RIP Eric Bjornstad

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Grippa

Trad climber
Salt Lake City, UT
Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 17, 2014 - 03:43pm PT
Desert legend. RIP

His writing and books inspired so many to explore, and love the desert. He was the ed abbey for rock climbers.
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Dec 17, 2014 - 03:47pm PT
NO! Condolences to family and friends.

edit: loved his desert climbing tales.
goatboy smellz

climber
लघिमा
Dec 17, 2014 - 04:04pm PT
Ahh foo, his guidebooks fueled many adventures.
Fritz

Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
Dec 17, 2014 - 04:14pm PT
Seems like a "Renaissance-man" kind of guy. I would have enjoyed knowing him.

Condolences to family & friends.

There's a nice bio of him on the Adrift Adventures web-site. Just scroll down a little bit.
http://www.adrift.net/areas.html
crackfiend

climber
Springdale, Utah
Dec 17, 2014 - 04:17pm PT
RIP
The definition of Desert Hardman...

I heard a good interview with him recently on the Enormocast podcast. Here is a link to it herehttp://enormocast.com/?p=1635
Grippa

Trad climber
Salt Lake City, UT
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 17, 2014 - 04:30pm PT
Mike Friedrichs

Sport climber
City of Salt
Dec 17, 2014 - 04:38pm PT
He was great to work with. When he did the guidebook that contained all the sections for the San Rafael Swell, he was generous, thorough, and kind. He sent me an autographed copy of the guide when it was published.

I really like the original Desert Rock guidebook that contains so much history. That doesn't seem to be included much in guidebooks anymore but I enjoy reading it and I think it helps at context to the nature of an area.

Condolences to friends and family.

mike
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Dec 17, 2014 - 04:44pm PT
That is unwelcome news but I am glad that he isn't in pain anymore.

I had the pleasure of doing a full biographical interview with him a year or so ago and had a chance to get to know him a little as we went through the years. Eric had a very full and interesting life and had lots of stories to tell about climbing in the Pacific Northwest and the desert. His guidebooks opened the desert up for the rest of us and he maintained an active connection with that climbing community as it evolved until his body began to give out.

Rest in Peace good sir. It was an honor to hear and record your story.

My sincere condolences to his family and community. He will be missed and remembered by many.
Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
Dec 17, 2014 - 04:46pm PT
A sad day for the climbing community.

I knew him only casually, but he seemed like the nicest guy you could hope to meet. My sympathy to those who loved him.
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Dec 17, 2014 - 04:52pm PT
Thanks Eric!
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Dec 17, 2014 - 04:58pm PT
He certainly was the real deal. He will be justly remembered for a long time.
Tricouni

Mountain climber
Vancouver
Dec 17, 2014 - 05:05pm PT
Sad news indeed. A true gentleman. I loved his coffee shop in Seattle (I think), where the walls were lined with climbing photos. And his guidebook to Leavenworth (with Fred) had a large influence on me.
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Dec 17, 2014 - 05:39pm PT
Eric had his own coffee shop near the Seattle Center around the time of the Seattle Expo in 1962. He really liked cafe culture and actively wrote poetry and hosted readings as part of creating that environment. That coffee shop didn't last long as I recall him saying but it was entirely his show and so it likely is the one that you are thinking of Tricouni.
rick d

climber
ol pueblo, az
Dec 17, 2014 - 05:49pm PT
adios dirt man.

the record keeper is gone. Desert Rock was a titanic job and Eric did a great job starting the ball.
Ghoulwe

Trad climber
Spokane, WA
Dec 17, 2014 - 05:59pm PT
Another desert climbing legend gone. RIP Eric.

Eric Barrett
Spokane, WA
Tricouni

Mountain climber
Vancouver
Dec 17, 2014 - 06:19pm PT
http://www.climbing.com/news/desert-pioneer-eric-bjornstad-has-died/
wbw

Trad climber
'cross the great divide
Dec 17, 2014 - 07:20pm PT
Before his guidebook came out it was very difficult to get any info. about many of the desert towers that were legendary. We stopped at Lin Ottinger's Rock Shop where we met Eric. He basically opened up his file cabinet of desert beta for us and told us to have at it. Up to that point, the only beta we had on the Totem Pole was "don't stand up on top." Most of what Eric gave us was what was put in his first guidebook soon thereafter, and was very helpful for our climb of the Bandito route.

Great and gracious man, even after my partner told him (respectfully) that he was against a desert guidebook. R.I.P. Eric.
ground_up

Trad climber
mt. hood /baja
Dec 17, 2014 - 07:28pm PT
His desert guidebook is my favorite mid winter reading material.
Never met him , but I know we lost a good one.
Larry

Trad climber
Bisbee
Dec 17, 2014 - 07:49pm PT
All my respect.
couchmaster

climber
Dec 17, 2014 - 08:16pm PT


Wow, RIP good sir. Great life of adventure. Glad you recorded some of it Steve. Anyone know how many FAs of obscure desert towers and other routes he had?
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