Tony Sartin

Russ Walling has reported on his WF site that Tony has passed.

Not climbing related.

RIP Tony and condolences to family and friends. 

http://widefetish.com/forum/index.php?topic=356.msg301681#msg301681

The link does not seem available to me.  Tony was an old friend, and one of the most cheerful and engaging people I have ever climbed with.  If anyone can post any details I would very much appreciate it.

What?!? He was running through my mind a bunch yesterday, saw him a couple months back at a crag I was at again yesterday and he was heavily on my mind. This is horrible, he has a young child, maybe only 2. He wasn't climbing as much as he used to because of him. Horrible.

The link's not available to me either. Can you copy and paste the text?

Quote author=RussWalling (has/been/hxm/Scots-Anglx) link=topic=356.msg301681#msg301681 date=1725602254]

Just heard Tony Sartin died…. Some medical issue, not climbing.  Young dude, maybe 52?  New wife and baby too.  RIP to the Great Sartini.

[/quote]

Russ's post from the WideFetish site,

Not much detail. 

So as this is a memorial thread, here goes.  Tony was perhaps the best story teller I ever knew.  I would relay a few but no way anyone can do justice to his skills, but I recall a story of a TV show (I think it was LA noir?) where he was hired as a guide with no knowledge of what was going on, and was run through the ringer involving champagne and strawberries and a potential homicide on top of planet of the apes wall.  Another time he told the story of a poaching of a desert tower, two trips both in the middle of the night, which came very close to him ending up pulled of the tower in a helicopter and flown straight to jail.  For anyone out there who knew him well, the image I have of Tony is those stories, and many others, told in his characteristic absurdist style, with a broad smile and a ton of laughter.  I never saw Tony having a bad time, he was always joyful and infectious. RIP Tony, and one last time thanks for Sherman. 

Damn, what tragic news. I've climbed with Tony a few times and really thought of him as someone so full of life! Really kind of looked up to that great attitude and stoke. My condolences to his family and friends. RIP to a legend.

Wow.  What a loss.  I got to work with Tony at Vertical Adventures.  He was one of the best climbing guides I've ever seen.  He was so patient and kind and articulate and funny and engaging and he just had that it factor that made it cool to just be around him.  He loved life and everyone around him.  Kids loved him.  Adults loved him.  Climbers loved him.  He was a gifted climber and humble about his achievements.  He thought he was the luckiest guy in the whole world to get have a family later in life.   Tee and I were so excited to have him recently join our team.   I can't believe he's gone.  My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. 

Tony leading Clean and Jerk back in 1995 or so.

Perpetual Motion

Left Ski Track around the summer solstice-1995

In 2003 Tony and Bob Gaines FAed Hole in the Wall 5.10+ on Brownie Girl Dome.  In the not-too-distant past, Tony and Bob put up a few more FAs on that dome.   Brownie Girl gets lots of sun, so wait until the temps drop and then clip some of Tony's FAs.  (Yes they had special use permits to place and replace bolts on that dome).   Tony Sartin's hard work in JTNP is appreciated and our community will continue to enjoy climbing his challenging routes.  Thank you for sharing your skills with us Tony!  RIP.

Hi, I've been climbing with Tony on and off the last few years and have had some contact with his Wife Anjelah since his passing.  I don't have a lot of information other than his passing seems to be heart related.  Another friend of Tony also gave me a link to a GoFundMe page.  Any amount helps and feel free to share the link. This is such a huge loss.

https://gofund.me/342e9703

Rip tony will miss running into you at jtree and suicide 

Please send me a DM if you are able to attend.

I met Tony from working with him at our elementary school last year. Did not get a chance to go out climbing but I remember he was real excited to know that there was another teacher that climbs in our elementary school and would invite me out every weekend. When I met him I was coming from a meniscus surgery and then he decided to take the year off this school year and focus on his new newborn boy. His son and wife and him seemed perfect and it is a true sadness to see him gone and revel in his accomplishments to the local climbing community and the routes that he left behind for the rest to enjoy forever. Ill be at his celebration of life, still waiting to hear more details on time. Im assuming it may be in the milks but I'm unsure his wife's poster just mentions that it is in bishop maybe they have a house there or something. He was a great teacher, an incredible climber, and a true monolith to the local soCal climbing community,. 

https://gofund.me/342e9703

Hi again.
If you sent me a DM expressing interest in attending on the 28th you should now have an email with the details. This was sent to the email address associated with your MP account. Unfortunately I did have a couple bounce back, feel free to reach out if you did not get the email, I’ll get you the information.
Hope to see many of you and Bishop this coming weekend.

I have always been extremely impressed with Tony’s incredible stoke regarding climbing. I first met him in the mid 90’s - he was young and full of infectious energy about climbing. This energy remained for 30 years and only his marriage and son eclipsed his love of climbing.
I was talking to him only days before his sudden passing. He was, as usual, very upbeat about his son, becoming retired and the future.

We made some plans to go climbing in Bishop when this heat leaves us.

I offer my sincere condolences to Tony’s Family and many friends. 

Tony was a great friend and wonderful person. He worked as a school teacher and a part-time guide for Vertical Adventures for well over two decades. He was passionate about climbing, guiding, deep sea fishing, and he loved watching the Phoenix Suns. But he was most passionate about his family- wife Angela and 2 1/2 year-old son Elias.

As climbing partners, we explored Joshua Tree together and established dozens of new routes. He was always super-motivated, and he had a real positive influence on me, as he did on his guided clients.

One guest summed it up when she wrote: 

"'Our day with Tony was one my family will recall with such joy!  My 12-year-old daughter said this past family trip was her favorite, and that is a lot because of the climbing experience with Tony. He was so patient with our various abilities and comfort levels. He also took time to teach us the basics. The routes seemed perfect for our group, and then he treated us to a hike thorough the Real Hidden Valley Chasm.  It was a once in a lifetime adventure! Tony’s love of climbing is evident, and that spirit helped build our confidence as well. Thank you and Tony for setting us up for a very fulfilling family day of rock climbing."

Mutual friend Todd Gordon wrote: "Heart wrenching .....some of the best days of my life spent climbing with Tony....hundreds of days...all over the place. I treasure our adventures in my memories and my heart...forever."

To all who knew Tony, I offer my condolences.  Tony left us suddenly and way too soon. May the memories we share of him be a blessing. 

James Tolinswrote:

Hi, I've been climbing with Tony on and off the last few years and have had some contact with his Wife Anjelah since his passing.  I don't have a lot of information other than his passing seems to be heart related.  Another friend of Tony also gave me a link to a GoFundMe page.  Any amount helps and feel free to share the link. This is such a huge loss.

https://gofund.me/342e9703

Bumping this... thank you for sharing this Jamie. I'm still in shock over this loss.

Horrible news. 

Tony was an active player in the California rock climbing scene and opened many new routes; his enthusiasm, drive and positivity will be missed.

 Condolences to his family and friends in this difficult time.