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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 16, 2017 - 12:18pm PT
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No one here other than a few friends are aware of this fantastic woman climber, but I just received notification as her ex husband that she passed away this morning after a long battle with a debilitating and progressively incapacitating disease: Huntington's Chorea.
She was my friend, my climbing partner, my co-worker, business partner, my lover, and for many years, my wife. She passed away today at age 62.
DOB: 06/14/1955; Died: 12/15/2017.
Annie excelled as a free climber, and prior to her move to Colorado in 1981 she had climbed extensively in the Shawangunks and several Summer expeditions to Canada. Her 'Gunks climbing partner was Gary Molzan, with whom she did many of the classice such as Cascading Crystal Kaleidescope, Horseman, High Exposure, and quite a few that were considerably more difficult.
In Canada, she led the Kain Route on Bugaboo Spire, and had a turn back due to weather on Sir Donald.
Together, she and I did many of the Eldorado Canyon classics: Ruper; Yellow Spur, Calypso, Wind Ridge, Anthill Direct, Hair City, Birdwalk, the Bulge, Green Spur, Green Slab Direct, Great Zot, Rewritten, Swanson's Arete, just to name a few that I can easily remember now.
I introduced her to Lumpy Ridge climbing on Osiris, then the Great Dihedral on the Bookend, and Pear Buttress on the Book.
We made several trips together to Yosemite for Valley climbing and a few routes in Tuolumne: We climbed 4 routes on the Grack: Center route, Marginal, Left Side, and Right side. Also did Harry Daley Route on Monday Morning Slab, Chouinard Crack, and Patio Pinnacle. Elsewhere in the Valley she climbed The Surprise, and led the Direct finish, Munginella was on our agenda, as well as Try Again Ledge. We also did several routes at the base of El Cap together: Delectable Pinnacle, Right side, and La Cosita Right Side. Tuolumne: Stately Pleasure Dome, South Crack, and Holdless Horror on Dozier Dome. Plus several short single pitch routes on the Guppy cliff.
Joshua Tree was also a frequent destination for our winter trips; too many routes she did to mention in detail, but Butterfly Crack on Trashcan Rock was one of her better accomplishments, as well as Left Sawdust Crack.
Only a single route on Devil's Tower: Durrance with Bailey Direct Finish.
North Carolina: Great Arch, Stone Mountain.
Fremont Canyon: Gleaming the Cube (5.12a), and Other Side of Forty (also 5.12a).
These are but a few of her accomplishments, and she was truly a fine climber. Not very many people knew her, as she was never one to "toot her own horn." Actually a rather shy and quiet person.
In a few subsequent posts, I'll post a few photos of this little dynamo in action.
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jogill
climber
Colorado
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Dec 16, 2017 - 12:29pm PT
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So sorry to hear this, Rodger. It's a cruel disease.
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Fritz
Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
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Dec 16, 2017 - 12:32pm PT
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Rodger: Our condolences to you, & her family & friends.
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Vica
Sport climber
Budapest, Hungary
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Dec 16, 2017 - 12:33pm PT
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Sorry, sorry. My thoughts are with you. Keep the good memories about her.
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SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone
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Dec 16, 2017 - 12:35pm PT
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Oh Rodger I am so sorry.
I know she was an incredible woman and for a wonderful while you guys had a great life together. My heart would ache for you and her when you talked about her slow steady decline.
I hope peace and serenity find you soon and only those happy wonderful times be the memories you carry forward.
Many thoughts to you and your children. I am so sorry our paths haven’t crossed lately. Hoping this upcoming year we connect.
Susan and Michael.
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Skeptimistic
Mountain climber
La Mancha
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Dec 16, 2017 - 12:36pm PT
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Very sad. Huntington’s is a cruel disease. She sounds like a very special soul.
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 16, 2017 - 12:56pm PT
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I've been scouring my files in order to find a few photos of Annie prior to her descent into her personal Hell.
But, here are a couple:
As I go through my files, I'll find a few more to post in her memory.
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thebravecowboy
climber
The Good Places
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Dec 16, 2017 - 01:09pm PT
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pretty cool what she did with this life, and with you, before that terrible decay of Huntington's.
I smile, bittersweet, for you both.
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hossjulia
Trad climber
Carson City, NV
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Dec 16, 2017 - 01:16pm PT
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RIP Anne. Thanks for posting this Rodger, nice to see a face behind your stories.
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 16, 2017 - 01:21pm PT
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Thanks Victoria, Fritz, John, Susan, Julia, and Michael-
Here are a few more photos I gleaned from what's on this particular computer:
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 16, 2017 - 01:26pm PT
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And just two more:
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Dec 16, 2017 - 01:41pm PT
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so sorry to hear about this Roger, you spoke of Anne nearly every time we'd gotten together.
My thoughts are with you.
Ed
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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Dec 16, 2017 - 01:52pm PT
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My condolences, Rodger. Sounds like you twohad some great times together.
Rick
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Dec 16, 2017 - 02:24pm PT
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Rodger.... looks like you two got around to some fine climbs.
I offer my since condolences to you and Anne's Family and Friends.
RIP
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Outside the Asylum
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Dec 16, 2017 - 02:39pm PT
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Sorry to hear this Rodger - my condolences. A heartfelt tribute to someone who had an important role in your life.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Dec 16, 2017 - 02:41pm PT
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hey there say, rodger... oh my, :( i am so very sorry and sad to hear this...
thank you, for letting us know about anne, and teaching us about who she was...
we WILL remember her now...
condolences and prayers, at this sad time of her passing... :(
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Brian in SLC
Social climber
Salt Lake City, UT
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Dec 16, 2017 - 04:08pm PT
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Sorry for your loss, Rodger.
While too short, sounds like a life well lived and still celebrated by your great memories of her.
Thanks for sharing!
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phylp
Trad climber
Upland, CA
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Dec 16, 2017 - 04:33pm PT
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RIP to Anne, and my condolences to you Rodger. I know that she was dear to you.
I'm glad that she has been released.
Take care of yourself, Rodger.
Love, Phyl
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Studly
Trad climber
WA
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Dec 16, 2017 - 05:00pm PT
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Sorry to hear it Rodger. Its never easy to loose a friend. All the best.
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Jan
Mountain climber
Colorado & Nepal
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Dec 16, 2017 - 05:09pm PT
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Here's a photo Rodger shared with me some years ago, of Anne in her later years.
It's one of my favorites.
RIP Annie, your suffering is over.
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