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the albatross
Gym climber
Flagstaff
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Apr 22, 2013 - 08:47pm PT
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I had the pleasure of meeting Layton a few years ago. We climbed several first ascents together in western AZ and NV. Layton still had a perpetual enthusiasm for the sport despite being in miserable health. His memory of climbs done 40-50 years ago (with some of you folks posting) was incredible. That man loved to climb rocks.
On one little desert junkoid tower we climbed, my buddy free soloed 30' up the first pitch, placing some cams to help insure Layton had some decent gear. I still vividly recall Layton pounding in a wretched pin ('bong, bong, bong', instead of 'ting, ting'). Then him yelling down, "slack" (as he clipped in the lead rope up above). About 50' up, with no good gear for miles, Layton stepped out of his aiders and free climbed another 30' to a ledge. I'm watching from the ground below, fearing the worst, screaming, "LK get some gear in" when Layton yells out, "this is great, just like the Dolomites!"
I was honored to climb with Layton on one of his last climbs. Ron Olevsky had arranged a trip to a remote sandstone outcrop lost in the desert Southwest. We ended up camping in an area filled with spires and fins. Layton must have been psyched to climb because by sunrise we saw him a mile away, high up on the hillside. Heading directly for the tallest unclimbed spire in the area. The three of us quickly racked and met him at the base of the only line on the formation. The rest is history.
We met to go fishing a couple of times. In one instance we met at the park entrance, my buddy and I got turned around and ended up canoeing a mile to meet Layton by the dock. It took maybe 20 minutes to get there. We pull up and ask him how we is doing. "oh, I've caught about 7". I think surely he's jiving with me. Soon enough he hooks one, Karen takes it off the hook and pulls up a basket full of Crappie fish.
Layton was always very grateful and amazed at the kindness and generosity shared by the climbing community. Many people helped out during his last few years and he was always quick to share his gratitude. I know he was especially thankful for Ron Olevsky and Stewart Green for doing so much for him.
Rest in Peace Layton Kor. Your legacy lives on in the hearts and souls of generations.
Albert
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Apr 22, 2013 - 09:02pm PT
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Just back from the desert and heard the sad news. A towering figure in American climbing who i didn't really know personally but whom i met on several ocassions. Kudos to Pat Ament and Ron Oleskey. Pat for putting his deeds into words and Ron, especially, for providing support and being Layton's best friend in his years of need.
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paganmonkeyboy
climber
mars...it's near nevada...
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Apr 22, 2013 - 09:06pm PT
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My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends. *Everywhere* you go in Colorado Kor was there ages ago and already took the proud line...Everywhere...
-Tom
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Nick
climber
portland, Oregon
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Apr 22, 2013 - 09:47pm PT
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R.I.P. A legend and inspiration has passed.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Apr 22, 2013 - 09:57pm PT
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Layton, the GREAT ONE!
My condolences to his family and friends.
You'll be missed.
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Scole
Trad climber
Joshua Tree
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Apr 22, 2013 - 10:34pm PT
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Kor was one of the biggest figures in North American climbing. When I was four years old I met Latyon at the base of El Cap. I vividly remember seeing a giant of a man with racks of bongs and coils of rope around his neck. He took the time to speak to me: That was when I decided that I would climb El Cap one day.
Throughout my formidable years as an aspiring climber in Yosemite I was repeatedly faced with some monstrosity that Kor had climbed when I was still in diapers. We used to cringe when his name came up on a FA list, as you knew the climbing would be the real deal. Over the years I had the pleasure of climbing a number of great routes that Kor had been on the FA of. Every one was memorable; great lines, spectacular climbing in amazing places.
A salute is due to one of the great heroes of American climbing!
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julia kor
Social climber
makawao, Hawaii
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Apr 22, 2013 - 11:12pm PT
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I am Julia Kor Layton Kors firstborn daughter, I really appreciate all the respect and kind words regarding the passing of my father, I miss him already and I'm sad that he wasn't well enough to visit his grandsons Dorian and Atom, In Hawaii where me and my brother jaime live.
Layton also has a Wife Karen and a son 20 Arlan, any donations to help with funeral costs and helping with his wife and sons future will be greatfully appreciated.
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Fritz
Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
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Apr 22, 2013 - 11:21pm PT
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It is wonderful to read all the posts by those that climbed with and knew Layton.
Thank you for posting your personal and significant memories of a true American Climbing Legend.
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Apr 22, 2013 - 11:26pm PT
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Thank you sir for all the great climbs you left for us.
Pat and Ron and the Kor family, I hope your memories are bringing more smiles than tears tonight.
I sit here in Bishop after two days of beautiful climbing. Getting back into the life I always loved. This just reminds me how special it all is.
RIP one of our .. words fail.
