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DAVID B
Trad climber
san diego
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 27, 2009 - 12:24am PT
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Local San Diego Climber Mark Winslow took his life this past Friday morning. Mark will be remembered as a great friend and outstanding climber. Mark had many first ascents in the San Diego area. Mark was someone you could always count on. He was an excellent climbing partner and if you needed help with anything Mark was always there for his friends. Everyone who knew Mark will miss him.
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Captain...or Skully
Social climber
nowhere, I'm headed for certain doom
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Jul 27, 2009 - 12:39am PT
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Sadly, this is a reoccuring theme in our scattered tribe.
Sorry, man. Seriously.
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Gobee
Trad climber
Los Angeles
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Jul 27, 2009 - 01:03am PT
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Sad to hear, Sorry to the family, if only could wait a day and call a friend, things change with different outlook.
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dogtown
climber
Cheyenne,Wyoming
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Jul 27, 2009 - 04:09am PT
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He took his life? What is going on here? Why So many?
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Jul 27, 2009 - 04:22am PT
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hey there davidB... say, i am very sorry to hear this... thank you sharing the name and the joy that your friend had given out to others...
sadly, our wishes that someone could have stepped in to help, were not to be... :(
my condolences to the family and friends of mark...
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Jul 27, 2009 - 04:51pm PT
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I think as climbers we all have to be careful as more than many, we get some raging endorphins going. Then later back on flat ground, we hit the mundane, things calm down and get boring...and we get depressed. This can be something which has a strong genetic component as well, excaberated by our running around getting a natural high on a cliff. Sorry to see anyone check out this way.
If anyone has any pics of Mark climbing, love to see em. Meantime, warm regards to all who loved him and who are undoubtedly struggling themselves with his loss.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jul 27, 2009 - 04:58pm PT
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sorry to hear
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L
climber
The Paleozoic rift of the Caradoc drift
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Jul 27, 2009 - 06:03pm PT
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David,
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. I've heard Mark's name here and there over the years--he sounded like a wonderful person.
My heart-felt condolences to you, his family and his many friends.
Laura
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Fletcher
Trad climber
a buttery white sand beach... I wish!
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Jul 27, 2009 - 06:29pm PT
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I'm so sorry... my deepest sympathies and prayers to you, his friends and family.
Eric
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charley
Trad climber
nw pa.
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Jul 27, 2009 - 07:26pm PT
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This is so sad. My condolences to Mark's family and friends.
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Hoots
climber
Tacoma, Toyota
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Jul 27, 2009 - 09:49pm PT
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Just got the phone call last night. Hadn't heard from him in a while, knew that he had been going through a rough patch, but never saw this coming at all.
Every time I saw Mark he was stoked, and in a good mood just to be out climbing, away from whatever personal demons were chasing him. Afternoons up in Idyllwild were always the best- he would come down off of some horror-show up at Tahquitz and we'd trade whipper stories over a couple beers.
I am sorry for his family's loss, and sorry that we couldn't have gotten him the help he needed sooner.
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dcbclimb
climber
San Diego
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Jul 28, 2009 - 08:11am PT
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Mark was truly a great friend and one of the most real and genuine people you could ever meet. He turned me into a trad climber and taught many people how to climb as a guide for Front Range Climbing. If you were fortunate enough to have known or climbed with Mark you came away not only a better climber, but a better person. You always felt safe on the other end of the rope with Mark, at least as long as he wasn't on lead. He knew a million jokes and could easily make us all laugh. Those of us who knew him well were aware of his demons, but Mark would never allow them to affect anyone else... and he wouldn't want them to now. He will be remembered fondly and dearly missed.
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Brian Shelton
climber
Colorado Springs, CO
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Jul 28, 2009 - 10:56am PT
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Mark was a good friend and a great climber, he will be missed terribly. My condolences to his family.
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DAVID B
Trad climber
san diego
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 28, 2009 - 06:35pm PT
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Thanks for all the posts about Mark. I am going to forward this link on to his parents. If anyone has any additional pictures of Mark please post them here. As soon as I figure out how to post pictures I will post some as well.
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L
climber
Somewhere with big rocks and tall trees...
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Jul 28, 2009 - 07:23pm PT
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David,
Join Photobucket (Google it to find the web site). The site will walk you through the process.
If a techno-tard like myself can manage it, trust me, you'll be able to do it in your sleep.
