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Dave Sessions
Trad climber
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 14, 2016 - 02:42pm PT
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Dear friends, my dad, George Sessions, passed away on leap day - February 29th - after a short but difficult struggle with stomach cancer.
We'll be having a memorial for him at Sierra College in Rocklin, California sometime next month and I'll update this page when the details become available.
Please feel free to comment or post photos.
David Sessions
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JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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Mar 14, 2016 - 02:52pm PT
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Sorry to hear the news. He was a big part of the Fresno climbing scene in the 1950's, but I didn't meet him until 1970 in Tuolumne Meadows. Very sorry for your loss.
John
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SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone
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Mar 14, 2016 - 03:04pm PT
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I'm sorry for your Dads passing. May your memories carry you through this tough time.
He sounds like an adventurous guy!
Susan
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Tricouni
Mountain climber
Vancouver
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Mar 14, 2016 - 03:11pm PT
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I'm sorry to hear this. I never met your dad, but I heard great things about him from others. Best wishes.... Glenn
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Mar 14, 2016 - 03:39pm PT
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I didn't know your father, but sincere condolences to you and
your family.
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Mar 14, 2016 - 04:13pm PT
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Sorry to hear about your dad.
For folks who don't recognize his name, here are his FAs and FFAs from the Yosemite guidebooks, 1954-59:
 Spireview Point 5.6 - George Sessions, Dick Irvin, 4/1954; FFA: Greg Schaffer, Henry Mitchell, 1965
Bear Rock - Bolt Route 5.3 A1 - George Sessions, Mike Schuler, Wayne Simpson, Noel Shirley, 1957
Lower Watkins Pinnacle A3 - Mark Powell, Herb Swedlund, Wally Reed, George Sessions, Merle Alley, 7/1957
Arches Terrace 5.8 R * - Rich Calderwood, Merle Alley, 12/1957; FFA: Merle Alley, Rich Calderwood, John Ohrenschall, George Sessions, 1958
Pohono Pinnacle - North Face 5.6 - George Sessions, Felix Knauth, 1958
Penny-Nickle Arete 5.7 A2 - Chuck Pratt, George Sessions, Krehe Ritter, 1958
Ahwahnee Buttress 5.10d A0 - George Sessions, George Whitmore, Jerry Dixon, Merle Alley, 5/1959; FFA: Dave Sessions, Tucker Tech, 4/1989
Pretty cool Dave - you got the FFA on one of your dad's routes!
A quote from George Sessions starts this chapter of the Camp 4 book by Steve Roper (scanned by Steve Grossman).
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pyro
Big Wall climber
Calabasas
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Mar 14, 2016 - 04:18pm PT
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Sorry Dave..
RIP
edit Beautiful picture of ur DAD.. see you around the Boulderdash
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BLUEBLOCR
Social climber
joshua tree
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Mar 14, 2016 - 04:56pm PT
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Dave, i'm really sorry for your loss.
My sincere condolences to your loved ones.
It is really neat you got to climb your dad's route. i am interested in why you choose Sierra College as the memorial spot? Is your family from that area? Just wondering if we might have family friends from the past. My family is from that area, and i went to Sierra back in 82'.
RIP George.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Mar 14, 2016 - 05:02pm PT
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No drift intended, but...is this the same George Sessions that co-wrote Deep Ecology?
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
Shetville , North of Los Angeles
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Mar 14, 2016 - 07:03pm PT
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Dave...Met your dad on a ledge of Cathedral Peak back in 78...He seemed pretty sharp and funny to...He said i reminded him of a climbing friend by the name of Merle Alley...Condolonces..
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Gary
Social climber
Where in the hell is Major Kong?
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Mar 14, 2016 - 07:14pm PT
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Is it safe to say he had a good run? RIP
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Eric Beck
Sport climber
Bishop, California
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Mar 14, 2016 - 07:18pm PT
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George would show up in Camp 4 with consistently gorgeous girlfriends.
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Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
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Mar 14, 2016 - 07:36pm PT
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RESPECT !
I hope your dad passed in peace, and that you & your family can, after grieving, reach a state of acceptance. Happy in the knowledge of the great life and the Light that your father brought to all his fine achievements.
I hope this is appropriate;
My father had an esophageal growth and soon chose drastic surgical intervention.
He never left the hospital, and the month and a half, or so, was brutal on all of us.
