2nd anniversary

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quicksilver
Posts: 82
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2003 3:58 am

2nd anniversary

Post by quicksilver »

Today marks the second anniversay of Mike Robison being killed in an early morning car wreck on his way to work. The driver that hit him was intoxicated and swerved to miss a Deer, overcorrected slamming head on into Mike and his small Honda Civic. Mike died instantly having kissed his wife (Nancy) goodbye only 10 minutes earlier. Mike was a great climber in his day and was my climbing Mentor. I in turn taught Josh and the three of us in turn built Hoosier Heights where many RRG climbers learned the ropes so to speak. Mike was unpopular on this site and for some reason unknown to me seemed to enjoy doing the interenet B.S. that often goes on. That being said Mike loved the Gorge, climbed hard and put in many hours swinging a hammer as we built the gym. He donated time and money at the first Muir Valley trail days and always would lend a hand when needed. There were evenings at Miquels when only a few folks were there and we sat around and chatted with Miquel about his great carvings. Jeff the friendly phamacist (Mikes original climbing partner) was living in the Love Shack and there were still Porter hangers on Sunshine and Moon Beam. Anyway I just wanted to honor Mike and remember him and the many great days we had on the rock across the U.S. and especially at the RRG. CLIMB ON MIKE.
"If you smile at me I will understand
Because that is something everybody, everywhere does in the same language"
Crosby,Stills and Nash - Wooden Ships
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krampus
Posts: 3933
Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2006 9:31 am

Post by krampus »

The man certainly made this site interesting. Rest in Peace
How you compare may not be as important as to whom you are compared
Crankmas
Posts: 3961
Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2003 5:24 pm

Post by Crankmas »

Has anyone heard from Hughes lately??
john e aragon
Posts: 287
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2002 7:45 pm

Post by john e aragon »

What did he call himself on this site?
because i can
quicksilver
Posts: 82
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2003 3:58 am

Post by quicksilver »

Mike was the infamous Zspider on this site.
The last I ever heard of Jeff was a number of years back. He use to go to Mikes house and Mike would take care of him and let him hang out at his place. He called Mike from a phone booth one night and Mike said Jeff said the police are here I gotta go. Have not seen or heard of Jeff since. After his accident and recovery I ran into Jeff at Roadside. My partner and I were climbing A.W.O.L. and there was only one other person up there and he was sitting at the far end reading. After awhile he got up and walked by us. I did not recognize him as he had grown a full beard. He had several books with a belt around them and a pair of climbing shoes and as he passed by he said "Be Careful" I responded "We Will" Jeff stopped and asked if I was Mike Thurston as he seem to know my voice but was not sure. Before he got hurt and while staying at the Love Shack I saw some papers he had written on 'Climbing As A Religion.' A short time later Mike, Larry and I were climbing at Shackmans Quarry near Avoca, IN. Mike and Larry were going to the Red the next day and I could not make it. As we were going our seperate ways I told them I had a bad feeling about Jeff - he had his accident shortly after that. Jeff is a really nice guy he just got too far out there and that is not a good place to be when you are climbing, rappeling and such. I hope he is o.k. and has found some peace.
"If you smile at me I will understand
Because that is something everybody, everywhere does in the same language"
Crosby,Stills and Nash - Wooden Ships
Crankmas
Posts: 3961
Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2003 5:24 pm

Post by Crankmas »

ditto- I didn't make the time to see him at the hospital before he moved out west ( I think his dad was a MD in Calif) and I have always regretted that.
goodguy
Posts: 454
Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2002 5:13 am

Post by goodguy »

Thank you for the reminder to remember those who have influenced us in life as we become who we are and will be.

Rest in Peace, Mike
Oh man, he is messing that up. However, he is missing his left leg so that way would probably be harder for him. SCIN, just before spraying some beta for a climber doing a route the WRONG way.
L K Day
Posts: 827
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 6:29 am

Post by L K Day »

I only knew Mike through his Zspider persona on this site. I thought he was a lot of fun, and was shocked and saddened by his passing. We never know how long we'll have on this plain, do we?
Meadows
Posts: 5395
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 4:03 pm

Post by Meadows »

Mike had character! A great guy in person, no doubt. RIP
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