Colorado Climber killed in Cordillera Blanca area

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 1 - 38 of total 38 in this topic
Fogarty

climber
BITD
Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 14, 2014 - 04:52pm PT

Discussion Topic
Return to Forum List
Post a Reply
Messages 1 - 6 of total 6 in this topic


Fogarty

climber
BITD

Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 14, 2014 - 02:35pm PT
I have a friend in my office who came to me today, to tell me about her friends son Cole Kennedy. He is out with partner John Collins, Climbing Artesoraju in the Cordillera Blanca area. Coles mom received a call from the state department that her son is gravely injured and a by foot rescue is out and will take a day and a half to reach them, due to weather. A distress signal was sent out by the climber Saturday. Any info or up dates I would appreciate it. To any friends of the Colorado team and our community, let's bring as much help and positive energy we can.

Stay Strong,

Mike Fogarty

Edit


labrat

Trad climber
Auburn, CA

Jul 14, 2014 - 02:44pm PT
Good thoughts going South. What a trying phone call to get :-(


TYeary

Social climber
State of decay

Jul 14, 2014 - 02:53pm PT
My thoughts are with those on Arteson and family and friends.
I hope I was helpful Mike.
TY


dirt claud

Social climber
san diego,ca

Jul 14, 2014 - 02:54pm PT
Praying for the best outcome possible. Hope all turns out as best as can be.


Fogarty

climber
BITD

Topic Author's Reply - Jul 14, 2014 - 03:20pm PT
text to me from Jenna:)

Hi Mike, I can't thank you enough for putting out the word. This is Cole Kennedy's climbing partner, John Collis. Cole's parents have heard nothing except that the rescue climbers know where the ping came from. They think Artesanraju. Karen and Jim Kennedy can be reached at karenkennedy@comcast.net or (303)929-2947. If anyone has any more info. Bless you for helping!!! Janna

Edit


Fogarty

climber
BITD

Topic Author's Reply - Jul 14, 2014 - 03:46pm PT
Tony Yeary Thank You. Tony has contacted Ted with SKYLINE the best team for the job. Tony gave me the info and Cole's parents have contacted Ted. As i write this the best qualified team will be out on a rescue for the injured climbers. The team could be at base camp by midnight, and out on the peak at first light. The family and all appreciate your contacts and help. God speed to the SAR team and Cole & John. Hang tough guys help is on its way.

Edit
Messages 1 - 6 of total 6 in this topic
labrat

Trad climber
Auburn, CA
Jul 14, 2014 - 04:55pm PT
Sad news ;-(
Good thoughts to family and friends.....
Erik
Fogarty

climber
BITD
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 14, 2014 - 04:55pm PT
I Just received info from Cole's parents that he died from his fall. it is now a body recovery.
My condolence go out to his family and partner John. Thanks again Tony & Ted we were on it.
RIP
crankster

Trad climber
Jul 14, 2014 - 05:56pm PT
Sad news. My condolences.
Crimpergirl

Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
Jul 14, 2014 - 07:17pm PT
Terrible. Condolences to his family and others who love him.
johnboy

Trad climber
Can't get here from there
Jul 14, 2014 - 07:24pm PT
As always, my most sincere condolences go out to all of his family and many friends.


Kalimon

Social climber
Ridgway, CO
Jul 14, 2014 - 07:54pm PT
Sincerest good thoughts to Cole's family and friends.
Fogarty

climber
BITD
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 15, 2014 - 09:47am PT
I had a tough night not sleeping, and when I did I had fabulous dream about a wonderful outcome to this. I than woke and it was just a dream of hope. I wish a safe return to John Collins his partner. Here are a few photos of Cole from his Facebook page living the dream.
RIP.
James Kennedy

Ice climber
Castle Pines
Jul 15, 2014 - 10:37am PT
I am Cole Kennedy's father. I wanted to thank everyone for their kind words and show of support. The climbing community can be a small and tight knit group in times like this. While my family is devastated we are trying our best to focus on what a great person Cole was and how he died doing what he loved most in a very beautiful part of the world.

To be clear John Collis, Cole's partner is safe and OK. Our family thanks him for being a great friend and climbing partner to Cole over the years. The pictures above are of Cole climbing taken by John. Cole and John were climbing Piramide de Garcilaso also called Piramede Blanca.


