no fear of falling and without the need for gear.
A shirt I will always remember him wearing when i was very little said, "Go climb a rock."
So go on now Uncle Bruce... Find it and Climb it. And take your great nephew Karar with you. Take care of my family, till I see you all again.
Always loved,
Rhonda
VELVET SKYE
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 17, 2009 - 02:20am PT
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Thanks, Skye!
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 17, 2009 - 12:24pm PT
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Velvet,
you have to store your digital images online e.g. photobucket or flickr, etc.
then paste the URL for the image between two 'tags'
sorta like this...
[img]http://www.flickr.com/image.jpg[/img#]
but take out the "#" character in the second tag!!!
M
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Pat Brennan
Trad climber
Lake Arrowhead, CA
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Jun 17, 2009 - 04:48pm PT
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This is the first time I've ever posted! It took THIS to do it & some help from my son, Jeff & wife Lori. Bruce & I started climbing 35 years ago in high school. We had no one to mentor us back then, it was all trial & error. I could write a book on all the adventures Bruce & I have had, climbing sometimes for weeks (4 of us & gear all crammed into a Ford Courier truck.) Those of you that have climbed with Bruce, know all the antic, retching, wit, one liners, food, beer, drinking & some special concoctions! He was a hell of a man, partner & friend, we were like brothers. We both grew up in San Bernardino & went to the same school. Bruce eventually moved to the Bay area & raised his family, and I mean "family". I moved to Lk. Arrowhead & raised mine. We always hooked up for a climb once a year. Bruce would call, not to say "Hi", but "lets go climbing" would be the first words out of his mouth. I'll surely miss him, as will so many others. Bruce was so full of life & gumption. Bruce, R.I.P.. See ya soon & "lets go climbing" up there in the big sky when I get there!
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 17, 2009 - 06:46pm PT
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Jun 17, 2009 - 08:23pm PT
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Thanks for posting up Pat. It's never too late.
I knew and climbed with Bruce, but nothing like your time with him.
You have my sympathies for the loss of a longtime friend.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 18, 2009 - 02:41am PT
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nice pic!
got a more eastern look at the area?
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hooblie
climber
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Jun 18, 2009 - 03:35am PT
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now that's a worthy objective. thanks, it sooths just a little. kind of speaks for what his heart was set on. like laying down a wreath, but more appropriate for a man who had an eye, and the will to fit his vision
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mooch
Big Wall climber
The Immaculate Conception
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 18, 2009 - 11:10am PT
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Dingus -
Bob Burd (summitpost) took that shot back on May 25th while he was on the High Sierra Trail, headed to Eagle Scout Peak. This was the photo we were studying prior to the trip to see if we needed crampon for the snow tongue in the gully between The Fin and CRS.
Hey Rob -
Did you get my email regarding the east side of the spire?
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lucye
Social climber
Berkeley, CA
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Jun 18, 2009 - 12:15pm PT
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Heard the terrible news through the grapevine and registered to try to express our sadness at this loss...I don't climb, but I ski and my husband Mark and I had the gift of meeting Bruce and Em through the tele classes we took with them at LTCC. In bounds skiing was hardly an environment for Brutus' wild nature to fully express itself, but nonetheless in reading this thread I can recognize so much of his exuberance and the very special bond he shared with Em. He routinely skied with double whippets which ensured him space in the lift lines and, particularly that first season, took more body-slam wipeouts than the entire rest of the class combined. Incredibly (to me), his masochistic approach seemed to work; a season later he was ripping with steeze and the class coronated him 'most improved'! He was so typically modest, I don't think anyone in the class realized they were skiing with a Sierra rock legend.
I also remember how 'crashing' at Em and Bruce's ski cabin near Angora was invariably a gourmet affair. Bruce would concoct elaborate, delicious multicourse dinners and breakfasts that this ski bum didn't deserve and was very grateful for.
Em, if you're reading this our thoughts are with you, and we mourn the loss to you and to our entire outdoor community. I hope time can help ease some of the pain and allow you to find peace. If there is a public celebration of Bruce's life sometime in the future, please post the info here so we can share in the remembrance.
Namaste,
Lucy and Mark
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Eric Coomer
climber
Colorado
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Jun 18, 2009 - 12:20pm PT
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Wow, that pic of the spire brings back some incredible memories.
Bruce and I lugging 120 lb packs- this is no tall tale, bruce brought a scale and weighed the bags in the parking lot
Stashing beer in the crick on the way up
Endless slogging over game trails
The epic gully- fully snow chocked during the last week of winter
Bruce "rope is fixed" as he dug a hole and became the anchor at the top of the 200' slope to the saddle of the spire.
Bruce-the-anchor saving my ass as the entire slope avalanched on me half way up
Watching a perfect Sierra Sunset from the top of the spire 3 days later when we topped out, right before the epic, pitch-black, blind descent...
Finally dodging constant avalanches heading back down the gulley.
What a ride Bruce- thank you!
e
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 18, 2009 - 01:11pm PT
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Wishon climbing trip - coolers, campfires and climbers, oh my!
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 18, 2009 - 01:12pm PT
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 18, 2009 - 01:13pm PT
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Jun 18, 2009 - 01:32pm PT
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Every so often I start to burn out on the taco.
Then along comes a thread like this.
What a wonderful tribute to someone I barely got to know.
This is sort of a psyber-wake, except far better. There is more time for stories and pictures. It's self-catered, so you don't have to worry about people showing up just to wolf down the ham. And for people like me it is an opportunity which, despite the sadness, allows me to know him better.
Again, best wishes to Em.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 18, 2009 - 01:49pm PT
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Absolutely. Hearing about other's trips with him really has been good stuff.
I'm really hoping to reach out to more folks next week and do some inviting to other trips.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 18, 2009 - 01:52pm PT
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hanging out having fun on a Wishon OW problem.
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mooch
Big Wall climber
The Immaculate Conception
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 18, 2009 - 01:53pm PT
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I loved that dude..
DITO! Remarkable how one man can change your life.....forever. What an incredible mentor he was to me, on the high angle stone and with life's challenges. I loved Brutus' brutality....it was the cornerstone of his personality! And, as said before, the way he cared for his partners and friends.......priceless! Remember takin' a 40' whipper off some route to the left of Sweet Home Alabama in the A-Hills. Thought for sure my ankle was broken.....AGAIN! He and Em were quick to give me a look over and applying one of many uses from an ice cold Sappporo. Satisfying it was....but my ankle still hurt. ;)
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 18, 2009 - 02:04pm PT
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LOL!! nice one
here's some more I found, borrowed from his own photobucket account...
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 18, 2009 - 02:09pm PT
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true hardman rack
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Ray-J
Social climber
cali
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Jun 18, 2009 - 03:08pm PT
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So sorry to hear...
Didn't know Brutus myself but
Can relate to the amazing hit of
Losing a good friend
Suddenly.
It can be/is very very hard.
