Kentucky Pete ain't got nothin' on Cuban Pete. He's the king of the rumba beat.
W L
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Mar 21, 2019
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NEVADASTAN
· Joined Mar 2010
· Points: 851
Pete Baumgardner wrote:
The world needs to hear what he has to say.
I met Pete at the NYU rock climbing gym. I was a slightly meek, definitely suburban all-American girl, but I was looking for a new challenge, and he was the one to give it to me. I thought we were so opposite, but it turned out we had more in common than we thought.
After the first time I climbed, Pete asked me if I wanted to work at the gym as a belayer. I immediately said yes, completely ignorant of what I would go through as a result of this decision. I thought he saw something in me, something that made me special.
We were an odd pair of friends, but from the very beginning, I sensed something special in him. That he was more of a mentor, a guru figure almost to me, and to many others that he came in contact with. Sure he has his flaws, and doesn't always get it right. But he became an invaluable sounding board for me, one that absolutely helped to shape me into the successful adult that I am today. I credit him for so much of my transformations as an individual.
I'll never forget the time I paid him to guide me rock climbing to Bear Mountain in New York. He yelled at me so loud for something (I can't even remember why now!), and by this time I was used to his barking…but some nearby male climbers who heard came over to "rescue me". It must have seemed so strange to have such a harsh teacher, for a hobby that is generally reserved for the mellow, hippie type of person. I knew I was getting more than just rock climbing advice that day, and so I let him yell. Something inside of me always knew this was just his way, but it really made an impression, and I'll never forget the lessons I learned as a result of it. It's always about more than climbing and he makes sure to point it out (ad nauseum sometimes). Whether you're the most overly confident person around, or you've never taken a risk in your life, with Kentucky Pete, you're never just learning about how to get up a rock. You're learning about how to succeed as an individual, with all your flaws and weaknesses. And you do get up that rock, you always do.
Over the next several years, Pete and I grew very close as friends. He was there to guide me through my turbulent early 20's, and I was there to provide companionship and an ear to listen as he went through his own battles as a result of his New York sized ego.
He made me come out of the stalling pattern I had with my romantic relationships, in an indirect way. Always using metaphors from his AA wisdom, I was able to recognize the issues I had and confront them face to face.
The point is that the man changed my life. Massively for the better. And he does that for most people that he comes in contact with. Who knew that rock climbing would be a metaphor for life, but it works. And he changes lives.
He's too intense and he can be a jerk sometimes. But you learn to love him and respect him, for everything he is, and everything he isn't. And he changes you. If you let him.
I feel like Alf needs his own thread bump. Remember when Kitty started that great Alf thread? Memories...
Alf is a decent dude except when he is not. I don't know Pete besides his loony posts but the similarities make me think NY water isn't as good for you as people think.
Yikes! Okay, KY Pete might have a presence as a well known hiker and he talks to a lot of people that might be new to hiking. Before you ask why I’m making assumptions I’m not, I see him every other day, and while he could establish himself in a nicer home rather than collecting trash, he just solicits around the parking lot and I assume climbs. He doesn’t do much but talk to people and check dumpsters. (Maybe hikes but I wouldn’t know). Cool dude i guess ?
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