(Email me if you're a bigger techno-tard than myself and have problems of the digital sort...although I'm sure that isn't possible.)
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Jamulian
Trad climber
Jamul, CA
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Jul 31, 2009 - 03:52pm PT
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I just got back from vacation to learn this awful news. Mark was a good friend and climbing partner. I am a fairly new climber and not very good. Whenever I climbed with Mark I learned something and my climbing improved. He was a very talented climber who never ceased to amaze me with what he was able to do. He was smart, funny and a joy to be around. Damn his demons! His potential was infinite. Here are a few photos I have of him from a couple of our climbing trips.
Mark on Hesitation at Suicide Rock
At the top of the first pitch of Hesitation
At the top of the first pitch of Hesitation
With Clark Jacobs after topping out (We all climbed the route together)
On Cathedral Peak last year
I just wish I had a chance to speak to him before he made his decision.
Adam
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Jul 31, 2009 - 09:37pm PT
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Adam, one Saturday morning many years ago my Dad was playing tennis with some of his buddies from work. They were Doc's working off the stress of the work week.....
Several years later my Dad said, "lynne I am telling you this story so you will grow and know and not make the same mistake I did." (Love me Da')
My Pop said that one of the four friends was acting "different". It sent red alert to my Dad but he didn't know what to do with it. That night his friend ( both personally and professionaly) killed himself. He was depressed over finances and more. He had 4 kiddos.
My Dad said, "Lynne girl, if you sense something SAY something...love, hug, inquire....take the time, get in their face, but go with what you feel, it may change a life." Mi Da is still great at 83 and still learnin' me. Peace, lynne
Edit: also posted on the other thread. Peace to the loved ones and family. You are in my thoughts and prayers hugely. I do not say this lightly. I know pain and suffering and respectfully care about those that are in the journey of healing from it. Condolances and love from the heart....lrl
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jul 31, 2009 - 09:49pm PT
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Nice shots, I didn't know Mark, I hope he's found some solace. Condolences and vibes to his important people.
You're mom's only 82, Lynne? I knew, I was older than you...
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salad
climber
Escondido
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Jul 31, 2009 - 09:52pm PT
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did Mark post here as esoteric1?
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Jul 31, 2009 - 09:54pm PT
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My condolences to Mark's friends and family.
Rest in peace, Mark.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Jul 31, 2009 - 10:12pm PT
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Jaybro, you are a baby....:D
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Jello
Social climber
No Ut
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Sincere condolences to Mark's family and friends.
-Jeff Lowe
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Bump to give friends the genuine thread to post to:
I didn't know Mark but I honor him and wish him well on the great journey. Sorry to his friends for the loss
Peace
Karl
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miller.545
Sport climber
Overland Park, KS
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so sad. I have had a few friends take their own life and it sucks.
Thoughts and prayers
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Karen
Trad climber
So Cal urban sprawl Hell
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I am so very sorry to hear this news. Mark looked happy in his climbing pictures but I know all too well, smiles can be deceptive. One's demons can run deep, and it is at those dark moments when they come to haunt, that no matter how many routes you've climbed, or how many FA's you've done, or who might love you, the demons can win.
Clinical depression is serious, especially dangerous when a person is coming out of the depression (most common time to take one's life). No one wants to revist that kind of deep depression and pain, I feel deeply for Mark that he struggled with such despair and ultimate hopelessness.
To Mark's friends and relatives, you have my condolences, but I know there is little solace when you lose a loved one. I am sure Mark had wonderful moments, and I think it is important to hold onto those times he had in his life, his peak experiences, his passions and what he shared with others.
God bless him.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there jamulian, i just saw these new pictures here...
say, i did not know mark... and i already posted here, but after seeing these wonderful pictures of a happy part of his life... i must post again...
thank you for sharing part of who he was... we will never know all of him, but you cared to make sure that his name is not forgotten...
once again, my deep condolences to his family and to the loss of your friend...
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Polar Sun
Trad climber
Joshua Tree
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If anyone has additional news about just what happened, as well as family contact information I would like to know. I had an email discussion with Mark a few weeks ago during which we discussed suicide as an option he had apparently outgrown. Needless to say, the final outcome has left me perplexed and looking for answers.
Peace to all,
--Polar Sun
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blr
climber
socal
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I climbed with Mark a couple of times years ago. Would have climbed more with him but he lived way out in BFE Alpine and had no car at the time. I remember him as really friendly and laid back. Seemed like he would go out of his way for a friend. I know he was also good friends with Micah Retz, the San Diego climber who broke his neck and was paralyzed a few years ago.