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Don Lauria
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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Jun 18, 2009 - 03:58pm PT
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I never met Brutus, but after reading 364 posts, I know him now and feel his loss.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
Monrovia, CA
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Jun 18, 2009 - 05:04pm PT
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It appears that his gear collection was only surpassed by his well-earned popularity. Heartfelt condolences to friends and family.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 18, 2009 - 05:20pm PT
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just in case I didn't mention it, thx to all that have posted up kind words. I think Dingus already mentioned that Em has appreciated it too, and Jurel is on board the taco and hopefully will post some pics. Just cool to see folks telling their stories, and their 'best of brutus' hits.
I had to break the news to Noots today and he said it right "that just f*#king sucks"
word
but we go. we go to have fun adventures. get out all! do it like there is little time left. be smart, but get out there!
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nature
climber
Tucson, AZ
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Jun 18, 2009 - 07:17pm PT
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Brutus didn't want the FedEx guy to deliver the package. A new technique...
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 18, 2009 - 07:30pm PT
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looks like training for inverted offwidth technique
:)
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RobNaylor
Trad climber
Kent, United Kingdom
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Jun 19, 2009 - 10:37am PT
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I'm really sorry to hear about Bruce's death.
I never met Bruce, but his trip reports, advice and humour on rec.climbing in the mid 90s were one of the things that kept me going back there again and again. We had a few exchanges of views and he put me right a couple of times when I was being an arse.
One thing that sticks in my mind was playing the "Six Degrees of Separation" game between posters and Dingus Milktoast, the proviso being that you actually had to have climbed with the person named as the link.
Almost everyone who played had at most 4 degrees of separation. However, I posted that I thought I could beat the odds, as I was here in the UK and the only person I knew in the whole USA who climbed was a girl called Carolyn who'd recently emigrated to California.
Within minutes there was a post from Brutus saying "Would that be Carolyn D***, then?". Snookered, first shot!
It was Carolyn, now back in the UK, who alerted me to the tragedy.
A great character. I wish I'd known him IRL.
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cak
Trad climber
Palo Alto, California USA
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Jun 19, 2009 - 02:12pm PT
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I was just gutted to hear the news this morning. My heart and thoughts are with Em and Dingus. One of the old great ones has passed.
I have many fine memories of my few climbs with Brutus (and laughing at his TRs). He was always generous with my gumby ways, and didn't laugh even a little as he lured me into trying Generator Crack.
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ec
climber
ca
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Jun 20, 2009 - 12:26am PT
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bump...back to the top Bruce!
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 20, 2009 - 12:38am PT
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Heading out tomorrow to 'the place', to attempt to do some routes in his image.
Eddy Joe, you wanna be, 'In'?
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ec
climber
ca
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Jun 20, 2009 - 02:18am PT
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Sounds good, however I've got family stuff this weekend (Father's Day). Thx - ec
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 20, 2009 - 02:23am PT
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If you change your mind, Hartouni is picking me up in Walnut Creek tomorrow @ 6 am, I believe you're just down the road.
Happy father's day in any case! It's gonna be a phone holiday for me...
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Fletcher
Trad climber
the end of the world as we know it, & I feel fine.
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Jun 20, 2009 - 04:51am PT
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"What would Brutus do?"
I'm adding this to my mantra collection. Damn good one.
Eric
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14re3
Boulder climber
Twin Peaks ,CA
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Jun 20, 2009 - 09:18pm PT
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Brutus teaching Cas how to levitate
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14re3
Boulder climber
Twin Peaks ,CA
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Jun 20, 2009 - 09:24pm PT
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Brutus of wyde / facial muscles( Yes from laughing & smiling per Johnboy)
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14re3
Boulder climber
Twin Peaks ,CA
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Jun 20, 2009 - 09:34pm PT
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ED at Kellers peak ,family climb, 3 hours prior to EB's high school graduation. LB climbing this day altho her mood was isolated & dark. Brutus of Wyde & Em teaching/( & healing)
(when the learner knows the teacher is attending ,no news is good news)
ED teaching this day also!!! (the teachers daughter)
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johnboy
Trad climber
Can't get here from there
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Jun 20, 2009 - 09:54pm PT
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"Brutus of wyde / facial muscles"
From smiling and laughing.
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14re3
Boulder climber
Twin Peaks ,CA
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Jun 20, 2009 - 10:04pm PT
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eb sitting /who's on belay?
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14re3
Boulder climber
Twin Peaks ,CA
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Jun 20, 2009 - 10:07pm PT
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The Teacher Some have called him the Buddha
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14re3
Boulder climber
Twin Peaks ,CA
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Jun 20, 2009 - 10:43pm PT
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The teachers (in camp) ED,Brutus & EM (em there & not visable)
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14re3
Boulder climber
Twin Peaks ,CA
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Jun 20, 2009 - 10:59pm PT
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Em.... we miss him too
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Scared Silly
Trad climber
UT
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Jun 21, 2009 - 07:13am PT
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I just got through sailing and diving around Palau for ten days and I thought I would check in on the taco stand. Reading the headlines just breaks my heart.
Brutus and I did a few climbs together about 10 years ago and would run into each other here and there in the ensuing years. A true climber to the heart. My deepest thoughts and condolences to Em and all of Bruce's family and friends.
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Roman
Trad climber
Boston
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Jun 21, 2009 - 05:42pm PT
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Very heavy news. I had always hoped to meet him. My deepest condolences go out to his entire network of friends and family.
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14re3
Boulder climber
Twin Peaks ,CA
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Jun 21, 2009 - 11:23pm PT
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......................................................................................................................................................................Bruce
early photo with some of his family .........................................................................................his mom is above left
Yes we will miss him, think of him, & remember him
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 22, 2009 - 01:17am PT
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very kewl pics
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mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
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Jun 22, 2009 - 04:23am PT
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I just read 400 posts about a man I never knew. 2 hours into the posts I come across Mooch's photo of the hug and it all hit me, what a great man. Munge, dingus, and all of his "Family", I wish upon you peace after the grieving. That gentleman touched so many with his words, laughter and humility that it poured like a fountain in all of your words and photos.
I feel honored to have read all of your stories and comments in this setting. To those of you who shared moments with Bruce, my condolences.
sincerely
Josh Mucci
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 22, 2009 - 02:33pm PT
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Brutus was eyeing this route over a year ago. This weekend, Dingus and Scuffy really had the Spirit of Brutus with them in pushing the line half way up. It was hard! Really nice job guys. Bruce wouldn't have had it any other way.
Scuffy doing the wide with pride onsight...
We toasted him many times with the Gatoritas and beer we brought out this last weekend. We ate like kings as Brutus would oft do in the backcountry.
Hope everyone had a great weekend and did something fun.
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bobinc
Trad climber
Portland, Or
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Jun 22, 2009 - 02:56pm PT
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Well done, guys. Proud line and perfectly chosen.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Jun 22, 2009 - 04:24pm PT
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Holy!!!
That thing is W I D E....nice job and a fitting tribute!
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Fletcher
Trad climber
the end of the world as we know it, & I feel fine.
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Jun 22, 2009 - 04:30pm PT
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Man, that thing is so wide you could probably ski it in the winter!
Nice tribute alright!