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feralfae
Boulder climber
in the midst of a metaphysical mystery
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Mar 14, 2016 - 07:46pm PT
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My condolences to you and your family on the loss of your Father.
He had a very good run, and a life of meaning and purpose, finding a way to bring together his vocation and his avocation, demonstrating the elegance of that synthesis which made him a very good teacher and philosopher. He lived a life worth celebrating.
As you move through you grief, please let us know how you and your family are doing from time to time.
Peace to your heart.
feralfae
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Mar 14, 2016 - 07:48pm PT
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My condolence for the loss of your dad, Dave. His passing leaves a bit of a hole in California's climbing history.
I've known of George's role in developing routes in the Valley ever since I began associating with my mentor, Dillis Millis, who knew many of the fifties/sisties veteran climbers.
We never did meet back in my day, the late sixties and the seventies, but my brother-in-law, Marc Irwin, attended Sierra College. He met George there, and told me that George was actively involved in rock climbing instruction there, I believe, and probably had a teaching gig, but I don't know. This was around 1977. (Dave can fill us in on his relationship with SC, I'm sure.)
It's a tough loss, your father, and I deeply share your feelings, as do many more of us. Hang in there, Dave.
+1 for Beck's pithy accolade
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Dave Sessions
Trad climber
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 14, 2016 - 08:35pm PT
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Dad was always very proud of being part of the 'Fresno Boys' and the mid-50's period that became known as the Powell-era. I'm going to update some of his exploits once I get the chance to review some of his notes and logs...
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Fat Dad
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
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Mar 14, 2016 - 08:42pm PT
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Dave, I met you a few times back in the early 80s when I was climbing with Bob and Matt Beach and some of the other St. Ignatius boys from the City. Think you were strutting around in a black cape or something. Never met your dad but remembering seeing his name in the green Roper guide. My condolensces to you and your family. Your dad looked like he lived life well. We should all be so lucky.
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Dave Sessions
Trad climber
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 14, 2016 - 08:44pm PT
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He came to Sierra in about 1968 and had the opportunity to head up the philosophy department for ages before partially retiring. He loved the opportunity to escape during the summer that teaching provided. He continued to teach part-time until only a couple years ago, so all-in-all he was there nearly 50 years.
And yes - his passion was environmentalism. He loved John Muir. And David Brower. In fact, he named me after Brower. After discovering the writings of Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess, who he told me last month was like a father to him, he became the co-founder of Deep Ecology.
btw... thanks so much for all the warm comments.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Mar 14, 2016 - 08:48pm PT
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Deep Ecology is an amazing legacy, all by itself, beyond the climbing accomplishments.
Condolences to you, Dave, and admiration for your father.
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BruceHildenbrand
Social climber
Mountain View/Boulder
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Mar 14, 2016 - 09:11pm PT
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Who on this forum has climbed the Tollhouse Traverse at Tollhouse Rock and had one of their most enjoyable days of rock climbing they can remember? A thoroughly enjoyable outing which has taken on many forms over the years.
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Chris Jones
Social climber
Glen Ellen, CA
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Mar 14, 2016 - 09:26pm PT
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George Sessions seminal work, "Deep Ecology," was a large part of the influence for Doug Tompkins Foundation for Deep Ecology. See here for the basic tenents:
http://www.deepecology.org/platform.htm
It is great that so many climbers have contributed to our appreciation of nature and to its protection, George Sessions notable among them. John Muir, David Brower, Richard Leonard, Arne Naess, Galen Rowell, Reinhold Messner and Yvon Chouinard spring quickly to mind. Sometimes I wonder what, if anything, we climbers have contributed to the world. Here is an answer.
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BLUEBLOCR
Social climber
joshua tree
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Mar 14, 2016 - 11:00pm PT
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^^^ BadAzz Chris Jones:) for bringing attention to how great George Sessions, was;(
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Mar 14, 2016 - 11:37pm PT
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Sorry to hear the news Dave about the loss of your father. I spent some wonderful times with him in the Valley and Meadows in the 60s and Beck was certainly correct as your dad always had a covey of good looking ladies trailing after him. Note the plural!
There is something about that James Dean look that your father, Harding and Rowell all possessed.
His FFA ascent of Arches Terrace with Calderwood and Merle Alley in 58 was a seminal event in low angle difficult friction climbing and was an inspiration for many to venture out on those simple looking but deceiving glacial polished slabs.
