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24-Feb-2012 2:15:27 PM
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With great sorrow I have to pass on the news of the death of Athol Whimp in New Zealand. My deepest condolonces to all family and friends.
Details of the unfortunate accident are still emerging.
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24-Feb-2012 2:22:44 PM
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Some details here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6476614/Dead-Fiordland-climber-named
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24-Feb-2012 2:33:24 PM
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So sad. My condolences to family and friends. He was an inspiring climber - and one of the very few locals who managed to combine hard sport climbing and ballsy high altitude mountaineering.
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24-Feb-2012 2:52:24 PM
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http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10787527
Awful news and a great loss for Aust and NZ. Gravity respects no one. After all the risky endeavours and amazing feats mountaineering.
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24-Feb-2012 3:40:41 PM
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Terrible news. A truly world-class and inspirational climber. RIP Athol.
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24-Feb-2012 6:18:34 PM
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Reading about Athol's adventures inspired my interest in big mountains. Vale
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24-Feb-2012 6:39:56 PM
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This is sad news indeed.
My condolences to his family and friends.
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24-Feb-2012 7:24:45 PM
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A sad day indeed.
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24-Feb-2012 9:22:14 PM
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Shit!
I guess it doesn't matter how good a climber you are in the mountains...
I didn't think much of most of his political views but I was always respected him as a climber. For a total bad-arse he was a pretty smiley guy. I was personally pretty inspired to see him back out on Taipan last year. Made me feel like I should pull my finger out.
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24-Feb-2012 10:27:31 PM
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Terrible news, my condolences to his family and all of his friends in the climbing world. Athol was an amazing guy with an unbelievable ticklist in the mountains of the world (Cerro Torre solo!).
I was lucky to get to know him in recent years during his rock comeback in the Grampians. Outside of the climbing, he was really great with my children at the cliff and would chat endlessly with my son about trout fishing (giving me a chance to climb). Thanks and RIP.
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25-Feb-2012 8:24:28 AM
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Athol & i may never have agreed about mcdonalds coffee but i will miss argeuing about it. Always good for a bit of banter, a bloody good climber and a nice guy to boot.
So sad.
Where ever you are mate i hope the coffee is a dam site better than mc ds.
A sad goodbye to one of the good guys, my thought are with family and friends
Dicky
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25-Feb-2012 11:09:21 AM
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A very nice and extremely funny guy. I'm sorry I only got t o meet him a few times.
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25-Feb-2012 11:09:56 AM
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In life you were as close to the archetype of the true warrior as you would find, a defender of truth, integrity and real love but in death your time on this little planet will pass into legend, an inspiration for all. We sure shall miss you Ath....
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25-Feb-2012 11:44:26 AM
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I am stunned. Vale Athol.
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25-Feb-2012 5:18:47 PM
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Hello everyone. Andy Lindblade here. I am with Athol's family in Rangiora, New Zealand. We appreciate all of your kind words immensely. There will be a gathering (which anyone is welcome to attend) to celebrate Athol's life at "Bonair," the Whimp family property at 518 Rangiora-Woodend Road, Rangiora (just outside of Christchurch), commencing at 1pm on Thursday 1st of March 2012. You can email any enquiries to ava.w@xtra.co.nz
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25-Feb-2012 5:56:32 PM
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"Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them."
Henry David Thoreau
We heard yours Athol Whimp, loud and clear...
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25-Feb-2012 7:26:07 PM
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I will post this on NZ sites Andy.
Simon
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26-Feb-2012 10:54:00 PM
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So long, Athol.. your reputation preceded you before I met you, was psyched to get to climb with you and my thoughts are with those you've left behind..
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27-Feb-2012 1:54:41 PM
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From FBook.....
"To all you rockclimbers out there,you are probably aware that Athol Whimp tragically died last week while desending the Homer Saddle in Fiordland National Park.
Come celebrate the ledgend and life of Athol tonight at Gerald's bar, 386 Rathdowne St North Carlton.7.30 pm Hope to see you all there for a beer and some good stories."
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27-Feb-2012 2:44:06 PM
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Very sad to hear about the loss of Athol. My condolences to his family and friends. NZ and Australia have lost a great climber.
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