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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 11, 2015 - 07:37pm PT
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Andrew, who has made many posts on this site, was killed in a free-solo fall on the first pitch of Cascading Crystal Kaleidoscope in the Gunks yesterday. He was a highly-respected applied mathematician at the GE Global Research Center, and leaves behind a wife an young daughter.
Washington Column Trip Report from Andrew: http://www.supertopo.com/tr/The-Prow-Washington-Column/t11712n.html
NY Daily News item: http://m.nydailynews.com/new-york/avid-rock-climber-falls-death-upstate-new-york-article-1.2254903
Daily Gazette item: http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2015/jun/11/niskayuna-rock-climber-dies-fall-upstate-nature-pr/
Andrew talks about mathematics
[Click to View YouTube Video]
Andrew writing about the significance of pi http://www.geglobalresearch.com/blog/what-is-significance-of-pi-in-mathematics ...
...and in a brief video interviewing colleagues about it at GE
[Click to View YouTube Video]
Andrew at the top of Washington Column (from his TR)
Andrew on Zodiac in 2008 (from el-cap pics)
Andrew's obituary from http://www.newcomeralbany.com/obituary/105104/Andrew-Barnes/Albany-New%20York and http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timesunion-albany/obituary.aspx?n=andrew-ladislaus-barnes&pid=175074970&fhid=22149 , reproduced below.
Andrew Barnes 14 Sep 1968-10 Jun 2015
Andrew Ladislaus Barnes passed away on 10 Jun 2015 in a climbing accident in the Shawangunk mountains of New York State. He was born in Calcutta, India, the second of four children of Stanislaus and Grace Barnes, both from the vicinity of Mangalore, India.
An idyllic childhood included close contact with an extended family located near Mangalore, Bombay, and Nasik, a loving and encouraging home environment, and a religious upbringing in a devoutly Roman Catholic family.
His basic education, from first to twelfth grade, was obtained entirely at St. Xavier's Collegiate School, Calcutta, under the supervision of Jesuit priests, one of whom, Fr. Goreaux (himself a student of Albert Einstein), ignited Andrew's interest in mathematics, which thereafter became his first
passion.
A scholarship took him across the world to Yale University in the USA, where his elder brother was also studying, and where he obtained his bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1992. Yale and its academics made a profound impression on him. Moving on to Duke University for graduate study, he completed his PhD in mathematics some years later.
At Duke, he met and married a fellow student, Natalia Smelova, the true love of his life, who compensated for the mathematician's eccentricities, and kept him connected to everyday life.
Here too, he met Stein and Fabian, two top-notch Swiss rock climbers, who introduced him to the sport that became a second passion, one bordering on obsession. This propelled him to many places over the succeeding years, including Mount Rainier, several trips to the Canadian Rockies, and yearly pilgrimages to the `big walls' of Yosemite.
Both his wife and he had moved to Niskayuna in New York to work at GE Global Research, and in 2004 they were blessed with a lovely daughter, Sophia, who he took great pride in, and whose mathematical education, in particular, he enjoyed supervising.
Andrew was generous, patient and personable, qualities endearing him to many people in both the climbing and professional worlds. Curiously, he managed this while remaining ruthlessly truthful, a fact that was initially disconcerting to some. He believed in not doing things by half-measures. Thus he lived life with uncommon intensity, allowing him to reach both mental and physical heights.
He leaves behind a grieving wife, daughter, parents, three siblings, and many relatives and friends who he touched, and often inspired. The world is a poorer place without him.
A wake will be held on Monday, June 15, 2015, 4-7 p.m. at New Comer Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd, Colonie, NY. The Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2015, at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 806 Union St., Schenectady. Interment will follow in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, 2501 Troy Schenectady Rd., Schenectady. Contributions may be made in Andrew Barnes' memory to Playground Fund, Holy Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church, 617 Sand Creek Rd., Colonie, NY 12205.
RIP Andrew.
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anita514
Gym climber
Great White North
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Jun 11, 2015 - 07:45pm PT
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Seen him at Poke O a few times in the winter.
Terrible news. Rest in peace.
