Steve Gladbach

[glacierPaul]

My sincerest condolences to all his family and friends! I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with him at my place, I am sorry for your loss!!

[Papillon]

I met Steve at the La Plata trailhead on 3/6/2010 with several other members of the forum. I was very intimidated in the lead up – the avatar, the screen name, the resume, etc. I expressed concern about the avy danger on La Plata. He told me he had been up there the weekend before and it was good to go. He also said that we’d have enough people on hand if I needed “crisis support”. I read the PM to Sarah and said “Who the f--- is this guy? Sounds like a nut…” We almost didn’t go. But I’m grateful we did. So grateful.

Like Jon Frohlich mentioned earlier, I very quickly realized I could not keep up the conversation and the pace. It was just not possible. He was talking my ear off and my lungs were about to explode (all of five minutes from the damn parking lot). A friend had accompanied him and Cooper that day from Pueblo. I remember the guy had old school tennis racket snowshoes and Steve did everything he could to get him to the summit. He must have climbed up and down the final 500 feet 3-4 times. Steve had a great voice, very peaceful to listen to in a group, especially if somebody else was responsible for keeping the conversation going with him.

Three months later Steve, Greg, Cooper, Sarah and I ran Lightning to Thunder on Steve’s birthday. Up in Shoemaker Basin, the decision was made to go up Lightning first. Steve would later joke that Cooper *needed* Lightning. We topped out and looked over at the traverse to Thunder. I remember Greg pointing out a possible route and Steve saying “I don’t know… I don’t know…” and I was like those chattering teeth they sell at gag gift shops. I mean, if Gladbach doesn’t know if it’ll go, what in the hell have I gotten myself into? I have a video I watched this morning where I say something like “I forgot to pack my Depends…” right before we traversed to Thunder. But everything worked out fine on a day that would turn out to be a landscape changer for Sarah and I in terms of mountaineering. If I also remember correctly, Steve did Cathedral the day prior with a lady named Linda from the CMC who was working on the centennials. He was tireless when it came to helping others.

For the unofficial, unsanctioned, secret knock winter weekend on Holy Cross in March 2012, Steve’s group departed Tigiwon a few hours before our group. Our plan (a pipedream actually) was to catch them at the summer trailhead. Well, we didn’t catch them. They broke trail all the way to Halfmoon Pass. I was pretty damn spent just following their trench. But Steve and Ken were not in camp when we got there. They were breaking trail all the way down to Cross Creek. That’s 800 feet. Steve got back to camp right around dusk. With the number of people we had in the group, he could’ve put it on cruise. But that was not his style.

Carson Black’s bicentennial finisher on Tijeras is my most memorable summit day period. We had the weather, the route and the crew – Darin Baker, Terri H., Kimo, Marlyn, Steve, and Carson. We even got a surprise visit from Mad Mike and Mad Dani just below the summit. Darin wrote a TR and Kimo took great pictures. On the descent, we took a break in some talus and Carson, Marlyn, and Steve were quietly giving me s**t for using a rope on Vestal. Very subtle. I took the ribbing in stride and kept my mouth shut. Those guys are heavyweight Colorado mountaineers and I wasn’t exactly holding any cards. But man, it felt great to be a part of their circle that day.

Back at the car, I’m trying to change clothes with people everywhere. Steve catches me with my pants around my ankles.

“I’m sorry you had to see that Steve.”
“Not anything I haven’t seen before. Of course, the last guy was a dying diseased leper…”

That was the last climb I did with Steve. We casually talked about getting together but nothing ever materialized. I guess I was foolish in thinking we will all go on forever and there will always be time. There will always be another weekend.

My closest encounter with “Greatbach” (as Prakash calls him) after Tijeras was in early winter 2013 at the Missouri Gulch TH. Steve was overdue from an attempt on Ice Mountain – overdue by my standards not his – and we all went to sleep that night with an uneasy feeling. But around midnight I heard a car pull up and then I heard that voice of his in the cold January night. I think it was a 20 hour day for him.

I cussed and rolled over in my bag and promised to give him s**t the next time I saw him but I never got the chance.

Steve, I think you had a great run. Thanks for everything.

Papi

[Mtnman200]

Well put, Papillon. I never climbed with Steve but am well aware of his climbing resume and reputation.

