RRC Archives

If you had to choose four people that have had a significant impact on the history of climbing at the Red, who would it be?

For me, I'd have to say:
Tom Souders
John Bronaugh
Porter Jarrard
Dave Hume

Tom for taking traditional climbing to the 5.11 level.
John for giving us two editions of an incredible guidebook as well as establishing hundreds of first ascents.
Porter for introducing sport climbing.
Dave for taking sport climbing to a new and freakishly strong level at the Red.

All of them!

No man, not one of the people I listed. Four people you know of. It could be anyone. Those are just the four I thought of.

first would have to be all the pre-school climbers. larry day and the small population of explorers that called the Gorge homeground. if they hadn't seen some potential and than convinced others of the challanges that awaited......well, this would probably be a tiddly winks web site. (sometimes it seems that way anyhow, ya mucks)

secondly would be Mr. Jarrard. If not for his passion,(as well as those he inspired) we'd all be slinging nuts(hee hee) and walking past some truly great climbs. He sent a wake up call to those in his day. For better or worse you decide(you nut huggers.)

Third would be Mr. John for making a record, (and a damn good one at that) of all those before and during his time. He gave us a way to go and find our own adventure, whatever it may be. Yes it may not be as wild as it was and the masses still just visit a few areas(read roadside/torrent/chode) but thats what the other two hundred plus pages are for. Breaking out of the mold. Thank you john. you are still with us as we forge ahead.

Fourth would have to be the man himself. The Mig. For opening up and accepting us pieces of crap(ok...you all are crap but im cool) although i know he hates us at times he loves us that much more. Where else can you pitch a tent, take a crap, take a shower, eat pizza(whichever order you prefer) and spray, spray, SPRAY til your hearts content. All within throwing distance of each facet. Its a stop-in, a weekend retreat, and for some of us its home. Now get off my lawn

other than that i think everyone is signifigant, (yes...even people from Mich.)
for all of these people big, small, known, or unknown; they all make up the history of our lives and times at the place we all love. the RRG. Now really, get off my lawn

If you're just choosing four, I don't know, but Martin Hackworth, author of the first climbing guidebook I ever owned, deserves a place in there somewhere. It was more than just a guidebook, it was an attitude.

ZSpider

I also have to give mad props to The Lurkist and Mr. Strickland.

Hugh for introducing tons of climbers to the sport and maintaining his passion and love for the sport for over 20-years (oh and for bolting routes to this day).

Neal, for bolting many cool routes, working with the Forest Service in the fledgling days of federal intervention to keep climbing in the Red and for his humility.

Porter and John rule. Everyone knows that. Miguel's is the center of the climbing universe, of course.

All the other people mentioned are important too.

But I would like to add Don Figg to the list. Not many people know him but his work as a ranger/rescue squad unit has been important since the 60's. He also used to climb w/ Martin. If you have ever had an emergency in the DB Forrest, he is the man who would save you butt. And for all the family's who have have loved ones die in the forrest, he is the man who will bring them home. He is allways warm and friendly, and loves to swap tales, but gets very little recognition.

He is gettin on in his years and deserves comendation for his lifetime of work in the Red.

Terry Kindred has done an excellent job too.

My list is five. What it takes into account most is the "buzz' generated by the send. These are the routes that I remember hearing people talk about most in their particular era.

Tom Seibert for Arachnid 5.8, 1974
Jeff Koenig for B3, 5.11b, 1987
Porter Jarrard for Phantasia, 5.12d, 1990
Steve Petro for Welcome to Ole Kentuck, 5.13a, 1995
Dave Hume for Thantoposis, 5.14a, 1996

Assuming recent history is inclusive, I would have to mention the Webers. Much is owed to them!