Goto Chockstone Home

  Guide
  Gallery
  Tech Tips
  Articles
  Reviews
  Dictionary
  Links
  Forum
  Search
  About

      Sponsored By
      ROCK
   HARDWARE

  Shop
Chockstone Photography
Australian Landscape Photography by Michael Boniwell
Australian Landscape Prints





Chockstone Forum - General Discussion

General Climbing Discussion

Author
Passing of Phillip Stranger (Sparrow)
bully b
18-Dec-2018
8:32:51 PM
Phillip Stranger (Sparrow) died peacefully at his home in Ararat on the 10th of December. His funeral is to be held at the John Dunne Memorial Chapel 9 Campbell St Ararat this Friday the 21st December at 11am.
Sparrow was well known to Victorian and Tasmanian climbers in the mid Sixties as an excellent climber who will be remembered for a number of classic new routes which have stood the test of time. They include Mari 17, Virginia 18 and Spellbinder 17 at Arapiles and Tierry Le Fronde 16 at Frenchmans Cap in Tasmania.
A tragic accident which occurred whilst scrambling on the Mt Wellington Organ Pipes permanently confined Sparrow to a wheelchair. After rehabilitation in Hobart he returned to Victoria where he continued to reside.
His climbing career started at a very early age when in the company of school mates John Moore and Chris Dewhirst, and enthused with a passion for falconry they explored the crags close to Melbourne examining raptors nests. Together they developed their skills and went on to make a significant impact on the climbing scene.

bigchris
18-Dec-2018
8:46:16 PM
Super sad. I didn't know him, but anyone that knows me, knows that I look through the guide books and only want to climb his routes. Most were super burly cracks and I don't recall ever climbing one that didn't leave a lasting memory on me.

My thoughts to him and his family.

Ithomas
19-Dec-2018
12:38:56 PM
Sad indeed. Sparrow was more than a legend in his own lunchtime: he could really climb. We Queenslanders knew about him from stories told by Don Groom who was present when Sparrow had his accident. All climbers from the sixties and early seventies knew of Sparrow even if they had never met him; such was the power of his reputation. He was climbing V. Severe when the rest of us were dreaming V. Diff.
simey
20-Dec-2018
7:05:16 AM
Sorry to hear this news. I will never forget thrashing up Mari with modern gear and thinking, 'Imagine climbing this in '67 with the gear available at the time'.

He certainly left his mark with some outstanding routes.
BA
20-Dec-2018
8:26:35 AM
The week before he had his accident he was at Hanging Rock (the Victorian one) and scrambling over the boulders with his transistor radio in his hand. It was my first day climbing and here was this bloke doing stuff one handed that I found baffling with both hands. I had to argue with my parents quite strongly to let me go climbing again after his accident.

Duang Daunk
20-Dec-2018
3:09:59 PM
Sorry to hear of this.
Condolences to all who knew him.

JamesMc
20-Dec-2018
6:57:22 PM
Am I right to understand he was the man in the motorised wheel chair in Moyston who I've driven past so many times?

JamesMc
Ithomas
21-Dec-2018
9:06:22 AM
Could have been? The last time that I saw him was in Naughtons Hotel, Carlton in 1975 with Andrew Bowman and Chris Baxter. A lot of water under the bridge since then - three out of four have gone!
BA
22-Dec-2018
7:53:59 AM
Look after yourself 'Zoo!
ithomas
22-Dec-2018
8:45:18 AM
A snort of that special Tokay that you and Bangladesh have hidden away would probably help preserve me Bill!

There are 10 messages in this topic.

 

Home | Guide | Gallery | Tech Tips | Articles | Reviews | Dictionary | Forum | Links | About | Search
Chockstone Photography | Landscape Photography Australia | Australian Landscape Photography | Landscape Photos Australia

Please read the full disclaimer before using any information contained on these pages.



Australian Panoramic | Australian Coast | Australian Mountains | Australian Countryside | Australian Waterfalls | Australian Lakes | Australian Cities | Australian Macro | Australian Wildlife
Landscape Photo | Landscape Photography | Landscape Photography Australia | Fine Art Photography | Wilderness Photography | Nature Photo | Australian Landscape Photo | Stock Photography Australia | Landscape Photos | Panoramic Photos | Panoramic Photography Australia | Australian Landscape Photography | High Country Mountain Huts | Mothers Day Gifts | Gifts for Mothers Day | Mothers Day Gift Ideas | Ideas for Mothers Day | Wedding Gift Ideas | Christmas Gift Ideas | Fathers Day Gifts | Gifts for Fathers Day | Fathers Day Gift Ideas | Ideas for Fathers Day | Landscape Prints | Landscape Poster | Limited Edition Prints | Panoramic Photo | Buy Posters | Poster Prints