mark chapman (CHAPPY) appreciation thread- brother&friend :)

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neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 7, 2009 - 12:23am PT
hey there all, say,
after seeing my brother's picture with his wife, at the stonemaster (or facelift), i just had a gut feeling to do this for him...

**he's far too busy to post here right now,
but, i think he'd love to see this,
when he DOES get a chance:**

hugs and smiles to you mark!:

1--since i was young, he was the brother i got to talk to and know the most... (though, later, the ol' brothers always took off and did their thing, and me, being the girl, did not get to, in those day... missed all the neat fun!

2--but he is always dear to my heart and i missed him, when i was married and in texas... so thus, now divorced, i was so full of joy just to see his name here, so i stepped in... :)

3--i remember he gave me the GIFT of a wondeful camping day, at alpine lake, when my now ex-husband rejected the idea
ol' chappy helped make a way... and it was great!

4--another times, he left me and my kids stay at his place in yosemite west and it was wonderful--exspecially seeing the moon travel past the windows all night... :)

5--and each holiday, when i DID get to see him, he was just the best... (even if a bit tired at times)...

6--and, as of recent, he just took my grandson climbing when my daughter and her family went to visit yosemite--he gave them a great time... even though he's been busy...

7--so three cheers to mark, my wonderful brother, who i barely got know anymore once i got married and moved off... :(

8--say, i only recently saw a list somewhere of all the routes that he did... and i was very surprised, here all this time just though he was just having fun---:)
never realized the WORK involved, until i stepped in here... :O

:)

well, i figured this was a good time to do this, since some of you DID get see him of recent---AND--his birthday is coming up soon... ;)

perhaps this will be a nice surprise to add to it, by then:

i love you mark... someday our paths will fall into sync a mite better, 'til then, keep up the good work with life, marraige and pup-dog and cats... :)
Lynne Leichtfuss

Trad climber
Will know soon
Oct 7, 2009 - 12:27am PT
I was priviledged to meet not only Mark and his beautiful wife, but your brother Matt as well. Mark was super gracious taking time to talk and sign my Stone Masters book. Thanks Dude.

Matt I met Sunday night and he is really great, Neebee. A gentleman that takes time to talk and make a person enjoy the crazy surroundings at Face Lift when they often don't know that many people. Howdy Matt and Peace, Lynne Leichtfuss.

I know you are proud of your family Neebee and you have a right to be. Cheers from lynnie
Russ Walling

Gym climber
Poofter's Froth, Wyoming
Oct 7, 2009 - 12:31am PT

Chappy is the best!
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 7, 2009 - 12:38am PT
hey there say, lynne.. i just love matt, too!

thanks for the share... :)

and russ... happy supertopo to you this night...
:)
Denise Umstot

climber
Princess of the El Cap Bridge!
Oct 7, 2009 - 12:39am PT
Neebee I did meet Mark just a hello but I chatted with his wife Jamie!
What a kick! We had the best time just sitting outside and shooting the sh#t. She seems like a wonderful person...you did well Mark! Hope you get to see them sometime soon!
hooblie

climber
Oct 7, 2009 - 12:45am PT
your brother is a stand up guy. owner one of the great smiles and welcoming faces that made it feel wonderful to be back in the valley, like a strong, solid ambassador who really cared when he asked how things were
Captain...or Skully

Social climber
Idaho, also. Sorta, kinda mostly, Yeah.
Oct 7, 2009 - 12:46am PT
Wow, haven't seen Mark in like 10 or 12 years...
Been wonderin' how he's been. Really glad to get an update, here on the Taco.
1 good brother there, & not just to his kin. Cheers, Mark.
Yeah, I'm appreciating........
ß Î Ø T Ç H

climber
and skateboarder
Oct 7, 2009 - 03:34am PT
Pretty stout - fa of Widow's Tears (w/KW) if nothin' else .
Mighty Hiker

Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 7, 2009 - 11:12am PT
Warbler's tale of the terrifying FA of Widow's Tears with Chappy, together with accounts of other ascents: http://supertopo.com/climbers-forum/294566/2001-An_Ice_Odyssey_-Widows_Tears_TR

Funny, we always used to go to the Valley because it didn't have stuff like ice and rain, and was generally warm and dry. Lots of wet, cold and icy things to be found here already - no need to search for the ephemeral elsewhere.
survival

Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
Oct 7, 2009 - 11:20am PT
Mark already knows how much I appreciate him taking a valley virgin under his wing all those years ago. So much great information, saved me from many an epic I'm sure.
Probably the most open and friendly of the "Big Dogs" (To me at least.)
And Neebee, he let my family camp out at his place too!!
I know I've said it here before, but hip hip hooray for Chappy!!!
Slakkey

Big Wall climber
From Back to Big Wall Baby
Oct 7, 2009 - 01:35pm PT
Neebee,

It truly was great to meet Mark and his wife at the Facelift / Stonemasters show. He was very kind to sign my copy of the Stonemasters book.
Largo

Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
Oct 7, 2009 - 01:42pm PT
Mark Chapman is my hero.

