Climber Dies on the Lemmon 10/02/13

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 1 - 40 of total 40 in this topic
Leggs

Sport climber
Tucson, AZ
Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 2, 2013 - 08:04pm PT
http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/23593848/body-recovered-on-mt-lemmon

Live news report did not provide much info except to say the climber was male, in his mid 60's and seemingly alone.


Damn it.




Condolences to family and friends...
Leggs

Sport climber
Tucson, AZ
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 2, 2013 - 08:25pm PT
http://www.kgun9.com/news/local/Crews-find-dead-body-on-Mt-Lemmon-226197411.html

MOUNT LEMMON, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) - Search and rescue crews recovered a man's body on Mount Lemmon Wednesday.

Rural/Metro Fire Marshall Willie Treatch tells KGUN9 that the body was found near milepost 15 on Mount Lemmon Highway.

Treatch says the body was dangling from a boulder. Deputy Tracy Suitt with PCSD says another climber initially found the man and called 911just before 1 p.m. Cell service was spotty so it took some time before he could contact authorities.

Suitt says the man's body was difficult to access, and crews believe they recovered him within an hour of his death.

Suitt says the man is an avid climber and well known in the community. They have not released a name as next of kin has not been notified.

No word yet on what caused the death.

KGUN9 will update this story has information becomes available.


On pins and needles...


~peace
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
Oct 2, 2013 - 08:26pm PT
My condolences to his family and friends,

Here is to a life well lived!!!
Leggs

Sport climber
Tucson, AZ
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 2, 2013 - 08:36pm PT
Sad face...

drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Oct 2, 2013 - 08:53pm PT
It was a heart attack.
I won't post his name.
RIP
susan peplow

climber
Joshua Tree, CA
Oct 2, 2013 - 08:59pm PT
Oh my goodness, heart attack and mid-60's is way too young. I'm sure in time the name will be released, in the meantime the friends and family who are processing this loss perhaps take comfort in that he passed while doing something loved. Enjoy life, friends and family as it can be snatched at any time.

Leggs

Sport climber
Tucson, AZ
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 2, 2013 - 09:00pm PT
(thanks for making the phone calls, jefe, and letting me know.)





*peace to all*
SCseagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
Oct 2, 2013 - 09:01pm PT
Very sad....yes, mid sixties...too young....
Sad news for all, especially sad Tucson community


Susan

Leggs

Sport climber
Tucson, AZ
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 2, 2013 - 09:08pm PT
... far too young...
Far too young.
Michelle

Social climber
1187 Hunterwasser
Oct 2, 2013 - 09:44pm PT
RIP brother.
Leggs

Sport climber
Tucson, AZ
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 3, 2013 - 09:24am PT
http://www.kvoa.com/news/update-name-released-of-man-found-dead-on-mount-lemmon/

Rest in Peace Mr. David Webster...


~peace
HighDesertDJ

Trad climber
Oct 3, 2013 - 09:53am PT
Really sorry to hear this.
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Oct 3, 2013 - 11:04am PT
Very sad.

My sincere condolences to Mr. Webster's family.

Somebody tell me about him, if you have a good tale about the kind of climber he was.






















Leggs

Sport climber
Tucson, AZ
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 3, 2013 - 11:13am PT
Beautiful photos.
Scott McNamara

climber
Tucson, Arizona
Oct 3, 2013 - 01:38pm PT
In his day, Dave could climb:

http://www.mountainproject.com/v/tale-of-the-scorpion/105986438
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Oct 3, 2013 - 01:42pm PT
Thanks Scott.
Ward Trotter

Trad climber
Oct 3, 2013 - 01:50pm PT
Someone might ought to tell Wayno, if someone knows him.
This sounds like the same Dave Webster...RIP. Condolences.
Scroll to bottom of page:

http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=776372
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Oct 3, 2013 - 02:24pm PT
hey there say, all... was very sad to see this posted today...
:(

my prayers and condolences, as the family must move on, without their
loved one, :(

feels extra strange today, as i just got 'happy mail' and here, someone
is else will be getting sad mail... :(


may you get through this sad time, by the love of many and god above...
god bless...
Wayno

Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
Oct 3, 2013 - 02:26pm PT
Aw christ, man. This one goes deep. Dave Is such an awesome friend. It's kinda hard right now to put words together.

