Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
whitney
climber
jackson, wy
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 04:45pm PT
|
Molly,
My heart is in pieces for you. I am shocked at how cruel life's twists can be. I so admire your spirit and the sense of love I see enveloping your family. I hope we can go for a hike soon and talk about any and all.
Love from your friend
whitney royster
|
|
kberg
climber
Lander WY
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 05:24pm PT
|
I’m sitting here at work staring across the room at Pete’s empty office. The lights are off and the door is shut. An old picture of Pete is taped to the outside of the door. In the picture, he has that same big grin, and look of adventure in his eyes, that we’ve all come to know and love. It’s hard to come to the realization that such a wonderful, caring person is gone from our lives.
Molly and Avery, our deepest condolences to you. Rachael and I have thought of you often in the last few days. Know that we are here to help in any way we can.
I’ve known Pete on many levels over the years- a boss, a friend, a climbing partner, and a mentor at work. He excelled at all these things.
I’ll share one of my favorite stories about Pete. A few winters ago, we went to go do a climb in the Winds. The hike in was a few miles. The entire time, Pete was racing down the trail, rambling on about whatever it was that he was excited about (he was always excited about something). Meanwhile, I was half-running behind him, trying to keep up, and gasping for air. I was attempting to be a part of the conversation without letting Pete know that I was nowhere close to being in as good of shape as he was. When we got to the base of the climb, the ice curtain on the first pitch was about five feet short of touching. I banished all fear with two words, “Your lead.” Pete’s response- “Sweet.” A few pull-ups and delicate placements later and Pete had floated through the whole thing and was at the belay. After that, I experienced something that many people who have climbed with Pete have experienced- being scared out of my pants, following something that he had just lead with grace and confidence. He had an amazing ability to make incredibly difficult things look easy. We had a wonderful time in the mountains that day, just like so many other people have shared with Pete.
Pete, you will be missed greatly.
Kevin Bergstrom
|
|
Whit
Social climber
Jackson
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 06:14pm PT
|
Molly and Avery I’m so sorry about this tragic loss. I’ve been thinking about Pete since I heard of the accident. I had many interactions with Pete, and they were all Inspiring. He helped coach me up a wicked nasty overhanging climb in Sinks, I don’t even remember the name of. It took me 30 minutes to hang dawg my way up. I was sore for a week. He was encouraging me, chatting and smiling the whole time. He was also instrumental in supporting and mentoring me on the TV Show Course. He knew exactly what to say and how to support and help me process. I haven’t thought of this for years but, I remember him dancing with Avery at Andy and Jackie’s Wedding in Dubois years ago. He was such a goofy dancer, I thought, but that was OK because he was so Cool! My prayers go out to everyone who knew Pete. Whit
|
|
Jeff & Beth Leafgreen
Sport climber
Lander, Wyoming
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 06:19pm PT
|
I didn't really know Pete very well, but he was very well admired here in Lander. Shaun Kelley mentioned that the last time he saw Pete was at the Jalan Crossland concert a couple weeks ago. My mother-in-law, Billie Leafgreen, and I met up with several of our friends at the concert. Sure, the music was great, but my favorite part of the night was when Pete got up in front of everyone and danced the night away with his beautiful girls-Molly & Avery. It touched me so much that he would dance like he did - not caring that everyone was watching just them. I leaned over to Billie and said "I hope Jeff (my husband) will dance like that someday with our little girl" We don't have children right now, but Pete definately made an impression on me that night. I hope that Jeff can be a wonderful daddy to our kids like he was to Avery. Molly and Avery-our thoughts and prayers go out to you....
-Beth Leafgreen
Lander, Wyoming
|
|
Ords
Mountain climber
Bridgton, ME
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 07:01pm PT
|
Dear Molly,
As I sit here in the office looking out over the waters of Moose Pond I find my words to you to be horribly inadequate. All our lives I’ve been so happy that our paths have crossed at different times: summer camp at Wyo, working at NOLS, daughters born at the same time and yet now you are in a place that I would do anything to take you away from. Did you know it was Candlelight Night last night and Award’s Night here with the Bats surviving untouched yet another summer? How can time continue to move forward when it seems like it should stop to honor you and Pete and the wonderful, all too short, time you had together.