Layton Kor
the name says it all
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Patrick Oliver
Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
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Apr 22, 2013 - 11:51pm PT
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Yes, thank you Ron for the help you gave Layton. And thanks to
everyone who helped him. There have been many individuals who have
played each an important part, and in many different ways.
And thanks to Layton himself for the strength he has given others, the
generosity when he was in no real position to be generous. Back when
Roger Briggs spearheaded that fundraiser for me, for which I remain
grateful and humbled, Layton sent me two hundred dollars. It's one
thing when you happen to have lots of money, and you give. It's another
thing when you have virtually nothing, and you give. An occasion
when I visited him in Arizona I tried to return the favor, to give
him a couple hundred, at a moment when things were a little better
for me. He would have no part of it and refused utterly, presumably
because he knew I was in a similar income bracket as he. The bottom
line of it all is that Layton was (and remains in our hearts and minds)
a very good person, the best of persons, so funny we laughed until our
stomachs ached, and so wild and terrifying at times we could only
muse at our survival. It is difficult to comprehend how some of my
best friends could be Layton, John Gill, Royal Robbins, Tom Higgins, and
such individuals. It's like an aspiring artist falling into the
company and care of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt... Layton
truly was at that order of greatness, a simple, humble, not-so-well-
educated, but brilliant spirit. Just look up at the sky at sunset and
imagine Layton's spirit filled the vast space of the world. He
touched people everywhere, came here for a few years, won our love,
and departed -- but not without leaving that spirit with us. Just
look up and into that infinite light and feel the expanse of
existence that was -- shall we remember at this moment -- inhabited
by one precious friend.
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Apr 22, 2013 - 11:51pm PT
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Kor was in the pantheon of superheros of my climbing youth. He was part of the fabric of the climbing enterprise, a tapestry woven from legend and real deeds, and the news of his passing made me catch my breath.
Other than a brief introduction in the Gunks, I didn't know him. But we all knew him, all of us. I understood from his friends and partners that he was a force of nature, but didn't realize until this moment the extent to which his presence and his deeds were somehow a part of my life too, shaping my view of the world of climbing.
And so, not really knowing him and yet indelibly influenced by his character and his climbs, I guess I thought---even though I knew better---that he would always be with us. And now he is not, except in spirit, in the memories of those who really did know him, and in the legacy of climbs bequeathed to us.
And so we are reminded that even our superheros have their turn on the stage, and then the curtain falls. Most of us have had bit parts, but Layton was one of the Leading Men, and in his passing we suffer not only the loss of a man, but also the passing of an era, when walls were very big and we were very small and heroes ventured forth into the vertical unknown.
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Patrick Oliver
Boulder climber
Fruita, Colorado
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Apr 22, 2013 - 11:58pm PT
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Ahh, Rich, so beautiful and eloquent as always. That image of
the "stage...." I think when we have the right perspective,
almost everyone has the potential to be someone we love, some
member of the great play, without whom the play would... fail. Of
course you too are one of those significant spirits, my dear Rich.
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TomCochrane
Trad climber
Santa Cruz Mountains and Monterey Bay
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Apr 23, 2013 - 12:00am PT
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The Great One
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Bldrjac
Ice climber
Boulder
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Apr 23, 2013 - 12:00am PT
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RIP....an amazing legacy he left. We should all be so blessed.
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MH2
climber
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Apr 23, 2013 - 12:05am PT
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Thanks for the many fine personal stories more about the man than the climbs. Back when they walked up under unknown walls and tied in.
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bmacd
Trad climber
100% Canadian
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Apr 23, 2013 - 12:06am PT
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Condolences to family and friends, unclimbed mountains of respect to Layton wherever you are now.
Long Live the King !
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Apr 23, 2013 - 12:08am PT
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It has been just a little over 50 years since I last saw Layton. Yet, to this day I have vivid memories of his camaraderie, boundless energy, drive beyond belief, unending repertoire of Oly and Lena jokes and the ability to drive on tires one tread away from flat. As a young kid to climb with Layton was one of those unique and forever cherished experiences. Giant of a man.
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sunnyside
Big Wall climber
earth
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Apr 23, 2013 - 12:11am PT
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Magnificent, the word that always came to mind when approaching a rock formation, imagining and hoping to see it in such an enlightened state, a Kor's Eye View. My very thoughts, when approaching one of his dreamy endeavours. Thanks for the inspiration. Glad to have been in his presence at the slide presentation at Neptune Mountaineering, a few years back. What an incredible life.
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mike m
Trad climber
black hills
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Apr 23, 2013 - 12:17am PT
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So sorry to hear about this as I know many of you were close to him. It is amazing the amount of places where his name will always be associated with. Many of those places are the places we all want to go. He obviously knew a good line when he saw one and had the fortitude, strength, and balls to go get it. I think we all dream of finding areas and put up new routes, was anyone better at this?
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nita
Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
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Apr 23, 2013 - 12:23am PT
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Sending out sincere Condolences to Layton's family and friends..........
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