Climber Charles Barrett Arrested for Yosemite Sexual Assaults

Andrew Ricewrote:

There's a big world out there, Russ. Full of people who don't read Outside. You can't be serious that the media coverage of this particular set of allegations has "tainted" the jury pool. Much bigger cases than this (meaning by media attention) get tried all the time and the voir dire process sorts out and removes anyone with preconceptions about either side.

I understood your comment to be an attempt at humor but, honestly, I don't see anything funny about this case.  

It is not meant to be funny.  It is a possibility, and nothing more than that was implied or intended.

I'd really love it if people would keep their comments to the actual matter at hand instead of lengthy diatribes about "the system" and/or ideological screeds about what women should do to protect themselves from being raped. I know that's a lot to ask, but can we try? I'm guessing this trial will get at least some ongoing news coverage once it starts. Or it's possible someone in the MP circle would attend it in Sacramento and share their observations. It'd be nice to be able to use this thread to focus on that. 

Eric Marxwrote:

I carry a gun almost everywhere I go. I'm a grown and capable man. I don't take my gun and walk down a dark alley in Brooklyn at 3am, because I realize there is a distinct possibility of myself being robbed, even though I could(hopefully) defend myself. I do the opposite, by doing everything I can to minimize risk to myself and my family.

Regardless of your own perception, statistically speaking you create additional risk for yourself and your family by carrying a gun, considering that you do not "walk down a dark alley in Brooklyn at 3am" and assuming that you are not involved in other risky activities.

Dear Climbing Community, I am writing to you to give you my perspective of this story, as a victim of Charlie's crimes and as a Federally protected victim in this investigation. In this forum, I have yet to hear one of our voices, so I created a safe account to speak up. Danger and retribution is very real each time I speak out. First, I am not speaking for all victims, I am speaking for myself. Second, I would like to thank the author of this article for articulating the main problem with Charlie's case: how did this go on for so long? I would like to tell you how, and perhaps alleviate some guilt you might be having, or to comfort you if you are feeling sad and confused about this situation. Are you asking yourself: How could I have been friends with someone like this? How did I not know? You aren't alone. Charlie is exceptionally charismatic, powerful, and endearing. He is funny, talented, and strong. He's a great guy-- until he isn't. Then, unfortunately the nightmare begins. His victims have been living this nightmare for a long time, all while watching him glitter and thrive in the community. My heart goes out to the other victims, particularly to Bonnie Hedlund and Lonnie Kauk, whom he has been torturing relentlessly for at least a decade. I'm sorry.

Charlie has magnificent taste in friends and in women. I know personally many women he has dated and they are incredible people, beautiful and talented. I am a doctor (not explaining what type for safety or IDing purposes), for example and probably not the first doctor, or highly educated woman to date him. How could super educated, accomplished, awesome women fall for a high school drop-out felon? The same reason Alex Honnold, Michael Pang, Jackie Hueftle, and many other accomplished climbers and community members were/are under his spell. He is super cool, handsome (when he takes care of himself), and mesmerizing. A big part of me worries that he will use this charisma to charm and seduce the jurors in his trial, similar to how Jon Krakauer explains that Dan Lafferty seduced a juror with flirtatious gestures to avoid the death penalty during the trial of murdering Brenda Lafferty and her baby in his book "Under the Banner of Heaven." Charlie has that type of sway, and if you have warm, kind thoughts for him even after this Outside article was published, he has this sway on you too. Yes, you. 

Do not blame yourself. Charlie has schemed his entire life to work people over and work the system over, to manipulate people. He is PRO. If you are his friend, and you want to write a character reference for him to the judge (which is what people in Mammoth are rallying to do even as you read this), that is exactly what he has worked so hard to get you to do. However, before writing that letter about what a great guy he is, maybe consider what it would be like to sleep with him, to have a fun relationship and boulder together or climb in the desert and watch him annihilate 5.13 trad. Mesmerizing, right? Then consider him punching you in the stomach because you said or did something "wrong." Then consider his hands around your neck, unprovoked, and then losing consciousness. Then consider perhaps how close you were to losing your life, on "accident" because his eyes glazed over and he didn't know when to stop. This is the character reference angle you don't have if you are "just friends" and thank goodness you don't. Because it is horrific. Maybe put that pen down, stop writing that letter, and imagine what that could feel like. Then maybe write "I'm sorry" to his victims instead.