My heart goes out to his wife Kristy and his son Jason.

He died climbing and this is how he would have liked it. His soul is still climbing that ladder of Eternity I'm sure.

Peace out, my brother.
Wayno

Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
Oct 3, 2013 - 02:33pm PT
I lost a bunch of contact info from a computer crash this year so I don't have Dave's number anymore. Is there anyone on the Taco that might have this info? I would greatly appreciate it. Please send me a pm.

Wayno
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Oct 3, 2013 - 02:38pm PT
I bet Jefe could get some info for you.
So sorry man.

Tell us about climbing El Cap with Dave, when you've had some time.
Leggs

Sport climber
Tucson, AZ
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 3, 2013 - 03:10pm PT
I am so sorry for your loss, Wayno... so very sorry.

Wayno

Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
Oct 4, 2013 - 03:47am PT
Dude was the Mack!

He taught me many important things, like how to get past a knot on rappel.

Ever try this?
Wayno

Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
Oct 4, 2013 - 04:12am PT
When Dave and I were fixing on the Trip , back during Thanksgiving Day long weekend break in I think '81, I got to lead the fifth pitch; that bitchen diagonal crack above those imposing roofs. I had a full rack of pins and maybe a couple cams. I went to town and nailed the piss out of it in less than an hour. One of the sweetest nailing pitches I can remember. It is also one of the worst pitches that I have lead, where the second cursed my very existence. Dave was pissed and it took him over two hours to clean that pitch. I didn't know what to do with cams(i still don't) and I usually saved the few we had for when nothing else worked.
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Oct 4, 2013 - 11:35am PT
Ooooo, owww, the pain of the second! Or in better terms, the privilege of the leader!!
Something he never forgot, I'll wager.
Wayno

Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
Oct 4, 2013 - 02:06pm PT
Survival, the bringer of bad news is not a bad thing. I thank you.

Shout out to Jefe and Scott Mac for hooking me up with Jeff Mayhew and Dave's wife Kristy. It really means a lot.

I will start a new thread in a couple days about Dave. I need to wrap my head around this first.

Thanks all,

Wayno
Bruce Morris

Social climber
Belmont, California
Oct 4, 2013 - 06:59pm PT
I remember Dave Webster back around 1980 when he and his wife lived in trailer to San Jose, before he moved to Arizona. Lots of connections with the local Castle Rock State Park bouldering and climbing community. I'm sure Wayno will get the word out. Richard Alden just called me yesterday to relay the bad new.
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Oct 9, 2013 - 02:14pm PT
Now that's a great post.
Wayno

Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
Oct 9, 2013 - 02:33pm PT
One of Arizona's best.

One of The best. Period.

Nutter, your words describe the man beautifully. Simple. Powerful. thanks.
deuce4

climber
Hobart, Australia
Oct 9, 2013 - 04:53pm PT
Sad news. I met Dave a few times, he used to come up to Flagstaff and buy gear from us at the A5 shop. He usually had a enthusiastic crew in tow, poised for some inspired climbing project with wild tales to tell of his prior adventures. I believe he got into big wall climbing later in life, and gave it his full go. A very positive person. Condolences to his family and friends.
Jeff Mayhew

climber
Tucson
Oct 11, 2013 - 11:30pm PT
“In tow” is right, Deuce! My buddy and I gave this long-haired, sun-baked hitchhiker with a ratty ol’ pack and fuzzy rope a ride up Mt. Lemmon one day… and I spent the next 28 years chasin’ him through the mountains. Davey would reel me in with excited promises of unclimbed rock walls then proceed to teach me the fine Art of Suffering, and the even finer Art of Appreciating the Adventure. We shared countless summits, many of them in the rain and/or dark and/or cold.