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Jun 11, 2015 - 07:47pm PT
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No!...I loved his prow trip report.
Uuuhg
Seemed so stoked.
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Gene
climber
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Jun 11, 2015 - 07:57pm PT
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I met Andrew last year in YV. I truly enjoyed his company. This is heart breaking news. A good guy gone too early.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Jun 11, 2015 - 07:58pm PT
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So sorry to hear...so young, so much going for him.
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Port
Trad climber
Norwalk, CT
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Jun 11, 2015 - 08:05pm PT
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Too much death in the Gunks this last year. RIP Andrew.
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Kristoffer
climber
mali, africa
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Jun 11, 2015 - 08:21pm PT
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Rest in peace Andrew, you will be missed.
I was lucky enough to climb with him on several occasions, one time on the leaning tower almost 10 years ago, I fell asleep while belaying him and he had such an even keel he didn’t even raise his voice and yell to wake me, but rather he just gently tugged the rope and patiently waited for me to check back in. I think that incident speaks for what kind of person we just lost. Andrew was super positive and always so kind, may the rest of us learn something from him.
See you on the flip side brother.
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HighTraverse
Trad climber
Bay Area
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Jun 11, 2015 - 08:23pm PT
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Andrew had more "stoke" than most of us and really went for it. I'm sorry he came to such an early end. I'd have liked to meet him.
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Larry Nelson
Social climber
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Jun 11, 2015 - 08:26pm PT
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Very accomplished man. The world is a lesser place. RIP Andrew.
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rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
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Jun 11, 2015 - 08:29pm PT
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Very sad news. Condolences to his family and friends.
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Ottawa Doug
Social climber
Ottawa, Canada
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Jun 11, 2015 - 08:34pm PT
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This is so sad. I looked forward to running into Andrew each time I was in the valley. Such a great guy, and this news is a shock. We will all miss you. Our thoughts are with family and friends.
Doug
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jgill
Boulder climber
The high prairie of southern Colorado
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Jun 11, 2015 - 08:50pm PT
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Way too young. Another sad episode in the world of climbing.
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yanqui
climber
Balcarce, Argentina
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Jun 11, 2015 - 08:51pm PT
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Sorry to hear about this. I know exactly what he means in that video. Condolences to his family and friends.
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Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
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Jun 11, 2015 - 09:14pm PT
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This is the third time I have pushed reply, I wish to extend my condolences and deep sorrow to Andrews family and friends.
This just so. . .
and how gut wrenching this is.
This chokes me
The age and wisdom, the full life that he had built! This is a tragedy that may have been caused by the rock sweating just after the sun went down . As the temperature changes condensation
Builds on the glassy Gunks quartzite, - like in between the outside sheets of a shower curtain.
I have to try to make sense of this. .
I am so sad to hear this
Hi/Low! - so low hold your loved ones tonight.
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North
climber
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Jun 11, 2015 - 09:23pm PT
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Damn! Andrew was such a fantastic person. Couple of years ago, we were both soloing Zodiac. I was 3-4 pitches above him and we would text each other at night. What a blast, just talking about the day's pitches and what lay ahead. I dropped my new Totem on the first pitch and never realized it for two pitches. Well, Andrew finds it at the base, texts me to ask if it's mine and then after we both topped out, he mailed it back to me. Class act all the way around. Now this was the year of the government shutdown, so when I topped out, I had to leave the park. I stopped by to gaze up at The Captain and there was Andrew, driving on just a few pitches from the top.
Keep driving on my friend. Drive on.
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ClimbingOn
Trad climber
NY
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Jun 11, 2015 - 09:29pm PT
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RIP Andrew. I honestly never would have thought Andrew would have a major accident climbing, let alone soloing. Andrew was methodically safe, sincere in regard to safety, and never rushed. His love for climbing both rock and ice was infectious. This is hard to process...
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butofcourse
Big Wall climber
Solana Beach
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Jun 11, 2015 - 09:32pm PT
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Andrew learnt how to climb with me back in college, close to 20 years ago.
