Climber Charles Barrett Arrested for Yosemite Sexual Assaults

I really would not want to see any of the letter writers harassed or harmed in any way. I believe anyone should have the right to write whatever they wish, even if I find their position annoying or obnoxious. I think it's worth all of us remembering that one of Charlie's major ways of harassing and stalking was online and through phone calls and texts. Lots of people were harmed by that and it's just wrong. Please don't think that just because you disagree with someone that it's cool to do the same thing to them.

Just my two cents worth...

I just read all the letters in the sentencing memo. I think it's worth noting that it seems all of them, except the one by his mother, were written before the trial even happened. Just saying that to reinforce what I posted above.

Unlocking this topic temporarily to post the news that the 9th Circuit of Appeals denied Charlie Barrett's appeal of his conviction and life sentence. From Outside Online, "Barrett was found guilty by a federal jury after a February 2024 trial of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of abusive sexual contact. He received the maximum sentence of life in prison in June 2024 from U.S. District Court Judge John A. Mendez. Mendez noted that the harsh penalty was warranted because of Barrett’s “pattern of terrorizing his victims” and “a clear lack of remorse.” Prior convictions, including felony domestic violence and making criminal threats, were also a factor in the judge’s decision."

On a personal note, I hope that this ruling makes his many victims and people he threatened feel safer and more at peace. 

Full article HERE

He deserves every moment he's in jail!!!!  Hooray!

Here's the opinion, for those interested (it's quite short): cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datast…

I hope he doesn’t know anyone with a million dollars to spare for a federal pardon. 

good riddance

Nkane 1wrote:

Here's the opinion, for those interested (it's quite short): cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datast…

Thanks for sharing this. It really speaks to what a lame appeal they filed. I've never heard of someone claiming that being wasted made it so, "he lacked capacity

to form the requisite intent to commit the offense." In other words, "Your honor, I was so drunk I didn't have the ability to consent to raping that person..." What a sick and twisted defense!

Andrew Ricewrote:

Thanks for sharing this. It really speaks to what a lame appeal they filed. I've never heard of someone claiming that being wasted made it so, "he lacked capacity

to form the requisite intent to commit the offense." In other words, "Your honor, I was so drunk I didn't have the ability to consent to raping that person..." What a sick and twisted defense!

Actually, Andrew,it isn't that unusual a type of defense, just, as in this case, one that is rarely successful. 

Alan Rubinwrote:

Actually, Andrew,it isn't that unusual a type of defense, just, as in this case, one that is rarely successful. 

As it should be. I can imagine a criminal defense lawyer trying that with a jury, where they might find a single sympathetic vote. But even with today's looser standards for the Federal courts, I would never anticipate a Federal judge buying that crap. 

"Crime In Sports" podcast dropped "On Top Of Creep Mountain - Charles Barrett"

Link - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-top-of-creep-mountain-charles-barrett/id1082678396?i=1000747794345 

Don't have an account, didn't listen, but, perhaps, some will and leave feedback here 

Their blurb:

This week, we look at an absolutely horrible human being, who competed in a sport that we've never talked about! Rock climbing! He was an idol of other climbers, as he made his own routes up mountains, and published several books about climbing. But under the surface, there was a violent sexual predator. He beat women, then threatened them if they dared report it. He sexually attacked women, and stalked them into hiding. He may have even assaulted dozens more, while climbing. Did he get what he deserved??

Compete in a sport, where getting stoned before participating in it seems standard, turn into a different, violent person, with just a pause, and be the menace of an entire region's women with Charles Barrett!!

amariuswrote:

"Crime In Sports" podcast dropped "On Top Of Creep Mountain - Charles Barrett"

Link - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-top-of-creep-mountain-charles-barrett/id1082678396?i=1000747794345 

Don't have an account, didn't listen, but, perhaps, some will and leave feedback here 

Their blurb:

I made it maybe like 30 minutes - not for me.

The style is jolly, shock-jock - jarring for the seriousness of the content and pretty off-putting. 

amariuswrote:

"Crime In Sports" podcast dropped "On Top Of Creep Mountain - Charles Barrett"

Link - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-top-of-creep-mountain-charles-barrett/id1082678396?i=1000747794345 

Don't have an account, didn't listen, but, perhaps, some will and leave feedback here 

Their blurb:

I am one of the victims who testified at Barrett’s trial. I’ve never posted here before, but I have read this thread over the years since his arrest. Some of the comments have been incredibly upsetting.