I especially wanted to thank Ted Alexander for the help and emotional support he has shown our family. When I have time I will try to post more pictures of Cole's climbing thru the years.
ClimbingOn

Trad climber
NY
Jul 15, 2014 - 10:56am PT
My sincere condolences. Very sorry that this happened.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Jul 15, 2014 - 11:14am PT
James...I have a small inkling of what you are going through. I lost a son when he was twenty years old. Contact me if you wish. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Seamstress

Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
Jul 15, 2014 - 11:18am PT
THere are no words to convey how sorry we are for your loss. As a parent, I can not imagine the grief of my child's death. You are in my prayers.
micronut

Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
Jul 15, 2014 - 11:35am PT
James,

I never knew your son, but grief overwhelms me when I hear of a fallen climber, and it is magnified when I hear from a parent. I'm a lifelong climber and a father of four and I cannot imagine your pain. May you find solace, comfort and camaraderie in the climbing community as you process and navigate your loss. My sincerest condolences.

Scott

survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Jul 15, 2014 - 11:40am PT
So sorry to read about this.


TYeary

Social climber
State of decay
Jul 15, 2014 - 01:14pm PT
So sad. Condolences to family and friends.
I was so hoping for a different outcome, but it was not to be.
Thanks to my friend Ted Alexander at Skyline in Huaraz for being there , once again.
Peace to you all......

TY
7SacredPools

Trad climber
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Jul 15, 2014 - 01:47pm PT
I can think of nothing worse than losing a child. So sorry for your loss.
For all of its brilliance climbing also holds the darkest side.
skcreidc

Social climber
SD, CA
Jul 15, 2014 - 01:56pm PT
I can't anything to say that hasn't already been said. My condolences to you and your family James. My family's thoughts and prayers go out to you and yours. RIP Cole
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Jul 15, 2014 - 02:01pm PT
hey there say, all... James kennedy and family, and loved ones of cole...

very sad to hear this ... very sad...
my deep condolences to you, and to your sons's loved ones...
prayers for you to be strong, as you hold dear, the memories, and share
the wonders of your son, and his life, and all those special things that he did...
phylp

Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
Jul 15, 2014 - 02:03pm PT
What can anyone say in the face of news like this?
Deepest condolences.
mike m

Trad climber
black hills
Jul 15, 2014 - 02:09pm PT
So sorry to hear this from one climbing dad to another.
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Jul 15, 2014 - 02:12pm PT

My sincerest condolences to Cole's family and friends. . .
steveA

Trad climber
Wolfeboro, NH
Jul 15, 2014 - 02:20pm PT
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and others close to Cole.
sharperblue

Mountain climber
San Francisco, California
Jul 15, 2014 - 02:50pm PT
Sending more love and hopes of healing. Quebrada Paron is an amazing, quiet, and peaceful place
Cissa

Mountain climber
Sao Paulo
Jul 15, 2014 - 02:57pm PT
James,

I was in base camp in Paron Vally on Sunday, where I met Cole and his friend John. They seemed in good spirits, ready and eager to climb this beautiful mountain. My partner and I said farewell and watched them hike to moraine camp as we ourselves hiked to Artesonraju moraine camp. We expected to meet them today in the afternoon to switch info on routes as they were doing Arteson afterwards and we were doing Piramide afterwards.

He was excited and happy about his climb, and I´m sure he loved doing this very much. My deepest condolences to your family and to all friends.
Fat Dad

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
Jul 15, 2014 - 03:28pm PT
James,

As one whose father supported my climbing, and now as a father myself (who's had his climbing seriously curtailed by my three little ones), know that your son was eternally grateful for the support you and your family provided to further his passion. I am very sorry for your loss. Please be strong for your family and give them my sincere condolences.
Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber
San Francisco
Jul 15, 2014 - 04:14pm PT
A friend of mine, Cory Hall, has also passed away in a crevasse fall. Also was a great guy. Was going after it all the time.
http://gripped.com/news/cory-hall-1989-2014/
Happened on 7th of July in a crevasse fall on Piramide. Seems like a really bad coincidence. Cordillera Blanca has really dangerous peaks. Beautiful death traps. Really sorry another two young climbers died in such a short window of time.

Ljhayne

Social climber
Highlands Ranch, CO
Jul 15, 2014 - 05:54pm PT
To Cole's friends and family:

We are praying for you and all of Cole's friends as well as the climbing community in this loss. Our hearts hurt for you all.

To James and Karen--We lost a son in a climbing accident in 2010, and know that there are no words we can say--just know that we are thinking and praying for you. If there comes a time you would like to talk, please feel free to contact us.

John--Same thing for you. Also, we keep in contact with our son's climbing partner who was there in 2010. We would be happy to put you in touch with him if you'd be interested in talking with him.

To all who love to climb--be safe and careful.

