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DSahli
Trad climber
Belfast, NY
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Dec 25, 2007 - 04:49pm PT
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Molly,
I know you won't remember me, but you, Avery and Pete came climbing for a few days to Red Rock on my NOLS course. FSR 9, 2003. I remember Pete swinging Avery off a hard sport route and she was all smiles. Merry Christmas, my family will be praying for you during this tough time.
Enjoy the snow.
Dan
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landerhunter
Social climber
Ruston, LA
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Dec 25, 2007 - 10:19pm PT
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Molly and Avery,
I would like to wish you a merry christmas from North Louisiana. I spent very little time with you on a spring semester in 2001 at sinks when avery was just a little tike, but i will never forget the teamwork you and pete showed with aves. I just found out that my wife an i will be having our second child and i hope that i can be as good as team mate to my wife and as good of a father to my children as pete was to you guys. i got to see pete this summer (early july) on a saturday evening at the cowfish as he was just back from climbing in the winds with dave anderson, while i was in town for a wedding, and he was just as i remembered him, one of the greatest men I ever knew and i will never forget how excited he was to see me but more than excited to see me, he was excited to be going home to see you guys. Again, i hope i can be the half the man pete absolon was.........i hope you have a great holiday season and i will never forget your family....Take Care
Cheers,
Hunter, Becky and Lander Smith
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BKurtz
Trad climber
Commack, NY
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Dec 27, 2007 - 12:51am PT
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Molly,
You and Pete were guiding lights during our SSR 1995 exploration of the Snake Gulch /kaibab plateau and north rim of the grand canyon. A long time ago, but the group may stand out as one of your more challenging. I am truly sorry for your loss. I am now married and have two boys myself, 2 and 4. I want you to know that your leadership, teaching, wisdom and guiding light helped me through the semester. I used what you both shared to establish an Outdoor Leadership Program as part of the Outdoor Emory Organization upon arriving back at school, 5 successful years with the Colorado State Forest Service, and continuing as a restoration ecologist and fire manager for The Nature Conservancy for the last 5 yrs. You have both been a true inspiration and without you I would not be where I am today. The world is better because of both you and Pete. Keep telling the stories of your life, of your adventures together to everyone. That will keep all that he is alive.
With love,
Brian
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blairstone
climber
lander
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hi molly,
a friend emailed me tonight after reading the outside article. she never knew pete and is far removed from the climbing scene, but she was very moved by the positivity that pete had on the people around him. and that email brought me back here to supertopo and i realized that over the weeks here in lander it appears that life continues and time passes... but not without the memory of pete. phil and i still speak of him often. and there isn't a day that goes by that i do not think of you and avery (and that chinese dress! the dress!). i have never been one for words and never know what to say in casual conversation, but wanted to tell you again that you are in our thoughts. and though we don't see you often, we remember. and we pray and hope that time will bring you peace.
avery and i have some sewing to do!
con paz, siempre...
blair
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camilla
climber
boise,id
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Hey Molly and Avery-
Here I am again checking this site, sitting at my work desk with tears streaming down my face.
We really loved your Christmas card. It is nice to have a picture of the two of you to look at and to send our love to. Arya and I were looking through past Christmases in our photo album. We have some pictures of a day of climbing in there, including one of Pete lifting Arya up to swing out of the cave, and a couple of Avery and Arya playing in the mud. Avery has a shirt on that you then handed over to Arya- she was wondering why Avery was wearing her shirt! The webs that connect us...
We love you! Boise's a cool place to check out if you ever need a road trip or a place to stay on your way to the west coast.
I am teaching second and third graders this year. I recently helped a 7 year old who had a close grandma die. She told me if she had a wish, it would be that death didn't happen. She said that then her grandma would be alive. She also thought it would be cool because there would be dinosaurs, but you wouldn't have to worry about them hurting you because there was no death. Kids are so resilient and amazingly creative!
I am glad that Avery is there for you-
Camilla and Arya
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Terri Payne
Trad climber
Kansas City, Missouri
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I recently found about Pete's death in the worst possible way, in a doctors office reading a climbing magazine... I knew Pete from his Seneca days when I dated and climbed with Mike Perlis. I am at a total loss for words (but not emotions) so I will just say, what a loss to humanity...
