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roddymc
Trad climber
California
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Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 20, 2010 - 03:37pm PT
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Albert Nugue, lately of Oakhurst, California, died in San Jose early yesterday morning. He was a great friend, climbing partner and colleague to many. We are gathered at his home in Oakhurst to be together in grief.
Details of the accident are not available. Roads have been wet in the Bay Area for several days.
Albert was the General Manager of Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides, where he led backpacking and climbing trips for years before taking on the job of running the office and managing gear and guides. Outside of work, he is known to local climbers for his energy, enthusiasm, and 170-pound bulldog, Baloo.
I had planned to write something about Albert, as he recently completed the fifth of his famous birthday challenges, leading 36 pitches in a day to celebrate his 36th birthday. I didn't want to write under these circumstances, but I still want to celebrate him. I will try to write a more complete story about Albert soon, because he was an inspiration to me as a person and as a rock climber.
Albert was loved by all of us here today, and many more friends all over the country (and in Thailand, where he climbed several winters). We loved his outgoing personality, cheerfulness, and bottomless energy. He was never happier than when he was cooking for a group of friends. He loved to nurture others. We will miss him more than I can say.
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Dec 20, 2010 - 03:43pm PT
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tragic news, prayers and thoughts out to all of you grieving at this time.
Peace
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tiki-jer
Trad climber
fresno/clovis
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Dec 20, 2010 - 04:03pm PT
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Sad news indeed. I ran into Albert a few times at Wamello and at Tollhouse.
Always enthusiastic and always helpful.
Nice guy...strong climber.
Baloo scared the sh@t out of us one day at Wamello all growling like and Albert calling down from up above to calm him down. You see Baloo was protecting the gear his boss left at the base.
Condolences to his Family and Friends.
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karodrinker
Trad climber
San Jose, CA
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Dec 20, 2010 - 04:04pm PT
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I met Albert up on the Nose last winter, on a trip up to sickle. Really nice guy, condolences to family and friends. Life is not safe folks, live it up while you can.
Kalen
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Dec 20, 2010 - 04:14pm PT
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My deepest thoughts...I hate these senseless tragedies. While it is painful to lose anyone, the loss of these robust, young folks seems the most painful of all.
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Dec 20, 2010 - 04:14pm PT
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If you want details of the highway accident:
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_16903416?source=rss&nclick_check=1
Santa Clara County coroner IDs two fatal crash victims from Los Gatos, Oakhurst
By Lisa Fernandez
lfernandez@mercurynews.com
Posted: 12/20/2010 09:28:39 AM PST
Updated: 12/20/2010 09:57:33 AM PST
The coroner's office also identified Albert Sidney Nugue, 36, of Oakhurst as the man who died Sunday about 1 a.m. while walking across Highway 101 in San Jose. He apparently left his car on the southbound Trimble Road offramp from Highway 101 then walked across the lanes of traffic from east to west. He was hit by a man driving a Subaru near Trimble Road, according to the California Highway Patrol. Officials said the 27-year-old Subaru driver was unable to avoid hitting Nugue, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The Subaru driver stopped at the scene and was not charged.
Investigators have not determined whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the incident.
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Nate D
climber
San Francisco
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Dec 20, 2010 - 04:18pm PT
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So very sorry to hear this. From all accounts, Albert was a wonderful fellow I never had the chance to meet, though we have a number of friends in common and relished in some of the same quiet crags in Southern Yosemite.
Peace and Sincere Condolences.
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kev
climber
A pile of dirt.
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Dec 20, 2010 - 04:20pm PT
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Albert was a really really nice guy. This is sad.
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phylp
Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
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Dec 20, 2010 - 04:30pm PT
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Roddy, my condolences at the loss of your dear friend. My heart goes out to all of his family and friends.
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Dirka
Trad climber
SF
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Dec 20, 2010 - 04:38pm PT
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Prayers to him and his family.
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sneville
climber
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Dec 20, 2010 - 05:20pm PT
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Wow! This is tragic news. He will be missed.
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tinker b
climber
the commonwealth
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Dec 20, 2010 - 05:40pm PT
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oh albert...
this is so sad. albert was always a really upbeat and sweet human. i do not understand how this could happen. i camped with him a few times in joshua tree, and worked for him a couple of times as well. he loved sharing good food and good times. i am just sitting here remembering his smile and laugh.
love and healing out to all his friends, family, and baloo.
peace,
jo-lynne
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Dec 20, 2010 - 05:49pm PT
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A cook AND a guide?
This fellow must've been all right!
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Barbarian
Trad climber
The great white north, eh?
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Dec 20, 2010 - 06:05pm PT
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This is truly sad news. Peace and comfort to his friends and family.
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Ezra Ellis
Trad climber
WA, & NC & Idaho
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Dec 20, 2010 - 06:28pm PT
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Albert sounds like a great guy, my sincere condolences to family and friends.
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Prod
Trad climber
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Dec 20, 2010 - 06:29pm PT
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Sad news.
Prod.
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Porkchop_express
Trad climber
Back in the Gunks for the winter
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Dec 20, 2010 - 07:00pm PT
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very sad; condolences and prayers to his friends and family.
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TYeary
Social climber
State of decay
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Dec 20, 2010 - 07:03pm PT
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My condolences to all.
TY
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Doug Robinson
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Dec 20, 2010 - 07:25pm PT
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Albert's boss Ian was in tears last night when he called to tell me. That's the kind of a bright light Albert was, bringing people together, putting everyone at ease.
Yeah, Ron, a cook and a guide. And a committed climber. His devotion leaked into the Southern Yosemite guide house outside Oakhurst. Tick list on the fridge, workout gear, a twinkle in his eye. A great guide because he cared so much about turning people on to wildness.
Recent years Albert had been the kingpin of Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides. It's not easy keeping a dozen guides -- more at peak season -- sorted out and supplied and psyched.
I know that Ian Elman, the founder of SYMG, loved and respected Albert. He said so often. Relied completely on Albert's ability to juggle clients, guides, gear and mounds of provisions. He did it all the time. They worked side by side, and I never heard anything but respect out of either of them. Even if things got ragged, which can happen when you're hosting people to the edge of their comfort zone.
Ian would be right here to speak up himself, but he left a few days ago to take his kids and wife away for the holidays.
Albert, you left a big hole in a lot of our lives. It's going to take a lot of love to fill it up.
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