Yosemite Bolts Destroyed

Damn, I don't care for the lack of respect (by all user groups) our natural spaces have been seeing either, but that guy is a danger to society. 

It's pretty clear Shawn's crusade is 95% ego trip and 5% an attempt to restore an ethical standard. Unfortunately his need for attention seems to be motivating him to do increasingly dangerous and destructive things in order to keep his name up on this site. Also unfortunately, just ignoring him like other attention-seekers is impossible because his actions are not just online trolling but legitimately damaging to actual climbing areas.

Now I know what it's like to watch people swim around in my bullshit on MP. 

Maybe it's time to make a comprehensive list of all the Shawn Snyder offenses, real and imaginary.

Tried to push Dean Potter off Lost Arrow: True 

EDIT2: Rumor is he himself trumped up the story to intimidate people. Dean and him had a scuffle on top of the spire, Dean almost fell off but Shawn wasn't trying to kill him. Dean's photographers were there, maybe they can chime in?!

Smashed Yosemite highline bolts: True? Proof?

"Stole" or cleaned up(?) cached gear at Smith: True

Stranded Patagonia posers on a ledge: True? Or just trolling?

Crazy ethical rants: True

EDIT: Found more on Fbook.

Destroyed bolts at Pine Creek: True? Proof?

Cut fixed draws in JT: Probably true?

Threatened "everyone" in JT: What kind of "threats"?

Multiple Fbook accounts: That's how you KNOW he's dangerous!

What other stories? How has Shawn wronged you?? Seriously, this guy's myth is legendary, but let's put it all in context. What's real and what's the internet spin machine?

Whats real is there are people making a living on the internet teaching people how to bolt shit into submission and that gives me an uneasy feeling personally. With the size and cost of drills now multiplied by these videos and all the other internet bolting experts the climbing community IS having more and more of this BS.

Tradibanwrote:

Now I know what it's like to watch people swim around in my bullshit on MP. 

Maybe it's time to make a comprehensive list of all the Shawn Snyder offenses, real and imaginary.

Tried to push Dean Potter off Lost Arrow: True

Smashed Yosemite highline bolts: True? Proof?

"Stole" or cleaned up(?) cached gear at Smith: True

Stranded Patagonia posers on a ledge: True? Or just trolling?

Crazy ethical rants: True

EDIT: Found more on Fbook.

Destroyed bolts at Pine Creek: True? Proof?

Cut fixed draws in JT: Probably true?

Threatened "everyone" in JT: What kind of "threats"?

Multiple Fbook accounts: That's how you KNOW he's dangerous!

What other stories? How has Shawn wronged you?? Seriously, this guy's myth is legendary, but let's put it all in context. What's real and what's the internet spin machine?

He also suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2018.  Because of this he’s suffering from some serious mental health issues. Something to keep in mind. 

Chad Millerwrote:

He also suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2018.  Because of this he’s suffering from some serious mental health issues. Something to keep in mind. 

TBIs and CTE are no joke for sure, maybe a go-fund-me is in order?

I have spoken to someone who grew up with him and apparently his actions have always been this way FYI

M Mwrote:

TBIs and CTE are no joke for sure, maybe a go-fund-me is in order?

I have spoken to someone who grew up with him and apparently his actions have always been this way FYI 

I’m not trying to give an excuse for his behavior. Just provide information. My understanding is that Sean has always had mental health problems and the TBI exasperated them. 

Chad Millerwrote:

.. the TBI exasperated them. 

The TBI exacerbated them.  Thus Shawn has exasperated us. 

Just a quick point. A TBI in 2018 does not explain his actual (public) criminal record,

Mark Pilatewrote:

The TBI exacerbated them.  Thus Shawn has exasperated us. 

Meh. Autocorrect.

Besides, most of you dorks are here for the drama and couldn’t care less about Sean or what he’s doing. 

Tradiban

Why whe fuck do you justify this guys behavior? Are you the same kind of self righteous crusader running his own agenda without care for others?

you completely ignored my post about trying to reach out to Shawn. Crickets. Youre the on stirring the pot more than anyone on here as of late.

maybe you’re the one giving him stoke with all your support posting.

what the hell are you trying to prove? Yes he’s got serious issues. Maybe try helping. 

Mr Rogerswrote:

Tradiban

Why whe fuck do you justify this guys behavior? Are you the same kind of self righteous crusader running his own agenda without care for others? 

