|
|
Forums:
Climbing Information:
In Memory Of:
Re: [climbnbikegirl] Touchstone death/ James Welton RIP:
Edit Log
|
|
baffinislanders
Oct 23, 2008, 3:55 AM
Views: 17491
Registered: Jun 1, 2004
Posts: 13
|
I had the fortune to share James' last week with him in Yosemite. It had been a dream of his for quite some time to climb El Capitan. Being his first route on the big stone, we climbed the Salathe Wall because it has plenty of good free climbing which I knew he'd love. It was a great accomplishment and we enjoyed every minute of the 5 day climb. He seemed to have natural big-wall ability and made good decisions and climbed very strong. He loved it up there and I was so proud of him when we topped out. I know it had been a life-changing experience for him.
When the news struck I was devastated, yet I also felt good that he had made this accomplishment before his time ended. I sensed his elation and triumph on the summit and I know that the experience wil be with him forever. On the climb, James displayed an eagerness to learn unlike anyone with whom I've climbed before. Even during the hard and trying times on the route, he remained optimistic and positive.
When we waited out a day of rain in the Mariposa Grove, underneath some of the largest Sequoia trees in the world, he passionately explained the logistics of climbing El Cap to some foreign tourists whom he had befriended. Most climbers have no interest in explaining these things to non-climbers, especially the typical Yosemite tourist. But that was James; kind, caring, and humble -- just as interested in chatting to unfit tourists as talking about routes with his best friends. That was James. I may have shown him how to climb El Cap, but he showed me things which are far more important. I will strive to live with his virutes from now on.
--Pete
(This post was edited by baffinislanders on Oct 23, 2008, 4:36 AM)
|
|
Attachments:
|
DSCN9923_small.JPG
(149 KB)
|
|
|
DSCN9989_cropped_small.JPG
(99.0 KB)
|
|
|
Edit Log:
|
|
Post edited by baffinislanders
() on Oct 23, 2008, 3:59 AM
|
|
Post edited by baffinislanders
() on Oct 23, 2008, 4:01 AM
|
|
Post edited by baffinislanders
() on Oct 23, 2008, 4:16 AM
|
|
Post edited by baffinislanders
() on Oct 23, 2008, 4:19 AM
|
|
Post edited by baffinislanders
() on Oct 23, 2008, 4:20 AM
|
|
Post edited by baffinislanders
() on Oct 23, 2008, 4:27 AM
|
|
Post edited by baffinislanders
() on Oct 23, 2008, 4:36 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
