Discussion Topic |
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| Messages 1 - 35 of total 35 in this topic |
Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 30, 2008 - 07:57am PT
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A friend called us yesterday and the sad news hit me like a rock I never saw coming.
From Associated Press:
Falling rock kills climber on Oregon's Mount Hood
HOOD RIVER, Ore. (AP) — A 55-year-old physician who had scaled Mount Hood died after being hit by falling rock on his way down, authorities said.
Mountaineers planned to start climbing Monday afternoon to retrieve the victim's body. The man, part of a climbing party, had descended to about 9,000 feet on the 11,239-foot peak when the accident happened Sunday.
The victim was identified as Dr. Gary Lee, a cancer specialist who had practiced in Eugene since 1984. His body was spotted Sunday evening by helicopter crews from the Oregon National Guard.
Lee, an experienced climber, was with his son, Devon [Devin], when a rock dislodged from the ice above and hit him, the Hood River County sheriff's office said in a statement. He fell about 1,000 feet before coming to rest in an area of rock and ice above Eliot Glacier, the sheriff's office said.
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 30, 2008 - 09:08am PT
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Smugglers Notch, Vermont, 1979:
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Patrick Sawyer
climber
Originally California now Ireland
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Jul 30, 2008 - 09:09am PT
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RIP and condolences to family and friends.
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cowpoke
climber
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Jul 30, 2008 - 09:16am PT
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I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of your friend, Larry.
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Double D
climber
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Jul 30, 2008 - 10:39am PT
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Sorry for your loss and my condolances to all family and friends.
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nita
climber
chica from chico, I don't claim to be a daisy
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Jul 30, 2008 - 11:18am PT
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Chiloe, I saw that story on the web news yesterday, wondered if anyone here knew him.....so sad ..to find out he was your friend. ;-(
heartfelt sympathies to his family and friends.
May the love of those around you help you through the days ahead.
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 30, 2008 - 12:12pm PT
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Gary Lee was my long-ago partner and since then a good friend. From the opposite coast, I've followed his adventures and growing family over the years. I was deeply saddened to hear this news yesterday, that he died on a climb with his son.
After a while I went upstairs and scanned a bunch of ancient slides, from our climbs together on Pokomoonshine, Smugglers Notch, Cannon, Cathedral, Mt. Washington and Acadia. Back when Gary drove a Rabbit and had even worse fashion sense than I did, our 4-year-old daughter found him very charismatic. She'd shout "Gary Lee!" with delight when he pulled into our driveway. Suddenly the old slides seemed precious, like something to hang on to.
Gary was just a great guy. I doubt you'll find anyone who knew him who thought otherwise. I know he saved many lives.
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L
climber
Dancing beneath a Full Moon on the Edge of Forever
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Jul 30, 2008 - 02:12pm PT
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Larry,
I'm so sorry to hear about the death of your friend and climbing partner. Much too soon to lose such a wonderful man...I hope you'll post some more of those slides.
My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
Laura
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 30, 2008 - 04:54pm PT
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from the Oregonian today:
Son recounts father's death on Mount Hood's Cooper Spur
Rescuers say not wearing a helmet was just one of a series of mistakes made by the climber
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
HELEN JUNG
The Oregonian Staff
Devin Lee, concentrated as he descended a Mount Hood snowfield Sunday afternoon: Drop a couple feet, plant the ice ax, drop another couple feet.
His technique -- honed over four years of climbing with his father, Dr. Gary Lee -- was the only thing Devin would let himself think about.
Just seconds earlier, he had seen his father struck by a watermelon-size boulder that came hurtling down the mountain. The 55-year-old cancer specialist tumbled down a steep gully and slid out of view.
As Devin descended, he came across the bicycle cap his father had been wearing. The Stanford University junior put it on and kept searching, he recalled Tuesday. But it would be several hours before rescue crews would locate the Eugene oncologist, who had been killed by blunt force trauma to the head.
Two days after the accident, a Portland Mountain Rescue veteran questioned the men's decision to climb without helmets.
All climbers on any Mount Hood route should wear helmets, said Steve Rollins, one of the rescue team members. "There is too much loose rock," he said.
Rollins also criticized the decision to descend via the dangerous Cooper Spur route, which is more technically difficult than the mountain's popular southside routes.