Eric
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 22, 2009 - 04:41pm PT
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There was just no holding that guy back!
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BlueDragon
climber
Bay Area, CA
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Jun 22, 2009 - 05:46pm PT
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I only met Bruce a couple of times, but I sure remember the first meeting (~1994). It was at a Rock Rendezvous meeting in Berkeley, at the house of Max Moehs et al. RR meetings are always potlucks, and while most climbers are very generous about sharing their remaining 1/2 power bar, he had this huge delicious spread of sushi -- so many people have mentioned this specialty of his. He was the first one to clue me in to the Tokyo Fish Market on San Pablo. So anyway I was kind of a newbie and didn't know very many people at this meeting. He comes up to talk to me, and he was so warm and friendly and engaging (and wanting me to try his sushi) I can remember thinking ... does he think I am someone else? have I met him and I forgot? is he also new and just looking for someone to chat with? did one of the few people I know feel sorry for me and tell him to come on over and chat with the new girl? No and no and no and no. He was just like that, as I subsequently learned from some mutual friends, and is obvious from all these posts. Very warm and open to everyone, very giving of his time and resources.
Thanks to all who have posted so many stories, photos and anecdotes. I have enjoyed reading them and getting to touch in some way what you all have shared with him.
My deepest condolences to Em, his family, and friends.
Ellen Sentovich
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mh001
Mountain climber
Beijing, China
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Jun 26, 2009 - 06:18am PT
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It has been more than a year since I last read rec.climbing, and this news was what I get!
I have never met Brutus. I started out climbing and reading rec.climbing about 15 years ago. Brutus was one of the posters who has shaped the way I appreciate climbing, humor, and people.
In the last few years five or six climbers who I have climbed with, or who I could regard as friends, have died. Every time it happened I felt a bit of me had been taken away. Affinity between climbing friends is real. Now I know it is even real between climbers you have never met.
Brutus' passing away is like a lamp going out in my own little world. But somehow the light of the lamp still shines. A cruffy old climbing man is till someone I aspire to become when I have aged enough. Younger climbers have picked up from me certain ways to appreciate climbing, humor, and people. Although they probably will never know I have picked some of them up from a Brutus of Wyde, the light is passed on.
Bye bye Brutus. Take care Em, Dingus and all other who appreciate Brutus' life.
Maohai Huang
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Jun 26, 2009 - 08:38am PT
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Nice Dingus
Brutus was like that. You had to underestimate him since he was so humble it was unreasonable to expect anyone to have so many talents.
He might start flapping his arms and actually fly around and smile at you and say "what's the matter, never seen anybody fly before? I'm not really very good at it"
Peace
Karl
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Miwok
Trad climber
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Jun 26, 2009 - 11:48am PT
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Heart of Sierra will now be renamed - The Bindner Dome.
Good seeing you last weekend brother. Like old friends, we just pick up where we left off.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 26, 2009 - 01:10pm PT
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He might start flapping his arms and actually fly around and smile at you and say "what's the matter, never seen anybody fly before? I'm not really very good at it"
yep, that's it.
I asked Brutus about the Castle Rock Spire on email and said something like "ok about the ticks and snakes and PO, but is there really an approach? are we going to get lost?" heheh
and Brutus' reply was like 'eh, Munge, I've put up a couple routes down there... but come to think of it we may still get lost.'
spot on Karl
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J. Werlin
climber
Cedaredge
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Jun 26, 2009 - 01:24pm PT
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Brutus really came to life for in this forum.
His sense of humor, humping tasty food to the top of the Sentinel, his Sierra sushi roll--
all these little things and many more clued me in in to what a special person he was.
A life well lived is too small a cliche. Deepest condolences to those closest to him.
-Jeremy
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Miwok
Trad climber
Mi Wuk Village
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Jun 26, 2009 - 01:29pm PT
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WWBD!
I'll be in touch Craig.
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14re3
Boulder climber
Twin Peaks ,CA
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Jun 26, 2009 - 03:36pm PT
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Bruce teaching Cas to Levitate
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14re3
Boulder climber
Twin Peaks ,CA
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Jun 26, 2009 - 03:40pm PT
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Brutus showing how much he levitated off the floor with Cas's help
(levitating works better than flying)
Thank you bruce
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mtdoc
Trad climber
Port Angles,WA
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Jun 26, 2009 - 04:38pm PT
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A few days ago I returned from a 2 week road trip to hear this sad news.
He was a friend and I am privileged to have climbed with Brutus just a bit. I thought I'd share some photos from a skiing/climbing trip to the Ruth Gorge with him and Em in May 2004.
Goofing on the plane flight in.
The Brutus of Wyde camp essentials.
Bruce and Em on the Ruth Glacier.
A climbing deity ready to ascend from 747 Pass to the alpine heavens of Mt. Dickey.
Brutus flashing roped tele turns below Pittock Pass.
The rugged old Norsemen spoke of death as Heimgang-"home-going." So the snow-flowers go home when they melt and flow to the sea, and the rock-ferns, after unrolling their fronds to the light and beautifying the rocks, roll them up close again in the autumn and blend with the soil. Myriads of rejoicing living creatures, daily, hourly, perhaps every moment sink into death’s arms, dust to dust, spirit to spirit-waited on, watched over, noticed only by their Maker, each arriving at its own Heaven-dealt destiny. All the merry dwellers of the trees and streams, and the myriad swarms of the air, called into life by the sunbeam of a summer morning, go home through death, wings folded perhaps in the last red rays of sunset of the day they were first tried. Trees towering in the sky, braving storms of centuries, flowers turning faces to the light for a single day or hour, having enjoyed their share of life’s feast-all alike pass on and away under the law of death and love. Yet all are our brothers and they enjoy life as we do, share Heaven’s blessings with us, die and are buried in hallowed ground, come with us out of eternity and return into eternity. "Our lives are rounded with a sleep."
John Muir
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 26, 2009 - 06:21pm PT
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he had been up that thing a bunch, more than I thought (only thot 2-3) times, but I think so.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 26, 2009 - 06:30pm PT
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How many people ever do roped tele turns?
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 26, 2009 - 06:31pm PT
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only those that hit the bc like that
woot!
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 26, 2009 - 06:44pm PT
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woot! indeed!
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scuffy b
climber
Sinatra to Singapore
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Jun 26, 2009 - 07:06pm PT
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del cross,
He went in from the top, as far as the chimney below the
Narrows.
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L
climber
Just takin' the long way home...
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Jun 26, 2009 - 07:22pm PT
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Mtdoc,
Thanks for those great photos, and that piece by John Muir. That really touched something within.
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Jun 27, 2009 - 03:23am PT
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Dingus wrote
"We have some truly magic moments in the mountains, don't we? I have been blessed to climb and know people like Brutus and people like you. And to recognize these special moments, as they happen, well, its a gift. "
Brutus was always honoring "the gift" like those rainbows that serendipitously popping up to express the poetry of life. Em was telling me Brutus would see some little girl in a pink dress on a pink bike peddling around the campground and say. "See, our gift for today"
Fly high Brutus. We're channeling you soon
Peace
Karl
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the museum
Trad climber
Rapid City
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Jun 27, 2009 - 07:09pm PT
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mooch
Big Wall climber
The Immaculate Conception
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 29, 2009 - 09:26pm PT
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Wait a doggone minute Dingus! Pat isn't that buff!!!
