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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Topic Author's Original Post - May 2, 2012 - 06:31pm PT
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Doug Mahon passed away this morning at his home in Littleton, Colorado, after a year-long battle with cancer.
Anyone who was involved with the Pacific Crest Outward Bound School in the last 30 years surely crossed paths, or knows tales of Doug’s history and influence with the school. Doug worked in the Central Cascades program for many years, as an instructor working with adjudicated youth, then Program Director at the Odin Falls basecamp, and eventually moving into the role of Director of Program for PCOBS.
There are very few in the outdoor education industry who can be termed true ‘lifers’. There are even fewer who studied and exemplified the values of Outward Bound, lived by them, and shared them with so many others. During my tenure with PCOBS, I had great appreciation for Doug’s ability to cut through the crap that can pervade communities like Outward Bound. Though he sometimes used a chainsaw when a scalpel might have been more appropriate, his desire to create effective, impactful change was invaluable and lasting within the program.
His hearty laugh and booming presence let you know Doug was in the room. I know that presence will be felt by many for all of our lives. Thank you, Doug.
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GDavis
Social climber
SOL CAL
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Sorry for your loss my friend.
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Condolences to Doug's family and friends.
Sounds like he did a lot of good. Thanks apogee
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Reeotch
Trad climber
4 Corners Area
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Doug was a father figure to me, a true mentor. This really sucks! I was just thinking about calling him the other day.
Don't waste time with the people you care about . . .
apogee, if you wouldn't mind shooting me an e-mail, I'd sure appreciate it.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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So very sorry...offered so much
Susan
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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My sincere condolences to Doug's family & friends. . .
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nita
Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
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Apogee, so sorry your friend pass on.......
Condolence to you , Doug's other friends, and family...
Saludos...
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Ezra Ellis
Trad climber
WA, & NC & Idaho
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He looks and sounds like a true friend,
Here is to a life WELL LIVED!!!
A very rich man indeed!
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Terrie Catlow
climber
Englewood
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What an inspiration! He made a difference in the lives of so many people. He made the Ascent students look at their lives in a new way and see possibilities. I wish him much peace and happiness in his final voyage. You were a great life example Doug; thanks for all you have given me. Terrie
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MisterE
Social climber
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Sorry to hear about Doug - he was a great guy and the director at the Redmond Oregon Base Camp (Odin Falls) when I was a Logi there in the 90's.
RIP, Doug - your spirit remains with many of us.
Erik Wolfe
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Reeotch
Trad climber
4 Corners Area
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A bump for the many here whose lives have been touched by Doug.
He sometimes seemed to have a rough exterior and an overbearing personality, but that was only on the surface. If you could get past that, and there were many who couldn't, you would see a true heart of gold. His love could be tough love, but it was true love.
Doug's life inspires me to stick to my convictions, stand up for what I believe in, and not be afraid to laugh at myself.
One time I gave Doug a ride from Odin Falls back to Portland in my Honda CRX. He took me out for a night on the town and proceeded to put me under the table. Wouldn't let me pay for a thing. That's when I really got to see the genteler side of Doug.
No one could give an inspirational speech like Doug, either. Powerful! His favorite quote was from "Catcher in the Rye":
"Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody's around - nobody big, I mean - except me. And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff - I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be."
That's what Doug was all about . . .
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Topic Author's Reply - May 3, 2012 - 03:35pm PT
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Nice, Rich. And spot on.
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Patrick Sawyer
climber
Originally California now Ireland
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I didn't know him but condolences to family and friends.
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cragrat
climber
New Zealand
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Wow
Like a few of us I am stunned really. Doug was an amazing person and his drive and vision and belief in young people was inspirational.
I worked at Pacific Crest Outward Bound later to become OB.West in the late 90's and early 20's and it was eye opening for me to see such passion talent and dedication.
Thanks Doug you leave a big hole behind.
Simon Middlemass -New Zealand
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rmmpe
Social climber
Milford, PA
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As Doug's eldest brother, I thank you all for the kind words and memories for and of Doug. He was truly inspirational for many and gave of himself his entire life.
My brother, a man of big horizons, great heart and a reach that touched many.
