JohnGray

I almost forgot. On a much happier note, not all is lost with Gary. His photographic work continues to live on. Several photo banks throughout Arizona have been using Gary's slides over the years, whether it be school text books, brochures, you name it. It's nice to see his work live on, now with people getting to see Gary's photographs taken through his eyes. And lastly, there is now a Gary Gray Memorial scholarship for Environmental Journalism that was established at Huxley College in Bellingham that students can apply for, who share many of the same passions as Gary. John

Jeff, I PM'd you with my info. Thanks again for the offer. I enjoyed reading all your recollections regarding your efforts and the situation at the time. It makes sense with all I know as well. I remember that their climb was just supposed to be an afternoon climb, and when they didn't return back later that day, Curt's girlfriend started getting worried. I believe the accident occured sometime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., not exactly sure, I never thought to ask Curt. They had just ascended to the base of the glacier, and were preparing to cross it. I know Curt had just taken pictures with Gary at that point. What I thought was ironic was that Gary was usually the one to take the photos. Yet I don't believe he took his camera on this climb. He was an environmental journalist and photographer, and had worked with Pat O'Hara on many occasions, shooting his yearly calenders and such. Curt did tell us that Gary knew the ice fall was happening last second, yelling "It's coming down on top of us..." Next thing Curt knew, he awoke later, buried up to his chest with a punctured lung. I'm thankful it was sudden, and that Gary experienced no pain. On a side note, I got a slight feeling from your last post it may have bothered you that Gary's body couldn't be extracted as soon as you'd hoped for. Well if it's any consolation, I know everything in the world had been done in Curt and Gary's rescue, and that I applaud the fact that there are people like you that are there to help save lives. I think it's great that you were able to visit Curt the next fall to look at slides and chat about the experience. I'm sure you both are better people after all this. Gary was an experienced climber, and he knew the risks. And like Bug mentioned, it's not how you die, it's how you live. Gary did more in his almost 34 years, than most of my family. I have very fond memories of Gary taking my other brother, Derek, and myself climbing in the Tucson mountains as kids. I miss his intelligence, his smile, his kindness, and his gentle hug. Even the times when I used to have girlfriends calling the house, and Gary would answer, they'd think it was me, and he'd just chat with them, impersonating me all the while. He always got a laugh from that. Me too. I was angry for a long time, wanting to know why Gary had to go on that climb. Yeah, it's purely selfish reasons, I know. Climbers are a different breed, which I've really come to understand over the years. I'm glad Curt continues to climb, and that he hasn't let his experience keep him from living. When you have a passion, you have to follow it, regardless of the risks. That, to me, is what makes life worth living. Bug, thank you for your response. I understand completely! John p.s. I received an email from my mother yesterday. She just received Gary's wallet yesterday from Emily. Unbelievable how good the condition is. Nine years on Shuksan, and four years Emily held on to it, in hopes of returning it someday. This is a perfect ending to a long saga. Thanks to all who may have known Gary, and to the rest whom were interested in reading this thread. This is the perfect early Christmas present anyone could ask for. John Gray

Thank you Jeff for the PM! After all the time that I, my family, and Gary's girlfriend Cara spent up in Bellingham at that time, I feel pretty comfortable that we have had all our questions answered. But as you said in your PM, I would love to know all you would like to share regarding your recollections of that time, as well as the see any photos of the area or the rescue attempt you mentioned you might have. I can't tell you how many nights I tried to fall asleep wondering exactly what had happened, where Gary would be, etc. I'm sure you can assume my entire family had the same issues. I'm really thankful Curt was able to share with us what he knew. It truly helped my entire family immensely. I do vividly remember being at the rangers office with my family, and Bill Lester giving as a slide presentation of Shuksan and the area, and telling us that even if Gary were found that year, you wouldn't be able to extract him until at least three months later, when the weather was safer. I'll spare all the details, as I could go on and on, but as I mentioned, I never did get a chance to hear from any of the rescuers themselves. Anything you'd like to share with me, I greatly appreciate it. I posted on the forum and not in a PM, only because I know my mother and father have been monitoring this thread over the last few days, and I know they are also interested to read anything as well. If you'd like to PM your response, that's great with me, and I'll be happy to forward it to my family. Thanks again for your time, Jeff. We all appreciate it. John

