A Tragic Loss - Please Read! Options

[GreenEggs614]

As some of you may know by now, Jimmy Forrester, a well respected climber, died while climbing at El Potrero Chico. Without going in to much detail, Jimmy fell from a climb, which he was free soloing at the park. Jimmy was a very capable and advanced climber that had many free solo climbs on his resume.

In addition to being an advanced climber Jimmy contributed a great deal of time and effort in the Texas and Oklahoma climbing communities. Just this past year Jimmy was elected to the CTCC and he was the vivacious MC at the Granite Gripper.

Right now his family and friends are working hard to bring Jimmy back to the US for a proper funeral. His family is facing a great deal of financial hardship with the funeral and transportation costs. Much worse, Jimmy's family just started to recover from the loss of Jimmy's Dad.

As a close friend of Jimmy's I am working with friends and family in the Dallas area to collect any contributions. Any money left over from the donations will go to his 3 year old daughter in the form of a trust fund.

Jimmy was my hero, and if you ever had the chance of meeting him then you to know what a great person he was. Please contribute any money you can so that his family can memorialize him like the hero that he is, was and forever will be.

Checks can be made out to Scott Hamilton and sent to the following address:

1600 S. Lakeline Blvd. Apt 934
Cedar Park, Texas 78613

If you prefer to donate cash please let me know and I will set up a time to meet you in the Austin area.

I will distribute the funds to the people responsible for the funeral arrangements.

I just wanted to thank those that sent in money for Jimmy's funeral.
Now that there's a permanent account setup at chase http://www.friendsofforester.com/donation.html
there's no need to send donations directly to me.
The family will be taking full control of the account in the not too distant future.
All donations sent to me have been deposited into the account.

If you have any questions please feel free to call me at 512-538-8571

Sincerely,
Scott Hamilton

This post has been edited by GreenEggs614: Nov 30 2006, 04:13 PM

[Soy Cabron]

What a bummer!!! Scott, please convey condolences to Jimmy Ray's family for myself and the Austin climbing community. We share in the loss they feel most greatly.

Words fail to suffice,
Keith

[GreenEggs614]

What a bummer!!! Scott, please convey condolences to Jimmy Ray's family for myself and the Austin climbing community. We share in the loss they feel most greatly.

Words fail to suffice,
Keith

Thank you. I will pass your condolences along.

-Scott

[sirhctrebor]

Lots of love to you Jimmy.

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This post has been edited by sirhctrebor: Nov 26 2006, 10:23 PM

[Bryan]

Jimmy Ray touched a great many lives, including my own as we talked often and both served on the Central Texas Climbing Committee. Jimmy's passing is a tremendous loss to the climbing community in ways that not all know as I see. I would like to try and express my view on why I say this by telling the story of me and my now passed away new friend. I felt compelled to journal the story for at least my own accounts of my own journey though life but would like to share them in memory of Jimmy Ray- this is unedited so please excuse the manner in which references are made to this web site.

I first came to know Jimmy Ray in the summer of last year after the CTCC, of which I was a part of, undertook a controversially retro-bolting project on the backside of E-rock, from that a heated discussion was started on Erockonline.com of which I frequented. This topic drew Jimmy out from lurking to make his first post which detailed his perspective on the matter in which he expressed displeasure and concern for the direction it could set. I remember clearly that Jimmy started his post off with saying "Most of you don't know me from Adam" which was true, but that soon changed for me. I replied to Jimmy's post in depth and included a barrage of questions for him to help lead us to a better understanding of each other since we were on opposite sides of the issue. The volume of questions I asked prompted Jimmy to send me a private message with his phone number and asked for me to call, which I did. Jimmy and I talked extensively on climbing and management issues of which we were both passionate about. From that phone conversation I quickly came to like Jimmy and we talked a handful of times about various topics before we first meet at the 2005 Granite Gripper in October.

Jimmy and I continued to talk before the second time I saw him which was a chance meeting at E-rock in December, on Sunday our groups both went to the Backside where Jimmy and I both "took some lumps" on the Shield as Jimmy would say. At the beginning of this year Jimmy had started to ask about the CTCC structure of which I helped him out to understand and we talked about, I had speculated that he might be contemplating running for a CTCC position in the last Spring which he later indicated to be the case. It was clear he was taking the pursuit most seriously.

