Dean Potter's apology

Cosmic apologies, fom both corners of the mouth, do little to lift the anchor ban, especially when it's obvious the Patagucci urged him to pen his little ditty. Regardless the whole thing as been blown WAY out of proportion. Great climber, great ascent...wrong choice of high profile rock.

I am a person who is all about second chances and forgiveness. I've needed plenty of them myself but for me personally I don't just forgive because of a verbal apology. What Dean Potter does with climbing, volunteering, public service, the Access Fund, etc., from this point on will largely make me either respect him as a person much more or much less. People in general are very forgiving as long as you try to better yourself and your surrounding community through your mistakes. Good luck Dean and Steph.

Seems quite odd to me that we're finding this 'Public Apology'/'Last Stance' through a site like 'The Piton' and not through a press release, Outside Magazine, etc. Whatever happened to Patagonia's online 'News Room', anyhow? It was there one day in May -- then disappeared. Perhaps I just can't find it now, but seems a little hokey to me -- to remove your 'News Room' from your site when you are under public criticism... they hadn't even posted their initial response there. I don't believe I received an e-mail on this, but did receive a Patagonia e-mail advertisement.

I agree with you Avery that it is strange to find the much debated apology on a fairly obscure blog that most folks probably wouldn't come across. Hopefully with some time this will circulate more widely.
That being said, the statement does seem sincere and offers a pretty good explanation of his motivations and approach to this climb. He clearly takes responsibility for not thinking through the impact his ascent would have.
Dean's statement is long overdue, but he does deserve respect for owning up to his shortcomings and admitting that he made mistakes. That's a skill that tends to be lacking in the strong will and big ego climbing world (just look at the threads on this site).
I applaud Dean for (eventually) doing the right thing, and though this obviously won't undo all the damage done, it is a significant step in a positive direction.

Very slick apology--very professional writing. Obviously not written by Mr. Potter. Patagonia maybe? Still wants to make me barf.

Potter's explanation sounded more like a rationalization, than an apology.
If Potter & Patagonia expect me to believe it, maybe they'll be able to tell us where the WMD's were in Iraq.

This dude might just become a song subject real soon.....

Anyone wanna go do Delicate Arch with me since the things all f***ed up beyond recognition now anyway?

Seriuosly, why is it okay for any numbnuts with a power drill to turn some crags into outdoor gyms while others are "sacred"?

Btw why is it that the Forest Service and Park Service can allow cattle ranchers and loggers to have special permits to tear up large chunks of "wilderness", but a couple of alleged rope grooves bear Mr. Potter up for crucifixion?

Just a thought.

Because there has always been an unspoken code that climbing on arches is not cool. Climbers were largely unregulated in the park.... until this. Basically, he broke an unspoken rule and now all desert climbers have to pay for it.

What kills me is the way he believes that nothing is his fault. Hes climbing for himself, or for enlightenment, or some such crap.... but the video ends up on the evening news.

THAT was the worst possible decision.

Hes not the first to climb it. Hes just the first to be idiotic enough to publicize it.

Anita wrote, "Very slick apology--very professional writing. Obviously not written by Mr. Potter. Patagonia maybe? Still wants to make me barf."

Hey Anita, do you know for a fact that Dean Potter didn't write that or are you (being an) 'ass'uming (person) because you can't write for shit. Until you have the complete facts shut your hole! One thing that I see quite a few people do is assume, partly due to their own shortcomings, idiosynchrisies, or lack of self-esteem. Get the facts then present them, and if you don't know the facts (facts, not just opinion) as in this case you lose your own credibility. Oh yeah, if you need to barf do it in your own lap, where it belongs.
I give credit to Dean Potter and Patagonia, at least they have talked about what has happened and was open about it, and have made comments to the subject matter at hand, instead of sweeping it under the table.

yawwnnnn....
I am over it.
Have done a ton of climbing in Arches, now it's a bit more difficult.
Happy Holidays, Dean.
Nice gift, you really shouldn't have...

I think Tea said it best, why don't we all just move along.

Having climbed in Arches over Turkey Day and stared longingly at beautiful formations like

Sheep Rock
Queen Victoria Rock
The SE Tower of the Organ
The Phallus
and MANY more

I have to say that I am not at all over this. We are all still being screwed by Dean's choices and those of his cohorts.

If I hear that Dean and Steph and crew are actually doing something to try to make amends with the NPS and the Arches climbing community then I will likely have a much more favorable impression of them. As it stands, I see only a lame attempt to make a buck.

Brad

Ditto Brads take...

Hey opaque -

Have you ever talked to Dean?

What's that?

Oh, you are Dean!

OK.

Cause that's the only reason it would make sense to beat this dead horse after 4 months......