His passing hurts.
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Reeotch
Trad climber
4 Corners Area
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rmmpe,
I am truly sorry for your loss. Thanks for posting.
I remember when my father passed, I couldn't believe all these people I'd never met who filled up the church at his memorial service. I was truly honored and amazed by all the people he had influenced.
I hope you are having a similar experience, seeing this outpouring for your brother.
Best wishes
~Rich Ludwig~
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rmmpe
Social climber
Milford, PA
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Rich,
I am amazed at the outpouring of feelings and the number of people that came to offer their condolences. It was almost a revolving door for the time I was there. I thought I knew everything about my brother until I heard some of the stories and recountings of the life he was devoted to.
Doug was the "Real Deal".
There are 3 memorial services planned to celebrate Doug's life.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Topic Author's Reply - May 6, 2012 - 03:55pm PT
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rmmpe, please post up the Memorial details as soon as they become available....
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rmmpe
Social climber
Milford, PA
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I'll be sure to do that.
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jeff hartley
Sport climber
Truckee, CA
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Really, really sorry to hear about Doug. I bit ironic that I got the call as I was packing up to leave for an annual boys (more like old guys) whiskey and rafting trip on the Rogue River. This is where I first met Doug on a OB training trip; a cold spring trip with OB's typical insistence that west suites were verboten. Doug was a bit out of place, fresh from the San Fernando Valley and sporting a gold chain around his neck. He was not a river guy but with high humor, he fit right in and made fast friends. This was long before Odin Falls. It was before Skyliners Lodge. It was when the OB crew was basically living in a cow pasture surrounding a modest ranch style home in Redmond and Pacific Crest was newly morphed from Northwest. Doug and I were self proclaimed "punkbusters" specializing in tough kids. Doug, always the actor, and I would sit elbow to elbow at a bar in Redmond, and Doug would make up some impromptu skit about "busting punks". He would have us in costumes, coming up with "Dirty Harry" type lines. It was always with good humor and acknowledgement that this was the population we loved the most. He recruited me down to Rancho San Antonio, "Boys Town of the West" where he had cut his teeth and where for a couple of great years, we busted punks with glee and the unconditional support of a truly great staff of street wise Brothers of the Holy Cross. Although in my heart Doug has always been a very close friend, I have not seen or spoken to him in many years. How I would change that now if I could. Doug my friend, for you, I hope that Heaven is a Vaudeville stage in the sky. xxoo Jeff Hartley
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rmmpe
Social climber
Milford, PA
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The Sunday, May 20, 2012 Memorial for Doug in Colorado will be at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th Street, Golden, CO 80401. Hours are 1 to 5 PM.
More info to follow regarding the 2 Memorials in Oregon.
Thank you all for your thoughts and remembrances. They mean a lot to his family.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Topic Author's Reply - May 9, 2012 - 08:05pm PT
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Most of my tenure with PCOBS was in the Sierra Program, during the 90's- Doug's reputation was well known to me via his role as PD at Odin Falls, and his (in)famous partnership with 'Butch' Greer, who was also in the Sierra Program at that time. The two of them had a well-known history of managing the youth programming in the Central Cascades, which was a foundation of experience from which the Sierra's youth program was developed. His efforts were something of legend (if that's not too strong a word) amongst Sierra staff, as he had already invested many years of time and effort in working with youth with a well-defined pedagogical approach.
My direct interactions with Doug came later in my tenure, as I moved into program management- his presence was always so strong and impressive. Odin Falls had been through tumultuous years, and Doug's clarity of vision (and some needed housecleaning) brought the Central Cascades program to a new standard of organization and efficiency.
To be quite honest, Doug & I had a very uneven relationship- still, I consider him an important role model, and had great appreciation (and a desire to emulate) for his ability to enact his vision within an organization. Outward Bound communities can be exceptionally closed and in a bubble- Doug was very, very good about balancing that kind of idealism with the real world. One of the phrases he repeated often within the management team was 'progress, not perfection'- that kind of reality check was much needed within that community- to this day, I keep that phrase in mind when organizing projects that simply must be completed in a timely manner, and Doug comes to mind every time.