JL
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 7, 2009 - 05:18pm PT
hey there say, thanks for the story link... (and also, thanks for the picture of widow's tears--you sure can "feel the climb"...

wow--due to supertopo, now i have been able to appreciate marks' climbing work, as well... :)

edit:
say, i just saw mark's answer to that FA story, where someone was hoping he'd chip in:
Kev,Peter, et al,
I will chime in soon with some thoughts soon (super busy the next few days). I will say this: Kevin's lead of the crux pitch was a masterful display of climbing. I remember having a desperate time of it just following. I also remember wandering back towards Camp 4 in the middle of the night, the roads deserted, my boots soaking wet. Cold, tired, yet also elated. When we passed Bridalviel Falls an odd warm wind blew. Definetly an altered state of reality. It was a great feeling when, at last, a car passed and the guy actualy picked us up. The adventure was finally over. Also our ascent was in mid February not March and it was quite warm. Lynda was watching with binoculars from the sunny south facing side of the Valley near Little Wing and knowing her she probably was sun bathing. My photos are in the Valley. Hopefully I will get up there before Christmas and can post some soon.

and i got to read the story!
way to go "chappy!" and i must add, the good lord was looking after you guys, for sure... :)

(waist deep snow walking, too, man oh man)
sure do love the moon part, shining that night--a reward indeed!
divad

Trad climber
wmass
Oct 7, 2009 - 07:35pm PT
hey there, say neebs, thats a fine tribute to a great brother. I've got one that doesn't post here but might lurk here at times. I manage to see him once in a while, whenever I can get out west and climb with him. He doesn't like to come back east much and I don't blame him.

Anyhoo, cheers to Chappy.
chappy

Social climber
ventura
Oct 7, 2009 - 09:27pm PT
Everybody is way too kind...especially my sister. I am too busy, way too busy for my own good. I struggle constantly to find the time to be a better more attentive person, friend, brother, husband, father and Jack Russell Terrier owner. Oh yes, I miss climbing and the mountains as well. I miss balance in my life. I am hoping things become a little more sane next year and I can reconnect with friends and family. It was great seeing and meeting everyone at the Facelift. Largo, I remember when I first met you all those years ago at the base of the Gripper. I remember when we first smoked the peace pipe together. Your writing and insights into life and people continue to amaze me. Our generation of climbers was lucky to have you around all those years. I liked your Lennon post. By chance I have been revisiting a lot of his Beatles eras music. Definitely the heart, soul and brains of that band. Everyone, I look forward to enjoying more time with you in the not too distant future...
Chappy
chez

Social climber
chicago ill
Oct 7, 2009 - 10:20pm PT
Mark,
Missed you at the FL. but did see matt who i worked with at the Mono Lake visitor center BITD.
Nice that the moratorium is finally over!
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Oct 7, 2009 - 11:10pm PT
Mark and Kevin's ascent of Widow's Tears was a huge inspiration to me. I never found their intensity in myself, but am glad their effort and dedication gave me the oppportinity to know mortals could do such things. Something to strive for.

Hope you are doing well NeeBee.
Mark Rodell

Trad climber
Bangkok
Oct 9, 2009 - 10:27pm PT
A heck of a good guy. I am lucky to count him as a long time friend.
Tarbuster

climber
right here, right now
Oct 9, 2009 - 10:40pm PT
Here's to Chappy !!!



An all around fun-loving guy, with lots of ingenuity, curiosity ...
And a smoldering seriousness which runs deep and sits just below the surface.
A man in possession of genuine character.

Thanks for your support over the years Mark!
Cheers,
Roy
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Oct 9, 2009 - 10:53pm PT
Gosh, Neebee, I didn't realize he was your brother.

And even though I've not been lucky enough to meet him,
Bump for Mark!!!!!

(I've got a cousin with the same name)!!!
hashbro

Trad climber
Mental Physics........
Oct 9, 2009 - 10:56pm PT
I sure remember climbing Chapman's Lieback (or the Mark of Art) back in the day and very much appreciating Mark's strong forearms evidenced by that route.
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 10, 2009 - 01:16am PT
hey there steveW---yep, he is the brother, just under my age... i am the oldest.. after mark is four more brothers, and two sisters (one was adopted out, as a baby, due to downsydrome--not much was known in those days, as to how to give one a good life, if they were born with this)...

me and mark (chappy)
back in the day...




*hey there johntp...
say, doing okay, as hip-nerve
is near better...

still hoping for the job i've been hanging on for...
being that winter is just around the corner... :O

*hey there tarbuster... hope you are doing well...
(super-LOVE that picture---its so like mark)
god bless to you...
mojede

Trad climber
Butte, America
Oct 10, 2009 - 01:23am PT
Here's to Mark Chapman, the man who came to Montana to snag the FA of "California Ice" aka "Break-a-leg-Falls" IV wi4 800'.