Unfortunately, this trial, either convicted or not, will not be the end of his reign of terror. He uses many people to create a web of lies and support for his innocence. His crew blackmails witnesses online, and publicly shames them (Stephanie Forte is a good example). He manipulates his friends and family (his dad) into calling and intimidating witnesses. Behind bars, his campaign of proving himself innocent will continue. He will continue to manipulate people into befriending him, dazzling them with his funny jokes and convincing them to be his arm to gut punch his victims from behind bars. If exonerated, he will stalk the victims and actively try to ruin their lives himself; after all, someone will have to pay for him being in prison without bail for over a year. This trial may serve justice, but does not end the nightmare. 

I want to thank Officer McGee for risking everything, including her and her family's well being to investigate Charlie. He has been exceptionally cruel to her and her loved ones in this process. She is very brave for taking him on and should be honored for her service to the community. I want to thank my friends for supporting me. I also want to thank my friends who once supported Charlie, saw the light, and apologized to me or the other victims. I want to apologize to and thank the people who warned me not to date Charlie, who I brushed off, because, ya know, he is so fun! I need forgiveness for this as well. I hope this trial brings healing to the community as a whole, and also opens our eyes to dangerous people sooner. I hope this article takes the wool from peoples eyes, allowing them to stop defending a monster, forgiving themselves for having done so, and moving forward with healing in the community. 

NotSayin Sparrowwrote:

Dear Climbing Community, I am writing to you to give you my perspective of this story, as a victim of Charlie's crimes and as a federally protected victim in this investigation. In this forum, I have yet to hear one of our voices, so I created a safe account to speak up. Danger and retribution is very real each time I speak out. First, I am not speaking for all victims, I am speaking for myself. Second, I would like to thank the author of this article for articulating the main problem with Charlie's case: how did this go on for so long? I would like to tell you how, and perhaps alleviate some guilt you might be having, or to comfort you if you are feeling sad and confused about this situation. Are you asking yourself: How could I have been friends with someone like this? How did I not know? You aren't alone. Charlie is exceptionally charismatic, powerful, and endearing. He is funny, talented, and strong. He's a great guy-- until he isn't. Then, unfortunately the nightmare begins. His victims have been living this nightmare for a long time, all while watching him glitter and thrive in the community. My heart goes out to the other victims, particularly to Bonnie Hedlund and Lonnie Kauk, whom he has been torturing relentlessly for at least a decade. I'm sorry.

Charlie has magnificent taste in friends and in women. I know personally many women he has dated and they are incredible people, beautiful and talented. I am a doctor (not explaining what type for safety or IDing purposes), for example and probably not the first doctor, or highly educated woman to date him. How could super educated, accomplished, awesome women fall for a high school drop-out felon? The same reason Alex Honnold, Michael Pang, Jackie Hueftle, and many other accomplished climbers and community members were/are under his spell. He is super cool, handsome (when he takes care of himself), and mesmerizing. A big part of me worries that he will use this charisma to charm and seduce the jurors in his trial, similar to how Jon Krakauer explains that Dan Lafferty seduced a juror with flirtatious gestures to avoid the death penalty during the trial of murdering Brenda Lafferty and her baby in his book "Under the Banner of Heaven." Charlie has that type of sway, and if you have warm, kind thoughts for him even after this Outside article was published, he has this sway on you too. Yes, you. 