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Sumo
Trad climber
Pleasanton, CA
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I am stunned. I had only just now heard about Brutus' passing. I knew him some from banter on rec.climbing, and then in passing when I moved to Northern California. He had a significant affect on me; he introduced me to sushi!
I'd always wished I could have climbed with him. In a way, though, after reading his trip reports I feel I have.
My deepest sympathies, Em.
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Avajane
Trad climber
Seattle
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Wow, I just signed on after hearing from Scott Presho that Bacher had died. What a shock, and what a sadness I feel. I never met him, but I knew him well from his posts and writings. I knew him from pulling down on the same pieces of white and black rock - at different times. He sure left a wyde wake.
I've enjoyed reading all the good thoughts and seeing all the cool pictures. It's nice to see all the old names that I used to spend time on the internet with. My condolences to all who knew him well.
Brian Izdepski
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DeadMan
Sport climber
Valencia, CA
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I met Bruce when I was still in high school in Joshua Tree. I consider myself one of the lucky ones to have known this man. I climbed my very first big wall with him, sharing a combination of sardines and chocolate easter eggs on easter morning on Leaning Tower. Later Bruce and I put up a first accent on Mt Whitney named Hairline. The memories are incredible and I feel Bruce will always be a part of me.
I want to express my regrets to his loving family and say thanks for sharing him!
Alex Schmauss
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Rankin
climber
North Carolina
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What a cool guy. This thread really sucked me in. I never knew Brutus, but I would have loved to climb with him.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Sardines and chocolate easter eggs.
mmmm!
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rescue76
Trad climber
colorado springs
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sorry to see this posted. Read of all the Wyde posts when I was aspiring newbie trad climber back in the late 90s!!
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mooch
Big Wall climber
The Immaculate Conception
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 10, 2009 - 10:46am PT
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Bump to post the dates for Brutus' public memorial....@ The Stonehouse, Lone Pine Peak's South Face on Aug. 29/30th. More details to follow....perhaps Munge, DMT or Chief will post up for more info on exact times. Talked to Nurse Ratchet and she mentioned she has reserved 3 campsites in the LP campground.
Karl, you got more gouge on this?
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Aug 10, 2009 - 12:19pm PT
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I'll be there, but don't have much of an update and I'll be mostly incommunicado for the next week.
Mungestealth
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Aug 10, 2009 - 12:30pm PT
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I'll get in touch with the good nurse this week and put out whatever info I can get
Peace
karl
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mooch
Big Wall climber
The Immaculate Conception
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 10, 2009 - 12:37pm PT
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Em said she'd been climbing with Pat Brennan's bunch over the weekend and discussed details with Pat, Lori, Chief, Bob and Darla Harrington. Dunno what they opted on.
Anyone up for grunting up the Milktoast Chimney or will it be too hot on the south side to tackle it? Chasing shadows at A-Hills?
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troutboy
Trad climber
Newark, DE
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Aug 10, 2009 - 01:30pm PT
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I'll be in San Jose working the week before and might be able to make it. If one were to drive from San Jose to Lone Pine, is is easier to go south past Lake Isabella or north through Tuolumne ?
Approximate driving time, assuming below ticketing speed ?
I assume there is no other viable option, correct ?
Thanks
Tim S.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Aug 10, 2009 - 01:34pm PT
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Tioga and 395 south is the far prettier drive, fwiw.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Aug 10, 2009 - 01:37pm PT
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Dingus,
yeah, good on ya for the try. Though the 2am driving I'm going to recommend against for us all.
It was great to hang with Pat's crew and meet officially CaughtInside after many moons chatting online.
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mooch
Big Wall climber
The Immaculate Conception
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 10, 2009 - 05:40pm PT
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Rob -
Did you guys head to Clark? Did the weather cooperate?
BTW, you're still on for HM?
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Anne in NYC
climber
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Aug 27, 2009 - 10:31pm PT
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I am happy to say I climbed with Brutus and Em, and not an off-width in sight. It was one day I'll always hold dear.
I am so sorry Em, and all his close friends and family. A kind and generous person was Brutus. His witty posts memorable.
Anne (still in NYC)
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MisterE
Trad climber
Canoga Bark! CA
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Aug 27, 2009 - 10:37pm PT
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Thanks for the bump Anne - we will all be remembering Bruce this weekend up at the portal.
I only knew him through Sushifests, but his presence was memorable.
Erik
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snakefoot
climber
cali
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Aug 28, 2009 - 12:54am PT
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bump for the man, major loss.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Aug 28, 2009 - 01:38am PT
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thx for the bump, Mooch, yavol. not clark, but hit Al's Garage, or was it Alpers? good time. Craig was firing. I was just along for a bit of fun and to hang out and talk water.
heh
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Aug 28, 2009 - 10:01am PT
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Peace and love to everyone attending the memorial this weekend.
Wish I could be there. Big hug to Em!
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mooch
Trad climber
Old Climbers' Home (Adopted)
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 28, 2009 - 11:25am PT
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I miss his worldly presence every day! But I can say truthfully, Brutus is with me every day in one form or another. He speaks to me through the rising and the setting of the sun each day. He touches me when I lay hand upon stone and make that initial move skyward.
He lives in me everyday.
Thanks Btutus!!
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climbbjj
Social climber
Tahoe
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Aug 29, 2009 - 09:27pm PT
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I never met the man, but I was a regular lurker and sometime contributor on rec.climbing 10+ years ago and always enjoyed reading his posts.
Very sad. Condolences to his family and friends.
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Jun 14, 2010 - 03:35pm PT
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Yesterday marked the first anniversary of Bruce's death, and I thought it might be appropriate to bump the thread, and remind people.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Jun 14, 2010 - 03:38pm PT
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A sad remembrance. You're missed, Brutus.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Jun 14, 2010 - 03:46pm PT
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I feel robbed to have never met him. Yet, I think I know him.
Cheers, Brutus!!! (And Em)
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Daphne
Trad climber
Mill Valley, CA
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Jun 14, 2010 - 07:57pm PT
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Light to Em and the family. I've heard so many amazing stories about Bruce it almost seems as if I had known him. What a legacy he left.
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Fletcher
Trad climber
not very much, recently.
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Jun 14, 2010 - 08:03pm PT
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While I never met Bruce, his spirit keeps turning up in not unexpected places... Old rec.climbing posts I'd saved, his trip reports and photos on mountainproject.com. I was also thinking about him in conjunction with Bill Sherman's accident on the way to Castle Rock Spire, a wild place well known to Brutus.
Shine on, Brutus... You touched those who you never knew.