But Gary Lee, who had summited Mount Hood more than 40 times, knew the mountain "from all angles . . . and at all times of the year," said his wife, Dr. Stephanie Harris. And considering the size and speed of the boulder that struck Lee, his family doubted a helmet would have helped.
"That same question was in my head," Harris said. "On that particular day, he made that choice and felt that it wasn't necessary. . . . The reality in this particular instance? Chances are it wouldn't have made any difference."
A life of climbing
Climbing -- as well as hiking and skiing -- was a passion Gary Lee shared with his family. While Lee and Harris were dating in medical school, he introduced the Southern California girl to his beloved Mount Hood. She grew fearful at 8,000 feet, she recalled, and they turned around. But she went again -- although that time they got lost with two other students, overnighted on the mountain and came out a different route than planned.
Lee kept climbing, taking on peaks in the Himalayas and the Andes, his wife said, reserving about three weeks each year to climb. She always felt an undercurrent of fear, knowing the risks associated with mountain climbing.
As much as his practice meant to Lee, Harris said, so did his family, including his parents, Dr. Gilbert Prentiss Lee and Patricia Brownell Lee of Portland, and two brothers, Dr. Gilbert Brownell Lee of Portland and Granville Lee of Clackamas.
Helping his 21-year-old daughter, Alison, and his son develop their own independence was a priority, she said. Alison, an avid cross-country skier and a senior at Harvey Mudd College, persuaded him to pick up skate-skiing, which the father and daughter often did together. And when Devin was 16, Lee and his son started going on climbs together.
The treks were outings for the father and son to talk and through which Lee hoped to help instill "a warrior spirit" in his son. And about a year ago, Devin recalled, his father complimented him, telling him, "I can definitely see you grow up to be a warrior."
Boulder strikes
On Sunday, as the two descended, they found Mount Hood more exposed than they expected, Devin recalled. But when they had made it to the snowfield they felt they had reached relative safety. They unroped and put on their crampons.
But after proceeding a short while, Devin saw the boulder topple his father. Lee, his son recalled, did not utter a sound.
"I shouted after him," he said, watching as his father "was ragdolling down" the snowfield. Devin then descended after him, shouting out to anyone who might hear.
"All I could hear was my echo," he said.
But soon two hikers who had walked up a ridge past the top of the Cooper Spur trail heard Devin below them. Lonnie Feather and Bill Weismann made their way to Devin and called for help on their cell phones.
They stayed with Devin until evening, calling Harris, and taking him to his grandparents' Portland home.
"There is no way that I can possibly tell or express my gratitude to all of the climbers and rescue people," Harris said. "I don't even know how."
The accident is still setting in for the family. Devin has worn Lee's cap ever since the accident except for letting Alison wear it briefly.
"It's a little small for me," Devin acknowledged. "It doesn't matter."
A dangerous route
It is impossible to know whether a helmet would have saved Gary Lee. But rescuers also challenged the decision to descend Mount Hood's Cooper Spur route instead of the more popular and less challenging south route from Timberline Lodge.
"We were talking about it during the recovery," Rollins said. "No way would we go down Cooper Spur this time of year. It is way too dangerous, way past its prime."
Rollins also urged climbers to wear helmets, as well as pursue safer routes. The recovery put the lives of 12 climbers in jeopardy, he said, and was at the outer edge of the envelope for safe rescues and recoveries.
But Lee -- a world-class rower and avid skier, cyclist and swimmer -- always seemed able to do anything, his son said.
"He's living life like everyone wants to," he said, "but no one knows how."
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Jul 30, 2008 - 05:15pm PT
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hey there chiloe.. i am very sorry to hear the loss of your dear friend, and a family's beloved man.... my prayers for them all, as they take this hard trail....
considering what happened, it is perhaps well that his son was there--there will never be a question in his mind, as to what happened, or if "someone was there in time, etc" ....
and, it was his last moments to love his dad...
thank you for sharing you heart and all the notes... god bless...
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Jul 30, 2008 - 06:55pm PT
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Bummer.
Hang in there Larry.
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 30, 2008 - 07:05pm PT
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Hang in there Larry.
Well I've got the easy job, I know.
Patrick, Nita, eKat, DD, Eric, Laura, Neebee, Roy -- thanks for kind thoughts and words.
It's like Gary's still there same as ever in my mind, or in all these photos. Just not out there in the world.
