Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
This is not so much a trip report as it is a remembrance of our friend, Carson. This is a celebration of his life, or at least the years that I knew him and my gratitude for the many mountain trips we had together.
For those that were fortunate to know Carson, I hope you will find some of the photos here display the seemingly never-ending joy that he had! Always quick with a smile, Carson had a way to lighten the day and make me laugh, as I’m sure he did with most he spent time with.
Upon Carson’s passing, I was reminded that his first name was Elmer. For those of us that new him in the Colorado mountain community, he’s always been Carson. Coincidentally, my grandfather’s name was also Elmer. I never met my grandfather, my mom’s father, as he had died before I was born. Carson, 33 years my senior, was not a father figure nor a grandfather like person in my life, but a good friend for many years and a great partner in the mountains.
Carson may have been older than me, yet to me he did not show his years. His energy, both mentally and physically, transcended his age. In the mountains his physical strength and stamina was admirable, but beyond that, his positive aura was a special treat to be around. His amazement in seeing mountain flora, was like someone seeing those mountain flowers for the first time! Yet he’d seen those same flowers multiple times in the past. It didn’t matter though. He found joy in all things in the mountains.
Carson, posing above Lake Hope (7/24/2009)
In 2004 or ’05, I was on a trip in the Sangre de Cristos with him and fellow friend Denise Snow, where he had demonstrated for Denise and another member of our party, Joy, about the benefits of the mountain gentian flower. That benefit being that one could use the flower like a delicate goblet, filling with water while on the slopes of the mountain, and celebrating in toast the surroundings and benefits of being in the mountains! I unfortunately wasn’t witness to this, as I stayed back at Lake of the Clouds as they ascended to 13ers above. I have always enjoyed that story though, being told of it at the lake when they returned. Denise can recall that story much better than I.
Another trait of Carson’s that I always found amazing was he never seemed to have a bad day! I never knew him to be moody (like I can be) or surly. He was a compassionate person towards others, and would show encouragement to friends and strangers alike. I remember several times on a trail when we would come across a runner and he would cheer them on, saying things like, “hey, looking good” and “yay, keep going strong!”
On a bench at Barr Camp, Carson and Valerie Duringer brighten the day (June 26, 2013)
Carson was also somewhat low key when it came to tooting his own horn on his accomplishments. I would generally hear about his past endeavors from others; however he would talk to me about those times when it came up.
Darin Baker and Denise Snow in foreground. Carson Black and Lauren (?) on summit of 14er, Pyramid Peak, Sept 2004.
On a CMC (Colorado Mountain Club) trip to hike in the Elks, led by Denise Snow, I heard about Carson’s participation in the first known ascent of “Thunder Pyramid” (13,932’). Spencer Swanger’s name generally comes up and is credited with the FA, but Carson was on that trip too, as well as Stewart Green and others that I don’t have or know the names of.
I of course was impressed at hearing about that ascent, but Carson kind of downplayed it like no big deal, just another mountain he climbed!
On that hike up Pyramid, I remember the hard push we made up from the amphitheater to the NE ridge route. Carson was on my tail as we hiked up the steep slopes, pushing ourselves to the limit to gain the ridge. I imagine my younger, maybe cocky self was thinking that I couldn’t let him pass me! I recall as we got to the ridge, Denise was waiting for us and she said something along the lines of, “all I heard was some heavy huffing and puffing and then you two appeared!” I also recall Carson thanking me for the hard push, as he felt he needed that!
Carson was known to be a strong hiker, runner, orienteer, (even champion at one time I believe), telemark skier, and climber. He would often say, “I’m game!” when asked if he would like to go on an adventure.
Carson giving his game on the Y couloir exit on Pikes Peak.
I first met Carson on a CMC trip, earlier that summer of 2004, when we did Pilot Knob and US Grant.
Marlyn Peet, Darin, Denise Snow, Steve Gladbach, Janet Rose, & Carson Black. July 2004, along the trail in Ice Lakes Basin. (Photo by Mary Peet)
Summit of US Grant
Denise, Carson, Steve, Darin, & Janet (Photo by Mary Peet)
Prior to meeting Carson, I saw his name in the newsletters published by the CMC, as he was a trip leader for many years. Denise suggested I contact him before going to South Mineral Campground (meeting area for the Pilot Knob/US Grant trip). Honestly, I was intimidated and unsure of how it would go, but Carson was a very welcoming person, always kind and generous.
I feel fortunate to have been on those trips and to have met Carson, as we formed a friendship that would lead to many peaks together, spread across a decade or so. I have hiked to more summits with Carson than anyone else, probably close to 50 peaks or so!
Bill, Carson, and Darin on Maroon Peak. July 2005
In 2005, Carson teamed up with Bill Tarvin and I to hike the Maroon Bells. We had summited N Maroon first, and then did the traverse to the South Maroon. Carson of course had done them before, but he didn’t mind repeats. Carson had done all the 14ers at least twice, and many of them multiple times. He had also completed the Centennials, and his goal was to finish the bicentennials.