Eric
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pa
climber
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Jun 14, 2010 - 08:07pm PT
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Thinking of you Em...
paola
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Jun 14, 2010 - 08:12pm PT
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It was his beautiful portrayal of his ascent of Castle Rock Spire that energized me to give my account of our ascent. Sad lost of a poetic spirit.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 14, 2010 - 09:22pm PT
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I was thinking about this, coming home from the valley yesterday...
We miss you Bruce, there's so much more to tell you...
Brutus on Throbbing Gristle, 5.12 Josh April '09
Spotting Em on same, Mike Friedrichs belayings;
at least there are others continuing on in the direction that you helped show us
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Fletcher
Trad climber
not very much, recently.
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Jun 14, 2010 - 11:38pm PT
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Here is one of those great Brutus posts I mentioned from back in the the rec.climbing days. Still good advice and funny as heck:
From - Thu Feb 6 16:33:37 1997
From: bbindner@ebmud.com (Brutus of Wyde)
Newsgroups: rec.climbing
Subject: Re: Break into 5.10?
Date: 5 Feb 1997 00:19:28 GMT
Organization: InterServ News Service
Lines: 89
Message-ID: <5d8jmg$kt2@lal.interserv.com>
References: <19970203152600.KAA01585@ladder01.news.aol.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: 204.30.141.62
X-Newsreader: SPRY News 3.03 (SPRY, Inc.)
> meta23@aol.com writes:
[snip]
> Then its on to 5.11 (anybody have any advice on how to become solid on
> 5.11 off widths?).
Get Knee pads.
Get Elbow pads.
Get Head pads.
Get Ibuprofen in 500 tablet bottles.
Read Sado-masochist periodicals.
Put together a rack of big pieces.
Study and practice offwidth and chimney techniques,
such as helmet, pack and rack towing, chicken wings,
arm bars, kneelocks, elbow locks, hand stacks,
gastons, prayer jams, foot stacks, hip bridges,
Leavittation, and perversion.
Do lots of Vee-sit-ups
Lead, follow, or toprope every chimney and
offwidth you can find. repeatedly. till you puke.
Then do it some more.
Follow Dr. Offwidth around Yosemite Valley for
a summer.
Recommended climbs, Yosemite:
Steck Salathe'
Yosemite Point Buttress
N. Face of the Rostrum, taking the wyde cracks.
Chingando
Generator Crack
Wedgie
The Burner
10.96
"Horrow Frake" pitch on Salathe' Wall
"The Groove" pitch on lower Magic Mushroom
Twilight Zone
Crucifix
Owl Roof
The OW pitches on Excalibur
and many, many others...
Recommended climbs, Joshua Tree:
Drawstring
Damper
Zig-Zag
Deep Throat
El Rey
Maneater
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Ipecac
and many, many others.
Recommended climbs, High Sierras:
Lover's Leap: Eyores Enigma
Stonehouse Chimney
Pratts Crack
East Face Keeler Needle
Direct East Face Mt. Whitney
Direct East Face Tulainyo Tower
Instant Espresso on The Duck
Regge Pole East Face Dihedrals
JCAs Wide World of Sport
Suicide:
Paisano Overhang
Red Rocks:
Crimson Chrysalis (Face holds are off!)
Epinepherine
Ixtlan
Then you're ready to take a trip to
Vedawoo.
Note that these climbs are recommended for
the wide crack sections, and recommendation
does not necessarily indicate that the climb
is overall high quality, although many are.
Hope this helps.
Brutus of Wyde
Still working on the proud 5.4 offwidth
Oakland, California
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Captain...or Skully
Social climber
Seriously, Man, I didn't know she was Your sister.
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Jun 14, 2010 - 11:54pm PT
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Oh yeah.
Hey, that's a great Wide Tour, Huh?
World Class.
Brutus. They broke the Mold on that one.
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Jerry Dodrill
climber
Sebastopol, CA
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Jun 15, 2010 - 12:22am PT
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Dingus, love this pic of yours. Are you going up this weekend?
©Dingus
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Jun 15, 2010 - 01:51am PT
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you are missed my friend...
"Homer said one excellent thing:
'A generation of men is like a generation of leaves.'
But few who hear this with their ears
take it to heart; for the hope that grows in the breast
of the child remains in every man.
So long as he keeps' his beautiful bloom,
he happily lays impossible plans.
He does not think he will ever age or die;
in health; he has no fear of disease.
Those whose minds are so disposed are fools to
to forget that life and youth are brief.
But you, being so advised, should boldly indulge
to the end of life in all its joys.
Being human, never declare what tomorrow will be
or say how long prosperity will last.
No dragonfly shifts as quickly."
fragment from Simonides of Ceos
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 15, 2010 - 02:51am PT
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glad this was the first thing I saw on the Taco. Thx Anders!
Brutus would laugh at our silly somberness. Instead he would ask us "wanna go climb something?" :)
The memory remains.
With that memory, we honor those that have gone before with the gift of today...
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mooch
Trad climber
Old Climbers' Home (Adopted)
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 15, 2010 - 04:47am PT
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Munge and I made our mentor proud this weekend by touching the summit of the above photo......Brutus style.
You were right there with us as we toasted your wisdom, humor and Brutusisms.....Sapporo on the summit and Gatoritas at base camp!
I love and miss you Bruce!
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Dickbob
climber
Colorado
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Jun 15, 2010 - 08:56am PT
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I never met the man. I wish I had.
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Les
Trad climber
Bahston
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Jun 15, 2010 - 01:34pm PT
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Hard to believe it's been a year.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 15, 2010 - 03:00pm PT
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On Saturday Daphne and I climbed Washington Coloum Direct; my first OW 34 yrs ago and the climb that further corrupted a relatively corrupt 19 yr old into a life of adventure. I can't help thinking that the timing of this was a Brutus rumble through the force!
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shipoopoi
Big Wall climber
oakland
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Jun 15, 2010 - 03:30pm PT
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jaybro, congrats on your offwidth reunion. you make campolindo proud. i think it's cool that doing offwidth will always make us think of brutus. shipoopoi
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 15, 2010 - 04:03pm PT
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Thx, and amen on that last part, Steve!
Ps, you do pretty good by Miramonte, yourself.
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cliffhanger
Trad climber
California
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Sep 24, 2010 - 02:58pm PT
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Here's an excellent trip report that just popped up on an unrelated google search:
Windhorse
http://www.summitpost.org/trip-report/169980/windhorse-first-ascent-lone-pine-peak.html
In the land of the highest, harshest mountains on the planet, humans
have developed a way of tending to spiritual concerns while
concentrating their time and efforts on more immediate matters like
survival. From porches, housebeams, trees, and from rough rock cairns on
the highest mountain passes, they string prayer flags. The Windhorse, a
mystical creature, carries prayers from the flags to the heavens on the
wings of the wind. Ubiquitous in the Himalayas, prayer flags are seldom
seen in the West. Thus were my partners and I surprised and pleased this
summer when approaching Stonehouse in the southern Sierra of California,
to see tattered prayer flags fluttering in the ever-present breeze.
South Face Lone Pine Peak: Brutus approaching the big roof on the 8th pitch during the first ascent of Windhorse.
