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RNTina
Social climber
Somers, NY
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Nov 15, 2006 - 10:02pm PT
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Dear Amy,
Thank you so very much for those wonderful pictures and for letting us share in your grief, I know that reading these postings has helped me to better understand Todd and his many friends around the world. We are all better persons because we knew him. In my case, it was many (too many years) ago and I am sorry that I did not keep in touch.
Please say hello to all of his family for me and I look forward to seeing future pictures and postings on this site.
Tina Olney
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NathanF
climber
Lander, WY & now New York, NY
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Nov 19, 2006 - 05:26pm PT
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Nice to see pictures, Amy. We're all still out here, thinking of you.
Nathan
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inhisfootsteps
Sport climber
Out West where the climbin's always good.
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Nov 19, 2006 - 08:29pm PT
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Dear Aunt Amy,
Thanks for posting the pictures. I was half way between laughing and crying. I especially like the picture where sarah has the net over her head. I adore those kids. When talking on the phone to Jake on Saturday, he informed me that I was coming to see them for turkey. When I confirmed it he said SARAH! BECCA IS COMING TO SEE US! Just talking to them and you, Aunt Amy makes me soo happy. You dont know how much I love you all. The first picture is of Uncle Todd before we went to explore on some rocks. I will include one of my favorite memories of him below the pictures:
The second picture is proly my favorite picture in the entire earth now!! When we were driving up to go explore, we pass this sign that says PRIVATE PROPERTY. So..of course, being me, I bring the point of the sign up. Uncle Todd launched into a story about how his friends and him went out there to explore and see if there was any good climbing. One of his friends saw the sign and asked what would happen if they got caught since someone's house was in the middle of the property. Uncle Todd said, "well..someone's got to tell them the Pope died!" I dont think I have ever laughed so hard at a story in my life. We did get confronted by the owners but Uncle Todd talked his way out of getting into trouble, like he could..I really truly miss him and love him. Pictures from last thanksgiving:
Most of them are of Sarah and I since we seem to really have a bond with eachother.
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Lezlie Lehmann
Trad climber
Van Nuys, Ca.
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Nov 19, 2006 - 11:05pm PT
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Hello Skinner Family,
Just because time marches on and the shock of losing Todd in our world is wearing off, does not mean we are thinking of him or missing him any less. I could never forget nor ever want to forget the treasure trove of gifts we have all received from this goodhearted, mischieveous soul that came barreling through our lives like a shooting star, before being called back to the heavens, all too soon....
This site, as well as Todd's Virtual Climbing tour site are on my favorites list and I check in a few times a week to see if there are any new posts...I was delighted to see your post & photos, Amy, and yours, Becca - thanks so much for shraring these intimate family shots - Unofortunately, I never knew Todd as a Dad, but when I photographed him with my 11 month son in J.Tree in 1991, I had no doubt what tender, loving destiny lie ahead for him, and I am so happy he found that supreme joy that comes with finding one's soul mate and creating a family in the embrace of that love. Todd loved well and was dearly aloved in return. That will never change within him nor within you, his family and us, his friends, whether we knew him well or briefly.
Blessings and all Good Tidings-
Lezlie
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h2oman
climber
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Nov 20, 2006 - 01:16pm PT
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Thanks for posting the photos, Amy and Becca. Some of us are still looking, still thinking of all of you. The photo of the kids with fishing gear is absolutely priceless!
Gregg W
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seamus mcshane
climber
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Nov 20, 2006 - 01:32pm PT
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Godspeed Todd! The Great Spirit will always watch over your children!!!
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HuecoRat
Trad climber
NJ
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Nov 20, 2006 - 04:25pm PT
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Been out of the loop for a while and am just finding out now, so for me this just happened yesterday...
I met Todd at Hueco in the early 80's, and climbed with him there on and off for the next decade. It seemed like we had a yearly reunion there every Thanksgiving and Christmas. Man, so many memories! Long bouldering sessions in the Dark Heart, full moon nights in the East Spur, trying to work out the moves on the overhang at the top of Amplified Heat, watching Todd inadvertently free solo Plastic Famtastic.
Todd was way better than me (understatement!), but he was always encouraging of my efforts, always pushing me to try harder than I thought I could. He was even encouraging when I turned down an invite to go down to Copper Canyon with him, Bill Hatcher and Les Harmon so that I could start Grad school. He knew that being a musician was as strong a passion for me as climbing, and supported my decision. "Go be great," he said. Well, I 've tried to be. I've tried to put the same intentisty into my music as Todd put into his training, and now I play on Broadway in NYC.
