UKBouldering.com
the shizzle => news => Topic started by: DAVETHOMAS90 on November 09, 2014, 01:14:12 pm
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Hi everyone.
I have some very sad news about Dave Pegg. I received a call, late last night from his wife Fiona, who told me that Dave has killed himself.
I'm sure, as for me, this will come as a terrible shock for everyone. I say everyone, because everyone who knew Dave would have wanted to reach out warmly to him. A truly lovely guy, an inspiration, and someone who has contributed so much.
I know Dave was finding it hard moving through some transitions in his life, and in many ways seemed to be finding it hard to find a next chapter in his life that would be as enriching as his last.
I came to love Dave as a person, far more than a climber, and I'd like that love to be shared with others who feel the same. Please appreciate the heartache Fiona will be facing, his mother - who I will try to contact today - and all those close to him.
When I last spoke to Dave yesterday, he seemed in great spirits, and said "well I'm going climbing actually, with some friends. Well I'm not sure I'll climb, but it'll be nice to hang at the crag". That sounded like a good thing. We'd arranged to speak later, which is when I took the call from Fiona.
Such a terrible loss.
Miss you Dave. Love you.
X
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Thanks for posting that Dave.
Dave was a really lovely, genuine guy and I remember many, many good times with him when he lived in Sheffield.
I just don't know what to say...so fucking sad.
RIP mate.
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I am totally gutted. RIP Dave. You truly were one of the good ones.
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Shit, that's terrible. Such a great guy, I can't believe it.
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I never knew Dave but only ever heard lovely things about him.
Incredibly sad news and sending deepest condolences to all of his family at this time.
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Tragic. Not seen him since the 90's but remember his impish smile.
Condolences to friends and family
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Krv68Ki8eRw/Uz0nmPFlZnI/AAAAAAAABHI/nxuE3vmya6c/s1600/mad.jpg)
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This is such awful, sad news. I hadn't seen Dave in a very long time but have good memories of his company, on and off the crags. My heart goes out to those much closer to him than me, to his poor wife especially.
More than anything though, my heart goes out to Dave.
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I never knew Dave either but his was one of those names I remember growing up with and hearing great things about. Really sad news and condolences to his family. Rest in peace.
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Fuck, was just reading the Earl section of the new Yorkshire Gritstone guide, about Mind Bomb and what a visionary climb it was, only half an hour ago. RIP Dave.
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Met him the other year when he was over visiting. Lovely guy. Sad news.
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Really sad. When I was first starting climbing I remember his new routes reported in the mags, seemingly every month. Stuff like Gigantic, MaDMAn, Three Blind Mice & the frightening story of the Posessed FA left quite an impression.
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RIP Dave. Very fond memories of climbing and having lots of fun times with you in Sheffield. What a terrible loss.
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I never met Dave but his reputation and routes speak volumes of a man of great character. My thoughts are with his friends and family. Sad times.
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A tragedy and a shame. Thoughts go to his wife and family
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That's terrible news - I haven't seen Dave for quite a while but still have fond memories of times spent climbing and hanging out with him in the late 80's and early 90's before he moved to the US. He was a genuinely lovely guy. Condolences to his family
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What a shame to read this news.
I met him once at a house party in Newcastle in the early 90s and was more than a little star struck after seeing his pic in the magazines and reading about his ascents. Seemed a really genuine bloke and happy chatting about punter level climbing to a total punter.
Mind you, he couldn't get away from me very easily as he had his leg in plaster at the time.
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That was a great party, he enjoyed it so much that he wrote about it in High magazine, we became good friends after that.
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I don't think I ever met Dave (although with my famously inadequate memory for names & face he could have been around for tea last week) but I remember having a conversation when bouldering in Colorado in 1998?? with some locals, who asked if I knew Dave: I said I didn't but they were still effusive in their praise for him as a climber and what a thoroughly decent bloke he was.
Thie above will be scant consolation to those you left behind: but Dave, but on this day, of all days, as we remember millions who we did not know we should hope that those that did know you remember you well.
Although it is painful for those hurt, the earth of Colorado will be a little richer for your dust.
RIP.