You must be new here

FYI there is an Ignore User button on everyone's profile page. Very useful. 

M Mwrote:

Whats real is there are people making a living on the internet teaching people how to bolt shit into submission and that gives me an uneasy feeling personally. With the size and cost of drills now multiplied by these videos and all the other internet bolting experts the climbing community IS having more and more of this BS.

Firstly, no one is making a living from that. People like Bobby and Ryan are donating their time. Secondly, what do you mean by "bolting shit into submission?" I haven't seen evidence of irresponsible bolting that has been inspired because of the increase in bolting education online. Have you? 

I have no idea how legally it would be possible to do that sting operation thing, but I wonder if something like that might be necessary. Problem is I don't think it would work on public land unless stolen out of a vehicle? It seems like not a great idea but it is an idea on how to stop him, which is a lot better it seems to me than trying nothing. Anyone have any legal knowledge that can comment on what would be necessary to get this guy locked up for theft? 

I've downloaded the videos Shawn Snyder uploaded of himself cutting the rope and removing the bolt, with screenshots of the text he posted with them, and will be happy to provide them as evidence for anyone pursuing criminal prosecution against him if he deletes them off YouTube.

I'm definitely a vocal critic of bolting--if you look through my post history you can see lots of posts where I criticize people's bolting practices. But everything I've seen indicates to me that Bobby and Ryan are at the forefront of safe, responsible, and ethical bolting. And even if Shawn believes in a strict "no bolts ever" ethic, there's an appropriate way to pursue that. It shouldn't need to be said, but: stranding three climbers on a ledge by cutting their rope is not an appropriate way to fight against unethical bolting practices.

Mr Rogerswrote:

Tradiban

Why whe fuck do you justify this guys behavior? Are you the same kind of self righteous crusader running his own agenda without care for others?

you completely ignored my post about trying to reach out to Shawn. Crickets. Youre the on stirring the pot more than anyone on here as of late.

maybe you’re the one giving him stoke with all your support posting.

what the hell are you trying to prove? Yes he’s got serious issues. Maybe try helping. 

I did reach out to him and I'm currently in communication with Shawn. I told him I would like to negotiate a ceasefire and help him explain his actions.

I'm not trying to justify his behavior, I'm seeking to understand it and also dispel the internet rumor machine that surrounds him.

Tradibanwrote:

I'm currently in communication with Shawn. I told him I would like to negotiate a ceasefire and help him explain his actions.

Are we having a standoff with Bolt Gun Slingers?

Tradibanwrote:

I did reach out to him and I'm currently in communication with Shawn. I told him I would like to negotiate a ceasefire and help him explain his actions.

I'm not trying to justify his behavior, I'm seeking to understand it and also dispel the internet rumor machine that surrounds him.

Okay, well. If that's true, a small thanks can be in order.

And to your second point, it sure does seem like you are justifying his behavior. You didn't believe that he tried to push Dean off the Spire... yet he did. So if one of the more outlandish things hes done is true, why would we think many if not most of the others are not as well?
Thats just my logic here. This isn't a one off thing for Shawn.
His crappy actions have been thoroughly seen and documented at this point yet somehow he's still he just "misunderstood". Ted Kaczynski was misunderstood too.

But onward with your brokering.... that is *If* you are actually attempting to do the community a solid. 

drew Awrote:

You must be new here

FYI there is an Ignore User button on everyone's profile page. Very useful. 

I hope I don't have to wield such power!  But yeah I know this guys a trolly polly for the most part.
Sometimes you wonder how people get by in this world.

Tradi is looking at the whole picture, just like everyone should do. The guy is at an extreme end of a spectrum for sure but he is not the only hater of bolts getting put in everywhere. 

This video with the knife and handcuffs and the threats of rope cutting is super scary. This is exactly the type of shit shooters film before going somewhere and killing a bunch of innocent people.

Hes displaying all the signs that he will actually hurt people. Hes delusional on a self appointed crusade. Emotionally unstable telling people hes dangerous to himself and others. Filming videos of himself preparing to hurt people. Armed with a hunting knife and handcuffs. 

This is way beyond his usual antics of stealing stick clips and rebar ladder instillation. Trying to dismiss this as something that can be solved by a civil discussion is going to result in innocent people injured or dead. 

Tradiban is equally delusional to think he can reason with Shawn. People have been trying to reach out to him and come to a reasonable solution for many years. Sorry tradi this isnt a troll situation its a matter of peoples safety at this point.