Beyond being assaulted and then repeatedly threatened by Barrett, another part of this trauma was the profound betrayal I experienced within the climbing community. What people often miss is that this was not a single incident or a short chapter of my life—it was a 15-year experience that changed everything for me. I learned the full extent of the betrayal by people I once considered friends through court documents. To this day, I still have a list in my notes app of people federal investigators deemed dangerous to me.

After Barrett was sentenced, some people centered themselves in my trauma to gain social capital. There were others who had actively tried to undermine my credibility—both with federal investigators and at major climbing hubs—only to later post publicly that they had been “tricked” by Barrett. No one ever apologized—they were only interested in clicks.

These podcasters are no different. I first listened to the portions concerning my story, and it was deeply offensive to hear men laughing about a years-long traumatic experience that destroyed the life I had worked hard to build. I eventually switched to reading the transcript and found that they also made light of other victims’ experiences.

They describe themselves as comedians and people who “do research,” but what they are actually doing is joking around about severe trauma and the enabling that protected Barrett. None of that is funny. They get the facts wrong, offer nothing insightful, and lack the capacity to add anything interesting to the conversation about SA. 

While the Outside story was well-reported, it barely scratched the surface on the level of deceit and the number of women and men in climbing and law enforcement who went to extreme lengths to protect Barrett and why. There is nothing funny about sexual violence, or about our society’s long history of protecting abusers and disbelieving victims. The credibility bias is real. 

claire baxterwrote:

I am one of the victims who testified at Barrett’s trial. I’ve never posted here before, but I have read this thread over the years since his arrest. Some of the comments have been incredibly upsetting.

Beyond being assaulted and then repeatedly threatened by Barrett, another part of this trauma was the profound betrayal I experienced within the climbing community. What people often miss is that this was not a single incident or a short chapter of my life—it was a 15-year experience that changed everything for me. I learned the full extent of the betrayal by people I once considered friends through court documents. To this day, I still have a list in my notes app of people federal investigators deemed dangerous to me.

After Barrett was sentenced, some people centered themselves in my trauma to gain social capital. There were others who had actively tried to undermine my credibility—both with federal investigators and at major climbing hubs—only to later post publicly that they had been “tricked” by Barrett. No one ever apologized—they were only interested in clicks.

These podcasters are no different. I first listened to the portions concerning my story, and it was deeply offensive to hear men laughing about a years-long traumatic experience that destroyed the life I had worked hard to build. I eventually switched to reading the transcript and found that they also made light of other victims’ experiences.

They describe themselves as comedians and people who “do research,” but what they are actually doing is joking around about severe trauma and the enabling that protected Barrett. None of that is funny. They get the facts wrong, offer nothing insightful, and lack the capacity to add anything interesting to the conversation about SA.

While the Outside story was well-reported, it barely scratched the surface on the level of deceit and the number of women and men in climbing and law enforcement who went to extreme lengths to protect Barrett and why. There is nothing funny about sexual violence, or about our society’s long history of protecting abusers and disbelieving victims. The credibility bias is real. 

I am so sorry you had to go through this again. I regret posting the link, my deepest apologies.

claire baxterwrote:

I am one of the victims who testified at Barrett’s trial. I’ve never posted here before, but I have read this thread over the years since his arrest. Some of the comments have been incredibly upsetting.

Beyond being assaulted and then repeatedly threatened by Barrett, another part of this trauma was the profound betrayal I experienced within the climbing community.

I'm so sorry you had to go through this. When things like this pop up, it reopens those wounds & makes it harder to move on. I hope he rots in jail. Also really disappointed in the climbing community that you were in. I hope you've found better people that support & love you. I've read that healing is a long process & hope you find it. 

Claire, thank you for finding your voice and using it to remind us all about how traumatic this whole situation is. SA is not funny, and I’m sorry on behalf of the climbing community that you haven’t felt supported. Please know there are many out here that appreciate your strength and courage.

The only person that doesn't feel like Charles Barrett deserves life in prison is Charles Barrett, which is sooooo on brand. 

Claire, yes people writing about these traumas can retraumatize victims, but, I'm confident there are others out there, that will read your story....or my story....or any other one of these stories, and that can, in turn, help them also come to grips with their own story. I'm sorry if it pains you, but, there is a greater good here, also. 

Now, as to the people who will sensationalize and profit? It sucks, but, see, when that gets posted, then it also lets people know who those particular leeches are.