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Deep sadness and a great loss . . My cousin was and still is very special man . . . Will be very much missed by many especially his family . . X x rest in peace dave x x x
My tears shall never dry for you x x x. Your words and work shall live on and will never be forgotten . . . Such a sad sad loss and reading others words that have been written and how much inspiration my cousin has been makes me so proud to have you in my life x x x
Goodbye and may your soul rest in peace x x x
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Aw fuck.
I climbed with Dave when he came to Lancaster to do an MSc and he brought some stardust to my punter level climbing world. It was a pretty prolific time for him new route wise but it says much about him that he always treated me as an equal when we went out climbing. I'm gutted for his wife and others close to him, it's scant consolation that he's left behind a fine legacy of routes and writing. RIP
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I met Dave when I moved on to bubbas floor at 768 eccy road back in 86. Many years of adventure, bad behaviour (boux shell suit escapade) and partying. The honda c50, the skoda, getting stuck on goliath,getting hit by a wave in huntsman.....so many memories
Will be missed by all.
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Terrible terrible news.
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Really sad news. His Uk era was a bit before my time so never met Dave or any of that Sheffield crowd. I first heard of Dave via the Yorkshire Grit guide during a visit to Rhylstone about 15 years ago. I looked up at Heartbeat City in complete awe and just thought 'who the fuck climbed that' - utterly outrageous and totally serious. As are so many of his other routes.
Condolences to all his family, friends and loved ones.
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I met Dave when I moved on to bubbas floor at 768 eccy road back in 86. Many years of adventure, bad behaviour (boux shell suit escapade) and partying. The honda c50, the skoda, getting stuck on goliath,getting hit by a wave in huntsman.....so many memories
Will be missed by all.
A life should be celebrated when it's been a great one. I'm struggling to get my head round this but if anyone can post Dave's article from OTE about the first ever comp at The Foundry that'd be a start. "Fat Cat, Madras, Broadfield.... etc".
I remember a great evening with him on Christmas Day in about 92 when he came round to mine looking for a partner in crime. We did a load of speed and went for a pint except the Broadfield was closed so we wandered the streets talking shit before finding either the Byron or Union open, can't remember which. I just remember that it was fun because he was a fucking diamond and I was a kid with an attitude and he had no side to him.
Taught me a lot without meaning to. A genuinely sound bloke.
RIP Pego.
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Jas, that's a beautiful post.
I'm with you, a complete jewel.
There will be so many great stories, all told with the sincerest affection for a wonderful person.
Love you Dave XX
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That's just terrible news. I only got to know Dave this year and he was the nicest most genuine and encouraging person you could possibly wish to climb and hang out with.
Absolutely heartbreaking.
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I just looked at ukb for the first time in a century and this is my reward; to learn about the passing of a legend. Although I haven't seen Dave since his Lancaster MSc days in 1990, I am really saddened to hear this news. He was an absolute legend and genuinely wonderful bloke.
He brought a real element of stardom to our pretty untalented climbing world at Lancaster Uni in those days and despite our punterishness he would always be keen to drag us out climbing. I remember photographing him in Hodge Close doing nails new routes, with John Gaskins. I remember the wheel coming off his Skoda whilst driving back to Lancaster at pub closing time after a trip to err Kilnsey I think; it bounced off down the road leaving him stranded in the middle of town at pub chucking out time in a skoda with three wheels (and that's well before Skodas were 'okay'). I remember a desperate story of a rescue from a gritstone (first ascent I think) where someone had to lower him a rope and he had to lean out and catch it and the desperate consequences of doing so. I remember his smiling face at parties. I remember going with him to clean First Last and Always and him making the Cumbrian look like a path.
I heard he went out to America to be a journalist and his first article was something along the lines of 'Why Americans are shit at climbing', which was more of a joke about the difference between the American propensity to positively reinforce ("you own it") and the UK one to mercilessly take the piss ("you fat b etc.").
We only interacted for a short time but he influenced me forever, I have lots and lots of happy memories and am really saddened to hear this news.
My sincerest condolences to his nearest and dearest. Jason Clay
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I also remember laughing like a drain hearing about him smearing Vaseline on the holds of a project at Kilnsey to stop a French superstar stealing it.
RIP Dave
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Awful news... RIP
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Dave and Fiona were kind enough to let us stay at their house when we visited Rifle, in 2005. Dave had built the house from a 'kit' and I was really impressed with what he'd achieved. He seemed like he'd carved out a really great life. So very sad. RIP Dave.