Pete was always so kind to me during my time in Lander. He would never think of teasing me about setting up routes for me (climbs that I would struggle on) in his approach sneakers. That’s a gentleman. Stefan remembers hearty laughs with him over seemingly mundane topics, such as permitting and group size limits. What a glint Pete had in his eyes when he laughed.
Yet our paths have not crossed in many years and so I wonder: does Avery have that same glint in her eyes when she’s being sneaky? What other characteristics of Pete’s will you be able to say to her with a smile time after time, “You remind me of your father.”
To all of the Armbrechts - please know that the extended Winona & Wyonegonic Families are thinking of you.
Laura Ordway
|
|
Jenny Wilde
Big Wall climber
laurel, MD
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 07:10pm PT
|
My family grew up with Peter. He was a wonderful person and I always had faith and trust in his climbing ability. Even though I am afraid of heights with Peter holding the rope I was able to do Carter Rocks. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He was truly loved.
Jenny Schmid
|
|
gee double
climber
victor idaho
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 07:30pm PT
|
Oh, wow, I'm still so shocked. . .this is a hard one to come to grips with. My heart goes out to you, Molly and Avery. Molly and Pete have been such an inspiration for Greg and me--the same age and continuing to get after it on the cliffs, ski hills, and in the mountains. And as a long time couple. I have so many memories of times with Pete, from the times we skied on Togwotee Pass (even one time when Pete fell at the top of Angle east and triggered this avalanche--that got him riled up) to the time he came by our house, so excited with the news of Avery's birth.
I hope to help you Molly with whatever you need.
Your friend, Sue
|
|
landerhunter
Social climber
Ruston, LA
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 08:59pm PT
|
Pete was my liason on my semester in the rockies in the spring of 2001. He and Molly had just had Avery and almost every day that we climbed in Sinks, the whole Absolon gang was there. I remember playing with Avery while Pete and Molly climbed. I will never forget the time i Spent with that great family and i will be praying for you molly and avery. If anyone knows of any memorial fund or anything that will be established for Pete, Molly and Avery please e-mail me @ hunteroutwest@yahoo.com. Having a young (10 month) son (Lander) myself, i can't imagine what this like for the absolon gang, but i know if there is a community that can lift that family up and help them through this, it is the NOLS/Lander community, Thank you Pete for all you did for me, my semester, my life, all you have done for NOLS and your family.....I hope one day i can be looked at by someone like i looked at you. So glad i got to see you after the 4th this year. Great guy...all i can say.
.....mountains looked like, i climbed up to the sun, and from the peak i got such a view....
|
|
Cornelia Brefka
climber
Greenwich, CT
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 09:39pm PT
|
I keep coming back here...
Thank you everyone for sharing your stories of Pete and Molly and Avery. When I got the news, I knew that there was going to be a huge hole in our family, but it's incredible to see how many other people Pete touched in his 47 years.
Thank you Steve, for being there with Pete.
Thank you also to the person who posted the picture of Pete climbing.
I continue to be in awe of the way the climbing community is taking care of my sister and niece- you all are amazing and I know you will keep Molly and Avery in your hearts in the coming months. Thank you.
I got this information from the American Alpine Club website-
The memorial service to celebrate Pete's life will be this Sunday, August 19th, at 3pm at CWC/Sinks Canyon Center (SCC) in Lander. The SCC is about five miles southwest of Lander on the road to Sinks Canyon (rt. 131). Look for parking signs. The National Outdoor Leadership School will supply shuttles from parking lots to the SCC.
Please bring a main dish, salad or dessert to share.
Pete’s daughter, Avery, has asked that there be lots of flowers at the service so bring some if you can.
