Touchstone Blog Archive
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tyrus Bachar Living Trust Fund
Recently, climbing legend, John Bachar passed away. He left behind a fourteen year old son, Tyrus. In memory of John and in an effort to help his son, a number of famous climbers, climber manufacturers, and friends came together and donated a long list of goods up for auction in support of the Tyrus Bachar Living Trust Fund.
Check out the eBay auction site
Some of the items include:
Rab Latok Alpine Jacket - Large / color red
Yosemite by Alexander Huber, Signed by Author
PETZL Nomad 9.8mm x 60m Climbing Rope, Dry
Petzl GriGri - brand new
Trango Cinch belay device - new
Petzl Tikka Plus 2 headlamp - new
Galen Rowell's Vision Signed by Galen Rowell
The Naked Mountain by Signed by Reinhold Messner
La Sportiva Muira Climbing Shoe - any size
La Sportiva Testorrosa Climbing Shoe - any size
Acopa Climbing Shoes - any model, any size
Bluewater Ropes Enduro 11mm by 50meter - blue
Yates Shield Climbing Harness signed by Ammon McNeely
Nicros Pump Rocks
Prana One female outfit value up to $120
Prana One male outfit value up to $120
Leki Thermolite Aergon Antishock Trekking Poles
Sterling Marathon Pro 10.1 x 60 meter rope - new
Evolv Climbing or Approch Shoes - any model, any size
Mountain Khakis - gift certificate for any pants
Black Diamond Apollo Lantern
Black Diamond Boa Climbing Pack
Wild Country Syncro Harness size Regular
Wild Country Helium 10cm Quickdraw - 5 pack
DMM Maverick Harness size small, new
Tuolumne Bouldering Signed by Famous Climbers
Yosemite Big Walls Signed by Famous Climbers
Organic Briefcase Bouldering Pad, new
Osprey Mutant 38 Backpack - black - new
Osprey Variant 52 Backpack
Petzl Elios Climbing Helmet - new, white, size 2
Petzl Adjama Harness - new, size medium
Crypto Child Womens Tank Top signed by Jason Kehl
Crypto Child Mens T Shirt signed by Jason Kehl
To Be Brave: My Life - signed by author Royal Robbins
Yosemite Valley Free Climbs signed collectors edition
Zion Climbing SuperTopo signed collectors edition
PMI Spire Climbing dry rope 10.2mm x 60m - ne
For more information check out Chris Macnamara's Supertopo page.
Check out the eBay auction site
Some of the items include:
Rab Latok Alpine Jacket - Large / color red
Yosemite by Alexander Huber, Signed by Author
PETZL Nomad 9.8mm x 60m Climbing Rope, Dry
Petzl GriGri - brand new
Trango Cinch belay device - new
Petzl Tikka Plus 2 headlamp - new
Galen Rowell's Vision Signed by Galen Rowell
The Naked Mountain by Signed by Reinhold Messner
La Sportiva Muira Climbing Shoe - any size
La Sportiva Testorrosa Climbing Shoe - any size
Acopa Climbing Shoes - any model, any size
Bluewater Ropes Enduro 11mm by 50meter - blue
Yates Shield Climbing Harness signed by Ammon McNeely
Nicros Pump Rocks
Prana One female outfit value up to $120
Prana One male outfit value up to $120
Leki Thermolite Aergon Antishock Trekking Poles
Sterling Marathon Pro 10.1 x 60 meter rope - new
Evolv Climbing or Approch Shoes - any model, any size
Mountain Khakis - gift certificate for any pants
Black Diamond Apollo Lantern
Black Diamond Boa Climbing Pack
Wild Country Syncro Harness size Regular
Wild Country Helium 10cm Quickdraw - 5 pack
DMM Maverick Harness size small, new
Tuolumne Bouldering Signed by Famous Climbers
Yosemite Big Walls Signed by Famous Climbers
Organic Briefcase Bouldering Pad, new
Osprey Mutant 38 Backpack - black - new
Osprey Variant 52 Backpack
Petzl Elios Climbing Helmet - new, white, size 2
Petzl Adjama Harness - new, size medium
Crypto Child Womens Tank Top signed by Jason Kehl
Crypto Child Mens T Shirt signed by Jason Kehl
To Be Brave: My Life - signed by author Royal Robbins
Yosemite Valley Free Climbs signed collectors edition
Zion Climbing SuperTopo signed collectors edition
PMI Spire Climbing dry rope 10.2mm x 60m - ne
For more information check out Chris Macnamara's Supertopo page.
Labels: eBay auction, John Bachar, Supertopo
¶ Wednesday, August 12, 2009 0 Comments
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Tuolumne Bouldering
Located at 8000 feet, Toulumne Meadows features high Sierra granite and cool temperatures in the summer time. While most climbers spend their trips on the many rounded domes and classic peaks, a recent group of dedicated boulderers have been able to pluck away at some of the classic knob gems, following in the footsteps of the late John Bachar, the resident knob master Ron Kauk, and countless other high-Sierra hardmen.
Beyond the Knob Boulders, located on the side of Highway 120, are the Gunks, the Kitty Dome Boulders, the Ridge Boulders, and a slew of other clusters. The bouldering areas are often separated by short approaches through beautiful pines and meadows. With a high concentration of moderate and easy boulder problems, the meadows provides a great escape for Bay Area climbers.
