good bye

“I consider that if everybody were given the chance of undergoing similar experiences they would acquire a much better comprehension of themselves and others. They might also understand that humanity has changed and no longer knows how to live. As though it has gone crazy, it constantly imprisons itself in it's own myths and ambitions, rushing from one servitude to another."
Walter Bonatti, "The Great Days"  1971

Arrivederci e grazie, maestro ...

Farewell to the greatest mountaineer of all time,and the first to set foot on Gasherbrum IV (and the man who married Helen of Troy) - sleep well, Walter

It's so sad

RIP.
http://explorersweb.com/everest_k2/news.php?id=20351

"When I die, I do not want anyone to mourn my passing as I have lived a full and enduring life. I want to be remembered only as a man that chose to live and do many things as his heart told him to live."

"Are you a hero of alpinsm, Walter?" (Interviewer)


"Ah, a hero you ask? The real hero in this world is one who keeps faith in himself, his personality, his true identity and in no one else. He directs his life as his heart dictates and not by the pressures of society. As I said many years ago, this is really difficult and for some impossible because we live in a society of compromises."Walter Bonatti, Escalde Interview 2001







Walter Bonatti has been the foundation of the adventurous spirit for many of us. He did everything as his heart told him to do regardless of what others thought of him. He did it with class and profound dedication. He has been my Hero since the day I got into this game over 44 years ago. He will live in my heart as he has since that fateful day when I first stood at the base of the Eiger at the tender age of eight years old and dreamed of one day climbing that magnificent wall as Walter and many others did. He indeed exemplified the concept of self reliance and the dedication of ones real spirit. To go out and do things regardless of what others thought or said about you. To be yourself, no matter what.

EDIT: ADDITIONS OF PHOTOS

Having read the usual mountaineering "look how awesome I am" books about the usual suspects (Messner, House, Buhl, Herzog, Hillary and Viesters), I was in the process of turning my attention to Bonatti. Anyone have a good book recomendation for something about Bonatti?

All the guys mentioned above talk about Bonatti as a god and I really dont know much about him. Would like to learn more.

Thanks for the link and quotes. Great pic Chief...

Really sad news.... : (

Fletch wrote:Anyone have a good book recomendation for something about Bonatti?

All the guys mentioned above talk about Bonatti as a god and I really dont know much about him. Would like to learn more

All of his books are great reads, but "the Mountains of My Life" probably stands as his best - highly, highly recommended

Fletch wrote:Anyone have a good book recomendation for something about Bonatti?

By far the best of his writings. If you can't find a copy, let me know and you can borrow mine...


Also this journal of his other incredible adventures that had nothing to do with mountaineering...

He was the greatest of the greats. My hero when I was very young, his attitude was what set him apart from the rest. What a vision the man had, years ahead of anyone. I shook his hand in 1983 (I think)when he was the keynote speaker at the AAC meeting in Oakland. That speech I will never forget. He spoke not of his accomplishments, but about what was important to our sport, what mattered to the worlwide climbing community, spoke about style, ethics, preservation of the resource, very contraversial but what a visionary. Sorry to see you go Mr Bonatti...

That is sad news.
I was just reading about him and his experience on K2 last night.
RIP, Walter.

A very sad day, he was a inspiration to me, hope he is climbing right now...

Wherever you are Mr. Bonatti, may you be at peace

"He was a man, take him for all in all,
I shall not look upon his like again."

Hamlet, act I, ii