Quotations (one or two sentences) and photographs from friends and family will be posted at the service and put into a book for Molly and Avery. They can be e-mailed to jen_lamb@nols.edu or brought to the celebration.
Cornelia (one of Molly's sisters)
|
|
MSB
Social climber
Jackson, WY
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 09:40pm PT
|
My condolences to Molly, Avery and Pete's extended family. This extended family includes not only relatives but also the NOLS and greater climbing communities. Too often, we don't recognize someone's influence until they're gone. The outpouring of grief and condolence seen here is but a fraction of the ache and loss felt by each person who knew Pete.
As a couple leading my climbing section at red rock, the Absolons were a model of instruction, patience and good humor. Their teamwork will not be forgotten. The standout from that trip was Pete's smile as recounted the day's climb. Pete had arrived at the belay with a case of the runs. When his students arrived, he instructed one to belay and the other to watch the rope and keep it out of the crack in which he had deposited the goods. As he belayed his students on the pitch above, wetness oozed through the belay device; a certain student had forgotten their job. I'm not sure what ever became of the rope or belay device; however, I do know what became of the students. They were treated with the utmost respect and never made to feel ashamed or embarrassed, even by the other students. This was a direct result of Pete's handling of the incident and illustrates Pete's ability to bring positivity to all those around him. (It's also a pretty funny story about a shitty rope.)the amazing man that we've lost.
Matt Bresler
|
|
Sean Clark
climber
Delta, BC
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 09:53pm PT
|
Molly,
I was lucky enough to have you and Pete as instructors for the winter section of my semester in the rockies in 1995. I remember really looking up to Pete for his understatedness and his genuine kindness. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Sean Clark
|
|
fishbag
Social climber
jackson, wyoming
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 10:04pm PT
|
Dearest, dearest Molly- Our hearts and thoughts are with you and will continue to be so for the hardest days, weeks, months and years to come. Roger and I can only remember the most wonderful smile in the world and the love that he had for you and for Avery. We will see you soon and will always be there for you.
Margaret, Roger, Creel, and Elsa
|
|
Amy Cilimburg
climber
Missoula, MT
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 10:31pm PT
|
Molly and Avery --
My daughter Wren, almost 6, and I are reading this post. She's trying to stop my tears, get me to go outside. But together we read such beautiful remembrances, and I say to her: We will try in our lives to be generous, to smile, care for others, live life with passion, love... for Pete. He will live in all of us.
Our hearts go out to you. We hope to be there Sunday.
Amy, Rick and Wren
|
|
inhisfootsteps
Sport climber
the heart of WY.
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 10:34pm PT
|
Molly,
I think I met you in Lander when I came to visit my aunt (Amy Skinner), but even if I didn't meet you, my heart goes out to you all. When I heard the news it left me heartbroken. My whole family is here for you and Avery. You all are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. Condolences to all family and friends.
Becca
|
|
Mark Harvey
climber
Basalt
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 10:39pm PT
|
I shared a tent with Pete on my instructor course in the Winds. Pete talked a lot about Molly in the evenings after a long day when the sun went down and seemed smitten by her and a little surprised by his luck in winning her hand. We took it upon ourselves to mercilessly rib Pete about marrying so far above his station but he had a tin ear on that subject and just nodded sincerely, agreeing that he had indeed married up.
He graced our course with his skills on the rock (some uncanny touch that made no sense to those of us less gifted), a work ethic born out of his raw enthusiasm for the mountains, and a camaraderie that shone in his eyes. Pete had few airs, an authenticity, and a disarming way that made you feel at ease in his presence.
I’ll miss him. Sending my sympathy and thoughts to Molly, Avery and all the Absolons.
Mark Harvey
|
|
c_agnew
climber
Lander
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 11:15pm PT
|
This news is stunning. It is still hard to fathom that Pete has left us. It is a loss for the Lander community, the NOLS community, the climbing community, as well as communities much broader than these three.