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HighTraverse
Social climber
Bay Area
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Nov 27, 2010 - 04:02pm PT
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Climbed the Flatiron in the Pinnacles on Turkey Day.
Only about 10 ascents since April 2009. When it was climbed by Brutus of Wyde.
I never met Brutus but know a few who climbed with him. Spent a moment or two in silence. Thinking of Brutus, Em and his friends.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Hey, wanna go climbing?
Brutus wouldn't want me going on about the date in particular, but getting some climbing done, now that's Brutus style.
i think there is a cam that needs to be recovered, or possibly some 'spring' skiing. hrm weather is looking good.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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no way ding, that snow ain't gunna stick up thar. That thing was bone dry all the way up and down, except for a patch up high. (i call it a cheat-snow)
:)
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Did 108 open? I'm still a wee bit to the east
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mooch
Trad climber
Old Climbers' Home (Adopted)
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 7, 2011 - 06:48pm PT
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I think of Brutus whenever this one plays....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aqS6UN6WlI
'In Your Eyes' - Peter Gabriel
love.... I get so lost, sometimes
days pass and this emptiness fills my heart
when I want to run away
I drive off in my car
but whichever way I go
I come back to the place you are
all my instincts, they return
and the grand facade, so soon will burn
without a noise, without my pride
I reach out from the inside
in your eyes
the light the heat
in your eyes
I am complete
in your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
in your eyes
the resolution of all the fruitless searches
in your eyes
I see the light and the heat
in your eyes
oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light
the heat I see in your eyes
love, I don't like to see so much pain
so much wasted and this moment keeps slipping away
I get so tired of working so hard for our survival
I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive
and all my instincts, they return
and the grand facade, so soon will burn
without a noise, without my pride
I reach out from the inside
in your eyes
the light the heat
in your eyes
I am complete
in your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
in your eyes
the resolution of all the fruitless searches
in your eyes
I see the light and the heat
in your eyes
oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light,
the heat I see in your eyes
in your eyes in your eyes
in your eyes in your eyes
in your eyes in your eyes
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jun 10, 2011 - 03:03am PT
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not yet dingus, but upstream was the idea.
wanna head into the canyon? you know the spot I like.
should be great weather
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silentone
Mountain climber
wisconsin
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Jun 11, 2011 - 05:47am PT
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Bump
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Jun 11, 2011 - 12:52pm PT
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Good on Ya!
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Les
Trad climber
Bahston
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Heading out to the Winds in a few weeks to do some climbing, including the Northeast Face of Pingora, and of course came across one of those classic Brutus of Wyde route topos for the route (from naclassics.com). Thanks, Bruce. Your spirit lives on.
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davidji
Social climber
CA
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From 2007.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
the crowd MUST BE MOCKED...Mocked I tell you.
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Jun 11, 2012 - 03:58am PT
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I have been thinking of Brutus lately. It's about that time.
Every climbing weekend is a gift.
Thanks Brutus.
Btw, Brutus, I think I found another Spire to climb. The thing will probably teeter over and I'll surf it down to the river. Should be fun!
lol
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Fishy
climber
Zurich, Switzerland
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Jun 11, 2012 - 05:31am PT
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Thats me sitting beside Brutus in the Facelift pic above - was glad to meet him. He had a great presence, and left a lasting impression. I never got to climb with him - but he still sticks in my memory.
Fishy.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
the crowd MUST BE MOCKED...Mocked I tell you.
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Jun 11, 2012 - 03:01pm PT
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great pic Dingus!
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
the crowd MUST BE MOCKED...Mocked I tell you.
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Jun 11, 2012 - 10:35pm PT
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And your climbing partner smelt of Elderberries!!!
LOL
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mooch
Trad climber
Old Climbers' Home (Adopted)
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 12, 2012 - 09:59am PT
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Today marks the anniversary of the passing of my good friend Brutus. It was a life changing event for me in so many different ways. Most significantly was the enlightenment of how I witnessed the spirit of one soul transfer to the everlasting universe that surrounds you and me. A single moment where I knew Bruce would never be forgotten and know that his spirit resides in all of us who were touched by his presence.
I still miss you Brutus! Btw, are there Russian etriers for everyone where you're at? ;)
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Jun 12, 2012 - 12:42pm PT
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Bump for thoughts for Brutus!
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em kn0t
Trad climber
isle of wyde
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Jun 13, 2012 - 01:48am PT
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From Bruce's climbing journal:
...................................
Lost Arrow Spire
6,900+, 24 Oct '93
The Tip
5.12 A0
It is another icy, wind-scoured October night. The milky peaks are so close you could touch them. A clear bright moon sails across the deep, wind-tossed, star-filled sky.
Two thousand feet below, Yosemite is ablaze with a handfull of twinkling diamonds clutched from the heavens and scattered across the floor of the Valley, constellations familiar from uncounted bivouacs; The Curry Village, The Lodge, Housekeeping, The Upper Pines...
Stand, with your toes hanging over the void in this moonlight and wind, with tourist-like trust in the two-inch pipe railing at the brink of Yosemite Point. Walk west along the railing, along the rim of the Valley, under the bright sky, to where the railing ends, the abyss expands and the cliff retreats into the night; where rising from this dark engulfment is a single, silver-grey and black apparition, a magical needle of moonlit stone so close, so unreachable, so remarkable in its intense isolation as to be a vision from beyond the Valley of Dreams.
If you listen here this evening, listen to the silence beyond the wind shistling through waxy manzanita leaves and ponderosa pine branches, listen with your mind, you will hear dimly at first, then more clearly through the night breeze, echoes from the past: whispers and jingling of ghostly voices and phantom carabiners; reverberating shouts of triumph like bright distant flashes of sunlight on the sea; laughter like moonlight on a brook; the chill sobbing of empty grief like a cold pool in the darkness.
Listen and you will hear a multitude of voices dancing together this moonlit night: Richard Leonard, John Salathé, John Thune, Anton Nelson, Jack Arnold, Fritz Lippman, Robin Hansen... Don Lauria, Warren Harding, Mark Powell, Frank Sacherer, Yvon Chouinard, Steve Roper, Allen Steck, (our own Uncle Al!) Bill Feuerer... Irving Smith... you will hear their voices echoing off these high peaks: theirs and others in a chorus in the starlit sky.
It is the late night side of dawn. You shiver deeper into the pile jacket, and turn back from this vision, down a rough gravel trail, across moonswept granite slabs, toward a campfire now burned to embers, toward a few hours sleep. In the morning, in the startling sunlight of a new day, you will add your voice to theirs -- in the joy of triumph, the disappointment of defeat, or the grief of tragedy. Tomorrow night, as you stumble exhausted, filthy and sore, down a trail vague in the Dark Shadow of Oak, your echo, too, will dance in the moonlight of the high peaks.
...................................
Namaste Brutus, with love and thanks
Shine on, you crazy diamond
em 6/12/2012
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
the crowd MUST BE MOCKED...Mocked I tell you.
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Jun 13, 2012 - 01:59am PT
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wonderful Em, thank you!
