Condolences...

[banos]

Climber dies on Mt Olympus

 

 

+ vibes to family and friends +

[ivan]

"wise sir do not grieve

it is always better to avenge dear ones

than to indulge in mourning

for every one of us living in this world

means waiting for our end

let he who can achieve glory before death

when a warrior is gone

that will be his best and only bulwark"

[Mtguide]

Very sad; the only thing I can think is that they must have been climbing unroped. While it's a fairly easy scramble depending on just which route you pick on the summit block, there is some fifth class. Higher up it's 4th class going right to 2nd class, but you're about 100 feet off the deck so a rope is a good precaution. The rock is not the greatest, there's always loose stuff. And it was a big snow year in the Olympics so there may have been some remnant snow or ice on the rock. Hopefully we can get more details about this.

[natazoo]

Very sad indeed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. We met Grey at Glacier Meadows on Friday night. He struck me as an upbeat and friendly guy. He and his partner passed us at the upper reaches of snow dome in the early morning and were the first (and only) to attempt the summit that day. We watched them climb un-roped up the east side of the summit pinnacle. Climbing un-roped at that point did not seem unreasonable given the mostly class 4 route description. No snow or ice was visible on the summit pinnacle and given the condition of the false summit, it is probable that none was up there. Grey did not appear to be on a class 4 route and he obviously had some rock skills. He came off and fell a significant way. I don’t know what else to say. I ran over to him telling him that he’d be alright, but I think he was unconscious before he hit the ground. It was quick for him and sad for everyone. Including Grey and his partner, there were four teams up there on Saturday. I commend everyone for keeping their composure and springing into action. His partner safely down-climbed and the other teams helped get his partner and gear off the mountain. Take note: the summit pinnacle of Olympus looks like a choss pile at best, plan accordingly or climb and protect the 5.4 route on the north side.

Brian

[benb]

Good People, My party and I were on the saddle between the false summit, and the summit block, and I witnessed the accident.

Grey was approximately 200ft high on the east face of the block when he fell. He and his partner began the climb just about in the center of the east face. The two became separated about 50ft up the face. Grey was trending north, climbing strait up the face making many class 5 moves. Greys partner was about 100ft off the deck following a ramp system that was heading to the south.

My team was at the base of the rock looking for the route, and I was back a bit 50-75ft from the rock, watching for rock-fall.

Grey was spread out in a move and peeled off. I do not remember seeing or hearing holds break, but it is possible. He came to rest in the moat at the bottom of the east face.

Greys partner was able to down climb after a bit. He descended back down to camp with another team that was helping post-accident.

I am proud of all the folks up on the hill that day. Good decision was made, with safety and compassion driving them. Greys partner did a great job, he kept his composer in very difficult situation that prevented adding more risk to the situation.

I am sorry for our fallen brother. May the sweet vibrations of the universe bring peace to those who are grieving.

 

[KyleJ]

I’m still shocked. I’ve known Grey since he moved to Portland two years ago. He was one of the most positive people I have ever met, and was always stoked to get out. He will be greatly missed.

 

Thanks to those who helped at the site, especially getting his partner down safely. Positive vibes to his family as they deal with this tragedy.

[stjames22]

Thank you for posting your observations. Mtns won't be the same without Grey.

Edited July 27, 2013 by stjames22