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scotte
Trad climber
nathrop, colorado
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 24, 2011 - 12:47pm PT
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Tom Gilje Zaude Fund:
Hey Everyone, here’s an update on Tom’s condition and current situation.
As some of you may know Tom was critically injured while Mountain Biking in Moab November 2010. He fractured his neck and as a result was paralyzed from his shoulders down and was on life support. At this time things looked really bad and the doctors were not sure if he would survive. After several months of therapy he has improved and is stable but has limited use in both arms and can’t move his hands or lower extremities. He is currently in a State Care Facility confined to a bed or wheelchair hoping to return home to Moab.
Tom’s climbing career started in the 70’s at Tahquitz and Suicide Rocks. He quickly became a very talented climber, bold soloist and developed many extreme first accents. Tom has contributed much to the climbing community in the past few decades. With climbing partners Dan Osman, Mike Lechlinski and Mari Gingery, Tom was a driving force in developing new routes throughout the western U.S.
This is going to be a very tough road for Tom. He needs our financial support to help rebuild his life. Tom needs help with medical bills, ongoing expenses, handicap improvements and basic necessities for his future home to help him face this life changing event.
Please post stories and pictures about Tom to help get this fund going and send Tom some good energy.
Let’s all pitch in and help Tom out. Donations can be mailed or electronically deposited to his account:
Tom Gilje Zaude Fund
Colorado East Bank & Trust
P.O. Box 1620
725 Hwy. 24 N
Buena Vista, CO 81211
Account # 1573077810
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looking sketchy there...
Social climber
Latitute 33
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Mar 24, 2011 - 12:56pm PT
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Very sorry to hear about this. Tom was one of the boldest and most confident climbers I've climbed with. Wishing him well.
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Mar 24, 2011 - 12:57pm PT
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Ok guys, time to help out another in our community. terrible news and I pray that Tom can continue to recover. I remember Gilje from the 70's in Josh and he was always pushing the limits, great guys and funny as hell around the fires.
Thanks for putting up the info for his account Scott, keep us posted and let Tom know we're pulling for him.
Peace
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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Mar 24, 2011 - 12:59pm PT
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Tom was one of the first people I met when I moved to Hemet around 1980.
Lots of great memories-- getting rousted by the cops for nighttime buildering at one of the strip malls.
Tom getting off scott free during a fireworks celebration at JTree while Erler got hauled off to the hoosegow.
heh
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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Mar 24, 2011 - 01:23pm PT
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btw, scott, check yr facebook messages
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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Mar 24, 2011 - 01:56pm PT
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Stonemaster Press is going to auction off some books for Tom, who we all grew up with. I can only imagine his medical bills.
JL
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M&M
climber
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Mar 24, 2011 - 02:11pm PT
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I had the good fortune to climb with Tom back in the day - one of the boldest and most talented climbers I ever tied in with. Here's to Tom Gilje!
Sending best wishes and support to him and all the wonderful people who are helping him.
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Levy
Big Wall climber
So Cal
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Mar 24, 2011 - 02:24pm PT
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Glad to hear that he's regained some movement. I hope the climbing community can help Tom during this difficult time.
Tom was one of the boldest climbers I've ever roped up with. A real tiger on & off the rock. Tom continues to me a real inspiration to myself & many others I'm sure.
I watched, slack-jawed one day at Suicide rocks when Tom walked up to Insomnia & free soloed it just after I had barely led it clean. He just cruised it & made it look 5.8.
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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Mar 24, 2011 - 02:28pm PT
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tx for posting that shot of litb.
even more impressive if you know the sequence tom was using at the crux-- he did this way scary looking lieback deal.
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Tan Slacks
climber
Joshua Tree
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Mar 24, 2011 - 03:14pm PT
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Hey Scott,
Thanks for the update, I was always in awe of Tom when we were all living up in Idyllwild. I remember one day he asked me to show him all the stuff Borne had been doing over at Black Mountain. Just the two us wandering around, me belaying him on routes I couldn't touch.
In the end, he did all the hardest routes in short order and then I expected the normal slander on the ratings Paul had giving all his routes (common for the day) but Tom was real respectful, he was pretty happy to have done them. It was a great day, one I always remember.
Cindy, Sierra and I have sent some money. I wish it could be more.
Hope you and Robyn are well and praying more good strength to Tom
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socalbolter
Sport climber
Silverado, CA
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Mar 24, 2011 - 04:25pm PT
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Tom (and his group) held us all to the highest standards, and expected nothing less ethically (of us and themselves).
I've always thought higher of people that walk their talk. Tom is definitely one of those individuals.
Had a bad bike crash myself about a year ago. It's scary how things can change as a result of something that happens so quickly.
I sincerely hope Tom can get past all of this and enjoy the rock again.
 Louie
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scotte
Trad climber
nathrop, colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 24, 2011 - 05:35pm PT
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This is great! Thanks everyone for supporting Tom.
Growing up with Tom, I think he was born bold. I remember the first time we climbed Tahquitz rock. We were just kids spending the day stomping around the mountain, when an old hemp rope caught our eye stashed in a tree snag. Tom suggested we climb lily rock. So with no gear and no real climbing experience, we tied into our leather belts and headed up the big stone. After a few pitches we herd people yelling asking what route we were on, Tom and I looked at each other and said “what’s a route?” And we continued on to the summit the rest is history
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crunch
Social climber
CO
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Mar 24, 2011 - 06:57pm PT
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Tom is responsible for a number of ferocious, and very high quality free climbs around Moab. Sorry to hear this news. The rehab must be awful; unrelenting, frustrating and grueling. Sounds like the nerves are reconnecting and recovering somewhat. Nerves are so slow to repair, there will be many more months of gradual healing and improvement. Best wishes for much more progress.
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go-B
climber
Sozo
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Mar 24, 2011 - 07:51pm PT
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Levy started a new topic about this a while back but wasn't sure if it happened and deleted it, I was sure hoping it wasn't so, I'm so sorry to hear of this, Tom's one cool dude, first time I ever heard Metallica was in his truck, I got my hand in a chalk bag now thinking of some of the stuff he climbed! Praying for you bro!
Matt
Do you have a Paypal email?
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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Mar 25, 2011 - 03:18pm PT
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anyone have more pix?
i dont have many slides from that long ago.
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scotte
Trad climber
nathrop, colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 26, 2011 - 09:07am PT
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No paypal. checks and or electronic deposits go directly to Tom's account.
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go-B
climber
Sozo
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Mar 26, 2011 - 09:44am PT
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Thanks scotte, cheers!
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can't say
Social climber
Pasadena CA
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Mar 26, 2011 - 01:25pm PT
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I used to have a poster of "Straight to Hell" in the Needles, that was liberated by an envious teacher where I worked at PHS. I've looked for that image and haven't found it yet. I would love to see it again?
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