Threads related to Colorado mountaineering accidents but please keep it civil and respectful. Friends and relatives of fallen climbers will be reading these posts.
Forum rules
Please be respectful when posting - family and friends of fallen climbers might be reading this forum.
As some of you may have seen, the press release has been made. Here is an article from the Denver Gazette: https://denvergazette.com/outtherecolor ... baab1.html
I have confirmed with SAR the exact location where he was recovered. It is consistent with him having fallen in the section shown in photos 11, 12, and, 13 of the traverse route description. When I did this route last year, this section stood out to me as the most uncomfortable of the entire traverse, but it usually is not given much emphasis. Route-finding is highly complex there, and all reasonable paths involve some seriously airy moves. For anyone planning on doing this traverse, please pay special attention here. As someone already mentioned, it is truly a special place up there, but I think many people are caught off guard because it is so often referred to as the "easy" Great Traverse, as if such a thing exists. Just because it is not nearly as technical as the other three does not mean it doesn't warrant the same respect and extreme caution.
RG15,
John has not been forgotten. I made the traverse yesterday with my dear friend and our sons, both 22 years old. John was on my mind a majority of the time.
Sorry for your loss and I hope his family and friends have a lifetime of memories of him.