We ran into each other a few more times at Hueco and at Yosemite, where he was as excited about my traditional ascent of El Cap as he was about his & Paul's free ascent. I saw him briefly in Lander two summers ago on my way to Sinks Canyon and the Tetons.
Sorry about the length of this post, but I am overwhelmed with thoughts and memories of Todd. As I end here, two things stand out: One, his smile. He was always smiling as though he knew a secret you didn't, and it always drew you in. Two, his hands. His hands were the strongest I've ever encountered. When you shook hands with Todd, there was no give to his hands whatsoever. It was like gripping a rock. It's hard to believe that those hands are now at rest.
Amy, all my best to you and the kids. When I heard the news I gathered up my own kids and held them for a long time. You are in my prayers.
Brian McLaughlin
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TNT
Trad climber
Krypton
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No one knows when that last drop of ink
Will fall from the end of an angel’s trembling pen…
That signifies the end of
A good man’s life.
So, if with pleasure, you are viewing,
Any work a man is doing,
If you like him or you love him
Let him know it!
Do not withhold your approbation
Until that pastor makes oration
For he cannot read his tombstone
When he’s dead.
I remember hearing this from an old Groucho Marx
‘You Bet Your Life’ episode while waiting for Todd and Amy to come out of the Wild Iris cold and down to my 1-room apartment “The Alamo” in Lander around 1990 to warm up while they were working hard to develop the Wild Iris. “Said why don’t you live in Lander? It’s warmer down here than up there in Atlantic City.” And so they would and the rest is history.
Knowing Todd since 1980 in Oak Creek Canyon, AZ when Todd came on the scene like gasoline and was soloing everything on site, to his Wind River Home in Pinedale, to the Devil’s Tower Teepee, to Hueco Tanks haciendas and finally back to the Wind Rivers and Lander, there was always so much fun and shenanigans involved as with all who knew Todd.
If you were at the memorial service or are reading this now, I have to ask,
Who here was ever handed a plate of food or fed by Todd? Raise your hand!
Who here was ever sheltered in some form or fashion by Todd? Raise your hand!
Who here has ever laughed with or at Todd? Raise your hand!
One can envision multitudes of hands being raised.
Memories arise of driving back with Todd during a “Stay Hungry” Midwest Slide Show Tour after a winter training in Hueco Tanks had put us in fine shape. Todd was eager to climb in the new areas of the Midwest and East Coast and anxious to do a good job with his North Face sponsored Salathe slide show when I threw a little wrench in his plans.
“The father of one of my best friend’s from Arizona had recently lost his wife of 40 years. My friend says he is really bummed and could use a little company. Could we stop by for dinner with him en route to your St. Louis slide show?” Todd looked at me for a second like I was nuts, feeling the time crunch of slide show responsibilities and the desire to burn a few laps on any chunk of overhanging stone. How far out of the way is it?” Todd asked. “Couple hours”…his look intensified, but then softened as he said, “Well, by God, let’s go put a smile on an old man’s face.”
Todd gave Homer a lot to smile about through numerous adventures. As Homer, an astute old football coach, bid us farewell that night, he looked at Todd and said, “Clownman, you come visit an old man again! Now, no matter how small, a kindness delivered with good intention should never be undervalued. For years to come, Homer would ask me, “What big wall is Clownman climbing this time?” Or, “Where’s that Clownman now?” And that is what Todd was, a well-remembered clown, he just didn’t always wear the red nose, unless it had gotten lots of sun.
Thanks Todd, for all the incredible memories: breaking bread, the 5.13 flashes, the possible impossible, the training sessions, the elusive obvious, and the stories that made climbers and all folks come to life.
Always on the cutting edge of climbing,
An impression of Todd at the Wild Iris, WY
My heart goes out to Amy and the children, the Skinner and Whisler families, all the Lander friends, and Paul, Bill, and all the intrepid climbers/adventurers Todd shared life with.
Many who have heard of Todd’s passing felt as if they’d been punched in the gut.
Here’s one little story to help:
When Paul, Todd, Galen, and I were just pulling off the ground at Mt. Hooker in 1990, a football-sized rock got dislodged by the haul bags and came sizzling down into Galen’s gut, sending him reeling bassackwards thru the meadow. Looked like Terrible Terry Tate had delivered it. On impact, it wasn’t obvious if Galen had broken ribs or a rock projecting out of his back. Todd and I looked at each other with great concern
(F-u-u-*-…!). But Galen was coming out of it… slowly. Maybe we should hold up on the climbing for a while I pondered to Todd.