Do not blame yourself. Charlie has schemed his entire life to work people over and work the system over, to manipulate people. He is PRO. If you are his friend, and you want to write a character reference for him to the judge (which is what people in Mammoth are rallying to do even as you read this), that is exactly what he has worked so hard to get you to do. However, before writing that letter about what a great guy he is, maybe consider what it would be like to sleep with him, to have a fun relationship and boulder together or climb in the desert and watch him annihilate 5.13 trad. Mesmerizing, right? Then consider him punching you in the stomach because you said or did something "wrong." Then consider his hands around your neck, unprovoked, and then losing consciousness. Then consider perhaps how close you were to losing your life, on "accident" because his eyes glazed over and he didn't know when to stop. This is the character reference angle you don't have if you are "just friends" and thank goodness you don't. Because it is horrific. Maybe put that pen down, stop writing that letter, and imagine what that could feel like. Then maybe write "I'm sorry" to his victims instead.

Unfortunately, this trial, either convicted or not, will not be the end of his reign of terror. He uses many people to create a web of lies and support for his innocence. His crew blackmails witnesses online, and publicly shames them (Stephanie Forte is a good example). He manipulates his friends and family (his dad) into calling and intimidating witnesses. Behind bars, his campaign of proving himself innocent will continue. He will continue to manipulate people into befriending him, dazzling them with his funny jokes and convincing them to be his arm to gut punch his victims from behind bars. If exonerated, he will stalk the victims and actively try to ruin their lives himself, after all someone will have to pay for him being in prison without bail for over a year. This trial may serve justice, but does not end the nightmare. 

I want to thank Officer McGee for risking everything, including her and her family's wellbeing to investigate Charlie. He has been exceptionally cruel to her and her loved ones in this process. She is very brave for taking him on and should be honored for her service to the community. I want to thank my friends for supporting me. I also want to thank my friends who once supported Charlie, saw the light, and apologized to me or the other victims. I want to apologize to and thank the people who warned me not to date Charlie, who I brushed off, because, ya know, he is so fun! I need forgiveness for this as well. I hope this trial brings healing to the community as a whole, and also opens our eyes to dangerous people sooner. I hope this article takes the wool from peoples eyes and allow them to stop defending a monster, forgiving themselves for having done so, and moving forward with healing in the community. 

Thank you for so well articulating what I'm sure many of us bystanders were thinking. I'm sorry you had to experience this side of humanity, and I hope justice is truly served this time, albeit too late. 

NotSayin Sparrowwrote:

Dear Climbing Community, I am writing to you to give you my perspective of this story, as a victim of Charlie's crimes and as a federally protected victim in this investigation. In this forum, I have yet to hear one of our voices, so I created a safe account to speak up. Danger and retribution is very real each time I speak out.

Thank you for your bravery and your clarity of insight. I know what you've been through and I'm sorry it happened. 

Can we please, for the love of God, ban the guidebook. 

Eric Marxwrote:

Alan, I'm a detective here on Long Island, in another state with a horrific justice system(NY) and have been for over ten years. I am personally responsible for sending several people to prison who have committed sexual assault, however brief or lenient the sentencing was.

I know my conservative worldview isn't popular in the very left-leaning climbing community. I don't care, the truth is the truth and I present it as kindly as I can. Pretending he got away with this because he was popular and white doesn't solve any of the problems. 

Wow. Thousands of years of searching. And now the truth - THE truth - has been revealed to us. 

Russ Wallingwrote:

It is not meant to be funny.  It is a possibility, and nothing more than that was implied or intended.

Russ, Frank Zappa said that rock music critics were people who couldn't write, churning out articles about people who can't play, for people who can't read. 

A parallel here, with a slight twist. You are writing clear and logical posts for people who can't read and who mistakenly identify having thoughts as thinking.

Eric Marxwrote:

Alan, I'm a detective here on Long Island, in another state with a horrific justice system(NY) and have been for over ten years. I am personally responsible for sending several people to prison who have committed sexual assault, however brief or lenient the sentencing was.

I know my conservative worldview isn't popular in the very left-leaning climbing community. I don't care, the truth is the truth and I present it as kindly as I can. Pretending he got away with this because he was popular and white doesn't solve any of the problems. 

