In Memoriam - TalusMonkey, you will be missed

gsliva · Post by **gsliva** » Tue May 08, 2007 6:17 am

See my new Avitar.

Kiefer · Post by **Kiefer** » Tue May 08, 2007 6:35 am

Here's a pic of when we snowshoed up to Loch Vale a few months back. Had a great dinner at some Italian restaurant afterwards.
It was a good day.

It always cracks me up at how he always has a GPS or topo. in his hand or somewhere on him.

Woodie Hopper · Post by **Woodie Hopper** » Tue May 08, 2007 6:38 am

My god- my most sincere condolences to David's family, Caroline and the rest of the 14er family. I'm one of the many who have never met David but honestly miss him.

Rest in peace

Woodie

Scanner · Post by **Scanner** » Tue May 08, 2007 6:43 am

Goodbye, David. Thanks for sharing your infectuous enthusiasm and love of the mountains with us!

FlyGirl · Post by **FlyGirl** » Tue May 08, 2007 7:04 am

Sweet dreams TalusMonkey, as you float high above the mountains on clouds made of Reddi-Whip donned in the royalty of purple listening to country & western music and smiling down on all of us, leaving us to sense your spirit as we enter the wilderness from this time on.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am a 1,000 winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sun 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 light
I am the soft star that shines at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there; I did not die.
Anonymous

Estelle · Post by **Estelle** » Tue May 08, 2007 7:08 am

Goodbye David. I will never forget the day SarahT and I met you on Meeker/Longs. You soon became addicted to the mountains like us and before I could blink my eyes you had finished the 14ers. Thank you for helping me down when I fell on the 3 Apostles. I wish I could have been with you on Humboldt with my beacon like you were there for me. You were such a dedicated and passionate person and we all thought you were crazy but you were still a good friend. Good thing you were so obsessed about being light-weight - you'll have no resistance getting to heaven! We will never forget you. RIP TalusMonkey.

KeithK · Post by **KeithK** » Tue May 08, 2007 7:11 am

I found this site last fall as a great resource for a hobby that I had never realized would become so important to me. After some time, the site brings you in, and it's very easy to become a part of it. These last couple of days have been very sobering, running the gammut from shock, to hope, to relief, and then to the very worst feeling of all, despair. Like so many others, I never met David, but his "celebrity" on this site was real and tangible. My hiking partner and I would mention things as they might relate to the TalusMonkey on nearly every hike, and he certainly made an impression on this 14er rookie.

His loss is tragic, and reminds me that life is short, and that we must appreciate those that are close to us, as well as those that make a difference in any little way, whether through their humor, dedication, or inspirational attitude. There are many in this "online community" that provide such unique perspective, but none are quite so unique as TalusMonkey.

My thoughts, prayers, and best wishes for all of those that were so close to David. RIP

Keith

PS: I am in a position to adopt a cat if necessary, and would be honored to do so...

Iguru · Post by **Iguru** » Tue May 08, 2007 7:14 am

I would have been honored to just meet TalusMonkey, not to mention actually hiking with him.
Unfortunately, I did neither, and now, I never will

I feel the loss, and will think of the monkey when hiking future 14ers.
His spirit lives on.

RIP TM
Respectfully,
Paul

StevieTwoShoes · Post by **StevieTwoShoes** » Tue May 08, 2007 7:20 am

Never met him, but his posts always cracked me up and his last TR on the Kansas and North Dakota highpoints was one of the funniest things I've seen on this forum. My thoughts are with all of you who know him well.

shotgung · Post by **shotgung** » Tue May 08, 2007 7:30 am

I am sadened by this news and he will be missed by all. I never knew David or met him, but felt like I knew him through his posts. He will be missed.

CorduroyCalves · Post by **CorduroyCalves** » Tue May 08, 2007 7:35 am

I had the privilige of meeting David one day when I was working at REI. Except for the photos I had seen here on the site, I had never laid eyes on him, but there he was, staring at the wall of YakTrax. I knew right away it was the Talus Monkey! I stopped to introduce myself and chat with him for a few minutes until I had to return to my duties. He seemed really nice and my only regret is that I didn't have more time to talk to him.

I never know what to say in these situations, so I'll offer my condolences to his family, to Caroline, and to everyone who was touched by him in some way, shape, or form.

gdthomas · Post by **gdthomas** » Tue May 08, 2007 7:44 am

A tragic event - my condolences go out to TM's family and friends.

In Memoriam - TalusMonkey, you will be missed

14ers.com

Social

Mobile App