He was someone special. The way he approached climbing, and life in general, inspired me in so many ways -- patient, persistent, and passionate. I even owe him for meeting the woman who would eventually become my wife -- he flirted with her in a gym on her first day rock climbing, and convinced her to join us to go climbing outdoors.
Andrew, we will miss you sorely. :-(
-Stein
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Jun 11, 2015 - 09:36pm PT
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truly sad news
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Jun 11, 2015 - 11:05pm PT
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Taking a leaf from what Andrew said in that video, he might have appreciated the idea of randomness entering his life in a way no one can predict.
He was a serious man, and I mean that sincerely.
Condoling with his wife and family.
So long for now, Andrew...you led a good life.
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crankster
Trad climber
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Jun 11, 2015 - 11:20pm PT
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Bad news, very sad.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Jun 12, 2015 - 12:58am PT
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hey there say, very sad to hear this... prayers and hopes and wishes for strength for his wife, daughter and beloved loved ones...
and for butofcourse:
as to your quote:
Jun 11, 2015 - 09:32pm PT
Andrew learnt how to climb with me back in college, close to 20 years ago.
He was someone special. The way he approached climbing, and life in general, inspired me in so many ways -- patient, persistent, and passionate. I even owe him for meeting the woman who would eventually become my wife -- he flirted with her in a gym on her first day rock climbing, and convinced her to join us to go climbing outdoors.
Andrew, we will miss you sorely. :-(
-Stein
thank you for a wonderful share, as to your dear friend, and the part that he played in your life, condolences and prayers and may these treasured memories, keep the pain away, by knowing that he was meant to be in your life, and though he is gone, his part in your life, never will be...
god bless...
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Jun 12, 2015 - 01:10am PT
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Very sad news.
May his daughter grow up strong and true.
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Gunkie
climber
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Jun 12, 2015 - 04:54am PT
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Very sad and shocking. Be safe.
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Emil
Trad climber
Raleigh,NC
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Jun 12, 2015 - 05:05am PT
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This is so sad and so hard for his wife and daughter. I first met Andrew when he was in graduate school in North Carolina. He was a frequent partner of mine back then and one of the most enthusiastic and determined climbers I've ever known. So many good memories from those days. Rest in peace my friend.
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MarkDroy
Mountain climber
Southampton MA
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Jun 12, 2015 - 05:40am PT
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Losing a friend is hard. Losing the guy I've roped up with for 8 years is painful. From roadside ice slabs to Rainier and the Canadian Rockies, Andrew was in his element when outdoors. He looked on the world with wonderment. RIP.
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this just in
climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
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Jun 12, 2015 - 06:33am PT
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Another climber who I wish I would have known from all the positive stories here. My best wishes to you all and to Andrew, climb on wherever you may be.
Regards,
Justin Ross
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mastadon
Trad climber
crack addict
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Jun 12, 2015 - 06:42am PT
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Yikes! I wasn't sure it was the same guy till I read the post above about soloing the Zodiac. I was in the El Cap parking lot, heading to the base of El Cap when I passed a car with this guy with a MONSTER haulbag. We talked for a minute and I ended up grabbing one of his bags and helping him chuff his gear to the base of the Zod. He was the nicest, mellowest, must humble guy you could imagine. It was his first El Cap route and he spent 10 days topping out. I took some pictures of him and ended up sending them to him a month later. I remember thinking of what a life changing event it must have been to do a solo ascent as his first El Cap route.
We'll see you on the other side soon enough….
Keep jugging, bro.
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Jun 12, 2015 - 07:09am PT
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Never met him. Condolences those that have.
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Ezra Ellis
Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
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Jun 12, 2015 - 07:48am PT
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I only met him one or twice ten years ago, he seemed a kind and stoked person,
My condolences tho Andrews family and friends, especially his daughter and wife.
The world is a little less bright with out him.
Rest in peace Andrew.
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skcreidc
Social climber
SD, CA
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Jun 12, 2015 - 08:24am PT
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What sad news! My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Andrew.
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elcap-pics
Big Wall climber
Crestline CA
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Jun 12, 2015 - 08:48am PT
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Very bad news indeed...Andrew was a regular here in Yosemite when he could get out here. He was well liked and respected as a climber. We had many a time at the bridge after he got off climbs. He will be missed.