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Rock and Ice report: http://www.rockandice.com/lates-news/dave-pegg-king-of-rifle-has-died
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I didn't know Dave personally but am aware of his awesome new routes.So sad.
Sincere condolences to his wife,family and friends.
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Awful news.
Never actually knew Dave personally, but he was around the place when I started climbing. Definitely an inspiration and nost probably one of those accredited with 'bringing limestone power back to grit'
Would it be appropriate to post up the Power of Climbing pages.
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Likewise I never knew him, but was aware of his exploits on grit through avid magazine reading when I started, and was in awe of his exploits, especially of the picture posted already. His Utah Bouldering Guide gave me to some of most enjoyable days bouldering I've ever had, and I will always be grateful for that.
RIP, thoughts with all his family and friends who knew him.
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He wrote an article about the Red River Gorge on the other channel that inspired me to America on my own on a whim- one of the best decisions I've ever made. RIP
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Oh Jesus. How's Fiona? I can hardly bare to think how she must be feeling. Poor Dave did what he felt he had to, he's beyond us.
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Shocked by this, what a massive shame. Peggo will be missed by many, a great guy. Many escapades off the crags as well as on them.
My thoughts go out to his family.
Thanks for posting this DT.
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Such sad news. Didn't know him myself but THAT picture of him on MaDMAn is, for me, one of the defining images of grit.
DPM have a piece up: http://www.dpmclimbing.com/articles/view/dave-pegg-prominent-climber-and-guidebook-publisher-gone (http://www.dpmclimbing.com/articles/view/dave-pegg-prominent-climber-and-guidebook-publisher-gone)
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I didn't know Dave on a personal level so to mourn him at a personal level would be sycophantic. However, some of my close friends knew him very well so tonight I think of them and their loss.
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/8b6c62a07bf97654b08d6b35e27b2f2c.jpg)
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/19b8a601b4ba0843f804815d58f2f3c5.jpg)
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/fda8515c47e2f17c4e2782a92aca750c.jpg)
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Thanks for that Sam...
Can't understand this..
Simply... Gutted.
Was a great great guy, not seen him for near on two decades, but memories run deep.
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Such sad news. Didn't know him myself but THAT picture of him on MaDMAn is, for me, one of the defining images of grit.
Agree completely.
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Sad to hear of this, Dave Pegg was, is a big name in British climbing. What a legacy.
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Dave was a lovely guy. I first met him up in Newcastle when I was just starting my climbing career, and kept in touch when he moved to Sheffield. He had lots of time and patience for a shy kid. I was once coming down to sheffield for a competition and Dave offered for me to stay in his room for the weekend. He was going away but, with typical kindness, told me to help myself to anything in his food cupboard. After he left I went to the kitchen to make myself some dinner and opened the cupboard to find six bottles of fat burner pills and a mouldy potato.
Rest in peace Dave.
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Thats very sad news.... I have fond memories of hanging out with Dave when he lived at Edgedale rd. He too... encouraged me as a total punter to push harder and be strong and at the same time he was very modest about his own achievements.
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Hi folks.
To share memories of Dave, a low key get together has been arranged for Sunday.
I appreciate that this is at short notice, and won't be convenient for everyone, but we'll do our best to accommodate.
The plan.
This Sunday 16th November, meet in the Peak, Stanage Plantation from noon onwards, then down to the Grouse Inn from about 4.30 - they should have room then - for beer/food, for those who are into that sort of thing. We will try to make arrangements then, for a venue back in Sheffield, in an attempt to accommodate those who couldn't get out earlier in the day.
Remember, this is for Dave, so bring your memories of him, and good banter, so that he's with us all in spirit. I've looked at the weather, which seems good enough for now. Don't worry if conditions aren't quite good enough for The Joker.
I will gladly collect any photos that people have, possibly with a view to putting together an album - in particular for his Mum Ann. I'm sure pretty much anything will be appreciated.
It would be good to have some idea of numbers, so if you can make it, either PM me, or drop me a text on 07935333012. Likewise, if you would like to come along, but can only make an evening venue in Sheffield, drop me a line.