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Myles Moser
climber
Lone Pine, Ca
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Nov 13, 2012 - 11:47pm PT
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To the Brutus!!!
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GDavis
Social climber
SOL CAL
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Nov 13, 2012 - 11:48pm PT
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Aye-aye!
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
the crowd MUST BE MOCKED...Mocked I tell you.
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Nov 14, 2012 - 12:47am PT
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Been on a Brutus route recently Myles? 😊
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Nov 14, 2012 - 08:39am PT
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He woulda cracked you up, and given you beta for adventures you hadn't realized you wanted to undertake.
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Borut
climber
french
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Nov 14, 2012 - 08:49am PT
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Great thread for a great veteran! Thank you.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Dec 29, 2012 - 10:26am PT
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Brutus!
Thnx Dingus
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Mad69Dog
Mountain climber
Superior, CO
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Apr 29, 2013 - 08:43pm PT
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I was looking for a picture of my kids and happened across some road trip pictures from the year we gave Allen Steck a 75th birthday party at Red Rocks. This shot is of Bruce, Allen and Inez in our room at Bonnie Springs.
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Mad69Dog
Mountain climber
Superior, CO
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Apr 29, 2013 - 08:47pm PT
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And here's another as Brutus talked about climbing Waddington with Em during his slide show that had folks dropping their jaws repeatedly.
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em kn0t
Trad climber
isle of wyde
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Apr 29, 2013 - 10:05pm PT
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Yo Mad Dog! Nice pix, and great memories. How's the family, and all the blow-up doll harem?
Here's a link to Brutus's TR of the Waddington climb. It truly was a jaw-dropping trip.
http://www.summitpost.org/mystery-mountain/169780
em the avy poodle, with gobis on chin
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Mad69Dog
Mountain climber
Superior, CO
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Apr 29, 2013 - 10:32pm PT
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Hi Em!
Our family is fighting it out in the trenches. Nolan is a freshman at CU, Logan a junior at Monarch High. Karen is hanging in there, keeping us sort of in line. Here's another from that party night...
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Mad69Dog
Mountain climber
Superior, CO
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Apr 29, 2013 - 10:36pm PT
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And one more. That's Nolan that Bruce is talking to. Bruce was patient with our kids and treated them so good. That meant the world to us. Eric Coomer is loading up the projector and that tall guy in the back is Bob "Trango" Ternes. Logan is the little guy partially blocked. He's a bit over 6' and about 175 these days, pulling down harder than me.
How are you, Em? Hanging tough I hope!
I still think of Brutus masterpieces like "The 11 grades of 5.11" (if memory serves, the easiest is 11a and the hardest is .10 OW)
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em kn0t
Trad climber
isle of wyde
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Apr 29, 2013 - 10:55pm PT
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Hanging tough, in aiders at the old climbers home
check your email for a PM
em
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jabbas
Trad climber
New River, AZ
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Apr 30, 2013 - 12:19am PT
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Peace be with you Bruce Bindner and family and friends !!!
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rick d
climber
ol pueblo, az
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Apr 30, 2013 - 03:02am PT
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you invited condor bob to a party?
you have an beer left afterword!?
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Fletcher
Trad climber
The great state of advaita
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Apr 30, 2013 - 04:20am PT
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Wow, just ran across that journal entry by Brutus. Incredibly beautiful. He continues to amaze. That's a saver, for sure.
Thanks for sharing it Em; I really enjoyed meeting you on that icy, icy night in Bishop last November!
Love the recent photos too.
How can you feel like you knew (in at least a small way) someone you never met? Brutus sure had the ability to project himself in that way.
Peace,
Eric
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Apr 30, 2013 - 10:05am PT
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I was looking for a picture of my kids and happened across some road trip pictures from the year we gave Allen Steck a 75th birthday party at Red Rocks. This shot is of Bruce, Allen and Inez in our room at Bonnie Springs.
Thanks for posting those pictures Mr. Dog. That was a fun week, but somehow we missed the night of the slides. Our loss.
David
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
the crowd MUST BE MOCKED...Mocked I tell you.
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Apr 30, 2013 - 11:55am PT
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Just the day before had been looking at Brutus pics, and noticed this one in particular.
Note the swarshbucklin broad sword in his belt!
Yarrrrr, matey!
made me smile
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Mad69Dog
Mountain climber
Superior, CO
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"you invited condor bob to a party? you have an beer left afterword!?"
He brought a half gallon of Jack and that kept him busy. For one night. I have a picture of him with the big jug of whiskey in one hand and a beer in the other. It was the closest he could come to a Karate Kid kind of balance.
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Sparrow
Social climber
Kerrville, TX
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Nov 25, 2013 - 11:00pm PT
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After reading this, which saddens me greatly, I'm pretty sure that I knew Bruce, but very briefly, many years ago. I have often wanted to meet him again, but now know that will never happen until I cross over. I think it was back in the 70's or 80's that I was traveling out west and picked up a hitchhiker who was on his way to California. I remember dropping him near Redding. He had just done some climbing up in Washington state, I believe. We hit it off immediately, and he was a great traveling companion for the short time we had together. I know he was younger than I, and it is so sad to hear that he is gone. Even though I did not really know him, I do miss greatly the idea that he has gone on to the next plateau or peak. RIP Bruce. We loved you.
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Nov 25, 2013 - 11:32pm PT
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Sparrow
Hi, welcome to the Taco...
I only know Bruce through his climbs, bummer for me.
I was climbing at Alabama Hills last weekend and it was cold, we went and climbed BRUTUS SUNNY CLIMBS they were all nice and warm - and interesting climbs to boot.
The MAN lives on through his deeds.
peace
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Myles, that vid of the '99' beer is classic!
cheers to Brutus!
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Jun 15, 2014 - 10:09pm PT
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Sorry big B, didn't crush as wanted, but crazy plans are always brewing.
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em kn0t
Trad climber
isle of wyde
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Jun 16, 2014 - 08:31pm PT
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No worry Munginator, plenty of time but every minute counts.
Sent some of Brutus's ashes off top of the Sentinel last week. I think I heard the wind say "Let's go climbing!"
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Jun 16, 2014 - 09:03pm PT
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That's the stuff Auntie Em!!!
Thx!
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murcy
Gym climber
sanfrancisco
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Jun 16, 2014 - 09:54pm PT
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Missed this great video tribute, Mosers. Leaving a beer! (The Irishman in me is blown away by that.) Go climbing, Em.
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Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
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Jun 16, 2014 - 09:58pm PT
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Crazy you guys bumped this thread today. This weekend a friend and I were in Shangri La - a place I read about in DMT's writing. As soon as I read about it, I wanted to get out there, but its location was a mystery to me for a long time. Had to be sort of a Sherlock Holmes for a few years before I got there. Yesterday Et tu, Brute (1,000ft 5.9+ A2) turned into Brutus of Wyde Memorial Route (1,000 5.11a). With incredible two pitch variation that features a few roofs and an overhanging splitter crack. Even though I have not met him, his writing and new routes he put up were and continue to be a big inspiration to me.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Jun 16, 2014 - 10:03pm PT
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Anniversary of his passing was Friday. When did you guys go in?