While I am reluctant to further deviate this thread from it's principle purpose, I feel compelled to respond to this.

It is even more disturbing, though perhaps not totally surprising, that you are a detective, while holding, and expressing, such an inaccurate, simplistic, even cartoonish, view of human nature and the realities of life. ( Though I know numerous police officers who hold far more understanding and enlightened views, even despite the numerous awful things that they encounter on their jobs).
I won't try to counter all your misunderstandings, but will point out just one example. You express the belief that if men would just marry one woman and have a family, than, apparently in your view, there would be no rapes or sexual assaults. Well, you are a detective on Long Island, in your home  turf, what about the fellow now in custody for the Giglo Beach murders. I understand that he hasn't been convicted, so is presumed innocent, but still---married, a child, a professional.......But, no doubt, in your mind, it was the victims' fault, they were all alleged to be prostitutes, after all......

I think this thread is tainting the jury pool.

Eric Marxwrote:

Alan, I'm a detective here on Long Island

Eric, your initial take was pretty horrible but knowing what you do for a living makes me understand why you said what you said. You encounter the dregs of society on a daily basis, I can't imagine all the shit you have to go through for your 9-5.
I get the same way when I hear people dispensing medical advice when they have no business doing so.
I hope hearing from 1 of his victims gives us all pause & maybe try to empathize. The comment about "if you didn't show suggestive photos of yourself, maybe you wouldn't be in this situation" isn't helpful. 1 of his victims read your comment. Let that sink in.
The only person that bears responsibility for the violence/rape is the abuser/rapist. Full stop, end of discussion.
Let's not make this a liberal v conservative discussion. Culture wars already have enough soldiers. Can we PLEASE come together on this.

NotSayin Sparrowwrote:

Dear Climbing Community, I am writing to you to give you my perspective of this story, 

Wow, thank you for posting! I wish I could give you more than a “like”.  You have brought this saga into focus and made it real. Your courage will carry you through this, regardless of CB’s fate. 

NotSayin Sparrowwrote:

Dear Climbing Community, I am writing to you to give you my perspective of this story, as a victim of Charlie's crimes and as a Federally protected victim in this investigation. In this forum, I have yet to hear one of our voices, so I created a safe account to speak up. Danger and retribution is very real each time I speak out. First, I am not speaking for all victims, I am speaking for myself. Second, I would like to thank the author of this article for articulating the main problem with Charlie's case: how did this go on for so long? I would like to tell you how, and perhaps alleviate some guilt you might be having, or to comfort you if you are feeling sad and confused about this situation. Are you asking yourself: How could I have been friends with someone like this? How did I not know? You aren't alone. Charlie is exceptionally charismatic, powerful, and endearing. He is funny, talented, and strong. He's a great guy-- until he isn't. Then, unfortunately the nightmare begins. His victims have been living this nightmare for a long time, all while watching him glitter and thrive in the community. My heart goes out to the other victims, particularly to Bonnie Hedlund and Lonnie Kauk, whom he has been torturing relentlessly for at least a decade. I'm sorry.

Charlie has magnificent taste in friends and in women. I know personally many women he has dated and they are incredible people, beautiful and talented. I am a doctor (not explaining what type for safety or IDing purposes), for example and probably not the first doctor, or highly educated woman to date him. How could super educated, accomplished, awesome women fall for a high school drop-out felon? The same reason Alex Honnold, Michael Pang, Jackie Hueftle, and many other accomplished climbers and community members were/are under his spell. He is super cool, handsome (when he takes care of himself), and mesmerizing. A big part of me worries that he will use this charisma to charm and seduce the jurors in his trial, similar to how Jon Krakauer explains that Dan Lafferty seduced a juror with flirtatious gestures to avoid the death penalty during the trial of murdering Brenda Lafferty and her baby in his book "Under the Banner of Heaven." Charlie has that type of sway, and if you have warm, kind thoughts for him even after this Outside article was published, he has this sway on you too. Yes, you. 