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Brunosafari
Boulder climber
Redmond, OR
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Jul 30, 2008 - 08:05pm PT
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I'm broken hearted for you Chilo, Devin and survivors.
I'm on the east side of the Cascades ~2hours from Eugene, but my home is open to you if you if you find yourself in Oregon. Also I have two sons in Eugene who are at your service, I'm sure.
Bruce Adams 541-350-3139
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Gary
climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
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Jul 30, 2008 - 08:25pm PT
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That's tough, Chiloe.
RIP to a fellow climber.
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goatboy smellz
climber
colorado
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Jul 30, 2008 - 08:44pm PT
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It’s always rough losing a good friend Larry...keep going through the photos, they will help you remember the good times and lift your spirit.
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Off White
climber
Tenino, WA
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Jul 31, 2008 - 12:17am PT
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Oh, damn but I'm sorry to hear this. I didn't know Gary, but he sounds like a great guy and a good friend to have had. All my best to you Larry and especially Devin and the rest of the family.
I don't know Steve Rollins either, but I think he should keep his opinion to himself. Helmets don't do much against watermelons, and descending the Cooper Spur is pretty common if your car is parked on that side of the mountain. Who's going to bring two cars and do a 60 mile car shuttle just to descend the south side? People get killed on that route too. It's just bad luck, wrong place at the wrong time, and that "he brung it on himself" stance is just a wee bit callous, hurtful, and not necessarily accurate.
edit: I just saw some recent pictures of the route, it does look pretty ugly right now. I think it was fall all back in the day when I did it with BVB and we had snow the whole way, but the top is some ugly looking choss right now. Sounds like they went up the Sunshine Route, which is the other moderate outing on that side of the mountain, and descended the Cooper Spur. Who wouldn't want to traverse the peak?
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 31, 2008 - 03:41pm PT
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A few very ordinary climbing photos. Had to smile, looking through these.
Frankenstein Cliffs, 1979:
Last Chance, Pokomoonshine, 1980:
Otter Cliffs, Acadia, 1981:
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Alpine Raven
Mountain climber
Eugene, OR
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Jul 31, 2008 - 06:14pm PT
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Larry,
I'm saddened for the loss of your friend, Gary Lee. There are alot of tears being shed here in Eugene for him. There is a lot of disbelief that someone with Gary's considerable gift of caring and loving for people is now gone. Gary was the oncologist for a friend of mine who just had a lumpectomy two weeks ago. She called in tears Monday morning to tell me. Thanks for uploading the news reports and especially the photos. I'll pass them on. Mt. Hood is a beautiful volcano, and she takes her toll. Boulders can come down anywhere on that peak. We climb and we take our chances in doing something we love.
Larry, I also wanted to say that Gary's wife, Stephanie, is one my daughter's Nordic Ski coaches at South Eugene High. I've had a chance to meet her a few times. Another fine soul she is. I'll mention the forum to her.
Take care,
David
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Jules with a capital J
Social climber
Eugene,OR
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Jul 31, 2008 - 11:48pm PT
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Hi Larry,
My name is Julie, I live in Eugene. I work at the hospital that Gary has worked at since 84. I have worked with him since 87.
I am at a loss for words in these past few days to describe the grief I am feeling. First shock, denial, sadness, anger...you name it, its open and too real.
Gary was my friend and colleague. We shared a love of the outdoors, sports, and oncology medicine. We shared stories, adventures, and family life over the years we have known eachother.
I can't believe that he is gone.. it seems unreal.
I didn't get to say goodbye, or even Hey Gary thank you so much for all you gave to me,all of us over these many years!!
He was always encouraging me to live life to the fullest.
He was smart, dry witted, and gentle.
He cared for his patients with a gentle, knowledgable quiet wisdom.
You are very fortunate to have such a great friend.
I joined this forum primarily to say thank you for posting this blog.. and especially these awesome photos, at first I just didn't recognize him, but woooooo, its really Gary. I don't know why, but I recognized his hands.. in the photo where he is looking at an instrument..
Thank you so much, if you have more Id love to see them- I have been sharing them with other staff here on the floor..
This is a very difficult time for everyone here, and seeing your notes, photos and comments help me so much, again thank you,
Sincerely,
Julie Mitchell
When I climb Mt Whitney again in a few weeks Gary will be with me every step of the way!!