I hope you can make it.
Dave.
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nice one dave, i'll dust off the beer towel
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There is also a move to have something bigger, more like what was done to remember Rachel all those years ago. I will post something when we have a better idea.
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Any memorial/celebration event should preferably involve climbing hard grit in shorts weather...
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Here are some photos of Dave as I remember him.
Hope you like them. Thanks to STP for sorting them out.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5613/15784586112_d81d7c9f62_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5615/15598191690_45949d1658_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7571/15597853807_2a7a86a63e_c.jpg)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5616/15597845897_93860114bd_c.jpg)
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Is the middle one 'left El Sherman' on the Mushroom Boulder? If so I remember this being an absolute bastard at the top (sans pads)
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Left El Murray.
The other problem is Roughage V7. Just checked in his excellent Hueco guide.
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I'll try to make it along to the rouse dave, if I can find someone to look after the girl cub.
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Left El Murray.
The other problem is Roughage V7. Just checked in his excellent Hueco guide.
Yes, that's the one I meant, I think it was given V5 but was more than worth V6 (although doing it on the 5th July probably made it feel harder)
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I'm really sorry I won't be able to make the meet-up tomorrow but I'll be there in spirit.
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Very Sad news... Dave was one of my early grit hero's when I knew of him around 1990 & remember the OTE article about him snatching GIGANTIC in Wilton, him being a Pixies wad... Some of those lines he chose to go for were ahead of the time and so inspiring. Thanks for all that you gave to climbing Dave.
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A discrete post about meeting up today.
I've tried to get in touch with everyone I can, but in case of those accessing this thread for an update on plans, everyone is meeting at The Grouse 4.30 onwards. Due to poor weather people are choosing various climbing venues beforehand.
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Thanks, I was just about to post that Daily Camera link - it's well written and I think sums up everyone's feelings here in Colorado. Dave's memorial gathering is at Rifle this Saturday.
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Memorial for family and close friends is next Monday. I don't know the venue yet. Jason is on his way back from the States and will have more details.
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Good piece by Alison Osius in Rock and Ice (http://www.rockandice.com/lates-news/tnb-suicide-in-our-sights?utm_content=buffer37bfe&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer) on Dave and the other notable climbers, all high achieving men in their 40s, who killed themselves in the last year.
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That's a great article Duncan thanks for sharing.
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I'll repeat that, thanks Duncan. Sorry, I hadn't picked that up.
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Hi everyone.
I thought some people would like to know that Dave Pegg's mother, Ann, together with her husband David, recently went to Kilnsey to scatter Dave's ashes.
They chose a spot, in her own words
"in front of David’s first route ‘Aboriginal Sin’". That must mean somewhere just right of the start of Directissima. I remember seconding Aboriginal Sin on the FA, early one morning. I'm sure there were one or two other folk from Sheffield up there that day. Does anyone have photos? I remember Dave performing a bat-hang for the mag shots.
Anyway, Ann asked if I'd let people know.
Also, there is now a memorial plaque at Rifle. These photos were sent over by Nikki Rozee, who Dave married and originally moved over to the States with. Thanks Nikki x
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/668/22418914330_afcaf96610_b.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/715/22593320882_094be1d424_b.jpg)
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Nice tribute
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Candlelight around shrine is very nice.
Hopefully no-one retrobolts where the ashes were scattered.
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http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en_GB/bdtv-episode-5.html?
A link to this just popped up in my facebook feed, thought those that knew him might like to see it, he was obviously a great guy.
Wasn't 100% sure on the etiquette on posting on old threads like this but figured this was the best place for it?
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Nice that
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Fucking cool.
xx
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Fucking cool.
xx
..to have the tribute, but I hadn't watched the film properly before having to dash out the door.
I feel angry about the interpretation of what Dave was going through. To say that it was a "sickness" that ultimately resulted in Dave taking his own life. No.
Anxiety and insomnia, for many years, yes. We spoke about it often. But many other personal issues and hurdles in his life.
To take the ultimate desperate decision out of his own hands, is in many ways, to me, a humiliation.
The why's and wherefore's can be left unsaid; trying to understand the pain that someone else may feel, is something that we can all try to do.
All that is left to do, is celebrate.
Thanks for posting the link Duncan.