Jeff, Thanks for the response, and I appreciate what you had to say about the rescue and about Gary. I never got a chance to meet the individuals involved with the rescue operation, so I'd like to take this chance now to thank you for the efforts that you had made thirteen years ago for my brother and Curt. I salute you for the job that you did, and it's sheds light to hear after all this time what the NPS team was up against during that time. My father was offered a helicopter ride up the mountain to take a look, and was able to snap a few photos of the accident area. I remember those days up there like it happened yesterday. I'll include a pic of Gary as a thanks for the responses here, and for your efforts and memories, Jeff. This picture was one of several we received from Curt, recovered from the climb. These were the last taken of Gary. Thanks again Jeff!! Gary Gray 8/26/57 - 8/19/91

Thank you guys for the responses, and your thoughts!! I never would have guessed how difficult of a job it is to be a park ranger. For the three years Gary was missing, they kept an open file on him, and were on top of everything that happened. I applaud them for it. For Kelly to find this thread almost four months after it had sat dormant is nothing but a stroke of luck if you had asked me. Off_White, thanks for your kind words regarding Gary. Your memory is one that I share as well. I got to meet many of Gary's climbing friends at his Memorial, and you all are amazing, just good folks to the bone. I can see now why Gary felt in his element with his fellow climbers. One little interesting tidbit of info I'd like to mention about the three years Gary was missing. Initially after Gary's accident, my father and I had agreed that in the event that Gary was found, he and I would fly to Bellingham, and take care of everything. I personally felt such a strong importance to have the chance to have my last goodbye with Gary. My mother, as helpless as she felt, went out of her way to make a once-a-year trip to Mount Shuksan to spend time near Gary. I was glad somebody in my family was able to do that. Fast forward three years later in the summer of '94, my mother had tried twice to visit Mount Shuksan, but each time her plans would fall through. However, in August, my mother (who deals antiques) reluctantly decided to do a show up in Washington. She didn't want to go as she'd be making the trip alone, so her close friend Betty decided to go on the trip with her. After the antique show had ended, my mother and Betty proceeded to drive up to the base of Mount Shuksan, arriving at the visitor's center, a place where I had been thirteen years ago before. Oddly that very day, my mother witnessed a rescue helicopter flying over to Mount Shuksan. After shrugging off any crazy notions, my mother and Betty then went to take a walk around Picture Lake, all during this time that same rescue helicopter was returning with a basket hanging from it. Never in a million years would any of us been prepared to handle the inevitable news: it was Gary's body finally found. And yesterday, when my mother had talked to Kelly Bush, Kelly had mentioned that there were two climbers injured on Shuksan earlier this year. Oddly enough, one of the climbers had told Kelly that his wife was part of the team of climbers that found Gary back in Aug. of '94. I sure miss Gary... John

Sorry to bring a bump to this thread, but today brought a surprise into my family's world. After thirteen years, it was brought to my attention of more belongings found on Mount Shuksan that had belonged to my brother, Gary. I am extremely thankful that Emily was interested in finding my family, as my mother has now been contacted by the Rangers. Gary Gray was my older brother, and tragically lost his life on Mount Shuksan on Monday, Aug. 19th, 1991 when a section of the hanging glacier broke free, burying my brother and his climbing partner, Curt. Curt survived thankfully, although he had severe injuries and couldn't get down alone from the mountain. Curt remained up there for 3 days until the Rangers were able to rescue him from the mountain. Gary's body was finally found 3 years later, and we layed his ashes to rest in Tucson, Az., our family's home base. I was surprised at how many knew of Gary in the climbing community, as so many people came in from out of state to be at his Memorial. Something I'd never forget. You'd think that thirteen years is enough to heal the pain felt when losing a brother. Needless to say, I was shocked when my mother received notice that Emily had found my brother's wallet, and wanted to return it. My mother first thought of surprising me at Christmas time to hand me Gary's wallet once she had a chance to meet with Emily. I'm truly glad she didn't wait to tell me. Kelly Bush, the Wilderness District Ranger at North Cascades National Park, happened to see this thread and remembered Gary from when my family first flew to Washington upon getting the terrible news. My mother remembers meeting her back in 1991. Kelly got in contact with Emily, and then got in contact with us. Words cannot describe how truly thankful I am that Emily cared to return Gary's wallet to us, and am also thankful that Kelly stumbled onto this thread after all this time. This is why I came here today. I now see that Emily's post was from July. I can't believe this came to be. We had always wondered what had become of Gary's wallet. John Gray (Gary's loving brother) Anaheim, CA.