Carson and Greg Angell during a spring snow climb on Angel of Shavano (May 13, 2007)
Carson and Bill Tarvin, on American Peak after we had climbed one of the couloirs to the summit. (June 21, 2008)
Summit of California Peak?? A late fall day (Nov 22, 2008) along the Cali to 13,577’ loop route in Sangres.
l. to r., Monique French, Dani Silvestro, Gary Venable, Mike Silvestro, Darin, and Carson (photo by Sam Campbell, I think)
Karen Brandenburg topping out of the Y couloir on Pikes, with Carson and wonderful smile below
(June 8, 2009)
The early years of our friendship, our trips together were random and somewhat infrequent. But sometime in ‘08 or ‘09, we started doing a lot more together, as I adopted his short list of remaining bicentennials as goals of my own. Granted he also did several repeats with me, as I was still pursuing the top 100 goal (of both the 14ers and high 13ers), or we were just doing a peak for the sake of doing of it! Sometimes we would combine the weekend with one day for my list, and the other day for a peak on his list.
In July of 2009, we planned a 3-day weekend trip to the Telluride area, targeting a couple of peaks he needed, followed by an attempt at Dallas, which I needed. It was that trip that I got a better understanding of some of the terrain that was necessary to go through to reach the summit of 13ers. Carson seemed unfazed, but at the time, I wasn’t a big fan of the slopes leading up to the ridge to T0!
Carson enroute to T0, with the slopes of Telluride in the distance. (July 25, 2009)
Carson on the summit of San Miguel Peak, gazing across the valley toward Vermillion Peak & Co. (July 24, 2009)
More “game” on the summit of “Lackawanna”
(Sept 12, 2009)
Carson and Denise near the summit of Rinker Peak (13,783’)
(Sept 13, 2009)
Carson coming up the S ridge of “Huerfano Peak” (13,828’)
(Sept 27, 2009)
Carson on a ridge in the big sand box (Great Sand Dunes)
(Oct 2, 2009) Next day we did a bicentennial on Carson’s list….
In mid-May of 2010, Carson joined me to go into Chicago Basin to climb the 14ers, and one centennial. This was a fairly big trip for that time of year, which we planned for 5 days -- carrying enough food, tent & sleeping gear, along with the heavy equipment of crampons, ice axe, and avalanche gear. Carson was 69 at the time, and the thought of that trip didn’t even deter him from signing on with me! Strong mountain goat!
Carson coming up the E couloir of Mt. Eolus (May 14, 2010)
Carson on the summit of N. Eolus, after we had climbed & descended the couloir on Eolus (in background)
We were successful on that trip, getting all the 14ers and the centennial Jupiter, that I had on my “to do” list. That trip stands out as a favorite, and I am so thankful Carson joined me for those climbs!
Also in 2010, we had some other great trips, climbing some of the peaks on his bicentennial list. It was probably that summer that I realized that I would likely go on to try and summit all the bicentennials as well.
Carson coming up the ridge to Mt Jackson, and the Gore Range in the distance
(Sept 5, 2010)
Electric Peak in the Sangres (Oct 3, 2010)
Approaching the summit of Bull Hill
(Nov 7, 2010)
In 2011, my life would change. I took on a new job, one that which has been rewarding and a great experience in several ways, but consequently it altered my lifestyle, and thus my time in Colorado became sparse and random. So did my trips with Carson.
As a project superintendent with a golf course construction company, I travel a lot to where the work is. The duration of a project can be anywhere from a month to many months, depending on the scope of work, and it’s not always in Colorado. Starting out as a laborer, then moving up to become a superintendent, I have learned a great deal about management. What I have failed to manage is a semblance of a life! Carson on the other hand, figured that out early in his own career, with his own practice as a dentist.
I’m not sure when or for how long he was able to manage his career around his desire to play, but his practice was mostly working 3 days a week, and he would have 4 days off to do as he pleased! Smart man.
In May of 2011, I was working in Eagle Vail, so I still led a normal weekend life of climbing mountains, and on May 7, a group of 14ers.com members (Mike Rodenak, aka ChicagoTransplant; & Scot Osborne, aka Floyd; and Steve Knap) joined Carson and I on Sayres Benchmark, climbing the X-Rated couloir.
Carson climbing in the X-Rated couloir
Later that summer, Carson and I backpacked in to Capitol Lake to put us in position to climb Clark Peak, one of the funner scrambly peaks on the list of bicentennials.
July 31, 2011
Carson on the summit of Clark Peak
After Clark Peak, Carson had 3 remaining peaks in the Top 200. I don’t remember which peaks they were, other than his finisher, Tijeras Peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range.
On May 6th, 2012 at the age of 71, Carson completed his goal of climbing the bicentennials!
Front, l. to r.: Marlyn Peet, Sarah (wooderson), Terri Horvath; Back, l. to r.: Kevin (Papillon), Darin, Carson, Steve Gladbach, Kimo Boeche
(photo by Kimo)
By summer 2012, I was traveling out of Colorado for work much more and my time with Carson started to be random outings. I also started hiking with some other people, in particular Terri Horvath, as she was chasing after all the 13ers. Similar to Carson’s list becoming mine, so did Terri’s. Mostly because by adopting the list of others, I didn’t have to decide on any particular peak(s) to hike!