RIP Mark
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Ray-J
Social climber
east L.A. vato...
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Very sad, yes some are too sensitive for this world...
Sorry to hear about this, really sorry.
Jamulian, - I know of good climbing near you.
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carrierocks
Social climber
alpine, ca
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Mark was my best friend for 15 years. I am so glad to know that he had so many friends and people who cared about him. I just wish he would have known it too. His service is today at sunset at his house. I am unfortunately 2500 miles away and unable to make it and it is breaking my heart. Thank you everyone for posting such great pictures of him. He would have made me laugh by now. He could have done anything! He was amazing! I will never forget the first time he climbed a rock. I will never forget him.
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DAVID B
Trad climber
san diego
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 3, 2009 - 11:52am PT
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Thanks for the posts I will make sure Marks family sees this thread and has a chance to post. blr-Mark and Mikah were best friends and Mark spent a tremendous amount of time helping Mikah through his ordeal. I spoke to Mikah on Saturday Marks death has effected him greatly. Mikah pointed out that Mark did not believe death was the end, but part of the journey.
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Jamulian
Trad climber
Jamul, CA
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A couple people have asked me to post here on their behalf. Clark Jacobs, who does not have a computer, was one on Mark's friends and climbing partners. He asked me to express that he first met Mark about six months after he got out of the hospital and he became a good friend and climbing partner. He will miss his friendship and the great times they shared on and off the rocks. He wanted to express his deepest condolences to all his other friends and family.
Rob, who posts here as "Flyingsherpa" asked me to post a few more pictures of Mark from one of their trips to J-Tree.
On "Run For Your Life":
"Bebop Tango":
Ray-J, I climbed at some of the good climbing areas near me with Mark. He knew San Diego's backcountry very well. What areas near me do you know of? I am always on the lookout for new areas.
Adam
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salad
climber
Escondido
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I was fortunate enough to have spent a couple of hours with Mark. We had never met before, but somehow got to talking at the Comedy Club benefit that was held for Micah.
We had a few pints together and he shared his last cigarette with me.
I don't remember much of what we talked about, and we never spoke again in person, but I do remember him as being someone I instantly liked and trusted. It was almost as if we had been friends for some time.
It must be very difficult to have a soul like Mark's taken so suddenly from your life. My condolences to his family and friends.
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salad
climber
Escondido
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a couple of pictures i took from the micah retz thread:
RIP bro....
edit - sorry, i didn't take those pictures, i just 'took' them from the thread and re-posted them here.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there salad... say, that was very kind to post these pictures for mark's friends and family...
also---say, as to micah... i had posted for a bit, awhile back, hoping for an update...
do you know he is doing... ?
the last time i had checked the website there was no more updates...
he was home, and the house had been fixed up for him and i believe it said his kids were there, or nearby, to visit him...
hope he is getting stronger and doing well to tackle his hard trail...
hope he knows that folks don't forget about him----trails just move out and about, is all... but folks are still in one's prayers...
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MarkSis
climber
san diego
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Aug 13, 2009 - 07:28am PT
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i just want to thank every one for sharing about Mark..and the pictures are beautiful. If he could have captured some of the joy he found out there climbing and took it with him maybe he'd still be here...maybe. Climbing added years to his life. Its been a long, hard battle for him but he finally found his peace. I wish knowing that made it a lil easier. But i understand..and i love him. Ill see him in every rainbow..and every sunset, and every damn rock :) until Im with him again. He is my brother and he is perfect, faults, suicide, drugs, sobriety, right or wrong...i miss HIM! thank you so much for sharing with us!
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Fluoride
Trad climber
Hollywood, CA
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Aug 13, 2009 - 09:14am PT
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F*ck no. No no no.
Mark was awesome. Fun in every way. I first met him out in J-Tree some years back, he was out there with Micah when Micah was just starting out and Mark was mentoring him. And Micah was schooling us all only 6 months into climbing. But Mark was still badass.
I climbed in JT with those guys. I think I have some pics of Mark on Wangerbanger/O'Kelley's. I had some really fun weekends out there with Mark & Micah. Great energy.