This is evident in the many people who have shared such kind words on the good hearted, funny, and enthusiastic individual Pete was. I admired Pete for many reasons. As others have articulated, he was a great believer in people – showing you how to do something and then leaving you room to try it out and make mistakes, supporting you all the while. This encouragement might be coaching on a difficult climb in Sinks Canyon or support in applying for a new job. I owe my current job to the encouragement Pete gave me to apply. His passion consistently stands out to me – whether he was giving you beta for skiing up at Togwotee or discussing the difference between “tax home” and “real home” – he had a fire in his eye. I will miss walking past his office and hearing the sneaky “hey buddy” that I could consistently rely on. Although we talked about going climbing, we never did, and I am certainly poorer for it.
He always signed his emails “pa”. While some might say it was his initials, I think it captures what he truly was – a mentor to many and a wonderful father to Avery. Beyond all the communities that Pete’s loss impacts, the most important loss is to Molly and Avery. My heart goes out to you both and we are all here to support you.
Chris
|
|
tumbleweed
climber
lander, wy
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 11:17pm PT
|
Like many of us, I can't stop thinking about Pete. Images and conversations of/ with him are burned in my memory. Just last week at our weekly Rocky Mountain manager's meeting he was regaling us about his trip to the Winds with Molly and Avery. His voice was full of excitement talking about old NOLS items they found, how strong Avery hiked, and being in the Winds. A few weeks back, he glowed as he shared stories of his recent short yet meaningful time with students and co-instructors in the field. He laughed, as he told us about a student who kept calling NOLS the "NOLS school" and how saying the National Outdoor Leadership School School must mean we do twice the work and make twice the impact.
Pete believed in NOLS. You just knew. Pete was that guy that whenever you mentioned his name, it was instinctually followed by "He's such a good guy." He brought great life to NOLS, an authenticity and an unmistakable love for life. You knew by the way he told stories and from the pictures on his wall, that he was a dedicated husband and father.
The man was a gem. The man could climb. I am sorry my time with Pete was short, and I am very grateful that there was time at all. He has left his mark not only on my life but many, many others. I will treasure the memories of Pete as much as I did the moments.
Molly and Avery, my sincerest condolences for your loss. We are all here to support you in any way that we can.
Warmly,
Lara
|
|
Mary Absolon
climber
Edina, Minnesota
|
|
|
Aug 14, 2007 - 11:34pm PT
|
We are getting ready for our trip out to Lander for an event which we are finding is a gift of love from Pete. The gift we are talking about is the gift of friendship, love and respect he built over many years. The people who have touched our lives over the past few days have Pete's fingerprints on them. As we are touched, Pete touches each of us-leaving a "unique fingerprint". We look forward to meeting and talking with each person.
Love to all....
Mary
|
|
Jared
climber
|
|
|
Aug 15, 2007 - 12:07am PT
|
Words come hard at a time like this. I just got the news about 1 1/2 hours ago from a complete stranger that I caught a ride with from Bruce's Bridge. Shock, anger, disbelief. These feelings keep going through me.
One of my most recent memories of Pete is when he called me up asking me if I needed a climbing partner. It wasn't the first time we shared a rope, but it was a good time. Always a kind word. Always encouraging. We did a normal warm up routine: lead The Fish, TR the one next to it. And doing them back to back. Then it was on to his Sister Rey. At one point my crappy belaying pulled him off the crux. Not a harsh word to me, simply the truth when I said "oops not enough slack there" and he responded, "yep it was a little tight." Then he heartily gave me a belay on something 14 grades easier, offering encouragement and energy the whole time.
I was excited to hear of his getting the RM Branch Director job and told him so. I remember the sparkle in his eyes when he talked about solo stick clipping up Killer in order to hang a rope so Avery could take the big swing.
My condolences go out Molly, Avery, extended family, and friends.
Pete you will be missed. Thanks for the memories.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Pete made me laugh when he....
Let us know!