Todd and Galen reflecting at basecamp, Mt. Hooker, WY
Todd, in his brilliance, seeing Galen resurrecting with laudable durability, shouted,
“It’s a great day for a summit! Don’t worry, we’ll make it!”
“OK, Game on!!!” we all thought. (15 yard penalty for roughing the photographer) Galen was up - the stadium would have roared had there been one there. And off we went and somehow we all knew we would make it.
So while you’re thinking about Todd,
Buck up!
Take the punch, but be sure to get up and put on your game face!
It’s the Cowboy Way.
When a legend dies...print the legend!
Tim N. Toula
P.S. Todd’s already at the summit. We’re still climbing… May we all join him!
P.S.S. Thanks to all those friends who have called or in some way shared their thoughts.
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Jaybro
Social climber
The West
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Thanks, Mr T!
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inhisfootsteps
Sport climber
the
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TNT...
I have decided that you rock.
Meaning- Thank you.
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Moutain Martha
Boulder climber
Rutherfordton, NC
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Dec 16, 2006 - 12:47pm PT
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More unfortunate news for the Skinner family. Whereas Todd's mother passed away a short time before Todd's death, Todd's father passed away last night (Dec. 15th) in Casper.
Please keep Orion, Holly, Amy and the rest of the Skinner family in your thoughts and prayers. This has been a trying and hurtful time for this wonderful family.
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RNTina
Social climber
Somers, NY
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Dec 18, 2006 - 09:54pm PT
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This is very sad news. My heartfelt condolences go out to all of the members of this extraordinary family. Was Bob sick? Please post information regarding memorial contribbutions.
Tina Olney
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Bldrjac
Ice climber
Boulder
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Dec 18, 2006 - 11:27pm PT
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My God.....that's just about the saddest thing I can imagine for the family. My heart goes out to the entire Skinner family. Wish I had more to offer than just lame words of condolence. At least I know that their incredible strength will see them all through, not to mention the huge circle of friends.
Pam Roberts
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Crimpergirl
Social climber
St. Louis
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Dec 18, 2006 - 11:31pm PT
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What a year for them. My heart goes out to all -
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unimog
climber
windy corner in the west
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Dec 19, 2006 - 01:17am PT
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My heart goes out to all of the Skinner famliy I can not express how sorry i am to hear this .
Sasha
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amy skinner
Social climber
lander, wyoming
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Dec 26, 2006 - 02:25pm PT
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During this season of reflection, I’d like to say thank you and pass on a challenge.
Every day that has passed since Todd’s death, I’ve benefited from his legacy of generosity, kindness and optimism. Every day that goes by, I receive a letter, call or visit from at least one person who was better for having met him. This great legacy also extends to the enormous community of the Whisler and Skinner clans, who taught Todd and me how to live a life that makes a difference in our world. We both had tremendous childhoods and were given the foundations of love of the natural world and the importance of sharing whatever we had from a very early age.
Bob and Doris Skinner raised three exceptional children – one of them was my husband and the other two, along with their families, are the greatest of friends. My children and I are fortunate to be a part of this extensive and wonderful family.
When I first met Todd, we began to read, write, think, discuss and argue how to best reach the goal of making our lives, and the lives of those in our community, better. For almost 20 years, we learned from our parents, our children, and our friends that you cannot, and would not want to, achieve one goal without the other. The community that we considered was one made up of friends, family and strangers as far reaching as Capetown, Halong Bay and the Copper Canyon. Todd believed that you could and should learn from anyone you met and so we learned: toughness from the Tarahumara, humor from the Vietnamese “boat people”, love of life from the South Africans, integrity from the handshake of antique gun enthusiasts.
Life was rarely easy with Todd, and so it was good. He demanded exceptional performance from all of us whom he chose to surround himself with and applied even higher standards to himself. In his book, written with sister Holly, he wrote, “Your final gratitude is always to the mountain for being hard enough to change you on the climb.” He changed me and I am grateful.
Todd left us with many reminders of how to make a difference in someone else’s life. I received this note recently: “ You don’t know me. I am an 85 year old who sat next to your husband . . .. What a nice young man. He made me laugh. . .” One of my favorite Todd stories is from a trip before I met him. He was camped at Buox, France in a weeks-long rainstorm. With his trip just starting, he traded his brand new, hi-tech mountain tent to his Czechoslovakian neighbors for their tattered, floorless, canvas tent. He always admired the toughness and desire of the eastern European climbers and did all he could to support their efforts.