Looking at the group of climbers he made first ascents with is a great knock on the old nostalgia noggin. Reed, Alley, Calderwood, Whitmore, Irvin, Powell, Pratt ..................What a diverse and fascinating group of characters.
Thanks for the heads-up Chris on George's book, I look forward to it.
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Mar 14, 2016 - 11:40pm PT
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In the history page for the Foundation for Deep Ecology,
http://www.deepecology.org/history.htm
it has a slightly different list of climbers/outdoors folks:
"I suppose it was logical, given my love affair with mountaineering and adventuring in the wilderness,” Tompkins has written, “that the influences of Arne Naess, John Muir, David Ehrenfeld, Paul Shepard, Henry David Thoreau, Aldo Leopold and many others put me so firmly on a 'deep' ecological path."
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Cancer Boy
Trad climber
Freedonia
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Mar 14, 2016 - 11:43pm PT
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Dear Dave -
My condolences on your dad's passing. I did not appreciate until long after we parted ways how cool it was to be able to tell your pals that pop was a philosopher. I hope you received the red Roper's guide I sent a while back. I believe it was George's at one point.
Stay in touch - Bob
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phylp
Trad climber
Upland, CA
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Mar 15, 2016 - 05:48am PT
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Your Dad left quite a legacy, Dave.
Condolences to you and your family.
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Mar 15, 2016 - 06:00am PT
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Hi, Dave:
I know what it's like to lose a father. That one hurts in ways that are impossible to understand before the event. You're dad lived quite the life, one worthy of celebration. You probably don't remember me, but you and I hung out and bouldered a little together back in the 80's. I was the tall, skinny one in that crew with Tucker in Marin. Still climbing, too.
Peace to you and your family.
BAd
AKA Scott Wayland from bitd.
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Charlie D.
Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
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Mar 15, 2016 - 06:25am PT
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Dave my sincerest condolences to you, your family and the many friends and colleagues of your father. Find peace in knowing the great contributions he gave to all. There are those who give back for their love of mountains and in doing so make us proud to be climbers.
“I do not believe it is an accident that many leaders of modern conservation and bioregional movements—John Muir, David Brower, Arne Naess, George Sessions, Gary Snyder— have been mountaineers.”
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shipoopoi
Big Wall climber
oakland
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Mar 15, 2016 - 06:47am PT
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dave, my condolences to you. my dad also taught me to climb and gave me that gift that both of us still have now...the gift of climbing. take care, steve
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rmuir
Social climber
From the Time Before the Rocks Cooled.
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Mar 15, 2016 - 07:35am PT
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My condolences, Dave, to you and your family. I believe that I met George during the Summer of 1970, when it was still possible to drive in to Soda Springs in Tuolumne Meadows and camp near the Lodge. I was eighteen at the time…
"On no subject are our ideas more warped and pitiable than on death... Let children walk with nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity, as taught in woods and meadows, plains and mountains and streams of our blessed star, and they will learn that death is stingless indeed, and as beautiful as life, and that the grave has no victory, for it never fights. All is divine harmony." —John Muir (1838-1914)
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Fossil climber
Trad climber
Atlin, B. C.
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Mar 15, 2016 - 10:22am PT
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A good life and a great legacy - something to be proud of.
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BooDawg
Social climber
Butterfly Town
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Mar 15, 2016 - 12:07pm PT
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George was a good friend tho I never climbed with him. We'd encounter each other, over the years, mostly in the summer when he'd come to Tuolumne. He was thoughtful, always, and had a ready and infectious smile.
My sincere condolences to all his family and friends. We and the world will miss a VERY great guy!
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Fritz
Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
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Mar 15, 2016 - 12:22pm PT
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My condolences to friends & family. George left an impressive legacy.
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Steven Amter
climber
Washington, DC
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Hey Dave, sorry to hear that your father has passed. Though I regrettably never met him, he was a Yosemite pioneer and a philosopher that made important contributions to human thought. His writings influenced many, including me. He will not be forgotten.
You might remember we did a couple of climbing trips to Yosemite/Tuolumne together about in the mid-'80s when I was living in Tucson, one with John Sherman. I still remember them fondly.
Hope you have been doing well these past decades.
