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darkside
Feb 23, 2002, 6:33 PM
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Registered: Sep 15, 2001
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Yesterday at Poke-O-Moonshine, Adirondaks NY, an ice climber was killed when the first pitch of Positive Thinking collapsed. The climber from Ontario was leading the first pitch when it collapsed; his belayer, also from Ontario escaped the falling ice to raise the alarm. The identity of the unfortunate climber is being withheld at this time. Positive Thinking is descibed by the guidebook as "perhaps the most sought after climb in the Adirondaks" and has been seeing a lot of attention this winter. The first pitch often does not come in and while not the hardest climb in the Adirondaks anymore, is still one of the best. Many climbers can be tempted to try things that better judgement may caution against. While this may or may not be the case here I think it could serve to emphasize the dangerous nature of the medium we choose to play on. Every climber needs to be reminded of the way a climb can change from day to day, and even from hour to hour. For this reason it would be WRONG for anyone to cast judgement on the climbers decision to climb. If you weren't there you don't know if it was a sound decision. Next time you stand below a climb though, ask yourself if it is in a good condition to climb. What has the weather been like over the last few days? What is the air temperature at the time? What condition is the ice in? How well is it bonded? Ontario has a small ice climbing community and if I did not know this climber, I most likely know someone who did. To all who did know him, his family, friends, and fellow climbers, I extend my deepest condolences as only another ice climber can. Undoubtedly this winters unseasonably high temps have led to dangerous conditions that have caused me to be more wary. I have made at least one conscious decision that prevented serious injury or death when a column of ice collapsed. I will be especially more aware when out tomorrow. It is my hope that all other climbers will be too. Please offer a thought or prayer for a fellow climber and remember you are responsible for your own safty, but you are not the only one who pays the price.
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darkside
Feb 25, 2002, 11:25 PM
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Registered: Sep 15, 2001
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The name of the climber has now been released. Below are the details of the funeral. Some other info is available on the bulletin board of www.gripped.com on this link, http://www.gripped.com/New/Bulletin%20Board/Topic.asp?T_ID=287&F_ID=5 Please be careful out there. From the Toronto Star... BAILEY, Kevin _ (Firefighter of Mississauga Fire Department number 114) Suddenly in Keene Valley, New York (near Lake Placid) on Friday, February 22, 2002. Kevin Bailey, in his 35th year. Dearly beloved fiance of Patricia Hiebert. Beloved son of Elva Bailey and brother of Sheri and Donna. Kevin will be missed by all his family and friends. Resting at the Newediuk Funeral Home, Kipling Chapel, 2104 Kipling Avenue (2 blocks north of Rexdale Blvd.) from Tuesday 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Rexdale Alliance Church, 2459 Islington Avenue on Wednesday 1 p.m. Interment Mount Pleasant Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, donations to World Vision would be appreciated.
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bold
Deleted
Mar 4, 2002, 5:32 AM
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oh yeah, well onetime i was climbing and i fell trying a eighty foot traverse, and the funny thing is the only reason I fell was because i didn't place any gear thinking that i wouldn't fall( it was a 5.9b and i'm a 5.11d climber)was i stupid or not.
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