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Bldrjac
Ice climber
Boulder
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I'm so sorry....no easy way around such loss, other than celebrating their life as best and as heartily as you can.
best,
pam roberts
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rmmpe
Social climber
Milford, PA
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May 10, 2012 - 11:02am PT
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Here's another photo of Doug with "His kids".
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rmmpe
Social climber
Milford, PA
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May 21, 2012 - 09:51pm PT
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The memorial celebration in Golden on the 20th was extremely well attended. One of Doug's oldest friends came in from Hong Kong on the 19th for the occasion and returned to Hong Kong on the 21st. Many more came from all over and it was truly a touching celebration to honor a man of distinction.
Needless to say (but I will), Doug touched many in his short 62 years and his loss has been felt by many.
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rmmpe
Social climber
Milford, PA
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May 22, 2012 - 01:14pm PT
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Apogee,
The latest I have on the other memorials is June 8 for Odin Falls, OR and June 23, for Rancho.
I'll post any better info as I get it.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Topic Author's Reply - May 22, 2012 - 01:45pm PT
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Thanks for that update, rmmpe.
Was the Hong Kong attendee Butch Greer, by any chance? Those two were inseparable in their efforts to improve youth programming at PCOBS in the Sierra & Central Cascades (not to mention their history at Rancho). That event must have been quite powerful.
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rmmpe
Social climber
Milford, PA
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May 22, 2012 - 09:53pm PT
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Apogee,
It most certainly was Butch Greer (Butchie). Not afraid to shed tears, Butchie became a favorite of mine and I told him so.
Can you possibly imagine how humbling it is to know you are brother to a giant?
I'm the eldest and it's not supposed to work this way.
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MRooney
Trad climber
Boise, ID
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May 22, 2012 - 10:40pm PT
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RMMPE, Do you mind sending me an e-mail to mrooney [at] stonebuck [dot] com? I'm just one more of the legion of Dougie Devotees.
Regards,
Mark
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whipper
Trad climber
Boulder, CO
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May 23, 2012 - 12:32am PT
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I too only knew Doug for a short time. My time with OB was very brief, but he cut through the crap like few others can. And later, when I was teaching a high school leadership course, he volunteered to come down and teach a lesson--and blew the socks off my students. I still use a story of his in class these days--he described it as a lesson he got when working construction back east when he was young: his foreman rhythmically clapping hands, shouting, "times a-wastin'!", waiting for the next piece of lumber to get tossed up by Doug. And Doug would clap his hands in that rhythm, waiting for everyone around him to get focused. He knew how to seize the day.
RIP, Doug
-Chris
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rmmpe
Social climber
Milford, PA
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May 23, 2012 - 09:42am PT
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Mark,
Done.
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ACW
climber
Redmond, Oregon
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Doug was my "boss" at PCOBS for 5 or 6 years (my memory is starting to go!) Yes, he was blustery, yes he was hilarious.....and caring, honest and unfailingly genuine. Definitely something of a father/uncle figure for me. I wonder how many of us out there can say that? I'm betting that there are lots of us who looked to Doug for support as we blundered through our twenties!
I haven't seen Doug in a long time. How I would love to sit down with a beer and talk about art and music....and just generally savor f***ing life!!
Cheers Doug!! You are loved.
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rmmpe
Social climber
Milford, PA
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Aug 29, 2012 - 11:16am PT
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Happy Birthday, Brother. Keep a light on for me.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 29, 2012 - 11:59am PT
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Eerie...Doug came to mind yesterday.
Happy Birthday, Dougie.
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Fletcher
Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
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Aug 29, 2012 - 01:36pm PT
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I missed this the first time around... my hats off to Doug and a life fully and beautifully lived. RIP. And peace to all that he knew and touched.
Eric
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dirt claud
Social climber
san diego,ca
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Aug 29, 2012 - 01:43pm PT
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Didn't know Doug, but just saw this thread.
Looks like a life well lived, thanks for all that you gave back to the world.
Happy Birthday Doug
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Port
Trad climber
San Diego
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Aug 29, 2012 - 01:58pm PT
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He looks like a good man. F*#k Cancer.
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