The Tuolumne Meadows campground, one of the largest campsites in the country, offers great camping close to the climbing. To get there, drive 4 hours 30 mins east on the 120 from San Francisco. It's a long drive but well worth being in one of the country's most beautiful climbing destinations.
Check out the new Supertopo bouldering guidebook available at many of the Touchstone gyms. You can also order the book online.
Beyond the Knob Boulders, located on the side of Highway 120, are the Gunks, the Kitty Dome Boulders, the Ridge Boulders, and a slew of other clusters. The bouldering areas are often separated by short approaches through beautiful pines and meadows. With a high concentration of moderate and easy boulder problems, the meadows provides a great escape for Bay Area climbers.
The Tuolumne Meadows campground, one of the largest campsites in the country, offers great camping close to the climbing. To get there, drive 4 hours 30 mins east on the 120 from San Francisco. It's a long drive but well worth being in one of the country's most beautiful climbing destinations.
Check out the new Supertopo bouldering guidebook available at many of the Touchstone gyms. You can also order the book online.
Labels: John Bachar, Supertopo Guidebooks, Toulumne Meadows
¶ Sunday, July 12, 2009 0 Comments
Sunday, July 5, 2009
A Legend Gone:John Bachar
I held the rope nervously as a man twice my age with four times my courage ascended the runout Toulumne face climb.
John Bachar moved with a delicate grace. His feet smoothly transitioned onto each rugosity of Hammer Dome's classic 5.10c Shadow of Doubt. At each bolt, he stopped, leaned into the wall and mimicked the stance that he would take if he had been the first ascentionist hand drilling the route on lead. John climbed the route with a casualness and poise I had never seen. .
John had always held a strict ground-up ethic, maintaining that routes should be established with a sense of commitment and adventure. John walked his talk, establishing Yosemite test-pieces like You Asked For It 5.10c X and the infamous Bachar Yerian 5.11c R in a bold and committing style. Beyond his traditional ethic, John Bachar was one of the world's greatest free-soloist. He made numerous ropeless ascents of hard routes across the US. He ushered in the era of the Stonemasters, a hardcore group of Southern California climbers, who vaulted the standards of climbing. With Peter Croft, John made the first one day ascent of both the Nose of El Capitan and the Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome.
A few days ago, John died while climbing on the Dike Wall in Mammoth, California. He leaves behind a 14 year old son, his business as the founder and CEO of Acopa Shoes, and a legacy as not only as one of the best and boldest, but as a good man, a good father, and a good friend to many. He will be missed greatly.
-J. Lucas
A Young John Bachar
John Bachar moved with a delicate grace. His feet smoothly transitioned onto each rugosity of Hammer Dome's classic 5.10c Shadow of Doubt. At each bolt, he stopped, leaned into the wall and mimicked the stance that he would take if he had been the first ascentionist hand drilling the route on lead. John climbed the route with a casualness and poise I had never seen. .
John had always held a strict ground-up ethic, maintaining that routes should be established with a sense of commitment and adventure. John walked his talk, establishing Yosemite test-pieces like You Asked For It 5.10c X and the infamous Bachar Yerian 5.11c R in a bold and committing style. Beyond his traditional ethic, John Bachar was one of the world's greatest free-soloist. He made numerous ropeless ascents of hard routes across the US. He ushered in the era of the Stonemasters, a hardcore group of Southern California climbers, who vaulted the standards of climbing. With Peter Croft, John made the first one day ascent of both the Nose of El Capitan and the Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome.
A few days ago, John died while climbing on the Dike Wall in Mammoth, California. He leaves behind a 14 year old son, his business as the founder and CEO of Acopa Shoes, and a legacy as not only as one of the best and boldest, but as a good man, a good father, and a good friend to many. He will be missed greatly.
-J. Lucas
A Young John Bachar
Labels: El Capitan, John Bachar, Stonemaster
¶ Sunday, July 05, 2009 0 Comments
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
John Bachar Presentation At Great Western Power Co.
Quick heads up for an event that is coming up on March 7th here at Great Western Power Co., a week from this Friday. We're lucky enough to have a live presentation from John Bachar, one of the world's greatest free soloists that will take place after hours at GWPC.
The presentation will be a combination of slideshow images and some storytelling from John; if you're a fan of climbing at all, this will be an event you really don't want to miss out on. Tickets are only $10 if you purchase them in advance and only $12 at the door.
So mark your calendars for March 7th at 6:30 pm and come listen to what is sure to be an exciting night of photos and stories.
Hopefully we'll see you there!
Quick heads up for an event that is coming up on March 7th here at Great Western Power Co., a week from this Friday. We're lucky enough to have a live presentation from John Bachar, one of the world's greatest free soloists that will take place after hours at GWPC.
The presentation will be a combination of slideshow images and some storytelling from John; if you're a fan of climbing at all, this will be an event you really don't want to miss out on. Tickets are only $10 if you purchase them in advance and only $12 at the door.
So mark your calendars for March 7th at 6:30 pm and come listen to what is sure to be an exciting night of photos and stories.
Hopefully we'll see you there!
Labels: Events, Great Western Power Co., John Bachar, Presentation, Slideshow, Storytelling
¶ Wednesday, February 25, 2009 0 Comments
