Wow...life is so short. I wish every one of you strength through this time of loss. I didn't know David personally, but like many others, he definitely added flavor, humor, and passion to climbing. This is truly sad.
RIP Talus Monkey, you'll be missed.
ps - if it is needed, I can offer my home to one of his pets.
In Memoriam - TalusMonkey, you will be missed
Forum rules
- This is a mountaineering forum, so please keep your posts on-topic. Posts do not all have to be related to the 14ers but should at least be mountaineering-related.
- Personal attacks and confrontational behavior will result in removal from the forum at the discretion of the administrators.
- Do not use this forum to advertise, sell photos or other products or promote a commercial website.
- Posts will be removed at the discretion of the site administrator or moderator(s), including: Troll posts, posts pushing political views or religious beliefs, and posts with the purpose of instigating conflict within the forum.
-
- Posts: 743
- Joined: 11/9/2005
- 14ers: 58 4
- 13ers: 55
- Trip Reports (8)
I am shocked and saddened by this turn of events. I was confident that when he was found in good spirits by his rescuers that he would make a full recovery and be basking in the sunlight on a mountain top again soon.
I only met David once, a chance encounter on the South Colony Lakes Road while gurlyclimber and I were on our way up to the Crestones and he and Shanahan96 were on their way down. He was a kind and high spirited man and his energy and passion will be greatly missed.
To all of you who knew him personally, I can only imagine what your grief must be like. If he could touch so many through posting on a message board, you are all truly blessed to have had him a part of your lives, if only for a brief time. Climb high in honor of your friend, for if their is a heaven then he is there, and from the summit you will be a little closer to David once more.

I only met David once, a chance encounter on the South Colony Lakes Road while gurlyclimber and I were on our way up to the Crestones and he and Shanahan96 were on their way down. He was a kind and high spirited man and his energy and passion will be greatly missed.
To all of you who knew him personally, I can only imagine what your grief must be like. If he could touch so many through posting on a message board, you are all truly blessed to have had him a part of your lives, if only for a brief time. Climb high in honor of your friend, for if their is a heaven then he is there, and from the summit you will be a little closer to David once more.

-
- Posts: 101
- Joined: 11/13/2006
- Trip Reports (1)
Wow... I don't even know how to process all of this... I knew when I heard about this on the news, that there would be more to come. I logged on to see if anybody had any information and saw Bills "In Memorium" picture on the homepage. was speachless, I immediatly looked over to the post listing and saw these right at the top, and knew that this was real, and this was very bad. I don't even know what to say. I have been sitting here for the last two hours reading all these posts to find out what happened, and that it really is true. What a tragedy to the climbing world, and to the Colorado mountains. He will be missed by everyone here, and missed by his beloved mountains, that beconed for him when he wasn't tromping though the backcountry in a purple pimp suit.
My deepest sympathies go out to everyone who was touched by David, and may we all live on with a piece of him in our hearts...
Casey Unitt
My deepest sympathies go out to everyone who was touched by David, and may we all live on with a piece of him in our hearts...
Casey Unitt
-
- Posts: 418
- Joined: 2/8/2006
- Trip Reports (0)
-
- Posts: 25
- Joined: 2/23/2006
- 14ers: 31
- Trip Reports (3)
Best Trip Reports Ever
Talus Monkey's trip reports will always live as some of the best on this forum. His humor, wit, and intelligence is a lasting tribute to his life and will sustain his memory. My heart goes out to David's family, friends, and Caroline. God Bless and Rest in Peace.
-
- Posts: 103
- Joined: 1/29/2006
- 14ers: 11
- Trip Reports (2)
Sadness
Well this is very hard to swallow for all of us. I did not know David, but his posts were the greatest. My thoughts and prayers go to all his family and friends. He was the "Man" of 14ers.com I would like to go on the tribute hike and summit in his honor. I think a few dozen of us hiking in his memory would be the best tribute we could do. Looking out west this morning, the mountains have become a little hollow. I must say that his accomplishment of the 54 was a life accomplishment, and in his short time, he accomplished a hell of a lot. To all of David's loved ones, he is at his highest summit yet. God Bless you David, you will be dearly missed........ 

-
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 5/2/2007
- Trip Reports (0)
It's His Sanctuary
To be in His sanctuary where nothing is made by man
to see His creative beauty only a few people can.
The serenity and tranquility that touches the spirit we feel
to balance our lives and and do it with zeal.
A complete escape, there is no doubt, a beautiful place to be
His (TM)choice in life, was to be there, to live in awe and only see.
His creative beauty, all natural and all in you and me.
The path? The trail? they cross our lives, another gift from Him
to you all to see.
David was a gift , how blessed we are to have his life to be part of ours.
to see His creative beauty only a few people can.
The serenity and tranquility that touches the spirit we feel
to balance our lives and and do it with zeal.
A complete escape, there is no doubt, a beautiful place to be
His (TM)choice in life, was to be there, to live in awe and only see.
His creative beauty, all natural and all in you and me.
The path? The trail? they cross our lives, another gift from Him
to you all to see.
David was a gift , how blessed we are to have his life to be part of ours.
Colorado has been my life.
-
- Posts: 224
- Joined: 9/12/2006
- 14ers: 31
- Trip Reports (2)
Utter shock! I'm sitting in the Lakewood library using one of their computers as mine is toast. I was in disbelief when I saw the memorium on the homepage. This is very tragic news. I never met Talus Monkey but did read many of his posts. He was an inspiration to all. Very sorry to hear this news.
Listen to your body, it tells you when it's had enough.
I'm at school on a really slow computer so I'll get caught up on the many many posts in TM's honor when I get home.
In the meantime, today I dedicated my senior project on avalanche safety and prediction to our friend David. I reminded our class how precious life is and to live life to the fullest. We had a moment of silence collectively as a class this morning, and I'm spreading the news in hope of more thoughts and prayers from the folks here at Moffat.
Talus, I never met you man. I wish I had. I've heard through the grapevine that you wanted to hike with me sometime; you're always welcome to accompany me in spirit.
In the meantime, today I dedicated my senior project on avalanche safety and prediction to our friend David. I reminded our class how precious life is and to live life to the fullest. We had a moment of silence collectively as a class this morning, and I'm spreading the news in hope of more thoughts and prayers from the folks here at Moffat.
Talus, I never met you man. I wish I had. I've heard through the grapevine that you wanted to hike with me sometime; you're always welcome to accompany me in spirit.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll take you down to their level and beat you with experience.
-
- Posts: 11
- Joined: 2/16/2006
- 14ers: 3
- Trip Reports (0)
-
- Posts: 373
- Joined: 7/21/2006
- 14ers: 57
- Trip Reports (11)
Words cannot express the shock and sadness. After leaving the thread last night with nothing but hope and thoughts of endless months of grief and ribbing for TM, and then this morning seeing this...it puts me beyond grief.
And yet it is comforting that so many folks here have so many good memories and tales to tell. He will surely live on in all our hearts and memories.
Rest in Peace, Be At Rest.
And yet it is comforting that so many folks here have so many good memories and tales to tell. He will surely live on in all our hearts and memories.
Rest in Peace, Be At Rest.
mtnMike
http://www.fourteeners.org
"Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory." - Ed Viesturs
http://www.fourteeners.org
"Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory." - Ed Viesturs