Would run into them in the Needles. Watched him do Thin Ice with Micah. He was always someone who had a big smile and hug whenever we crossed paths. My first trip to the Needles my partner and I rolled in and as soon as I got out of the car I heard Mark call my name, came over and gave me a big hug. A great welcome to the place seeing a friend there immediately. For that weekend my partner and I hiked in and out both days with him and Micah. We'd do our own climbs but come back out together and hang around camp.
He was a great guy and he'll be missed.
This is very sad news.
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Todd Gordon
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, Cal
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Aug 13, 2009 - 09:35am PT
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So sorry to hear this;...rest in peace, Mark.......
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Ray-J
Social climber
east L.A. vato...
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Aug 13, 2009 - 10:05am PT
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Adam, really sorry about your friend.
I didn't know Mark.
Shocking when this happens.
Was kinda kidding about the climbing,
The rock covered hills near Jamul are a
Special place for me.
My soul seems to like it there...maybe Mark's does too...
My sincere condolances,
Ray
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Ken Winslow
climber
San Diego
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Aug 17, 2009 - 04:22pm PT
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It has taken me a little time to get my thoughts together and it has been dificult for me to write. I want to thank each of you for your kind words and support.
When we introduced Mark to Outward Bound almost 20 years ago we had no idea that it would lead to the joy he experienced in the outdoors in general and climbing in particular. Mark, as you know, found solace in climbing and it nurished him in times of need. He turned to climbing when things were bothering him and he needed the time away to recharge his batteries. I believe that the fulfillment he got from climbing and his friends sustained him and extended his life.
Although I haven't meet many of you I recognize your names from my conversations with Mark and I can tell you that he loved you and he loved his time with you.
We are in the process of assembling a photo alblum of Mark's life and if any of you would like to contribute photos of Mark please post them and I'll include them. Best, Mark's Dad, Ken
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Blonde
climber
San Diego
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Aug 24, 2009 - 12:52am PT
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I am not a climber but a I am a friend of Marks. I only heard of this news a day ago. My husband and I knew Mark. I just wanted to post here to give his family a picture of him. I also want to send my condolences to his family and friends. If you knew him, you knew he was a joy to be around.
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Fluoride
Trad climber
Hollywood, CA
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Aug 24, 2009 - 10:29am PT
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Ken,
Just know you had an awesome son who loved climbing and the people who joined him in his exploits. I climbed with Mark many times and always walked away from the day with a smile on my face. He will be missed by anyone who ever roped up with him.
B.
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carrierocks
Social climber
alpine, ca
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Mark had never been to Yosemite before and I barely remembered it from when I had been there as a kid. We had a four day weekend off for Thanksgiving in 1997 so we decided to go. We packed up the truck and off we went. It was a long drive so we left Wednesday as soon as we were done working.
I remember getting almost up to the the entrance on a long stretch of road and we pulled over for a moment to see the stars. We could see every one. There was no light pollution. It was epic as Mark put it.
We slept in the sled area just outside of the south entrance. In the morning we packed everything back up and headed to the park. While we were waiting to pay to get in, Mark noticed that the Golden Access pass was free and good for a lifetime. He put his right arm in his jacket and pretendd he had lost it in the war. The ranger had given him some paperwork to fill out and unfortunatly he was not left handed. We help in our laughter as he scribbled his information down. The ranger gave him the card and let us in. We were so excited.
It was about 8 in the morning and very cold. I was driving and we came around a corner and hit black ice. The truck spun around a few times and we almost went over a cliff. What an entrance! I had Mark drive the rest of the way in because I was shaking too much to drive.
He stopped at every viewpoint on the way in. It was awesome! One viewpoint in particular, Mark wanted to go to the edge of the cliff and have a look. I was not interested due to the ice and the height of the cliff.
He went down and disappeared behinds some rocks. After a few minutes, I started getting worried that he fell off the edge. I called his name a few times and he did not answer. I ran down the icy rocks and around those boulders he had disappeared behind only to find him sitting on a rock gazing at the amazing view. It was beautiful. I have a great picture of him there with his arms in the air completely enjoying where we were.
We hiked back up to the truck and headed towards the Valley floor. We went through a tunnel and wow! The valley opened up. We stopped in disbelief of the power, the intensity of this place.
We both wept at it's beauty. We starred at it for a while and kept going wondering what else would be around the corner.
Mark absolutely loved this place instantly. We stopped at Bridal veil falls and hiked up to it. We stopped everywhere. We camped that night at the Red Bud campground on the west side of Yosemite.