It really sucked when he finally had to limit himself to roadside approaches. You couldn’t tell by talking to him though. Endlessly enthusiastic, a day or so before his death Davey was telling me about his new “project” with those same wild eyes and dramatic descriptions of the problems he would have to solve. I, like so many others, will truly miss his inspiration and friendship.

Thanks to all who have offered condolences. What an amazing extended family we all have.

Rest in Peace, My Friend!

Darwin

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Oct 12, 2013 - 02:35pm PT
You all have given very moving and descriptive portraits. I'm sorry I never got to meet David. Condolences to those who knew him.



And boy it looks like he scored a chalanging and transcendentally beautiful FA. Link to Mountain Project photo of Tail of the Scorpion in Zion:
photo credit help -not mine!-
gasman

Trad climber
eugene
Oct 14, 2013 - 07:48pm PT
This totally sucks to hear this. I climbed with Dave throughout the 70's when he and Kristi lived in San Jose. I knew him when he almost lost his leg from a skillsaw injury but he came back and was always energetic and enthusiastic. I lost contact with him when he moved to Arizona and I moved to Oregon. I remember a lot of good times with him.
If anyone has his address I'd love to send Kristi a note.

RIP Dave
Leggs

Sport climber
Tucson, AZ
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 14, 2013 - 08:27pm PT
Jeff M.,
that is a FANTASTIC photo.


thanks for sharing. my condolences to you.


~peace, leggs
gasman

Trad climber
eugene
Oct 14, 2013 - 11:31pm PT
Here's a photo of Dave (on the far left) Kristi next to him before they were married.
This was typical Dave-he got all of us to join him in J Tree in Dec '80-he even got his Mom to come out with us !!! She is the next woman to his left looking at the camera I still remember the trip well, like it was yesterday.
What good hearted guy he was.

Sorry the photo quality isn't the best-scanned from an old print.




Wayno

Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
Oct 15, 2013 - 02:03pm PT
So, Gasman, have we met? I was one of Dave's most frequent climbing partners during that era.

Leggs, do you mind if we turn this thread into a sort of memorial for our ascended friend? I wanted to start another thread about Dave but I can't seem to pull it together. This seems like as good a place as any.
Leggs

Sport climber
Tucson, AZ
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 15, 2013 - 04:23pm PT
Of course, Wayno... Of course.


~peace
micronut

Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
Oct 15, 2013 - 05:22pm PT
Sounds like he was a good one Wayno. I'm sorry for your loss and hope you know the climbing gang mourns when one of us mourns. May your memories of him always be with a chuckle and a twinkle in your eye.

Scott
gasman

Trad climber
eugene
Oct 15, 2013 - 07:51pm PT
Wayno- maybe we have met. My real name is Dave D. Used to climb with John Y also.
Climbed with Dave at Castle Rock in our backyard, Mt Diablo, Pinnacles. Lovers Leap, J Tree, the Valley etc. etc

Dave was such a positive guy and was often the person to lead us to new climbing areas none of us had been to before. Even after his accident he came back with a great attitude.
I was sad to lose contact with him when he and Kristi moved to Arizona.
While he wasn't the strongest climber I ever knew he had the best attitude and enjoyed climbing more than many.

Great guy
Lynne Leichtfuss

Sport climber
moving thru
Oct 15, 2013 - 08:02pm PT
Wayno, Sorry!

You know, that I know, what loss means. Sometimes words can't bridge the pain of loss. A warm hug along with Peace sent from Lynne.
Messages 1 - 40 of total 40 in this topic
Return to Forum List
 
Our Guidebooks
spacerCheck 'em out!
SuperTopo Guidebooks

guidebook icon
Try a free sample topo!

 
SuperTopo on the Web

Recent Route Beta