I tell these stories to remind myself and our community that Todd left a challenge for us to rise to: learn from everyone you meet, surround yourself with people willing to measure themselves against the highest standards and strive for improvement, share what you have, keep your sense of humor, and never give up.
And so I say thank you to my community for adding to our lives with previously unheard and familiar old “Todd” stories for my family to cherish, astonishing support, incredible food, unending hugs, and assurances that the future will be bright.
With gratitude,
Amy Skinner
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artimus
Trad climber
Fort Collins, Co
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Dec 29, 2006 - 06:49pm PT
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My friend and I were cruising around Sinks Canyon some years ago and were looking for some mtn biking after we had finished climbing. We ran into this guy hanging by a pickup with a bandana on and a friendly grin. Right away I knew who he was.
I told my friend that this was Todd Skinner and that we should go talk to him but we were both reluctant because we had been "dissed" by other big name climbers before.
Anyhow, I asked Todd where we might go to find some good riding. He was so down to earth and he gave off an amazing energy. He was humble saying he couldn't help us because "he couldn't ride a mtn bike worth a damn and that he always fell off them". I am sure someone with his background and skill set, especially bull riding, could hold his own but he was just being modest.
I asked how the hell he developed the tendon strength to do those 1-finger pull-ups that I saw him do on a climbing video and he said that he trained with weights so he could pull those overhanging pocket climbs at Wild Iris. When he showed me the middle finger tendon on the back of his hand it looked as big as my thigh.
We talked for awhile and then we were on our way but his attitude and vibe were highlights of the trip for me. I had a few moments with him and am saddened by his loss knowing what a great person he must have been to hang with. I feel for his family and friends and their loss. However, I bet that their memories of him will loom large and run deep like the mountains and rivers that he roamed.
To me, Todd Skinner is a modern day Mountain Man.
Peace,
P.S.- Amy, your attitude and perspective is truly an inspiration.
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CathC
Social climber
Wyoming
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Dec 30, 2006 - 12:13am PT
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Dear Amy, what a beautiful letter you wrote to the climbing community.. I hope to see you in Lander or Jackson one of these days . or at least in the spring.
I think of you and your family almost every day..the best to you in 2007
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Oli
Trad climber
Fruita, Colorado
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Dec 30, 2006 - 01:35am PT
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Dear Amy,
I doubt you and I have ever met. I well remember, however, my first actual time with Todd. I ran into him at a trade show in Salt Lake. He approached me with an unusually bright smile and energy. When I shook his hand, I felt an extremely strong hand, an unusual grip. It seemed a kind of light, or perhaps spiritual glow of some sort, that emanated from him. I had heard stories, you know, about these wild characters who were doing these big walls free, and it made me kind of weak and cowardly just to think about it, yet I had known Paul Piana for years and really liked him. I didn't know what to expect of Todd. The impression, with that sun flowing from and through him, was an extremely good one, and I recall his respect for me. He said something along the lines of, "You're one of my heroes." I couldn't imagine how that could be, as he was way off on another frontier beyond my fast fading bones, yet it meant something to be spoken to by this young, powerful spirit. I haven't much seen him since, yet I have continued to embrace the memory of that encounter, as though that was all Todd and I needed to connect, to stay connected, and though of different ages, to know each other spirit to spirit, as kindred of the rock. My deepest respect for you, Todd, and your family,
Pat Ament
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Lezlie Lehmann
Trad climber
Van Nuys, Ca.
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Dec 30, 2006 - 03:00am PT
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Dear Amy,
Just wanted you to know that I still check into this forum almost daily to see if there are more posts, and am gratified to read each new one I see, although saddened for you that you are having to endure the loss of Todd's Dad.
Earlier today, my husband, Hans discovered more negatives of our last meeting with Todd in J.Tree way back in 1991, and for Christmas I surprised Hans with both Todd's book and his newly released DVD. We are truly Blessed Beings, for the privilege of experiencing some of the best moments of our lives with and because of Todd.
Your Man reached many amazing summits in his all too brief visit here on earth, but none more spectacular and rewarding, I am sure, than the one that brought him to you. You Rock, Amy!
You obviously shared his vision and imbued him with all the love and encouragement he needed to fulfill as many dreams and reach as many summits as he did.
Thanks for taking the time, as difficult as it must be, to share with us.
Wishing you light, warmth and love Always,
Lezlie
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