The next day we went back in. It was cold and there was snow here and there. There were not very many people there because of Thanksgiving so the park seemed to be all to ourselves.
We wondered around the Valley floor all day. Mark decided to climb this huge boulder behind the chapel. I yelled at him his whole way up to get down. I was afraid he would fall.
But he was right at home. I have another great picture of him on top of that rock. It took him a while to figure out how to get down off of it though.
When he did, we wandered off into the woods. We walked aound the whole valley floor along the Merced river. We found a nice sandy beach and had lunch there.
We went to Mirror Lake and around the village and to Yosemite Falls. Mark, of course, ran up ahead of me and was hopping along on the rocks at the base of Lower Falls.We found a secret cave near there that the indians had written on the walls.
It was a great, great, perfect day!
We stayed at Red bud again and the next day went back in. We were wondering around and came across a trail. Mark suggested we find out where it goes.
We hiked up and up and up and up and up these steep switch backs. We eventually saw a sign that said we were on the four mile trail to Glacier Point.
Four miles?! Yeah right! The farther up we went, the more snow there was. We were hiking in waist deep snow unprepaired. Mark kept pushing me though.
He kept telling me "you can do it." We were almost to what we thought was the top when someone coming down the trail told us that we were crazy and should turn back. It was going to be dark soon. Mark really wanted to get to the top and I was not too excited about hiking down in the dark in the snow. So we turned around and headed down the hill as quickly as we could. We kept sliding and twisting our ankles all the way down. Half the time there was a cliff on one side of the trail. It got dark before we reached the bottom. It was scary but Mark kept me calm.
We made it though. I couldn't walk for week after and my knees are still screwed up from it but we made it! We got back to our camp and were too tired to cook. So we ate a can of boston baked beans-cold-and a beer. It was one of the best weekends of my life. Every time I have been to Yosemite, or seen a picture of it, I see Mark and remember all the great times we had there.
The next year for Thanksgiving we went back up that trail, to the top, had the same meal and many more adventures.
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
Boulder climber
the ground up
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thanks carrierocks
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Search
Trad climber
Idyllwild ca
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It’s been years now and I still think about Mark Rad as I called him. I met him on MySpace way back, and he encouraged me to pilgrimage to Yosemite. After I got back 9 months later ; I moved to idyllwild and kept in touch with mark. Soon Mark and Micah would come up and stay with me on weekends. We’d ususally go to tahquitz sometimes suicide rock or if feeling lazy go bouldering. We quickly developed a three man team of climbing brothers. Over the years we went on many trips , Yosemite, Josh, sd. Mark was like the big brother I never had. He’d push me to climb harder, lead more. his sense of humor. I’ll never forget him telling me this joke drinking a beer on the porch, oh man it was so hilarious coming from him I still feel the non stop laughing. one day mark came up by himself , no Micah. We were in the parking lot getting ready for the March up to tahquitz and we spot two girls heading out. we knew we had to get on it, so we made dibs and we climbed with them. We found some 5.8 ish routes that were side by side. Mark and I leading pitches side by side with these girls on belay. We didn’t think it could get much better. Mark ended up dating the girl he partnered with Regina. Mark was the poster child for the honorary title of dirtbag climber. He and so much booty on his rack. Duct tape on his pants. Rolling cigs; sometimes he’d spend a grip of time working out a stuck nut or cam. one day in idyllwild mark and Micah went up without me as a bitched out to work, and they came back with crazy story’s of whippers and such, and mark gave me a Souvenir He said I should give this to my mom, but I’m giving it to you. It was a broken purple Yates screamer he fell on. I miss that guy so much, but more than anything I’m so glad I got to spend so much time with him. He was there for me like a brother . We kinda got disconnected after Micah’s accident. The last time I saw him he came up to just hangout. I lost my phone and numbers and kinda disappeared awhile. Then a year after marks death, I found out the news surprisingly while hanging out at nomad. Didn’t really know Clark at the time but mark talked about him a lot. I saw Clark and asked if he’d seen mark, and said dude he’s been gone for like over a year..... I was devastated. Clark gave me one of marks old rigid stem cams. He said marks mom gave his friends some of his gear. I wish I would have been around or in touch. But really like Micah said. I just hope he found peace. He had his battles, he was a warrior. I’m so sad for his mom, he was close with her. Mark rad I love you bro. You live on in my heart here on earth. Wherever you are now I know you’re I know you are,enjoying all that is in your purest form.
Matt rad
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