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Jun 12, 2015 - 09:07am PT
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I had the pleasure to meet him one night at dinner at Ayas a few months ago. He possessed that genuine stoke for life. I recall the conversation we had - at least the essence and energy if not some specifics. It was real. Ugh.
Condolences to his close friends and family.
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Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
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Jun 12, 2015 - 09:09am PT
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Terrible news. He seemed like such a nice guy on the Prow. :(
Stay safe out there people. And rest in piece Andrew. Hope his family and friends are able to find piece as well.
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Jun 12, 2015 - 09:52am PT
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This is terrible news.... sounds like one of the good guys.
Peace to all his friends and Family.
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SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab or In What Time Zone Am I?
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Jun 12, 2015 - 09:56am PT
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damn. Heartbreaking.
Susan
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MarkDroy
Mountain climber
Southampton MA
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Jun 12, 2015 - 10:23am PT
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JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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Jun 12, 2015 - 10:37am PT
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Horrible news. I wish I had something more than empty words to express my grief and sympathy to his family, in particular.
John
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divad
Trad climber
wmass
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Jun 12, 2015 - 11:59am PT
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Andrew had the biggest smile. He will be missed by all who knew him.
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BASE104
Social climber
An Oil Field
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Jun 12, 2015 - 12:05pm PT
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Sorry. Sounds like a good person. Dying young is a tragedy.
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Ward Trotter
Trad climber
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Jun 12, 2015 - 12:25pm PT
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Heartfelt Condolences to his friends and family.
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labrat
Trad climber
Erik O. Auburn, CA
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Jun 12, 2015 - 12:30pm PT
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Very sad to hear. Condolences to family and friends.
;-(
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DeepGlue
Trad climber
Albany, NY
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Jun 12, 2015 - 12:45pm PT
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Heard about this yesterday, and I'm still in shock. I was very lucky to have Andrew in my life. As a climber he was incredibly bold and tough. As a person he was incredibly generous and happy. He got me into ice climbing, and helped me realize that enjoying climbing is about much more than chasing numbers. Just last December I got to spend a day in RMNP with him and cook a couple dinners with his family. My heart is torn apart, but it goes out to them.
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Bargainhunter
climber
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Jun 12, 2015 - 01:23pm PT
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What a great video of him talking about math. His excitement is palpable. The world has lost another great one. Condolonces.
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Woody the Beaver
Trad climber
Soldier, Idaho
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Jun 12, 2015 - 01:40pm PT
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Gosh, I'm sorry to hear this. I hugely admired his Prow trip report. He seemed severely critical of himself as a wall climber, and I just wanted to give him a big sweaty hug about it. He wrote gracefully and clearly, and wrote fondly of his spouse and kiddo. I'm deeply sorry.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Jun 12, 2015 - 04:18pm PT
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Watching the video drives this one home hard. Very upsetting. He was obviously a wonderful man, full of life and with the gift of seeing the world through many lenses. No blinders on this guy.
I pray his wife and daughter will be able to find peace, to go on and live rich and full lives inspired by his memory.
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jstan
climber
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Jun 12, 2015 - 04:22pm PT
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This is one more piece of evidence that each of us, quite independently of the demands of ego, contribute to the web of life in which we live. As the evidence builds up we might consider making that a part of our view of life and of our own place in that web.
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jgill
Boulder climber
The high prairie of southern Colorado
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Jun 12, 2015 - 05:22pm PT
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Andrew Ladislaus Barnes:
Ph.D. Duke University 2003
Dissertation: Electromagnetic Scattering by Three-dimensional Periodic Structures
Mathematics Subject Classification: 78—Optics, electromagnetic theory
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mooser
Trad climber
seattle
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Jun 12, 2015 - 08:48pm PT
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So very sad. My genuine condolences to his family, and his friends. What a loss.
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Darwin
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Jun 12, 2015 - 10:59pm PT
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This one got to me more than most. I loved his writing style, and I can't even think of the haul bag photo without getting teary and a pain in my heart. I'm so sorry for friends, family and acquaintances.