Do not blame yourself. Charlie has schemed his entire life to work people over and work the system over, to manipulate people. He is PRO. If you are his friend, and you want to write a character reference for him to the judge (which is what people in Mammoth are rallying to do even as you read this), that is exactly what he has worked so hard to get you to do. However, before writing that letter about what a great guy he is, maybe consider what it would be like to sleep with him, to have a fun relationship and boulder together or climb in the desert and watch him annihilate 5.13 trad. Mesmerizing, right? Then consider him punching you in the stomach because you said or did something "wrong." Then consider his hands around your neck, unprovoked, and then losing consciousness. Then consider perhaps how close you were to losing your life, on "accident" because his eyes glazed over and he didn't know when to stop. This is the character reference angle you don't have if you are "just friends" and thank goodness you don't. Because it is horrific. Maybe put that pen down, stop writing that letter, and imagine what that could feel like. Then maybe write "I'm sorry" to his victims instead.

Unfortunately, this trial, either convicted or not, will not be the end of his reign of terror. He uses many people to create a web of lies and support for his innocence. His crew blackmails witnesses online, and publicly shames them (Stephanie Forte is a good example). He manipulates his friends and family (his dad) into calling and intimidating witnesses. Behind bars, his campaign of proving himself innocent will continue. He will continue to manipulate people into befriending him, dazzling them with his funny jokes and convincing them to be his arm to gut punch his victims from behind bars. If exonerated, he will stalk the victims and actively try to ruin their lives himself; after all, someone will have to pay for him being in prison without bail for over a year. This trial may serve justice, but does not end the nightmare. 

I want to thank Officer McGee for risking everything, including her and her family's well being to investigate Charlie. He has been exceptionally cruel to her and her loved ones in this process. She is very brave for taking him on and should be honored for her service to the community. I want to thank my friends for supporting me. I also want to thank my friends who once supported Charlie, saw the light, and apologized to me or the other victims. I want to apologize to and thank the people who warned me not to date Charlie, who I brushed off, because, ya know, he is so fun! I need forgiveness for this as well. I hope this trial brings healing to the community as a whole, and also opens our eyes to dangerous people sooner. I hope this article takes the wool from peoples eyes, allowing them to stop defending a monster, forgiving themselves for having done so, and moving forward with healing in the community. 

I've been on Mountain Project since 2006 and am a guidebook author, albeit for mountain hiking in Colorado, not climbing. I've lurked for almost 20 years on these forums and rarely post, but I want to commend you on this incredibly articulate, thoughtful, and profound comment. Your brave and clear-headed appraisal of Charlie reminds us that as emotional creatures, we so often see what we want to see. Until we see something else.

You said it perfectly: "He is PRO". In this forum, that powerful charismatic spell is evident, even with people who would otherwise be more reasonable in their judgment. The Outside article is damning and accurate. And these are only the stories we know. Thank you for posting.

NotSayin Sparrowwrote:

Dear Climbing Community, I am writing to you to give you my perspective of this story, as a victim of Charlie's crimes and as a Federally protected victim in this investigation. In this forum, I have yet to hear one of our voices, so I created a safe account to speak up. Danger and retribution is very real each time I speak out. First, I am not speaking for all victims, I am speaking for myself. Second, I would like to thank the author of this article for articulating the main problem with Charlie's case: how did this go on for so long? I would like to tell you how, and perhaps alleviate some guilt you might be having, or to comfort you if you are feeling sad and confused about this situation. Are you asking yourself: How could I have been friends with someone like this? How did I not know? You aren't alone. Charlie is exceptionally charismatic, powerful, and endearing. He is funny, talented, and strong. He's a great guy-- until he isn't. Then, unfortunately the nightmare begins. His victims have been living this nightmare for a long time, all while watching him glitter and thrive in the community. My heart goes out to the other victims, particularly to Bonnie Hedlund and Lonnie Kauk, whom he has been torturing relentlessly for at least a decade. I'm sorry.

