Patrick Oliver
Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
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Nov 17, 2008 - 03:01am PT
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Mead was not simply a "solid" climber as the initial bio says, he was a phenomenal climber. One day Mead and I climbed the Meat Grinder. In no way do I exaggerate when I say he walked up the crux, on lead, putting maybe one or two pieces in for protection, not even raising a drop of sweat, as best I could tell. The best climbers in the Valley, and I climbed with them all, couldn't have done better. He was a skinny guy but really tough. He had practiced a bit of karate and one day in Camp 4, needing a dummy to practce on, demonstrated a side-thrust kick to my shin. It was all harmless play, but I got a sense of the power in this seemingly very light, fragile-looking sort of guy. He wasn't fragile but strong. I have thought of him often and will continue to remember this dear friend, one of the really good souls of that land of eternal youth, Yosemite. I say "eternal," because the members of our climbing family don't really ever die. They stay with us, in our thoughts, in our hearts, forever.
Pat Ament
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