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Geno
Trad climber
Reston, VA
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Chiloe,
I am very sorry to hear the news about your friend. Good friends and climbing partners are few in life. Take care. Gene
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Jerry Dodrill
climber
Sebastopol, CA
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Larry,
I'm sorry to read this and send you a big hug. Peace to Gary's son, family, and friends.
Added Gary to the Memorial.
-Jerry
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 2, 2008 - 03:09pm PT
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Thanks David, Julie, Bruce, Jerry and all. A few more photos for those who knew Gary. All of these are from the days when he was a resident at UVM, I was an assistant prof at UNH; we'd take off when we could for short high adventures.
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 2, 2008 - 03:12pm PT
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The highest of those short adventures, though we didn't plan it that way, was a winter ascent of the Whitney-Gilman Ridge. The day afterwards I wrote a somewhat dry TR, which then sat in a drawer unread by anyone until the Internet was invented.
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divad
Trad climber
wmass
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We are all saddened when a fellow climber dies. It must be unimaginable when it is a friend. Sorry for your loss.
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guyman
Trad climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Sad, RIP.
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crøtch
climber
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My sympathies for the loss of your friend, Larry. I'm raising a glass for a life well lived.
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L
climber
Dancing beneath a Full Moon on the Edge of Forever
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Holy moly, Larry--that Whitney-Gilman somewhat dry TR makes me wonder just what it was that kept you guys going out and doing those winter ascents.
That sounded more like a somewhat definitely incontestably hideously painful absolutely arduous climb from when hell froze over! Granted, I'm not a fan of frozen fingertips and icy handholds--but still! Talk about persevering in the face of disaster.
Your and Gary's idea of a good time has me pulling on sweaters and making hot cocoa just to thaw out...burrrrrr.. ;-)
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 3, 2008 - 10:25pm PT
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That sounded more like a somewhat definitely incontestably hideously painful absolutely arduous climb from when hell froze over!
Hah! Funny thing was, we were expecting fun in the sun. Brought no ice gear, one 150' rope, about half a dozen nuts (this was before cams) and some runners. When we got up there and saw it was gonna be epic, we thought what the heck, we'll just try. One thing led to another.
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JOEY.F
Social climber
sebastopol
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Lots of bad news this weekend,
so sad, sending condolances to you and Gary's family.
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Stephlee
Mountain climber
Eugene
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Larry, Thanks for posting all the pictures and information. I am just now really reading through all the replies. Thanks to everyone for the kindness and supportive thoughts. Devin is looking for other climbers in the northwest that really enjoy the big mountains, so if anyone reads this an is interested in climbing with a great young man--let me know.
Stephanie (Gary's wife)
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 7, 2008 - 08:01am PT
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Thanks, Stephanie. Our heartfelt best wishes to you all. If Devin happens to wander out east, he could send me a note.
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Rick L
Trad climber
El Dorado Hills, CA
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Larry-
I missed this post the first time around. I am so sorry.
Rick
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Gunkie
climber
East Coast US
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Steve Rollins sounds like a good candidate for a gut punch. However, good on him for being on a rescue team.
Dr. Lee sounded like a good guy and this will be a loss for everyone.
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CancerSurvivor
climber
Eugene, Oregon
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Sep 13, 2008 - 08:00pm PT
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I was Dr. Lee's patient for nine years. I have ovarian cancer that got into my lymph nodes but still hasn't spread to any vital organs.
The first time I met him was in the hospital following my surgery. When I asked him how long I would live he said he could probably give me a few good years. He gave me a lot more than that. I'm still active and able to work full time.
During one of my rounds of chemo he had to switch drugs because the chemo I was on suddenly stopped working. When I returned for my next visit he asked me how I was doing. When I told him most of my pain had gone away he threw his hands up in the air he was so happy. He gave everyone the gift of knowing he who he really was. He didn't have a "doctor ego".
He made me feel like I was the most important person in the world when I had a office visit. He had a way of paying me compliments. He told me that it was very gratifying having me for a patient.
This is such a huge loss for our entire community. I don't understand why God took someone who did so much good and eased so much suffering. But I know he's in heaven up high and looking down on a beautiful view.
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Crimpergirl
Social climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Sep 13, 2008 - 08:13pm PT
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Oh, this is so sad. I'm really sorry.
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| Messages 1 - 35 of total 35 in this topic |
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