Charlie has magnificent taste in friends and in women. I know personally many women he has dated and they are incredible people, beautiful and talented. I am a doctor (not explaining what type for safety or IDing purposes), for example and probably not the first doctor, or highly educated woman to date him. How could super educated, accomplished, awesome women fall for a high school drop-out felon? The same reason Alex Honnold, Michael Pang, Jackie Hueftle, and many other accomplished climbers and community members were/are under his spell. He is super cool, handsome (when he takes care of himself), and mesmerizing. A big part of me worries that he will use this charisma to charm and seduce the jurors in his trial, similar to how Jon Krakauer explains that Dan Lafferty seduced a juror with flirtatious gestures to avoid the death penalty during the trial of murdering Brenda Lafferty and her baby in his book "Under the Banner of Heaven." Charlie has that type of sway, and if you have warm, kind thoughts for him even after this Outside article was published, he has this sway on you too. Yes, you. 

Do not blame yourself. Charlie has schemed his entire life to work people over and work the system over, to manipulate people. He is PRO. If you are his friend, and you want to write a character reference for him to the judge (which is what people in Mammoth are rallying to do even as you read this), that is exactly what he has worked so hard to get you to do. However, before writing that letter about what a great guy he is, maybe consider what it would be like to sleep with him, to have a fun relationship and boulder together or climb in the desert and watch him annihilate 5.13 trad. Mesmerizing, right? Then consider him punching you in the stomach because you said or did something "wrong." Then consider his hands around your neck, unprovoked, and then losing consciousness. Then consider perhaps how close you were to losing your life, on "accident" because his eyes glazed over and he didn't know when to stop. This is the character reference angle you don't have if you are "just friends" and thank goodness you don't. Because it is horrific. Maybe put that pen down, stop writing that letter, and imagine what that could feel like. Then maybe write "I'm sorry" to his victims instead.

Unfortunately, this trial, either convicted or not, will not be the end of his reign of terror. He uses many people to create a web of lies and support for his innocence. His crew blackmails witnesses online, and publicly shames them (Stephanie Forte is a good example). He manipulates his friends and family (his dad) into calling and intimidating witnesses. Behind bars, his campaign of proving himself innocent will continue. He will continue to manipulate people into befriending him, dazzling them with his funny jokes and convincing them to be his arm to gut punch his victims from behind bars. If exonerated, he will stalk the victims and actively try to ruin their lives himself; after all, someone will have to pay for him being in prison without bail for over a year. This trial may serve justice, but does not end the nightmare. 

I want to thank Officer McGee for risking everything, including her and her family's well being to investigate Charlie. He has been exceptionally cruel to her and her loved ones in this process. She is very brave for taking him on and should be honored for her service to the community. I want to thank my friends for supporting me. I also want to thank my friends who once supported Charlie, saw the light, and apologized to me or the other victims. I want to apologize to and thank the people who warned me not to date Charlie, who I brushed off, because, ya know, he is so fun! I need forgiveness for this as well. I hope this trial brings healing to the community as a whole, and also opens our eyes to dangerous people sooner. I hope this article takes the wool from peoples eyes, allowing them to stop defending a monster, forgiving themselves for having done so, and moving forward with healing in the community. 

Thank you for coming on here and letting us hear your side of the story. I will just say that I believe you, and I hope that you are able to feel safe when you go climbing. I am appalled at how much support he has received from the climbing community to enable his behavior. We as a community can and should do better.

3)To protect yourself into the future, don't show naked photos of yourself to random men who you just met and know nothing about. One step further, don't have sex with anybody unless you're going to marry them and have children with them. Certainly don't become a prostitute.

IF we did all of those things, the rates of sexual assault would drop, but obviously never go away, since humans are broken and always will be.

Photos and pre-marital sex happen all the time in modern times, yet the vast vast majority of these are consensual.

Your thinking is a slippery slope to hijab and Shuria law. 

This is Murica bro, people do and wear what they want to.

Stop. Blaming. The. Victim..