Fatal accident on Crestone Needle

[trinkner]

While climbing in the South Colony Lakes area this weekend, I heard from a National Forest worker that a climber had died while climbing Crestone Needle this past Thursday, September 3, 2015. The climber was Dr. Matthew Davis, from Texas. My heartfelt condolences go out to his loved ones.

From the description in the news article http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/Scot ... 11491.html, it's likely that Dr. Davis was prepared and knowledgeable about the route he was attempting.

[myfeetrock]

My mom is friends with his parents and said he has been climbing for some time now. He was into ice and rock climbing as well as 14ers. Sad to see this.

[MountainHiker]

My condolences to the family and friends of Matthew Davis.

[painless4u2]

Very sad. My wife worked at his hospital in Texas. Our heart-felt condolences.

[zdero1]

May friends and family find strength in one another.

[kushrocks]

Terry Matthews, may he rest in peace, used to love this poem and I think about it every time we loose someone in the mountains:

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

My condolences to Matt and his family.

[Phill the Thrill]

My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Davis's family and friends. Such a tragic loss.

According to Custer County SAR's Facebook page, it appears that the accident occurred on the Ellingwood Arete, not on the standard route for Crestone Needle.

[HULKHIKEGOOD]

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Dude.......deep! I couldn't say it any better than that! So sad to hear another fallen brother, condolences and prayers to the family and friends of the good Dr. May he never die.....

[14erFred]

Prayers for comfort and healing for Matthew's family and friends. May he rest in peace forever, and may his memory always be a blessing.

[LuLuLuv]

I witnessed the incredible work of SAR on Friday of Dr. Davis. What a wonderful group of men and women to do what they do!! We thanked them for their services as they left. This really hit close to home. My heartfelt condolences go out to his friends and loved ones.

[Hungry Jack]

3 kids and a wife. Heartbreaking. May he rest in peace. May God bless family.

[fahixson]

Terry Matthews, may he rest in peace, used to love this poem and I think about it every time we loose someone in the mountains.

Condolences to Dr. Davis' family and friends. Kushner shared a fitting poem above. I saw this one on the FB page earlier this week and thought it worth posting here as well ...

Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference in your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well.

These lines resonate with me, hoping those that knew Dr. Davis well find joy in those memories now and in the future.

"Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference in your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together."