It's still far better than the ild school no one ever saying anything at all about sexual assault. 

Best to you, and hugs from afar, Helen

The podcast is without any merit. 

It’s sad that Charlie’s victims had to deal with the lack of respect given by the community during the crimes, in the various court proceedings afterwards, and now in the aftermath with an oblivious and callous press. 

There is no way to provide any meaningful restitution and I was nowhere close but I extend my sympathies to Claire and everyone else affected.

Everyone in rock climbing that palled around with charlie, sponsored him, bought his books, etc, let you down by not taking this menace more seriously at the time. His dad, who I can only assume was the goon posting earlier, should also be absolutely ashamed. 

It takes a certain leadership quality to question suspicious things in the moment and call them out in person but I hope I can remember that and do better in the future if I have a chance to make a difference in someone’s life going forward. 

claire baxter wrote:
After Barrett was sentenced, some people centered themselves in my trauma to gain social capital. There were others who had actively tried to undermine my credibility—both with federal investigators and at major climbing hubs—only to later post publicly that they had been “tricked” by Barrett. No one ever apologized—they were only interested in clicks.

These podcasters are no different. I first listened to the portions concerning my story, and it was deeply offensive to hear men laughing about a years-long traumatic experience that destroyed the life I had worked hard to build. I eventually switched to reading the transcript and found that they also made light of other victims’ experiences.

They describe themselves as comedians and people who “do research,” but what they are actually doing is joking around about severe trauma and the enabling that protected Barrett. None of that is funny. They get the facts wrong, offer nothing insightful, and lack the capacity to add anything interesting to the conversation about SA.

While the Outside story was well-reported, it barely scratched the surface on the level of deceit and the number of women and men in climbing and law enforcement who went to extreme lengths to protect Barrett and why. There is nothing funny about sexual violence, or about our society’s long history of protecting abusers and disbelieving victims. The credibility bias is real.

Not surprising, but still incredibly disappointing. Climbing isn’t immune from the worst parts of humanity—clout chasing, boys’-club dynamics, and people more invested in image than accountability. Too often, people only take a stand once the court of public opinion has ruled, while ignoring or enabling harm for years beforehand.

Through very separate experiences, I’ve come to see how easily systems + individuals fail survivors. Accountability rarely comes with apologies, only damage control.

That’s why it matters to keep talking about these stories and their aftermaths. There are good people, but survivors shouldn’t have to rely on luck to find them.

I’m so sorry, Claire. So many people + systems failed you, including after the fact. I wish I could take the pain from you.

Becca Joy Steinbrecherwrote:

Not surprising, but still incredibly disappointing. Climbing isn’t immune from the worst parts of humanity—clout chasing, boys’-club dynamics, and people more invested in image than accountability. Too often, people only take a stand once the court of public opinion has ruled, while ignoring or enabling harm for years beforehand.

Through very separate experiences, I’ve come to see how easily systems + individuals fail survivors. Accountability rarely comes with apologies, only damage control.

That’s why it matters to keep talking about these stories and their aftermaths. There are good people, but survivors shouldn’t have to rely on luck to find them.

I’m so sorry, Claire. So many people + systems failed you, including after the fact. I wish I could take the pain from you.

This is all true, and probably always will be. I'm 69, and it is definitely better then it used to be.....with plenty of room for improvement, or at the least, less suckage. I speak from actual experience, in addition to just being alive a long time. I was raped close to 50 years ago, and back then, rapes were so rarely ever reported, that the police weren't prepared, kinda caught totally off guard. Sad, but funny.

I think, right or wrong, there is an underlying inclination to turn the other way, and try for life goes on, sorry that happened, lets just move on. Very few of us are really ever expecting to be confronted with something ugly happening....and needing to make that choice to act or speak. Or not.

Personally, I would, and have, but I'm a dinky old woman. I've yelled at people misbehaving, when we're out climbing, and had male friends quietly lean over and say thank you  They wanted to say something....but then there's the potential for rapid and violent escalation. A harmless old lady, discombobulates. Not talking sexual assault here, but, it's still the same "don't make waves" thing happening.

But see, the INSTANT even one person says anything, to anybody at all? That. Is a start. 

Including via these anonymous, vicarious, forums.

And, including the assholery of other ways people "talk" about sexual assault.

It's also moving those people out into public scrutiny, which is a good thing, imo.

Helen

Edit for spelling and other oopses