Jimmy and I talked at great lengths about the '06-'08 committee of which I was considering on rerunning myself. I had been on the fence on the issue because I did not want to rerun by default, I thought there should be a good reason to do so. Jimmy's interest in the CTCC ended up being what I needed to convince myself to run since we both shared a similar vision and passion for climbing access and land management process issues that the CTCC dealt with and if we worked together I thought we could make some positive changes for the community. Many of our previous discussions had been about a need for improvement in these areas for E-rock and it seemed that if Jimmy and I worked together we could make something happen. Jimmy and I would not philosophically agree on all points but our discussions and debates were always on the best of terms.

In mid-June the CTCC results were announced and Jimmy and I were both elected. Jimmy called me, along with all the others on the committee that day to express his excitement as he was looking forward to our first meeting in July. Jimmy and I wanted to get right on the issues but I was the first to point out to the committee the need for Granite Gripper planning which helped get me set up to lead the event. As part of the first CTCC meeting Jimmy and I agreed to put off matters until after the Gripper in October but Jimmy had sent a loud and clear noticed at the meeting about his passion for improving management processes which was highlighted with an eloquent speech and presenting volumes of related written works that he brought to the meeting.

In August, the CTCC was faced with a new management issue relating to the '05 retro-bolting as one of the bolts had been pulled. This resulted in a flurry of e-mails including an extensive one by myself that provoked Jimmy to call me the next day. Jimmy appreciated the tone and content to my message and we discussed some of the points, Jimmy noted how we had similar traits in putting a great deal of effort into our written works about climbing issues. It was in this discussion that Jimmy pushed that we should meet up for climbing, he didn't seem to be fazed by my reminding him of the natural issues associated with his skills being far superior to my own.

In planning the '06 Gripper Jimmy was extremely helpful and would often call me up and ask what needed to be done, it removed a tremendous load and ended up improving the event, he joked that he'd run "interference" across the board to make sure deadlines were hit- it worked. The Gripper weekend was a fantastic one for me and certainly a time of high energy. I was so happy, pleased and proud for Jimmy in how he did the MC job, everything from his humor to his humbleness in dealing with an error that I created for him. One of the moments that I'll never forget wasn't anything special but as the dinner was winding down I went hunting for Jimmy to get the awards ceremony rolling. I was looking all over and couldn't find him until I finally saw him talking away with three of the park rangers in the parking lot, obviously laying a foundation for a working relationship with the park staff. I approached, grabbed Jimmy, apologized to the rangers and dragged him off to get the show going.

The next morning Jimmy and I were walking to the pavilion for our CTCC meeting and chatting about how the comp went and climbing in general when something happened that I never would have expected- in the course of our climbing talk I was inspired to say something about Yosemite and Jimmy replied he'd been many times. I prodded and asked him what he'd climbed out there- when he noted that he had climbed El Cap five times I was flabbergasted and interjected that it would be a miracle if I ever made it up once- without a moment of hesitation Jimmy retorted "we should go". I was speechless. Jimmy's response could have seemed off the cuff and for some people it would have had no substance but Jimmy was always sincere in what he said and he talked up some possibilities. I know I am no where near ready for such a Yosemite undertaking but I still contemplated what Jimmy's remarks really meant, after much consideration I concluded that it highlighted the value of our friendship to him as any significant pursuit would of entailed him spending a healthy dose of his valuable time being a mentor for me. At the CTCC meeting Jimmy again spoke passionately about management issues relating to the still unresolved August incident.

Jimmy and I talked a few times after the Gripper about starting the work of CTCC process improvement and decided that we'd meet at E-rock for climbing and talks in December. Jimmy had called me on his way down to Mexico, we discussed an assortment of topics including our writings and views on a recent online discussion of buzzard impact on the Backside that had become a hot topic as well as trying to iron out a date in December for us to meet at E-rock. That was the last time I talked with Jimmy.

I have been devastated having received news of Jimmy's passing, so much was lost. I view Jimmy's final climb just like I view the climbs of most, one doing what they need to do to be themselves to allow them to give what they can. For Jimmy Ray his climbing allowed him to be a passionate, intelligent, energetic person that could connect with others and to give back to the community in ways that few do. From my view he was bringing something to the table that no one else was, it is in this how I view Jimmy's passing as an irreplaceable loss to the community. I am devastated to have lost a new friend, someone that I connected with in so many ways. I am hollowed out for having plans with a friend that are no longer and that our much anticipated project together will never happen. I am saddened that I was never able to partner up for a climb with my new friend who I was honored to have known.


