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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 3, 2007 - 08:17pm PT
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I have just gotten word that at least one memorial for Charlie will be held.
The one now known to me will be held in Telluride on Monday at 6PM (the day after the Ouray Icefest) at the Sheridan Opera House.
I don't know yet about Chris but will post as info becomes available.
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jstan
climber
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I knew Charlie when he was a teenager If then, he was already the person he was later perceived to be, I was simply ignorant of it. I sensed none of it. People really are composed of a host of potentialities. How we view Charlie now was just one from the host harbored in him. You can’t help but wonder; had things developed differently would he have had an even greater impact and in addition have been able to spend more time with us? We will never know. There must be some way for us to learn to do better.
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Oli
Trad climber
Fruita, Colorado
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I would be very interested in knowing the details of the memorial, as Charlie was dear to me. Please post any information and dates.
Pat Ament
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tangen-foster
climber
Wisconsin
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Charlie and I teamed up on routes in Eldorado and elsewhere around Boulder in the summer of 1976 and spring of 1977. Some years later when he was working at Neptune, he introduced me to Pat Ament as his partner on his first climb of the Diamond (D7). I took some pride in that, and also following his illustrious career in the magazines. We had great times together, but none as memorable as watching an electrical storm from our bivouac on the Broadway ledge of the Diamond, then roping up in the morning alpenglow for our first big wall climb. Although I hadn’t seen or heard from him in over three decades, I’m saddened by our loss of Charlie and Christine. They were an inspiration to me and countless other climbers. Charlie titled his blog “Charlie On the Loose.“ I suspect he was referring to the 1967 Sierra Club book of quotes and images that was a bible to young adventurers of our day and other vagabonds of the backpack generation. “He was alone. He was unheeded, happy, and near to the wild heart of life…” reads the James Joyce verse on the cover. That was the Charlie I remember walking down from Redgarden Wall after soloing Ruper or T2 in spring 1977, shirtless, in painter pants, hair flopping over his eyes, EB’s hanging from his red, 2-inch webbing swami. In that image, and in his lifestyle, he was an icon for the freedom of the hills. For those who wonder about the worth of a lifestyle like Charlie’s, I am reminded of another passage from "On The Loose:"
"Remember thy creator in the days of thy youth. Rise free from care before the dawn, and seek adventures. Let the noon find thee by other lakes, and the night overtake thee everywhere at home. There are no larger fields than these, no worthier games than may here be played…" Thoreau
Jim Tangen-Foster
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Beatrix Kiddo
Mountain climber
Denver
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2 years ago we headed to Vegas on Thanksgiving. On the way to pick up Charlie, a beer truck rolled over on I-70 making us over 2 hours late. We were doomed from the start. My partners and I picked up Charlie and 30 minutes after being in the cramped Jeep with 3 men, 1 woman, a dog and gear we hit a deer. We made it to Moab when the radiator blew. We walked from 1 end of Moab to the other to Denny's. What a fun walk. I got to hear about a lot of Charlies exploits and learn a little more about such a great man. In Denny's a waitress took pitty on us and called her friend who owned a junk yard. There we spent Thanksgiving Day, sitting around a junk yard, talking and taking photos. We were never going to make it to Vegas but we did make it to Indian Creek where we got in just a few routes before dark. The next day was cold and spitting snow. We climbed a few more routes before we headed to Charlies area in SW Colorado to climb. It was dark. Charlie ran ahead of me. I will never forget the sight of this glowing, wonderful, excited man running excitedly through the light of my headlamp to show me these boulders. I had spent days hearing all of his wonderful, often scary stories but this is where I got to see who he really was. He loved climbing. It didn't matter if it was a huge unclimbed peak in Pakastan, a beautiful splitter in the desert or a 30' boulder covered in snow. Charlie was like a kid in a candy store when it came to his passion. Charlie was a friend. I will never forget how he would listen to my stories of minimal adventure every monday. "He" an icon in my mind took the time to be enthusiastic about my life, a total climbing N00b. My outtings were nothing like his but he always listened. I can't believ he's gone. The thing is, no matter how old he was, even if he lived many more years, it would still be too soon for this world to be okay with a loss like that. I used to think that is was so stupid when people would say, "At least he died doing what he loved." I'd think, it doesn't matter, he's dead. With Charlie, it mattered. I'm full of sorrow that his life ended but I believe in my heart that that is how a man like that should go. My heart goes out to his close friends and family. I'm hurting and I can't imagine how painful it must be for those of you who had the honor of spending time with Charlie on a regular basis.
