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msavageau
Apr 18, 2012, 8:18 PM
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Registered: Apr 18, 2012
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My name is Mark Savageau- I am the older brother of Pat Savageau (deceased in 2000- fell @ (I believe) "Thin Ice" @ Needles, CA).
I'm looking for the GPS coordinates or some other way to find the location of the climb where he died. It has been a long time, and I have decided that I want to go to the site to pay my respects and see it for myself.
If anyone can help me, I would appreciate it- I can be reached at: Msavageau@gmail.com
I know he was climbing with Dan DeLange, but he has never contacted our family to my knowledge, but I know he climbed with a lot of people, so I'm hoping that someone here can help me find the location- I'm on Google Earth, and it is not helping much with what little info I can find.
Regards,
Mark E. Savageau
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healyje
Apr 18, 2012, 8:29 PM
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Registered: Aug 22, 2004
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My condolences. You may have better luck posting at SuperTopo.com...
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rtwilli4
Apr 19, 2012, 6:04 AM
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Registered: Feb 14, 2008
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Mark, I'm sorry for your loss. The Needles is a special area and visiting will likely bring you some peace.
The directions above are all pretty good, but it might be difficult for you to find the actual route if you are not used to being outdoors and looking for rock climbs. Even with a guidebook (which is out of print), it might be tough.
Your best bet is to drive to the campsite in summer and plan on getting there early in the morning. You will probably find some climbers that are headed out to climb in the area and they will certainly be able to point out the exact route. It is easy to see if you know where to look.
Even if you don't find climbers at the camp site, the trail to where the fire tower used to be is easy to follow, and if you're the adventurous type or have spend time out doors, you'll likely be able to make it all the way to the climbing area on your own.
I wish you luck and happiness.
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donald949
Apr 19, 2012, 5:48 PM
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Registered: May 24, 2007
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Mark, condolences on your brother.
There is some good info in the post Marc gave you. Also check out:
http://www.monsteroffwidth.com/...rcerer/sorcerer.html
Another write up, with a couple pictures of "Thin Ice"
http://www.monsteroffwidth.com/...r-East_Face_topo.pdf
This page is a outline sketch of the rock face with Thin Ice, aka a Topo. Should help figure out the route if/when you get to the rock. Again the hand stetched maps linked earlier will be helpfull.
Finally, here is the GPS Coordinates for the Needles. Should be pretty close to the Sorcerer formation proper.
Lat 36.107826
Long -118.480669
Don
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healyje
Apr 19, 2012, 6:11 PM
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Registered: Aug 22, 2004
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Pat, a further note on your brother's partner that day.
Two of my partners were climbing together one day back in the 70's and one of them suffered a fatal fall. The surviving partner was profoundly depressed for several years and barely able to function on a daily basis and we were worried about his survival for those years in the aftermath. No telling the impact from the loss of a close partner in such a manner.
Sorry that part of the loop with his partner was never closed for you folks, but it you can be sure it wasn't easy on him either and hope he has recovered from the accident himself.
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msavageau
Apr 19, 2012, 6:39 PM
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Registered: Apr 18, 2012
Posts: 5
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****-CORRECTION-****
I spoke with family, and Pat's partner DID reach out to my mother- I just was never informed of it. I deal with death a lot in my profession, and I know how survivors deal in different ways. Also got an awesome reply from a great guy who witnessed it, and assisted in recovering his body, and he was able to answer a lot of questions and help with Topo and GPS- thank you all for the outpouring of sentiments of those who climbed with him, and the help that they have provided. It has helped me with a lot of issues I had not put to bed over the last 12 years. We can close this thread.
The pic is of me and Pat- I was 7+ years older- he looked like the rest of the family- I was the one that looks like the "milkman's child" ;-) I ended up 6'2" & 200 Lbs, and he got the shorter stature and light weight that made him so physically blessed at climbing, and I made the perfect USG gunslinger getting sent out overseas to quell "problems" like "civil unrest" (war) and evacuating Americans working with the Military- mostly the USMC.
Thank you all once more- it has really helped me deal and have my questions answered!
Regards,
Mark E. Savageau
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