Bryan Thome
Houston TX
CTCC member
Texas Mountain Raiders - president

[kitakat]

I find comfort knowing that Jimmy was doing the thing that he loved and that he felt no pain when he went.
I imagine that his spirit is still out there climbing that ridge and smiling at every rock, creature and plant on that ridge, including the other climbers in the canyon.

What a good man he was.


Jimmy, I miss you.

[Scooter]

I just got back in town from Thanksgiving in Colorado and New-Wave Dave told me about Jimmy Ray. Needless to say I'm stunned. Since I recently moved back to Austin I hadn't had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy in person but was familiar with his Erock postings and heard many good things about him. The Texas climbing community is much diminished by his passing.

[GreenEggs614]

Well put Bryan...well put.

I do have a small update regarding Jimmy's status. Marcus Garcia is heading town to Mexico make sure Jimmy gets back home soon. There is a lot of talk regarding memorial services in the Austin area (Erock most likely) as well as the Wichita Mountains.

There is also a lot of planning for long-term donations for his service and for his daughter. Right now though, there is nothing concrete.

Thank you for those that have taken the time out of their daily lives and talked with me about Jimmy. It's really sad to loose such a great guy. I miss not having climbed one last time with him. I can't imagine how his family is coping.

This post has been edited by GreenEggs614: Nov 27 2006, 08:41 PM

[Kracken]

The Kracken is much grieved by this news. We have lost a light in our community, but not the inspiration that Jimmy Ray reflect upon all of us.

[RQF4]

I've been in shock ever since I heard this.

I wrote something to this effect after I found out about Jimmy's passing, more to myself than anyone else, but I figure I'll put it out there:

My friend Jimmy Ray has fallen to his death while soloing in Potrero Chico, Mexico.

I had been hearing about Jimmy Ray for a while before I met him at the 2005 Granite Gripper. I remember the enthusiasm he had in showing me a guidebook to the Wichita's after approaching me to introduce himself. I was fortunate over the next year to get the chance to climb and hang out with Jimmy at the rock. He was an inspiringly strong climber who ticked through the list of e-rock test pieces as if it were a personal vendetta. We recently became more aquatinted by serving on the CTCC together. He was an inspiring member of the Committee, full of ideas and energy that brought a new drive to the committee. One of the last times I saw Jimmy we were joking about how he wouldn't be calling me everyday anymore to check on gripper stuff, ...until next year. Jimmy's spirit will be missed, not only by the committee or the community but by every one he touched in his daily life. Jimmy admirably followed his call to climb this route, undoubtedly with the recent loss of his father still in mind, and by so, tragically lost his own life. I reflect often in sorrow to Jimmy's absence. I extend my heart to those family members and friends survived by Jimmy, and fully extend my capabilities to them.

May your soul rest in piece Jimmy Ray Forester.


Corey Fields

This post has been edited by RQF4: Nov 28 2006, 12:27 AM

[the other scott]

This is so heartbreaking and tragic. I was hoping someday to meet Jimmy, I was always impressed with his climbing resume and the fact that he never lost his cool when he posted here. Rest in Peace climbing brother.
Scott Leeper

[the other scott]

From rockandice.com:

Monday 27th November, 2006
Posted By: Admin


The Texas and Oklahoma activist Jimmy Ray Forester died on November 24 when he fell while free soloing in El Potrero Chico, Mexico. Forester, of Dallas, Texas, was attempting The Scariest Ride in the Park, a 40-pitch 5.9 ridge route, but failed to return to camp that evening. He was found the next day at the base of the wall, apparently having fallen from one of the route’s initial, loose pitches. Although El Potrero is known worldwide for its quality, bolted limestone sport routes, at least five climbers have perished there in less than a decade, including the brilliant all-arounder Jose Luis Pereyra, who was struck by rockfall in 2003.

