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JMoncrieff
Big Wall climber
Houston
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Dec 30, 2015 - 03:04pm PT
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Whoa Dude! (as Eddie would often say)
He was a radster for sure. Climbed and pioneered many hard lines. Peace Bro
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dafut
climber
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Hi,
I'm not a climber, unless you're talking bits and bytes. I did, though, know Eddie Phay. We worked together at a couple different companies and in some ways, my company "sponsored" him on his trip to CA a couple years back.
Eddie was a friend. Don't think a person can ask for a better friend, really. And if you knew Eddie, you know why I say this.
In keeping with our memory of Eddie Phay, I'm working to keep his website, www.cragalaska.com, alive. It's now back up and running after a short period of downtime. At some point, I hope to move it--pretty much intact.
Here's to you, Eddie Phay. Thank you for the opportunity to share a part of my life with yours. You taught me so very much. Most importantly, you taught me grace, dignity and humility when, for you, all was lost. Be at peace, my friend.
Dan
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Cheers Dan; thanks for your efforts to keep things alive.
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GDavis
Social climber
SOL CAL
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Thanks for your words Dan. It sounds like a tight community in Alaska, good people as well up there. Condolences to those who knew him, sounds like he was a great guy and looks like a damn talented climber. He'll be missed, and yet another one I wish I'd had the chance to meet.
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Keri Lord
Trad climber
Anchorage, Alaska
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Feb 12, 2016 - 08:05pm PT
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My heart broke today when I ran into an old friend and she told me that Eddie had past away. As small as Anchorage is, sometimes it can be years before you run across people from your past. Be it fate or not , this friend was the one who introduced me to rappelling which turned into a love of climbing. I have the great privilege of saying I bought the first rope that ever crossed Eddie's hands and the first climbing shoes he ever put on his feet. We had a lot of great firsts. We had a climbing book, youth and Eddie's incredible dedication to any thing he set his sights on. We met a lot of fantastic people along the way, and I watched him embrace climbing with ever fiber in his body. Climbing is what also ended our bumpy six year relationship. I loved to climb, but like many things, it's different for everyone. Ed was completely taken by it. We were young and drifted apart. I saw him from time to time after we split, we were always friendly to each other and would play a quick game of catch up and how's the family. I can't remember now as I write this, the last time I saw him. With a heavy heart I say goodbye and thank you for all the memories. I will hold them close to my heart. Alaska is a little darker now that your light has left us. Rest in Peace, Ed.
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BLUEBLOCR
Social climber
joshua tree
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Feb 12, 2016 - 08:37pm PT
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Thank You Keri, for that loving letter:)
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cellardoor
Trad climber
berkeley,ca
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Mar 11, 2016 - 05:57pm PT
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Wow, this deeply saddens me. The news also comes at an interesting time... I moved back to Bishop and climbed in the Gorge for the first time today in two years. The last time I was here Eddie and I climbed all season together. We met in the coffee shop and made plans within 2 minutes of talking. I loved his intensity and drive to climb. He was efficient, meticulous, and driven to ALWAYS get after it. He perpetuated the stoke. It's hard to find compatible climbing partners and Eddie was PSYCHED, on it all, not just climbing. We were on the same stoke level and created a beautiful climbing partnership.
He changed my life and my climbing and was a big inspiration and mentor to me. I had been climbing for a few years and he taught me the ways of sport climbing, trying hard, and projecting efficiently. He nicknamed me the Stoke Engine and was always really supportive. We spent many days in that dusty ole' gorge and we'd talk about his alpine adventures and potential adventures we would share in the mountains. He came to Yosemite for a few days and we reversed roles and I took the leadership role when we did a new-school Yosemite classic, Voyager, 11c. Eddie can climb 5.13 regularly, but he wasn't as good at handjamming. On the last pitch, he tried the crux off the ledge without pro and fell back to the ledge. I finished the pitch for him and then he left towards Alaska the next day. That was the last time I saw him, but we were psyched to share more amazing adventures together in the future.
I thought SO much about him today climbing in the Gorge and how he would be saying "rock on sister" with the hang loose hand. He was hilarious. I have NEVER met anyone like him, truly a unique person. The world lost one of the coolest people I have ever encountered and one of my favorite climbing partners.
Rest in Peace Eddie. I will carry on your enthusiasm and stoke. Remember to stay close to the people you connect with, and really embrace that moment. One day we're here, and the next we're gone... I don't understand it. Maybe some day...
Alix
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