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roy
Social climber
NZ -> SB,CA -> Zurich
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Jun 13, 2015 - 12:22am PT
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This is very sad news - he has a great smile in all those pictures and so clearly enjoyed life. My condolences to all his friends and family. Roy.
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nita
Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
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Jun 13, 2015 - 08:57am PT
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*
Such Sad news...Heartfelt condolence to his Family , friends, and colleagues.
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fberger
Sport climber
bern, switzerland
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Jun 13, 2015 - 01:18pm PT
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We went outdoor and climbed with Andrew mostly in NC. Watching his first steps in the gym and on Moore's wall. Trips with him were so wonderful.
Andrew was such a particular person. One we will always remember. Kind, eager to learn, integer, positive, full of joy and dreams, serious about all his activities.
Tragic news. Condolence to his family.
Fabien
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phylp
Trad climber
Upland, CA
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Jun 13, 2015 - 06:42pm PT
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How truly sad. I send my condolences to all of his friends and most especially to his family.
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 13, 2015 - 07:06pm PT
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For those who know the locale, Andrew was on pitch 1 of CCK, 5.5.
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Kalimon
Social climber
Ridgway, CO
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Jun 13, 2015 - 08:06pm PT
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Such a bummer . . . Thanks Andrew for setting the standard and being a quality individual. Best of thoughts to his family and loved ones.
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Gunkie
climber
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Jun 13, 2015 - 08:30pm PT
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For those who know the locale, Andrew was on pitch 1 of CCK, 5.5.
I've always found that P1 bulge near the top of the long-ish pitch to be a little insecure. Certainly not as solid as cranking the flake on the final pitch.
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Port
Trad climber
Norwalk, CT
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Jun 13, 2015 - 09:38pm PT
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Last week was humid and the Gunks rock can get incredibly slick in humidity. No matter how hard you crush its f*#king bold to be soloing in those conditions.
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 14, 2015 - 10:18am PT
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Andrew's obituary: http://www.newcomeralbany.com/obituary/105104/Andrew-Barnes/Albany-New%20York and http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timesunion-albany/obituary.aspx?n=andrew-ladislaus-barnes&pid=175074970&fhid=22149
Andrew Barnes 14 Sep 1968-10 Jun 2015
Andrew Ladislaus Barnes passed away on 10 Jun 2015 in a climbing accident in the Shawangunk mountains of New York State. He was born in Calcutta, India, the second of four children of Stanislaus and Grace Barnes, both from the vicinity of Mangalore, India.
An idyllic childhood included close contact with an extended family located near Mangalore, Bombay, and Nasik, a loving and encouraging home environment, and a religious upbringing in a devoutly Roman Catholic family.
His basic education, from first to twelfth grade, was obtained entirely at St. Xavier's Collegiate School, Calcutta, under the supervision of Jesuit priests, one of whom, Fr. Goreaux (himself a student of Albert Einstein), ignited Andrew's interest in mathematics, which thereafter became his first
passion.
A scholarship took him across the world to Yale University in the USA, where his elder brother was also studying, and where he obtained his bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1992. Yale and its academics made a profound impression on him. Moving on to Duke University for graduate study, he completed his PhD in mathematics some years later.
At Duke, he met and married a fellow student, Natalia Smelova, the true love of his life, who compensated for the mathematician's eccentricities, and kept him connected to everyday life.
Here too, he met Stein and Fabian, two top-notch Swiss rock climbers, who introduced him to the sport that became a second passion, one bordering on obsession. This propelled him to many places over the succeeding years, including Mount Rainier, several trips to the Canadian Rockies, and yearly pilgrimages to the `big walls' of Yosemite.
Both his wife and he had moved to Niskayuna in New York to work at GE Global Research, and in 2004 they were blessed with a lovely daughter, Sophia, who he took great pride in, and whose mathematical education, in particular, he enjoyed supervising.
Andrew was generous, patient and personable, qualities endearing him to many people in both the climbing and professional worlds. Curiously, he managed this while remaining ruthlessly truthful, a fact that was initially disconcerting to some. He believed in not doing things by half-measures. Thus he lived life with uncommon intensity, allowing him to reach both mental and physical heights.