Lynn and Beth Hayne
Ljhayne@q.com

ms55401

Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
Jul 15, 2014 - 08:11pm PT
Sincere condolences to Cole's family and friends. Relieved to hear that his partner is coming back.
erieger

Trad climber
Colorado
Jul 15, 2014 - 09:09pm PT
I got to talk to John for some time before he and Cole left: They were right on plan, acclimatizing for their main objective, an unclimbed line on Caraz II (6,020m). They had received AAC Mountain Fellowship grants to make the trip happen. It was a dream realized for them, I'm sure. I couldn't wait to hear their stories.

Cole was a gifted intellectual, a strong, talented climber, and his boldness always seemed to match his strength. And don't forget mischievous—he and John are the WORST!! Last November, John was with me when I was caught in and almost killed by an avalanche while descending a climb. Before he and Cole left for Peru, he told me, "It's definitely a pretty surreal feeling to see something like that happening to your buddy and being completely unable to do anything about it." I'm sure it was as such with Cole. And my pain reeks for John to go through that.

These photos below remind me of great adventures with Cole—for each one, a long story of misadventure, hangover, and ultimately success form the background. I feel so full of sadness to know he is gone and his vision unfinished.






Port

Trad climber
San Diego
Jul 16, 2014 - 01:27pm PT
Rougly two years ago we lost Ben and Gill in the same range. RIP Cole.
susu

Trad climber
East Bay, CA
Jul 16, 2014 - 02:30pm PT
So sorry to hear of the loss of Cory, and of Cole from Vitaly's post here.
Not knowing them but understanding the loss. All these photos and kind posts speak volumes about the richness of their lives. Hope their friends and family find some comfort there.
Fogarty

climber
BITD
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 17, 2014 - 06:59am PT

On Monday July 14th Cole Kennedy, a climber from the United States perished in a ice fall during a climb up the South West face of Piramide. From what we can gather the climber was struck by falling ice. His climbing partner survived the incident and was able to get a message out. The body of the deceased climber has been recovered by a group of rescue police and guides and porters. Our thoughts are with the Kennedy family and the friends of Cole.


dirt claud

Social climber
san diego,ca
Jul 17, 2014 - 09:10am PT
Just came by to check for an update, very sorry to hear the sad news. Been another bad week :(. Wishing family and friends find peace soon.

Edit: Just saw the story about your buddy Vitaly, sounds like really he lived it up and enjoyed life. Sorry for your loss
Brosef

Big Wall climber
Fort Collins, CO
Jul 17, 2014 - 10:44am PT
This is tragic, and my thoughts go out to friends and family.
Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber
San Francisco
Jul 17, 2014 - 11:51am PT

There is him (Cory) belaying my other friend Alix on the Atlantis (4 pitch 5.11c - Needles). We had a cool bouldering trip to Bishop, during which he sent the Espresso Crack (11c fingercrack) at Little Egypt. That was right after he spent a few weeks in Yosemite and did the Nose in a day. He was traveling through North America on his motorcycle and climbing. Seemed CONSTANTLY psyched. A week or two before his death we were chatting about Chopicalqui. Both of us soloed that peak. I did last year by a route that was less technical. He might have had the first solo ascent of the route he did. Talked about gorgeous views towards Huandoys and other peaks in the range. Wanted to link up in Patagonia in December, too bad it won’t happen. Such a sad thing to lose such young guys that obviously seem like great people...

Peaks in Peru are beautiful, but very dangerous.

apex

climber
Jul 18, 2014 - 06:55am PT
Mr. Kennedy,
Your son came briefly to my company to guide, returning to the Springs due to an injury. I was not fortunate to spend much time getting to know him, but enough to see that he was an amazing man. As a father, I cannot imagine being in your shoes; my sincerest condolences to you and your family.
Scott Smith
Jdizzle

Boulder climber
Lander, wy
Aug 4, 2014 - 03:18pm PT
Cole was a friend, and someone I looked up to. He was a talented climber and an inspiration to everyone in our community. I'll remember his kindness, his love of mischief, and his devious sense of humor. He will be missed.

Piramide is a beautiful mountain, and it saddens me that it has claimed two lives this season. My condolences to friends and family of Cole and Cory.

neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Aug 4, 2014 - 04:17pm PT
hey there say, jdizzle... just saw this new share here, by you:
prayers and god bless to you, at this sad hard time, thank you for sharing about your friend, so folks can learn who he was, and all the specials things about him,helping his life not to be forgotten... :(
Messages 1 - 38 of total 38 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