I'll miss him.
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Daiva
climber
Telluride
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Hello everyone ... As a member of the Fowler-Boskoff Search Committee, I had the unenviable job of writing those emotionless, stripped-down-to-the-facts Press Releases as well as dealing with a surprisngly interested media machine. The last six weeks have been quite an intense experience but now it's time to take all of this collective reflection about the space the two occupied in our lives and US climbing and raise a glass ... as well as some well-intentioned hell!
Here's the scoop on the "party" for Chris and Charlie in Telluride:
(Hope many of you can make it ... spread the word!)
Monday, January 15, 2007
(day after Ice Fest)
Sheridan Opera House in Telluride
(creaky like Charlie, sweet like Chris)
6pm - til we're done
(Charlie's sister intends to feed one and all ... until it runs out. She knows how many people fed Charlie all these years so she's paying it back all at once.)
Expect food, libations, visuals, laughter, tears, hugs, toasts and an open mike.
I can't say enough about the support that the families and the Committee have experienced. From a group that decided to spend a little less money on whiskey during a climbing weekend and donate it to the fund to the intimate fundraiser that Osprey held in Durango, it's been a team effort all the way. Please know that the running commentary from day one helped energize us to keep up the level of persistent digging that is the nature of a search. Although our hopes dimmed and glimmered throughout the process, the gift of resolution came as welcome relief.
Be safe and stay kind ... Daiva
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KevinC
Ice climber
Colorado
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I met Charlie and Christine only once, two years ago in the Ouray Ice Park. I had just thrashed and hung my way up an M7 and Vince Anderson introduced me as they walked by: "This is Chris who's giving the slideshow tonight and her partner Charlie." We shook hands all around and they asked what I'd been climbing and expressed polite interest. We made some more small talk and they continued on to their next route. It was only that night that I realized that I'd just met Charlie frikkin' Fowler! =:^O Both were incredible, genuine and humble human beings. A great loss to the community and tragedy. My condolences and sympathies to those they leave behind (and us all). :^(
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Brian Biega
climber
Rocklin, CA
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Jan 16, 2007 - 12:35am PT
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My condolenses to the family and friends of Charlie and Christine. Wish I was there this evening for your celebration Charlie!
One for the road Rigid Designator, 1992.
Brian
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Oli
Trad climber
Fruita, Colorado
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Jan 16, 2007 - 02:40am PT
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I just returned from the memorial for Charlie in Telluride, and there was a very nice spirit there. Quite a few people got up at the open mic and spoke their praises. Charlie's sister did a lovely, tearful introduduction to a video presentation, with actual footage apparently recovered from their last trip and a host of still images contributed by many climbing friends. The turnout was very strong, a real indication -- but only an indication -- of the worldwide network of friends Charlie and Chris enjoyed. God bless them both.
Pat
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N0_ONE
Social climber
Utah
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Jan 16, 2007 - 06:26pm PT
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Ron asked me to post this.
Give us some details Ron.
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EpicT
climber
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Jan 17, 2007 - 02:52am PT
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I knew both of them, having worked for Christine at MM for a number of years. Both pretty quiet, but great people. I will miss them.
As this is Charlie's page, I remember hearing that he and Christine had been an item and would be coming into the office one day I was there. Having learned to climb in Boulder and Eldo and having lived in Eldo for a number of years too before moving to Seattle, I was honored to meet the legend. Few words though, and they were on their way for the day. A co-worker asked me after they left if I had heard of Charlie before. My reply was something like "are you kidding me?"
His style in climbing and personal life were inspirational. DNB, Casual route, Perilous Journey, Diving Board, and on.. My life is different now but there were a number of years when my days were spent climbing, a lot of it soloing, in Eldo and the Flatirons, and enjoying a beer and a smoke with friends. Guys like him were living legends, yet part of the same community of people, rock, sky, and other natural energies that is so palpable there, living that way. I felt lucky to cross paths a few times with this character. Christine had a great big heart and is missed greatly. She was quiet yet very kind, and liked to laugh. I am glad they found each other, if just for a few years.
There was a small gathering/news conference in Seattle a week ago or so. I just heard that there will be a more personal event soon. I hope the event in Telluride was great, I would have been there if I could. During the Seattle event, something they said struck me. A guy from the rescue team had been working with some of the local monks throughout the effort, and they were talking about their search for Chris and Charlie. The monk told him something like "Their bodies, whether you find them or not, are just empty shells now. Your friends are on their way to heaven, and we monks here are praying and working hard to help get them there".