He leaves behind a grieving wife, daughter, parents, three siblings, and many relatives and friends who he touched, and often inspired. The world is a poorer place without him.
A wake will be held on Monday, June 15, 2015, 4-7 p.m. at New Comer Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd, Colonie, NY. The Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2015, at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 806 Union St., Schenectady. Interment will follow in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, 2501 Troy Schenectady Rd., Schenectady. Contributions may be made in Andrew Barnes' memory to Playground Fund, Holy Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church, 617 Sand Creek Rd., Colonie, NY 12205.
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Masalai
Big Wall climber
CA
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Jun 14, 2015 - 01:44pm PT
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The note on the Camp 4 board in Yosemite stood out for its neatness and length, different from the others scrawled on napkins or with faded ink, one of which read, "I wanna climb!" I studied the document and found out someone was soloing Zodiac and accepting a partner if one could make it before he was out of shouting distance. I'd have to hurry. I rose at seven the next morning, packed a toothbrush, food and climbing gear and ran up the half-hour approach to the east side of El Cap to find the wizard behind the note.
Andrew Barnes was standing directly at the base of the first pitch, the only pitch fixed after two days of climbing. Apparently he wasn't the speediest of climbers. I found him to be soft-spoken and eloquent. "Let's do it," I said. We exchanged a hand shake and started climbing, as simple as that.
The climbing was decidedly more complex. When we went to haul the bags after the first two pitches a giant bear (not a figure-of-speech-type giant bear, but an actual GIANT bear) scrambled out of the bushes and jumped on the bags. Laughing and grimacing, we hauled him three feet off the ground before he let go. A mathematician to the bone, Andrew turned out to be slow as a Sherwin-age glacier on the wall, but so fun to talk to I didn't care. We laughed and suffered on the wall for several days before topping out to a gorgeous moonrise through clouds over Half Dome. Short on food, I insisted we hike off in the dark, despite his objections. But watching him pack his bag and slowly lace his boots, and feeling tired myself, I reconsidered. We laid out our sleeping bags on a rock with a view and went to sleep.
A few hours later, Andrew stood up from his bed below the same clouds that had made the moon so beautiful, now swirling overhead, and spoke clearly, "I think we must go down. The weather does not look that great." I tried to ignore my resentment and analyze the situation objectively. A vast, dark blanket, so close I could almost touch it, choked out all traces of light in the sky and hope in my heart, but I was feeling resentful and rolled over and said, "This is the Sierra Nevada. It doesn't rain here." An hour later it dumped.
Rain and snow pureed our clothes as we ran back and forth and then to a slot in the rock as narrow as a library shelf, and climbed in. "This isn't going to work," we agreed. Our bags dirty with slush, we held them close and ran down a hill to a better shelter, by a slight margin. Leaning over like a diving board, the fin of rock was enough to protect half of each of us, so we hunkered down for the night.
In the morning, with snow still falling, we abandoned everything, jumped into fresh powder and rivulets, and fled down the mountain, rappelling on wet, fixed ropes that sloughed their sheaths below our GriGri's. We climbed down cliffs that acted as ramps for all the water. The snow turned to rain, then let up as we stumbled into the valley. We were relieved. I didn't even care when I found that a giant animal had clawed the side of my truck and ripped off a window from my truck's camper shell, for no apparent reason but spite. Through it all, Andrew's steady, stealth enthusiasm never waned.
I only got to climb with him a few times after that outing in 2009 but they were memorable trips too. Keeping in touch by email, I made it to the east coast once and got an encyclopedic tour of the Gunks, Cannon, and Cathedral Ledge. We climbed on wet and frigid granite while other climbers dry tooled beside us. He gave me tips on keeping my hands warm on what was my first ice climbing trip.
His interests were many but hearing him talk about math was the most hilarious of all. He once told me when he would interview candidates for positions at GE, which related to math and something about probability theory, he didn't care about their job histories or education or anything. "I want someone who is violently excited about the subject," he said. That's what I'll remember most, his excitement, and the way he shook and pronounced every syllable in "violently excited."