In August of 2013, I took a vacation while on a project in Shreveport, LA and drove back to CO and met up with Terri, Carson, and Denise to hike some peaks in the San Juans.
Denise, Carson, & Terri on the summit of Wildhorse Peak (Aug 20, 2013)
The next day, Carson, Denise, and I hiked Handies and Whitecross Mountain.
Darin, Denise, and Carson on summit of Handies Peak (Aug 21, 2013)
In 2014, I was living in Broomfield while on a project at Coal Creek Golf Course, in Louisville. I think Carson and I only got out once that year for peaks, which was a set of 3 13ers in the Sawatch Range.
July 13, 2014
Once again, I was gone out of state much of the next year of 2015, working in Austin, Texas. While traveling back through CO on my way to the next project in Omaha, NE, I was able to squeeze in a couple of 13ers with Carson and Sam Campbell. It would turn out to be the last peaks I climbed with Carson.
Carson and Sam on the summit of “Tincup Peak” in the Sawatch Range
August 19, 2015
It was also in this past decade that Carson had a new special lady in his life. Marian and Carson were doing their own adventures together, and like the typical Carson, he was helping her achieve some 14er goals.
In 2017, I was on a project in Thornton, and I tried to connect with Carson and Marian for some peaks. Marian had told me via text that his memory and abilities were getting worse, and doing the bigger days in the mountains were harder for him. I thought it over, and decided maybe doing a peak at the time wasn’t a good idea, so instead I think I tried to connect in person for a local hike in Colorado Springs.
I would also meet up with them occasionally when I was in the Springs, but we never got to go on any hikes together. As time passed by, and Carson became more dependent on others due to his illness, she stayed with him and helped the best she could.
This is the hard part for me. In his last years, I was not around. And when I was around, I didn’t make the time to go see him like I should have. I guess I didn’t want to see him fade, I didn’t know how to carry a conversation when it was hard on him to get out the words he was trying to say. I know it must have been frustrating for him to struggle like that. But he still smiled. And he could still go on some strong walks.
The last time I saw Carson was Labor Day weekend of 2018. I was working in CO again, and I stopped by Marian’s place in Cascade for a visit and we walked down to the local park.
Carson still knew who I was, and he knew my name. We sat for a while and talked about where I was working and what I was up to. It was a good visit, but still hard to see him struggle to talk about what was on his mind. But he still laughed and smiled! Marian commented that he’s still so happy!
Not making the time to visit with Carson more in the final years is a decision I will have to live with. I hope he didn’t feel abandoned by a friend, because in ways that is what I think I did. I will always think of him fondly and cherish the times we had together on mountain tops and on the trails.
Carson buddy, I love you and I miss you…I wish your life wasn’t cut so short, but you fully lived a great and bright life!
The first ascent of Thunder Pyramid was done by Spencer Swanger, Stewart Green, Carson Black, Gordon Blanz, Jack Harry, and Bill Graves on 8/2/1970. I have a pdf of the summit register they left if you're interested.
The older I get the more I realize how much I don‘t know. There are a few people I wish I met before their time. I‘m fortunate to know you! This was a perfect trip report. I‘ll read it again tonight. RIP Carson
Thanks for sharing that Darin. It was great tribute. Carson was my childhood dentist and then later a friend and mentor of outdoor activities. I remember one year I was doing the ascent and Carson was at the top cheering people on. When he saw me coming up the 16 golden stairs, he had that smile and positive vibe that I needed to finish strong. What a great person he was!
Thanks again,
Matt
for sharing these memories of Carson and glimpse of his character for those of us who never had the fortune to meet him. It looks like you had some good times. Nice to see Steve on so many of these adventures too.
Thank you Darin for posting such a great tribute to Carson. I can't remember if I did more than one trip with him but I DO remember a canyoneering trip with him: We were camped at Burr Point, where there is nowhere to get shelter from the wind on a very windy evening. I was trying to endure on the lee side of my pickup truck. Carson had his VW Vanagon and invited everyone in to escape the wind. We all gladly piled in, I was the last one. I had a bottle of beer in one hand and something, probably a snack, in the other. Trying to make it through the door and to a cramped place to sit, I dropped the beer. It flipped over and I got it off the floor rapidly but some still spilled out. I thought, oh, great, now his van is going to smell like stale beer all night while he sleeps in here. I felt terrible and thoroughly apologized to Carson. He just smiled and laughed, his distinctive worry-free demeanor. Carson, like Steve Gladbach, was who of those people who want you to be a better person. RIP Carson, we'll see you on every summit!
I agree with all the comments above. Such a thoughtful a moving tribute to a great man. Darin introduced me and Dani to Carson and we got out with him a few times. I always enjoyed his company, his stories and his positive vibe. In my mind he will be forever smiling. (I wish I was as smart as Ryan so I could attach some pictures of Carson...what is a web image url?)
As you get older you try to keep moving and hope for the best. Nice tribute to your friend. He looks to have accomplished a lot during his life, hiking and climbing for sure, making friends important too...
Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.
Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.