[Nathan Hale]

Like Jon Frolich, I never post on these sorts of threads, but this one feels different, particularly after reading through all these pages and learning a lot more about what a great guy Steve was.

I was travelling and didn't hear anything until yesterday, and it's safe to say that I was immediately shocked and saddened by the news and spent my next flight reflecting on it a lot.

I wasn't lucky enough to meet Steve, but he indirectly had an impact on my climbing career after I had a scary incident of my own in 2007. I had resolved not to climb for a while, but was considering some of the 14ers I still had remaining, including Maroon Peak, and was doing various internet searches relating to the peak. In so doing, I came across this website which catalogs the summit register of Maroon Peak between 2000 and mid 2002. One of the entries from 2000 was from Steve, though I didn't notice that at the time:

In memory of Brent & Marcie Cameron who lost their lives on this peak on my attempt 6/13/1992. Thank you to Pitkin County Search & Rescue who evacuated me after a 1,500-foot fall. I married the nurse who tended to me on the mountain while waiting for help. We have two beautiful children. God bless us all.

For some reason while skimming this entry stuck to me. His spirit of continuing after adversity inspired me to do the same and I climbed Maroon and N. Maroon successfully and safely a couple of weeks later. It wasn't until later that I noticed the name on the site was that of Steve, someone I was quite familiar with from this site.

The forum and the mountains will be diminished without his helpful and inspiring presence.

[LynnKH]

For the unofficial, unsanctioned, secret knock winter weekend on Holy Cross in March 2012, Steve’s group departed Tigiwon a few hours before our group. Our plan (a pipedream actually) was to catch them at the summer trailhead. Well, we didn’t catch them. They broke trail all the way to Halfmoon Pass. I was pretty damn spent just following their trench. But Steve and Ken were not in camp when we got there. They were breaking trail all the way down to Cross Creek. That’s 800 feet. Steve got back to camp right around dusk. With the number of people we had in the group, he could’ve put it on cruise. But that was not his style.

My group happened to climb Holy Cross that weekend, too. I'll never forget how cool it was to realize that Steve and Ken (and many other amazing climbers) were ahead of me on the mountain; I was literally walking in the footsteps of the legends. If it hadn't have been for those guys breaking trail, I'm sure it would have taken me a fourth day, if I made it at all. I couldn't believe how gracious and truly kind everyone in Steve's group was; many others would have called us "trench poachers."

Unfortunately that was the only time I ever climbed with (and by with, I mean, behind, well behind) Steve. But like for many of us mortals, he has been an inspiration to me, and even more so as I've read through these pages and gained a greater sense for who he was as a person.

To his family and friends - like with many on this site, you are in my thoughts. My absolute condolences to you.

[Dancesatmoonrise]

He was an animal. With this unpretentious little-kid like demeanor.

We're descending some nasty stuff in the San Juans, and he's just muscling it, crashing through and coming back up like he's got springs in his ass. I don't think the guy ever bruised! I personally have some issues to where I can't do that, it's just not an option, so here I am picking my way with extreme caution, burning a lot of extra energy, wishing I could just crash through this stuff with him. I'm thinking he's not even phased and doesn't notice.

After about an hour of this he turns to me and says in that kind of innocent unpretentious way of his, "Hey, how come you're not falling?"

I laughed so hard I nearly fell over.



He was also the most generous guy any of us ever met.

Three of us are walking out of the parking lot to go climb. He says, hey Jim, would you take a look at something for me? We go back to his car, he opens the trunk, and has two ropes there. He asks me if they're any good. They were his father in law's, used for SAR, but never actually used. They looked brand new, supple, fresh. I said, heck, they look great to me.

So he turns to me and says, "You want 'em?"

We climbed all day on the blue rope, and since then, Blue has been host to the goals and aspirations of many beginning climbers. Blue's getting a bit dirty now, but as long as it's serviceable, it's going to keep helping new folks get to the top of climbs. One small way I can honor Steve's spirit of mentoring. Steve helped me to find my love of helping others with rock climbing. Steve has given us all so very much. We are all so blessed to have had this man here on earth with us.


Thank you, Steve.

[dcbates80911]

My first contact with Steve was in a response to a TR I posted for my (then 8 year old) son. He had summitted Gray’s Peak in 2007 and wrote about it for his return to school assignment.

