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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 17, 2018 - 10:38am PT
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As his friend, admirer and biographer it is my unfortunate duty to inform the climbing community at large that Tom Frost's health has taken a sharp downturn in the last few weeks and that he is not long around at this point. I visited him in Oakdale last weekend where he is in home hospice to work on the final touches of our book project together.
I have had the privilege of getting to know Tom intimately as we have been working on Tom Frost- A Climbing Life and have also had the pleasure of working with Tom Seawell, Jeff Wiant and Craig Flax on their documentary film about the extraordinary life and times of the estimable Mr. Frost. The North American Climbing History Archives (NACHA) has supported the Flatlander Films crew as fiscal sponsor and I have been the team historian as this wonderful and impactful project has taken shape.
Those of you that have attended the Oakdale Climbers Festival in recent years have had the rare opportunity to meet and get to know Tom and I had hoped to share him with everyone again this year as we reflect on the Golden Age of Big Wall climbing in Yosemite where he was a shining star.
Tom's wife Joyce has been shepherding him along through the final stages of this very consequential life and has asked that we all hold Tom in our thoughts and prayers.
Edit- I just spoke with Joyce and confirmed that Tom passed away peacefully early this morning Friday August 24.
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looking sketchy there...
Social climber
Lassitude 33
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Aug 17, 2018 - 10:41am PT
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Sorry to hear about this.
Tom Frost was a true gentleman, man of many talents and class act.
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Aug 17, 2018 - 10:43am PT
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Always came across as a man with class.
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bobinc
Trad climber
Portland, Or
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Aug 17, 2018 - 10:43am PT
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Oh, no. Very sorry to hear this. Thank you for sharing the info, though.
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karabin museum
Trad climber
phoenix, az
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Aug 17, 2018 - 10:57am PT
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Many Blessings to the Frost family.
Thanks for the message Steve.
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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Aug 17, 2018 - 10:57am PT
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We will lose another hero.
Dizzy Gillespie's grand niece asked him near the end of his life "Are you dying Uncle Dizzy?"
He answered "Yes but it has been a great gig"
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Aug 17, 2018 - 10:59am PT
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Godspeed, Tom.
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10b4me
Social climber
Lida Junction
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Aug 17, 2018 - 11:08am PT
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sorry to hear this.
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jogill
climber
Colorado
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Aug 17, 2018 - 11:10am PT
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This is sad news indeed. I remember our time together in England attending a British Mountaineering Council meeting in 1985. A true gentleman.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Aug 17, 2018 - 11:16am PT
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Very sad news. Definitely the epitome of class and integrity.
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Don Paul
Social climber
Washington DC
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Aug 17, 2018 - 11:19am PT
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Got to meet him at the camp 4 parking lot once and it was a big thrill for me. Stay strong.
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ron gomez
Trad climber
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Aug 17, 2018 - 11:26am PT
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Sad news....Tom is truly a Gentle Man. I hope he is in comfort and his family by his side.
Peace
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Tom Patterson
Trad climber
Seattle
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Aug 17, 2018 - 11:27am PT
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I've never met Tom, but he became, of course, an icon for me and so many of my contemporaries from my earliest days climbing in the mid-70s.
This is heartbreaking news.
Please convey to him my (our) admiration, respect, and appreciation.
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Bldrjac
Ice climber
Boulder
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Aug 17, 2018 - 11:38am PT
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I'm very sorry to hear this. He used to come in to Neptune's quite a bit when he lived here in town. He was always very kind to everyone, and I always liked him a great deal.
Thanks for the news, Steve........I'll send him lots of positive energy.
cheers,
Pam
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skywalker1
Trad climber
co
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Aug 17, 2018 - 11:39am PT
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I don't know him but when I was in Yosemite last my partner and I just got off a wall and went to see his "Star Wars" themed slideshow I think in Curry Village??? My own memory fades.
We were still giggling about our successful ascent and decided to sit in the far back corner and try not to be a disturbance. Well the slide projector wasn't working and Tom walked to the back and over to us and struck up a conversation with us. I think we talked for 15 minutes and all he wanted to talk about was our experience on the wall.
The projector got fixed and the sun went down and then he gave such an inspirational slide show.
Thanks Tom.
Dan
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snakefoot
climber
Nor Cal
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Aug 17, 2018 - 11:55am PT
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Respect. He is a legend. Wishing the best for him, his family and friends
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mynameismud
climber
backseat
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Aug 17, 2018 - 11:56am PT
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A legend in the true sense,
Much good Mojo to you Mr Frost and many thanks.
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Aug 17, 2018 - 11:58am PT
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A climber's climber.
All the best to family and friends in the rough days ahead.
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jstan
climber
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Aug 17, 2018 - 12:01pm PT
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Years ago I had the great good fortune to meet Tom. An exceptional man in every way one can imagine.
Climbers are luckier than most. In our pursuit the persons we each choose to take as our model, stand out much more powerfully than is usual. Just the nature of the beast. When the inevitable comes, as it must, perhaps our response should be that of simply redoubling our efforts to follow.
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Eric Beck
Sport climber
Bishop, California
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Aug 17, 2018 - 12:17pm PT
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Tom caught me on my 80 footer on the DNB.
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