Blitzen Ridge Fatality

[Cygnus X1]

Condolences to the woman's family and friends.

https://kdvr.com/news/local/woman-dies- ... onal-park/

[zootloopz]

A terrible thing to happen to such an incredible athlete and person. She will be missed by many in the Boulder community.

[justiner]

Very sad to read about this last night.

[-wren-]

This was awful news to wake up to. I never met Bailee but I follow her antics as well as much of the rest of the crew that makes up the minions scrambling club and since I’ve been interested in these activities they have always been a huge source of inspiration and seemed almost larger than life. Discovering the TDF race videos bill wright puts together on YouTube was such a trip. When I’ve seen them in the flatirons I am always impressed by their speed and confidence. Not to mention always super kind. Hearing about the death of such an experienced and competent scrambler, that I hoped to one day meet, on a route that I have been personally thinking about for a little while has me kind of shaken up and frankly asking myself questions about why I do these things that could kill me and if I’ve fallen into something out of my depth too quickly. But at the same time I know that this can happen to anybody, and that Bailee was very experienced and knew what she was getting into and, I imagine, had likely done the route before.

Rest in peace Bailee, you really inspired a lot of people that you probably didn’t even realize you had an impact on. Your friends have had only the best to say about you and I can tell you were a very important and impactful part of your community and positively touched a lot of lives. tread lightly everybody

[Mtnman200]

From Mountain Project: https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/t ... mulholland

[jasayrevt]

Condolences to Bailee and family. Colorado's Athletic community always supportively acknowledges one another's pursuits for happiness, health, and well-being.

You will be positively remembered by many. Climb on, in heaven above.

[SnowAlien]

I've done the Blitzen ridge with ropes and have been considering to free solo it. This accident certainly puts things into perspective. When I was there last time, on a technical roped up portion on the Aces, a handhold unexpectedly broke off on me, and freaked me out. I would certainly treat this mountain with caution. So sad for the loss of such a young life.
p.s. this accident made national news
https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/11/us/color ... index.html

[JacobW]

Boulder Reporting Lab also wrote a much more complete piece about Bailee.

[JacobW]

Denver Post just released an article about Bailee as well, with some insight on the scrambling community from Bill Wright.

[blazintoes]

Seems we read stories like this every year. I have personal stories as well and have close friends who can empathize. I thought about Bailee a lot over the weekend and admire what Ryan wrote..."The mountains are a natural refuge, with inspiring heights and devastating lows. Ypsilon foremost among them; an immovable mountain soothing those, such as her, whose fears include abandonment. I realize the callous irony there and offer meagre blame.

Perhaps, as you stride among those wildflowers in search of the highs, be aware of the lows. And traverse them as safely as you can.

Rest in peace, Bailee"

I've climbed with Ryan on Ypsilon and also did Blizten last year. The irony in visiting the place we go for freedom as also a place that can take it away hurts on a spiritual level. Tears well up as I write because I feel your pain. I lost my brother 28 years ago and my step brother two months ago. They were young and taken too soon. Bailee was a bright determined star and this is what I see every time I see that picture of her bouldering.

I have survivors guilt often and getting a second chance to live is a privilege that often feels undeserved. My hope is in this post is that Bailee's family and friends read this to know that there is a community here, one I've been a part of for over a decade and to know that we are here for you.