Props to you, man, for getting a huge, classic Montucky ice route done!
hooblie

climber
Oct 10, 2009 - 05:53pm PT
it should be noted that when mark and E.B. set sights on that waterfall, they had the grace to reach out to chadwick, an invested local with the unbroken leg. when i showed up in that neck of the woods, i believe that made a difference in the way i was treated, even with the california label. how does one calculate the benefit? thanks guys
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Oct 10, 2009 - 11:53pm PT
Hey Neebee. That is beautiful photo. It really captures the innocence of youth.
mojede

Trad climber
Butte, America
Oct 11, 2009 - 12:00am PT
The pride and joy of Montana--"California Ice" aka "Break-a-leg-Falls"


Proud send, gentlemen...
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 11, 2009 - 12:38am PT
hey there mojede, say.... MAN OH MAN... am i learning a lot about my brothers passion, fun, hard work, and buddies...
*meaning, thanks for all the montana info...


i'm really appreciating this so very very much, and i'm just the sister!...

say---sure hope more folks get to step in before his birthday on the
18th? (think it is...)

sure hope this will be nice SURPRISE BY THEN... :)
SURE is hard to give a good present, when in my state of affairs, right now... this might make a nice one...


*hey there johntp... thanks kindly, as to the photo...
it sure does... the trails of live, before ones so little... never dreaming where'd we'd end up, what for, or even why...

even now, the "whys" are never fully known---though, the humbleness of it all, no matter how it turns out, if e"ver in the heart"...
god bless...


*heythere, hooblie... :)

neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 13, 2009 - 04:51am PT
hey there say,

bump... hopeing for a few more add-ins that had not see this yet...

his birthday is coming up... near about, or on, sunday?
the 18th....

:)
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Oct 13, 2009 - 09:28am PT
Some of my fondest memories of the Valley were with Mark. Whether it was doing new routes, soloing Midterm in tandem, or checking out Timothy Leary's drug of choice in Baja; Mark was always there with that big smile of his. Mark was blessed with a sculpted physique and I can still here that nasal voice of his saying in a self deprecating way, "I'm not nearly as strong as I look."
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 13, 2009 - 05:12pm PT
hey there donini say.... you know... you hit it right on the mark, as to mark's voice too...

i have never heard another like it... odd, it is, what draws us to those in our families (or, as to our friends) as to what we enjoy about them, and remember...

in this case, for me... his voice... and, i should mention, just watching him when he is busy thinking...


*someone on this post, back higher up the line (tarbuster? maybe?) said there was a seriuosness that ran just under the surface--- i remember this too....

seems, many in our family, have this too...
i tend to think it is due to us wanting to make sure we dont make needless mistakes... so we can acheive our goals.... (well, at least as to some of us)... (there IS eight of us, so i can't be so sure, as to everyone!)...

:)


neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 18, 2009 - 03:18am PT
hey there, say, a bump for chappy's birthday---in case he gets a chance to get online this weekend, and can see these....

hey there mark/chappy... how's the weather for:
buiding, up there in "yosemite"...
"mite yose" in there, up building,
be needing to fold up for the winter, or not?
;)

hope all is going well, say hey-there to matt... :)
karodrinker

Trad climber
San Jose, CA
Nov 14, 2009 - 03:10am PT
Mark and my dad Blair learned to climb together as kids and moved to camp 4 together. I met him a handful of times growing up and always marveled at how strong he was! He was always super nice too. Hopefully I'll get to climb with him again someday.
Kalen Glenn
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 14, 2009 - 04:01am PT
hey there karodrinker/kalen, say, i am mark's (chappy's) sister.... i remember brian glenn, just a bit....

i was older, than mark, so my life turned to kids and family, as many a gal did in those old days (if we were brought up watching kids, etc--which i always did) (though i LOVED the great outdoors--finally DID get to enjoy it in south texas, though, but missed the rocks and mountains)...

say, my grandson actually DID get to climb with mark---a wonder that i never would have dreamed of... how about that...

god bless to you... nice to learn of you...

say--i just got in touch with jack menendez, too, and he knew mark from way back...

happy good eve, to you this night... :)
and happy climbing...

*hmmm, well, how is your dad?
karodrinker

Trad climber
San Jose, CA
Nov 24, 2009 - 08:33pm PT
Brian's my uncle. My dad Blair is doing good,living up on Skyline blvd by castle rock. He's run a tree service for the last 35 years here in san jose. Glad to know of you too! Cheers!
Kalen
Studly

Trad climber
WA
Nov 24, 2009 - 09:02pm PT
Never met Mark, but have done some of his routes. Thank you sir, may I have another..
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 25, 2009 - 03:16am PT
hey there studly, say, what a wonderful thing to say about the routes...
maybe someday, someone can post a few more pics of his various routes...

*i DID see the owl roof pic, here on supertopo somewhere and on the net, and i think i even posted it once, too, somewhere...



say, kalen, wow, you know... NOW i think i have mixed up the the two "glenns"... i DO remember a brian and a blair...

not sure, which is which, oh my 1 :O


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