My condolences to his family and loved ones. I considered him a good friend and will miss him.
Josh McCoy
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divad
Trad climber
wmass
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Jun 14, 2015 - 02:02pm PT
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^^^
Thanks for that. It is so Andrew.
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Pajamas
climber
Wilderness, Home
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Jun 14, 2015 - 09:23pm PT
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RIP Andrew. Many moons ago, I blew off some classes to take a road trip to the Gunks. Andrew was psyched, we'd recently met at the gym where I worked, and we bumped into each other on campus.... We climbed a pile of Gunks classics, finishing with CCK direct. I was a pretty new leader, Andrew even greener, and we had a blast. NC quartzite is great Gunks prep, and Andrew's easy demeanor was confidence inspiring as I set off on each lead. I remember a black snake that crawled out of a crack on City Lights... and Andrew's massive smile as he topped out CCK to join me on top.
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Todd Eastman
climber
Bellingham, WA
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Jun 14, 2015 - 09:33pm PT
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This is someone I wish I had met.
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le_bruce
climber
Oakland, CA
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Jun 15, 2015 - 05:51pm PT
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Thank you, Josh McCoy.
RIP Andrew.
Love and strength to his loved ones.
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steveA
Trad climber
Wolfeboro, NH
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Jun 15, 2015 - 06:21pm PT
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Sincere sympathy to all who were lucky enough to know Andrew.
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Stevee B
Trad climber
Oakland, CA
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Jun 16, 2015 - 11:23am PT
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Godspeed and sincere sympathy to his friends and family.
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rockanice
climber
new york
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Jun 17, 2015 - 12:01pm PT
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So saddened and shocked to see Andrew's photo attached to this post, I didn't know his last name, but I knew his smile and what a great guy he was. It was never surprising to see Andrew show up with the same smile again and again at just about any Northeast climbing destination, be it rock or ice. His was an avid passion for either endeavor and the one constant was that ever present smile which spoke volumes.
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Mary Moser
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, CA
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Jun 18, 2015 - 10:46am PT
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When you read all these posts, you realize what a great guy Andrew was to SO many people. I never met him, but he obviously left an indelible mark on many folks. It is sad that he died at a young age, yet he lived to the fullest and that's more than most people can say. His accident is tragic, but he died doing what he loved. RIP Andrew.
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Daniel Hughes
Trad climber
Bronx, New York
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Jun 18, 2015 - 11:32am PT
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A profound tragedy. My thoughts are with his family.
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eagle
Trad climber
new paltz, ny
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Jun 19, 2015 - 03:51am PT
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CLIMBING IS DANGEROUS
RIP
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nah000
climber
no/w/here
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Jun 19, 2015 - 05:21am PT
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i want someone who is violently excited
makes me wish i'd known him...
thanks for your share Josh McCoy and condolences to all those whose lives he touched.
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JohnnyG
climber
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Jun 19, 2015 - 07:07am PT
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These stories are amazing tributes. Thanks.
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kurthicks
climber
Washington
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In 2015, some climbers established the Andrew Barnes Memorial Route on Snoqualmie Mountain, east of Seattle. It went at 5.7, A2+. FA: Flaherty, Glaser, Hudson, and Wikstrom.
I'm hoping that they see this and get in touch with me. I'd like to include their memorial route in the upcoming guidebook.
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SummitRider
Big Wall climber
Denver
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Sep 30, 2017 - 04:15pm PT
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Sorry for reviving an old thread. What amazing and touching tributes to Andrew. I went to St. Xavier's with Andrew back in the 80s. He was the same back then...a calm, quiet, gentle soul with a deep voice. He was very likable and we miss him. I was actually trying to find him since many of us school friends were part of a WhatsApp group since we are located all over the world. I was shocked to hear about his untimely passing, as are we all. We were looking forward to connecting with him after almost 30 years. We did not know where he had gone after leaving Calcutta. We are talking about him today, and I hope to see Yosemite soon. I hear he was a regular there.
Thanks for recounting all the stories about Andrew, and for posting all the pictures. RIP, old friend!
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