Steve posted this in response:

Good job Mister!
Did you like it? How about goats? Sometimes there are goats on Gray‘s Peak. Do some research and tell us how Gray‘s got it‘s name; that would be cool.

You know, the girls like guys who climb mountains!

My son was thrilled someone was directing a question to him. I got a chuckle out of his "girls" advise. Brennan answered the question and got this reply:

Now I Know!
With the information you gave me, I looked up a story on wikipedia about Asa Gray. He certailnly was a very important botanist.

I'm glad you got to see some goats; they are my favorite Colorado animal.

My younger daughter is also 8 (she's in second grade). She climbed Mt Evans this past fall for her first 14er (her mother was doing her last 14er on the same trip!)She liked it too.

See you in the mountains someday.

The first time I actually met Steve was at the Spring Gathering in 2010 and then had a chance to talk to him at Kevin's memorial service a few months later. I read his TR’s for years and many of his posts.

I felt so stoked this weekend after a great climb up a mountain I wanted for years. When I saw the news and the ultimate tragic turn the next morning, it was a crushing blow. My contact with Steve was small, but it was in the same style many on here have already mentioned. He was a very kind person who shared his knowledge and much more. RIP.

[JosephG]

Many of you knew Steve better than I ever did and have posted more apropos reflections on his life and spirit. Yet, I want to share this and hope it reaches his family—particularly his daughters—who can never know enough about what kind of person Steve was.

I met Steve in March 2010, after he posted an open invitation to join him and a small group heading up La Plata. Like many of us, I knew Steve by reputation well before I hiked with him. To say that I was a last minute addition would be an understatement. The meet-up was scheduled for early Saturday morning; I contacted Steve late Friday evening. After a few questions about conditions and my experience/fundamental competence, Steve insisted I join. I’d already hiked La Plata, but via a different route and in the summer. He was not at all bothered by the last-minute aspect of my involvement. To the contrary, he was genuinely welcoming and excited to have another hiker.

That night, a storm blew in causing my arrival at the TH to be delayed ~30 minutes. Steve and his group had experienced a similar delay, although when I pulled in they were geared up and ready to go. Following brief introductions, I suggested Steve and the group go on ahead and I’d catch up (ha!). For those who have done the standard La Plata route, particularly in winter, you know that it starts out arduous and doesn’t much let up until the clearing at the base of the winter ascent line. Within minutes of leaving the parking lot, I was huffing, puffing, and enjoying the beginnings of an off-day. I also was relatively certain I was not going to see the group until they were on their descent.

After about a quarter mile of this, I turned a corner and almost collided with Steve. He had doubled back to meet me so I wouldn’t be hiking alone. I apologized for separating him from his group and for going so slowly, but he wouldn’t hear any of it. Instead—and as many others have similarly commented—while I labored to breathe and keep pace, he filled the bracing air with warm personality and conversation. He could have left me to catch up, he could have had his group wait for me to catch up; instead, he turned back to ensure I was part of the group ASAP. Later, approaching the summit, he made an offhand remark that I was moving much stronger than down low, which was true but not such that it was obvious unless Steve was paying close attention and wanted to extend positivity.

I had the pleasure of hiking with him, running into him, and exchanging messages with him on several occasions after that. He always remembered small, almost irrelevant details of our first encounter, and he made a point to engage you.

He was a great climber, but an even better person. He will be missed.

[MountainHiker]

I remember meeting Steve the first time & realizing who he was. It was at one of the gatherings. The morning of the climb several of us were in the parking lot of the Missouri Group ready to start. So Dorthe & I started up the trail and this guy fell in behind us. We introduced ourselves and when Steve said his name, I'm like”You're famous!”

Steve was traveling a faster pace so I only got to talk to him for the first part of the trail before dropping back to hike with Dorthe. If I remember correctly Dorthe & I just did Belford that day while Steve and another companion or two did Belford, Oxford & Missouri. As the day grew long I remember reassuring my friend's girlfriend that he was with someone really experienced.

On another 14ers.com climb of that group Steve had Alise with him so he stayed at her pace and we got to hike along quite a bit with them.

We got to meet Steve on a couple other occasions including a hike of Tabeguache. Dorthe wasn't along on that one but a group of us connected through 14ers.com to meet up. After reading through these posts I realize Steve was just being himself when he participated in a car shuttle between trailheads to allow another hiker to do the traverse.

