Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
jopay
climber
so.il
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 06:53am PT
|
Since hearing of his passing I've had time to reflect on the influence he had on my climbing, in a way I felt like a kindred spirit as we were both blue collar, me a plumber he a mason and I like him wanted to do something unclimbed just me and a rack, and if I was ever bold in my climbing I most certainly was inspired by him. It saddens and angers me to hear of his issues with expenses, we pay tens of millions of dollars a year to someone who chases a ball around a field, and here is man who inspired so many, who defined boldness and now saddens the climbing world with his passing. Colorado should have stepped up, he was simply a national treasure. Again my condolences to his family, and a big thanks to Ron and Pat for helping him.
|
|
mooser
Trad climber
seattle
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 09:18am PT
|
Very sad news indeed. RIP, Mr. Kor.
|
|
Maysho
climber
Soda Springs, CA
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 09:32am PT
|
Condolences to his loved ones and many friends...
To be mentored by Bridwell in big wall climbing, meant hearing a lot about Layton Kor. Jim would recount tales of Kor climbing anytime he felt the need to inspire us with a "get up there and get er done" "no time to screw around" attitude.
For all of us climbers, the best moments are when there is nothing but the action, there is no hesitation, no "try", just do! Layton Kor seemed to embody, or exude that energy in a way that inspired so many and left a legacy of bold visionary ascents.
RIP to the Great One.
Peter Mayfield
|
|
Pewf
climber
Gunnison
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 11:11am PT
|
Thanks to everyone who took the time to share personal stories. Rest in peace, Layton Kor.
|
|
dirt claud
Social climber
san diego,ca
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 11:25am PT
|
Wish I could have met the Legend, have heard/read nothing but great things. R.I.P.
|
|
Dick Erb
climber
June Lake, CA
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 11:48am PT
|
I am truly grateful to have known Layton Kor. I knew no one so in tune with the intrinsic joy of climbing. He rose to to the top not by trying to be be the best, but by trying to find the best climbs and climbing them, climb after climb. Such a great heart, it was very rare to hear a word of personal criticism about anyone from him.
What a joy it was to be up on the cliffs with Layton. His energy and confidence was so great that I could ride along with it, The climbing seemed easier and the moves went by so quickly as doubts became less significant.
A great and mighty man, he could laugh like a child. Thank you Layton for opening up more life to me. With tears in my eyes I think of those days, and wonder about Pat Ament and Larry Dalke two young teenage boys who took up climbing and became partners of Kor, how profound that must have been.
Moving to Boulder for a while in my early twenties I heard many stories about Layton. One I like was when he was leaving Estes Park heading home from Boulder in his old Ford when he is passed by a guy in a Porsche. I can imagine the spark in Layton's eye as he took off in pursuit. Soon it was like the Grand Prix except that Kor was in one of those soft springed fifties barges. Winding into a canyon he saw a stretch of road ahead and noted a white car coming up the road towards them with no other cars for a ways behind it. Then as they are slaloming through a series of tight corners the white car shoots by and Layton makes his move passing through totally blind corners leaving the guy with the fancy sport car behind.
|
|
Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 11:59am PT
|
Layton not only drove soft springed fifties barges, but on four bald tires also. One of the scariest moments I had with him was the day he decided to see if his car could go a hundred miles an hour on the Boulder-Denver turnpike. It was vibrating so badly, he could barely hang onto the wheel. Laughing in glee, I had the impression he had no idea of the danger. Somehow I managed not to scream.
Layton was a great tease along with all the other facets of his humor. His larger than life personality and ever present humor and enthusiasm carried a person along, often against their better judgement. Yet amazingly, he had a great safety record and didn't suffer injuries or accidents though his companions often died a thousand deaths.
Layton definitely opened me up to a larger view of life. Since I was only 18 when I met him and first time away from home, he had a big impact on my life with his "just go for it" attitude.
|
|
ncskains
Ice climber
Alaska
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 12:50pm PT
|
Rest In Peace Layton, For ever your legacy and passion will live with the beautiful creation of your routes.. Thank you for all you have given to our community.
-Nate
|
|
guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 01:09pm PT
|
Some classic routes Layton was a big part of in the heady days of the early 60s. Chouinard, Roper and Denny as climbing mates doesn't get much better.
Registers courtesy of the Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley Mnt Records Division.
|
|
healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 07:13pm PT
|
What a stature in more ways than one! We were all suitably impressed by the first couple of his routes that we did in the 70's such that we then always took those ratings with a grain of salt.
We all pass this way, it's the walk that counts and his did...
|
|
Double D
climber
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 09:05pm PT
|
My condolences to his family and close friends. Kor was definitely a legend and inspiration to me and many generations of climbers all over the west. Just thinking about how many thousands have passed through the Kor roof on Washington's column and have been in awe of how he could drill bolts that spread out. A giant of a man.
|
|
Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 09:16pm PT
|
Just got back to a list of phone calls and a stack of emails.
I spoke with Jody, and as soon as I get any info on services I will post it here.
|
|
telemon01
Trad climber
Montana
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 10:16pm PT
|
Thanks for posting those letters Don- pure gems for sure.
|
|
pocoloco1
Social climber
The Chihuahua Desert
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 10:36pm PT
|
RIP Layton
Condolences to Layton's family and friends
|
|
Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 11:03pm PT
|
Tough evening. First I met with Mike Stults in Cedar, who hadn't gotten word, then I talked with my first Zion partner from more than 37 years ago, Kevin Kelly, who did many routes with Layton and introduced me to him in the '80s. He didn't know either.
Sorry to those I have failed to get back to, please forgive me.
|
|
Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 11:04pm PT
|
Ah yes, the Sink. That is where I first met Layton.
|
|
John Morton
climber
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 11:06pm PT
|
Thanks to all for the photos, letters and remembrances - so many of us owe so much to Layton Kor.
All I can think of to add to these tributes is the observation that I always thought of Kor as the independent man, not part of any faction of climbers, just a voracious consumer of hard climbs wherever he could find them, with whomever was available to pay out rope fast enough. Long live his memory.
John
|
|
vôo
climber
Denver, CO
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2013 - 11:10pm PT
|
Rest in peace great one
Condolences to friends and family
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!