Thanks Chris and Charlie for your influence in my life. And thanks to the search teams and organizers back here. A special thanks to the monks.
Tom Milne
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Ras Vegas
Boulder climber
Laguna Beach
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Jan 23, 2007 - 02:39pm PT
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MAN!!!! What the hell is going on. All the heros I grew up with are now going to climb in heaven...where you don't need ropes or equipment. God catches you with his tender loving hands. This has been a tough couple of years. We've lost some people who put climbing on the map. Who made climbing what it is. Okay everybody. I don't want to hear about any more of you. Please be safe. Please take care of yourselves. The wings we've all had at one time or another are aging. They only last so long.
God Bless everybody.
In great sadness,
RasVegas
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 23, 2007 - 02:52pm PT
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Tom,
that was a nice post. I'm sure Charlie would have appreciated it.
No_One, thanks for posting the photo. I need to learn more about digital photography this year. When I took that photo last year I thought I got a bunch but only got that one.
It was the very last day I spent climbing with Charlie and Chris so even though better shots are certainly possible on that pitch that particular shot is very special to me. It is on the second of five pitches of the route Prestidigitater.
A five star climber leading a five star route; just the way I want to remember him.
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Keeper of Australia Mt
Trad climber
Whitehorse, Yukon , Canada
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Jan 23, 2007 - 06:26pm PT
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I had never met the man or his partner but I was aware that he was something special. The good ones are never wrapped in pretension, ego, self-aggrandizement, etc. I think this comes through in his piece in Mark Kroese's "Fifty Favourite Climbs" -and his choice of route; Sunlight Buttress, Paria Point, Kolob Canyons, Zion NP, Utah. They come from a higher and purer state of being - abandoning their spirits to the love of the mountains and wild spaces - anchored by their own peace, capabilities and confidence. It would have been good to have crossed paths in some fashion and to have shared some fun and maybe some appropriate spirits. Something to look forward when I reach the final big bivie in due course.
I am reminded of some words of Fred Shero about another activity near and dear to some northern folks - with some modification it seems to fit here:
We know that climbing is where we live, where we can best
meet and overcome pain, wrong and death. Life is just a
bivie where we spend time between climbs.
An excellent thread with great remembrances and pics of some lives well-lived. Thanks for firing it up PR! A good reminder to all to drain the tank and the fumes - you only get one go so make it count!
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Clarke Brogger
Mountain climber
Laguna Beach, Ca
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Jan 23, 2007 - 07:44pm PT
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Anyone know where one could find "La Escoba de Dios"? The greatest climbing film ever with amazing and personable footage of Charlie. This film was a huige influence on me and my budding climbing years.
thanks for your help.
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Holden
Mountain climber
Hood River Or.
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Jan 24, 2007 - 11:45am PT
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Charlie was one of my cotemporary climbing heros,for sure. DNB, when I climbed it,I was aware of his onsight solo,mindblown.I had the opportunity to make an attempt on Taulliraju SW buttress,a year or five after I heard of Charlies solo of west face,MINDBLOWN.Soft spoken man carrying BIG stick. Let your actions speak,he will be missed.Watch "La Escoba de Dios" Charlie doin his thing..
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Jimmy S
climber
Granite State
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Jan 29, 2007 - 07:22pm PT
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Thanks for the inspiration Charlie!
Charlie Fowler on the West Face of Cerro Torre in Jan 2000
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muscle beach
Social climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Feb 23, 2007 - 04:20pm PT
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Memorial for Charlie Fowler and Chris Boskoff in BOULDER
Please join us at Neptune Mountaineering, Friday at 8pm March 2nd.
Many people were not able to attend the memorial in Telluride, so here is an opportunity to remember our friends together locally. The multimedia slideshow that was put together for the Telluride event will be shown, and we encourage everyone to share stories afterward at an open mike. Anyone with favorite slides or digital images of Charlie or Chris is encouraged to bring them (limit of six per person please).
-Ray Snead
More information here:
Neptune Mountaineering
(303) 499-8866
633 S Broadway St
Boulder, CO 80305-5958
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 7, 2010 - 12:35pm PT
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I remember getting the call from Joel, the concern in his voice. They weren't on the plane.
Has it really been 4 years already?
We had some great times.
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