We're traveling and have been unable to access internet since Monday morning. Nick – Mongoose was able to send a message so we received the news Monday evening. It is really sobering when someone we know who is so skilled and experienced is taken from us. Since witnessing tragedy last year on North Maroon I've been needing to go back for closure. It will be with a heavy heart next time I hike up that valley.

My condolences to Steve's family and friends.

[bigtrout]

I have had the great fortune of working, hiking, climbing, and running with Steve for the last fifteen years. Steve was a math teacher in a high school health professions program in Pueblo and I am the administrator of that program. Steve was my best friend and when I learned that he was gone last Monday, I was devastated. Completely lost. Steve and I shared many mountains. Steve has two daughters and I have two sons. They are all approximately the same age and we went on many day hikes to the high lakes in the Sangres together. I have a couple of special memories of fishing with Steve and his daughters. Steve may have been a legendary mountaineer, but he was not a legendary fisherman. He could barely tie a clinch knot and his casting skills needed a lot of help. We took a day trip up to Dry Lakes a few years ago and I remember Steve spending more time fiddling around with his fishing gear than actually fishing. We took a break from fishing for lunch, Steve left his gear by the side of lake, and when he returned, some of his stuff had been attacked by marmots! We had a great time. We took another day hike to South Colony Lakes a couple of years later. His fishing skills had dramatically improved. He even managed to catch a few fish. But the purpose of these days wasn't to catch fish; it was to enjoy our families and the outdoors together.

Steve was also my running partner. I started running again about five years ago after a 15 year lay off. I needed to get back in shape if I was going to keep up with Gladbach in the mountains, but then again, nobody could keep up with Steve in the mountains. Last January I decided to train for a marathon and Steve wanted to be my training partner. Steve and I had run together for a couple of years, but marathon training required a new level of commitment. Steve couldn't run with me during the week, but I think he ran with me on nearly every long run on the weekends. He was a running animal. Even though he lived on a diet of Corn Nuts and Diet Pepsi, and only ran once a week on the weekends, he could still easily run 15 - 20 miles. Steve wanted to run the marathon, (actually it was the 25 mile Collegiate Peaks Trail Run), but he had other commitments that weekend. He was genuinely happy for me that I completed the run. Steve was a great partner. I will miss his non-stop conversation during the runs. I rarely had to talk during our runs, he could talk for hours. All I had to do was grunt and say a few simple words now and then. And you should have seen Steve in his black running tights. It was a stunning sight. But he did not run in his orange hat.

I was asked to write part of Steve's eulogy for his memorial service on Saturday. Here's my part:


STEVE GLADBACH

For those of you who don't know me, I'm Bill McAuliffe. And for all of the 14ers family, my screen name on 14ers.com is Bigtrout. I've had the great fortune of knowing Steve for the last fifteen years or so. He was my best friend. Steve got me off the couch and into mountaineering about eight years ago. Since then, we have gone on many climbs together. He was my running partner, he was a great friend and role model to my children.

The Health Academy students, staff, and Pueblo City Schools were also blessed to have known, been taught by, worked with, and have Steve as their friend.

I have a bunch of personal Steve stories from our mountaineering trips, long runs, and family adventures, but I would like to share with you what Steve was like in his professional life and the impact he had on his students and how much they loved him.

Steve was a math teacher in the Health Academy and he readily admitted that surely there were better math teachers than he, as it was never his goal in his professional life to become the world's best math teacher. His passion was his students. The same passion that he brought to mountaineering and helping and mentoring others is what made him a great teacher and friend. He would help any student at any time. He genuinely cared for his students. Steve was concerned with whole student, not just whether the student could solve quadratic equations.

As a Health Academy staff we have weekly staff meetings. Meetings would start at 9:30 a.m., but Steve was nearly always missing at that time. We'd all look at each other and then someone would ask, “Who's turn is it this week to go get Steve?” At staff meetings you could always count on Steve to say something totally unexpected, funny and bordering on inappropriate. When he'd make one of these comments, we'd look around at each other and think, “Did Steve really just say that?!” and then we'd laugh it off.

Staff and students were always entertained by choice of wardrobe. Steve has a unique fashion sense. He even wore the orange Elmer Fudd hat to school on cold mornings.