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Bruce Morris
Social climber
Belmont, California
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Sorry to hear about your dad, Dave. He was an imposing figure. I first met him, I think, in 1974 out at Soda Springs when the Sierra Club still owned that property and the TM Rescue Team lived there far from the NPS "authorities". Coincidentally, that was just after I had did the Rivendale Crack that your father et alia had authored out at Whizz Domes. Remember how he was so intelligent George could look right through my youthful arrogance! I sure needed that back then . . .
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Harold Glasser
Trad climber
Michigan
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May 13, 2016 - 01:08pm PT
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Hi David — so sorry to learn about your dad's passing. We had some great times together, climbing and working on deep ecology. I have a vivid memory of when we were in the AZ desert with Arne Naess and your dad was so jones'n to get out of there and head back to the Sierra... I was just contacted to write a tribute to your dad for The Trumpeter. If you have anything that you'd like to share or have me include, please let me know. You can find an email for me if you search on Western Michigan University Sustainability. Take care, harold
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Don Lauria
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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May 14, 2016 - 11:33am PT
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Not being a frequent browser of Supertopo, I completely missed George's passing back in March. RIP.
Mark Powell introduced me to George back in 1965 around a fire in Camp 4. Lots of wine later, Mark suggested that George's seductive smile was usually just that for young women and although my daughters were way too young, as they aged, I should take warning. Of course Powell was only kidding - Roper was a much more serious threat.
The next day, June 25, Sessions and I climbed Royal Arches and we became good friends through the summer. We corresponded through the fall of that year and then lost track of each other.
My condolences to his family.
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Noel Farmer
Social climber
CA
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May 29, 2016 - 06:32am PT
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Was trying to connect with George 45 years. Itwas in his first year at Sierra and I took several Philosophy classes from him and ultimately graduated from SF State in Philosophy.
George and I were close at the time. I returned to Sierra on several occasions to visit his classes.
He was a great and inspiring instructor. I had a 35 year very successful career in Business thanks to my knowledge of the world and desire to learn more that came out of understanding of philosophy/
RIP
George
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smorgan
climber
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Sep 14, 2016 - 09:33am PT
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Dave, We were very sad to hear this news at The Rewilding Institute. George was a good friend and advisor to many of us (he advised me with my PhD). We'd like to post a piece on our blog and wonder if we could use two images from this site. Thanks much and best regards from all of us. Susan Morgan
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oldguy
climber
Bronx, NY
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Sep 15, 2016 - 11:06am PT
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It came as something of a shock to hear today about George's death. I assumed he would carry his smile and intensity past the usual obstacles of getting older. I first met George when we was working on the garbage trucks in Yosemite, and then kept in touch with him over the years through our mutual interest in both climbing and philosophy. I wrote about him in my book, Going Up, but one seminal tidbit is that he gave Mark Powell his first lessons in roped climbing. As I recall, George wasn't keen on first ascents and big climbs--he just liked to climb and spent more days climbing than some of the bigger names, including me. He was smart and fun, and will be missed by all who knew him.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Sep 16, 2018 - 11:11pm PT
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This weekend Pat Brennan, Dan Merrick and myself got on an independent pinnacle west of Hoffman Mountain (Wishon Reservoir region).
On top was this summit register, the first ascent of which includes George Sessions and crew.
Their first ascent was June 26, 1954!
"Folly Fang"
Photo Credit - Dan Merrick
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mooch
Trad climber
Tribal Base Camp (Riverkern Annex)
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Sep 17, 2018 - 08:18am PT
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Dave-
Your Dad was an inspiration for me, among others of his time, when I first started climbing in and around the west side of the Sierra. Climbed a few of his routes (East Face of Moro Rock 5.7 A2, for example....with the orginal hangers in place. Yikes!). My biggest delight came after rapping off Castle Rock Spire, down to the south gendarme, before reaching the ground. Spotted a suspicious pile of rocks on top. Took a few rocks away and found a very old Band-aid canister. Inside was a piece of paper that had your Dad and Axe Nelson's name in it, dated 1954. They were attempting a route up the south side of CRS but only made it to the top of the south gendarme. In that moment, it felt like I had gone back in time and your Dad was right there signing that piece of paper. Rest assured, I placed back in the can and tucked it away under the rocks.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Sep 17, 2018 - 10:27am PT
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Well said Mooch
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Fossil climber
Trad climber
Atlin, B. C.
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Sep 17, 2018 - 02:26pm PT
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Dave - your dad was a quality guy and those who knew him were. better for it.
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