Ah man, I would have loved to check it out.
cool stuff
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em kn0t
Trad climber
isle of wyde
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Jun 16, 2014 - 10:05pm PT
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Brutus thought it would go free at 5.11, and would be stoked know it got done -- Kudos, Vitaly!
PS Great sleuthing. "Keep it safe, keep it secret..."
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Jun 16, 2014 - 10:25pm PT
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a worthy adventurer, for a worthy line.
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Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
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Jun 16, 2014 - 10:26pm PT
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Had no idea, but I guess some energy out there pushed me to get out there. Drove in and slept at the trailhead on Friday. Hiked in and finished another route I started on the right side of the formation (Parasitic Nematode 550ft 5.10++ PG13) and climbed Et tu Brute yesterday/hiked out/home/went to work after 2 hours of napping. Was not happy about cramming so much in two days, but it was worth it. I wanted to try that route for a LONG time and tgubgs just worked out. Last year when I went there, I found the face to be too intimidating. Glad I waited. Again, sorry the community lost such a valuable person. His positive influence is obvious and is missed.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 17, 2014 - 04:36am PT
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Respect for Brutus
Малодец -Vitally!
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Footloose
Trad climber
Lake Tahoe
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Jun 17, 2014 - 08:33am PT
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Cool peak. Cool names, too.
Hear hear, to adventurous spirits.
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Jun 17, 2014 - 10:17am PT
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Brutus Bump!
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Jun 17, 2014 - 10:31am PT
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Sounds like he was a helluva guy....wish I had met him.
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michaelbrodesky
Trad climber
NYC
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Mar 11, 2016 - 07:13am PT
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I miss you Brutus. So many dreams and routes we were going to get lost on and cause our poor feet to suffer on together.
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Mar 11, 2016 - 10:40am PT
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Hey Mike!
Long time no see! Hope you are well!!
Greg O.
Brutus on the last pitch of Sedona Scenic Climb, 2006
Relaxed and smooth as always.
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eeyonkee
Trad climber
Golden, CO
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Mar 11, 2016 - 03:59pm PT
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Like those pics, DMT.
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Melissa
Gym climber
berkeley, ca
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Mar 11, 2016 - 04:44pm PT
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Thanks for sharing those, Dingus.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Sport climber
moving thru
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Mar 11, 2016 - 05:10pm PT
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I will email Em and let her know about these great pictures. Thanks, lynnie
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em kn0t
Trad climber
isle of wyde
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Mar 11, 2016 - 05:19pm PT
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Thanks, all. Wonderful memories. Dingus, that heart photo from Bear Island is beautiful!
xoxoxox
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mountain girl
Trad climber
Berkeley, CA
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Mar 11, 2016 - 06:36pm PT
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These pictures are great! Miss ya, EM.
XO,
Ingrid
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Mar 11, 2016 - 07:20pm PT
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We should do an ancient art in his honor....
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Mar 11, 2016 - 08:34pm PT
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Sorry Mike. I hear ya.
Dingus, quite nice that heart. Can't say we saw it on the Odyssey, but we'll look for it. Gnaw mean?
Ancient Art u say?
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Mar 11, 2016 - 08:50pm PT
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Ancient Art...hmmm...
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Skeptimistic
Mountain climber
La Mancha
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Jun 13, 2017 - 07:26am PT
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Bump for the memory of a great climber. He is sorely missed...
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jun 13, 2017 - 12:04pm PT
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Indeed!
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mooch
Trad climber
Tribal Base Camp (Kernville Annex)
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 13, 2017 - 12:30pm PT
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Can't quantify or measure the deep enriching experiences I had with Brutus. Although our time was limited, no one person poked at my soul and planted the questions like he did. "Who are we?" "Where are we going?" "What do you really see?" Brutus really got my mind going. His gestures, quirks, one liners....a banquet! It was like feeding a baby their first ice cream. And his love for Em was an example I wanted for myself. I always loved hearing the two of them thank the other for a safe belay or talking about "today's gift". Brutus WILL ALWAYS be "today's gift"!
Brutus, if you're reading this from the base of that celestial crag in the great beyond, all of my FA's since you have been gone are rated "5.8+". ;)
Miss you DOOD!
A video Ed posted awhile back....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xaCQqh6VKY
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marty(r)
climber
beneath the valley of ultravegans
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Jun 13, 2017 - 03:29pm PT
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SO. MUCH. RADNESS.
Nine years ago I missed the Stone House memorial but happened to pull up Jerry's slideshow...at a guesthouse in Leh, Ladakh...and Darla's picture came up and one of the women at the house recognized her from a visit fifteen years earlier! Mountain people really do share something special.
Miss you Brutus! You cut a wide swath.
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mooch
Trad climber
Tribal Base Camp (Kernville Annex)
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 13, 2017 - 04:55pm PT
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WyoRockMan
climber
Grizzlyville, WY
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Jun 13, 2017 - 06:30pm PT
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I never met Bruce, let alone knew him.
But he definitely seems to be the kind of pal we all wish to have.
I'll hoist one in his honor and for all of you who will forever have a void.
Here's to BoW!
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Brian in SLC
Social climber
Salt Lake City, UT
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Jun 13, 2017 - 08:34pm PT
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Hard to believe its been nearly 8 years...
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ladyscarlett
Trad climber
SF Bay Area, California
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Jun 15, 2017 - 07:54am PT
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Thanks all for sharing the pics. Never had the honor of meeting in person.
He looms large in my climbing world. I feel I've been listening to his stories before I heard of climbers such as Jimmy Chin and such. And I love hearing your stories, seeing the pics, and hope you all will keep sharing this unique Human.
'water is life!'
Cheers
LS
Ps-does that canoe look familiar?
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Jun 15, 2017 - 08:58am PT
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Only meet the MAN through his climbs .....
kicked my butt to....
after one weekend at a Dome in the Sierra, where Kris and I failed on a unknown climb...... Kris called me about two weeks later and said "I found out about that climb..." "some dude named Bender or something like that..put it up" .....
I like to climb and take my friends to some of Bruce's "sunny fun 5.8" in the A-hills on cold days..... doing that warms my heart and I do "know" Bruce through those climbs.
Live on
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MikeL
Social climber
Southern Arizona
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Jun 15, 2017 - 03:36pm PT
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Thanks for sharing. Wonderful pictures. Seems an icon.
Please be well.
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Jun 15, 2017 - 04:18pm PT
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Don't think I've posted these before, but maybe... trip to Paradise Forks Bruce and Em made in April of 2006 for a bit of crack thrashing.
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rbord
Boulder climber
atlanta
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Jun 29, 2017 - 05:57pm PT
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Shoot, I'm really sorry for your loss, but glad that you got to enjoy him for the time that you did.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Jun 29, 2017 - 09:26pm PT
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Glad for this thread to surface. Had missed it earlier and was wistful for a Brutus trip since Dome Rock season is coming into condition and the water behind the Dome will be perfect for chilling beers in.
Let's go climbing!
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