I wish I had a quarter for every time I went into Steve's classroom during his prep time and found him logged into the 14ers.com website. That became a joke with Steve. He claimed he was doing important research for one of his math classes. Or he'd be on the phone with one of his climbing friends trying to get information for a future trip or giving advice and information to someone. He was always eating corn nuts or pretzels and drinking a 20 oz Diet Pepsi during this.


Our students loved Mr. Gladbach. There was a huge outpouring of sadness when they learned of his passing. Here are some comments from students on Joyce Marino's Facebook page when they learned that he was gone.


Mr. Steve Gladbach was one of the most influential people my life. Not only was he an awesome person, friend and teacher, but also made me love math when I absolutely hated it. I will never forget this man. I have his daughters in my prayers and thoughts. Thank you for all you have done for me Mr. Gladbach, thank you for the priceless advise you have given me and the incredible example you have set for not only me but also every student that has passed through your class room. Thank you sir and I love you. I will never forget you and your words of wisdom. Mr. Gladbach would often say, "It's all about what you make it"

This breaks my heart! He was such an amazing teacher, dad, and person in my life! The Health Academy family will always remember him!

Such a huge loss for the health academy family, a great teacher and individual...I'm glad I had the opportunity to be one of his students

This is certainly a very sad and difficult loss for everyone involved with the Health Academy because he was a fabulous instructor. He helped me through Pre-Calc, even though it took a great deal of extra time and tutoring (which he happily gave). We are all keeping his family and friends in our prayers

The loss of this man has hit home. Steve Gladbach, you will forever be someone special and close to me. Climb all the mountains in heaven


As a teacher, I must now ask about what we have learned and what are we now expected to do now that Steve's gone. In a 14ers.com posting last Sunday, Eric Sangueza wrote about a letter that Steve wrote to him. In this letter, Steve gave Eric his three rules of life: 1) Be Kind 2) Take care of yourself 3) Work Hard. All life's problems can be solved by these three rules.

I think these three rules are what Steve would expect us to do. We should remember and honor Steve by being kind, patient, and always helping others. Do our best in everything we do, and take good care of ourselves. We cannot take care of others unless we first take care of ourselves. Steve was the most generous and selfless person I've know and I know that we will all miss him greatly.


Bill (bigtrout)

[cougar]

I never met him but such a tragic loss of not just a great climber but a great person - the stories about him here are incredible. Seems like tragic things happen to the best people.

[sevenvii]

To echo what everyone else has sad. The man had humility, kindness, and a general overall exemplary grace about him that I could only hope to have. I barely knew him, but the few hours I have spent in his presence told me all I needed to know.

It was the Snowmass gathering over Memorial day a few years back that I first met Steve. I wasnt with the 14ers.com group but with a smaller CMC group. It was one of my first mountaineering backpacks, and first real snow climb. I felt under prepared and made a host of mistakes. I had run low on food and was way too embarrassed to admit it. At the time I was chomping down the last few morsels of a clif bar, here comes Steve. I didnt have a clue who this goofball was with his ridiculous orange hat, but he came right over to me, and offered me some gummi bears and other food. It was amazing, I was like how did he know or is he just that generous of a person that he offers whatever to whomever he meets on the trail? I learned that answer pretty fast that day. Not a few moments later he was lending an extra pair of mittens to another person. Then later on was helping Steph get Xion(sp?) up and off the summit. Then was helping a nervous climber by setting up a belay to ease her into the gully. Then was helping some other folks back to the summit. Then after we learned of a couple climbers had fallen through a cornice and one was really badly hurt, Steve wasnt far behind providingeven more to help. He had a 6th sense for folks who needed help, and he gave it over and over again. I ended that trip not knowing anything about the man's resume, other than lots of folks knew him as Steve. It was a few weeks later that I finally put 2 and 2 together and I was even more awe struck. Someone of his "caliber" was treating us noobies with such respect and kindness, it just blew me away.

I only had the privilege of hiking with him two other times. At the March gathering Harvard, Columbia and then on Tabeguache. I feel like I barely knew him, but I know I will truly miss him. If I can be 1/10 of the man that he is, that would truly be an honor. God Bless You Steve Gladbach, and thanks for making my life all the better for simply being in your presence.

Climb on.

Chris