Chockstone Forum

      Sponsored By
      ROCK
   HARDWARE

Chockstone Photography

Australian Landscape Prints

Chockstone Forum - General Discussion

General Climbing Discussion

Author

Vale - John Middendorf

Dalai

23-Jun-2024
8:34:48 AM

Sad to read John (member deuce4) has passed away whilst visiting friends and family back home in the States.

Details https://www.facebook.com/100063559391223/posts/pfbid02mv3DUvrvehF7hzGE92X5zu7wt3auWatoJSsoUXLEa2CXBwvo1SNmu6i9NJnFTx9Rl/

PeterW

23-Jun-2024
11:07:19 AM

Sad news indeed. While I never met John personally, I was exchanging comments with him on his bigwall.com site just two days ago! It's hard to believe there won't be any more exchanges, or for that matter any more of his amazing Mechanical Advantage articles.

Speaking of Mechanical Advantage, it felt like he had increased the frequency of articles in the last few months. I wonder whether some part of him knew he was on borrowed time?

TimP

26-Jun-2024
4:02:21 PM

I was lucky to meet him on a Tassie trip some years ago. We chatted about portaledges as I was having a go a making my own but eventually gave up and got one of John's awesome frames — engineering / design genius! Been following his articles, what a great history of gear and climbing styles. From only a few short interactions with him he made a great impression on me and I'm very saddened by the news of his passing.

IdratherbeclimbingM9

29-Jun-2024
6:08:58 PM

I have long admired John and his exploits as a wall climber extraordinaire, equipment innovator, and in more recent times his significant contributions to saving precious wilderness both in Australia and abroad.

In the minimal interactions that I had with him, I found him to be very generous, very encouraging and very modest.
He knew his craft and was extremely good at it, and though I am older I still considered him a role model for me.

Taken from us at sixty four years young, we are now greatly diminished by the loss and I lament his passing.
My sincere condolences go to his family and friends.

jrc

4-Jul-2024
5:54:33 PM

So sad.

I never met John M but always tried to. He had several pairs of my kids boots over the years. Lived round the corner from my cousin in Pipeclay Esplanade Cremorne Tas, just never there when i visited; also Bob Bull in the same area who i have met.
Inspires me to get out and climb again!

Martym

5-Jul-2024
9:39:44 AM

Very sad news, he was a wonderful dad. We met several times in the Pines, he belayed my daughter's alongside his, and was always super friendly, insightful and caring. We missed them last time we were at Arapiles due to school holiday differences; such a shame he'll only be there in spirit. from now on. Best of wishes to Jenni and the family.

There are 6 messages in this topic.