Forester, a strong, talented and seasoned climber with 17 years experience under his belt was an iconic figure throughout Oklahoma and Texas, where he repeated the classic runout trad routes and establishing a slew of his own in characteristically ground-up, onsight style, which he loved. Endued with a deep sense of climbing history, Forester sought to preserve the traditional ways, believing that the ethic was the bedrock of climbing and that without it the sport was nothing more than base exercise. Forester, however, was not a crusty had-been. He excelled in all disciplines, from bouldering to aid climbing, and strove to win allies through education rather than browbeating: When he wasn’t climbing he was busy compiling hundreds of pages of route and historical data for a series of guide/history books that he had hoped to someday publish as a free resource for all climbers. His friends, of whom there were legions, will recall that his anecdotal tales, attention to detail and stickler for the facts made him one of climbing’s most astute, if unsung, chroniclers.

Although Forester cut his teeth on the rugged granite outcrops of the Wichita and Quartz mountains in southwestern Oklahoma, and road tripped often, racking up nine ascents of El Cap, he recently homed in on the granite domes of Enchanted Rock in central Texas. There, he cranked some 80 routes this past season, including repeats of virtually every runout trad line. Of note, he repeated Real Gravy, an old-school 5.11c with just three bolts and such serious ground-fall potential that locals had in recent years retroed-in three more bolts. On his ascent, Forester made a point of not clipping the added bolts, which he felt disrespected the first ascent and reduced the climb to a gym route. To help preserve “E-Rock’s” traditional ethic, Forester ran for and received a seat on that area’s bolting committee.

Recently, in July, he and another homeboy, Marcus Garcia, climbed five routes in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison in three days then drove to the Fisher Towers and ticked off the Titan and Echo Tower. When contacted by this magazine for details about his climbs to include in the news section, the reticent Forester replied, “Naw … you guys can find better news than us.”

A memorial service for Forester will be held at Exposure Indoor Climbing Gym, near Dallas, on December 3. Proceeds will benefit his daughter, Riley, age 4.

—Duane Raleigh

[Beckett]

My respects to Jimmy's family.

We were in Potrero at the time of the accident and recovery and I can say that the mood throughout the camps was very somber, even after the festivities of the earlier Thanksgiving feast at Homero's, which Jimmy attended apparently, as I also did.

I only have one brief story about getting to know Jimmy. We met at the end of the recent Granite Gripper and discussed for about 10 minutes how very cool the climbing community is. How solid a group it is to be a part of, etc. I got the impression that Jimmy was a real solid guy himself. A real light.

Anyway, I had the idea that if we post these stories of knowing him (even briefly) and keep a running log here we might be able to pass them onto his family (and eventually his daughter if they are preserved).

Pass the word.

Thanks and Peace out.

Beckett

[the other scott]

There are also running tributes on rockclimbing.com and supertopo.com.

[ESP]

I was also there at the Potrero during this unfortunate incident. I saw Jimmy the night before and he was in good spirits grinning from ear to ear and seemed pretty psyched to climb the next morning. He went doing what he loved and as tragic as it is, I think we should all find some comfort in that.

[stuckat5.9]

I had hoped to meet Jimmy on my trip to Potrero, and am saddened that I will never get to do so.

I have only been part of this forum for a short time, but it is still clear to me how dedicated he was to climbing and to preserving access to the climbing community. He will be in my thoughts in Potrero, and I will be more cautious and hopefully safer as a result.

I truly feel that our love of climbing connects us all, and that the loss of one is felt by all. My condolences to his family and friends.

[808rstar]

I didn’t know Jimmy as well as others, but sometimes when I would ask a question online he would pm me with details or give me a call with details. I would say he definitely went out of his way to be helpful.

We saw him briefly on Thursday afternoon and had every intention of grabbing a beer or dinner with him during the weekend.

He seemed real excited to be down there and was real curious of who all was down there already.

From what I knew of him, I think he was a real nice guy and will be missed.

[Tim]

Jimmy, I always admired your thoughtful posts on erockonline and finally put a face to the words at the Granite Gripper. Your energy was infectious and I was glad you were elected to the Central Texas Climbing Committee. Your loss is felt throughout the climbing community.

Rest in peace.

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[kitakat]

Nice reminder of the smile that stays with us

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[lolo]

Nice reminder of the smile that stays with us

hi Kita,
Tony and I are still in disbelief. Jimmy's death has so affected and changed our lives forever. I love the pic you posted. That is the smile I will choose to remember. Thank you so much for posting the photo.
Lori Mayse

This post has been edited by lolo: Nov 29 2006, 06:30 PM