Terri
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Basso
Social climber
Laramie, Wyoming
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Molly,
I'bve been meaning to send a note relating how honored I was that you came to our silly little fake-a-thon at the Folklore back before Christmas. BUT, I *do* think that the Folklore is a wonderful addition to Lander, and isn't John Mioncynzki (the cat playing accordion)a hoot?
I believe that the full Jalan Band will play there in February sometime. I hope for a chance to exonerate meself...
Shaun Kelley
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Mary Absolon
climber
Edina, Minnesota
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Hi Everyone....
Time is moving on and 2008 is before us.
A most wonderful tribute to Pete has been given from the Association of Experiental Education, an accreditation organization focusing on experiental adventure programming.
I have to say that my dear brother Pete linked up with some great organizations & this is one of them.
This organization produces a wonderful calendar and for 2008 is dedicated to the memory of Peter Henry Absolon. Included is that wonderful photo of Pete majestically sitting on his rock thone with his Patagonia crown!
Below this photo is written:
"An enthusiastic and passionate outdoor educator, Pete was the consumate professionial. NOLS and the outdoor community are better as a result of his dedicated service to the industry and his students.
Pete's attitude and sense of fun were infectious and every person he spent time with was lifted by his spirit.
Thanks, Pete!"
What I most like about this quote is that it is written in the present tense.
May our hearts smile as we live our lives each day. May each of us touch someone today in the way that my brother, Peter, touched people he came in contact with daily.
Take Care.....
Love,
Mary
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Beeper
climber
los angeles, CA
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Jan 13, 2008 - 01:15pm PT
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Wow! Oddly enough my husband told me about a climber who was killed instantly when a rock hit him in the head. I thought then: "how awful!". Then, five months later, I find out that that climber was Pete Absolon. Molly I am so sad ands shocked by the news. What a loss for you and Avery and the climbing community who very clearly adored him. I'm so glad you and he connected and that you have Avery to share your stories with. It is such an unfortunate loss. My love to you both and your extended families too. xxooBeeper
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Double D
climber
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Jan 13, 2008 - 03:01pm PT
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My heartfelt condolences to your family and to the many friends of Pete. He sounded like an incredible guy with a loving family. May he have rest in a better place.
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Molly Absolon
climber
Lander, Wyoming
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Jan 30, 2008 - 06:49pm PT
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It's been a rough couple of weeks for me and I keep coming back to the forum just in case there are more postings. I had not realized how much this virtual community had come to mean to me, especially during those hours when I'm home at the computer trying to get some work done. So it's hard to find that most of you have moved on. I know that is the natural way of things, but it's still sad as I cannot say I have felt much movement yet.
Avery and I have on several occasions taken out the book made by Diane Barriero for us with postings from this website and read stories about Pete out loud before going to bed at night. These moments have been really precious for us. We've laughed and cried and Avery has told me her own stories, which I need to write down to record. But it is hard for me to do it very often. I've been struggling with the reality of Pete's absence and the stories, while they bring back great memories, also make his loss more acute. I know that I am learning a lot about love, community, friendship, life, anger, everything as a result of this journey, but I sure wish I could talk to Pete about it.
So maybe this is my plea, if you happen to still check this web site occasionally, please do send in your stories. Avery and I treasure them. And we're still here trying to figure out what to make of our lives now.
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O.D.
Trad climber
LA LA Land
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Jan 30, 2008 - 08:10pm PT
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Dear Molly and Avery:
I was unaware of your tragedy until I read the article in Outside a few weeks ago. It is a heart-wrenching story that caused me, as I'm sure it caused countless others, to re-evaluate what is important in life. That prompting, I suppose, is one of the few good things to come out of something so terrible.
One of the wonders of the Internet age is our ability to reach out, disseminate news of happy or tragic events, and then celebrate or mourn collectively on a scale that was previously impossible. I imagine that your book of collected stories of Pete, gathered through this particular medium, has already grown to an impressive size. My loss is that I did not know Pete, and so am unable to contribute a story for your book. However, I do send the two of you, through this medium and through the timeless channels of the soul, my sincerest wishes for consolation, strength, and the ability to see a promising pathway ahead.
Richard J.
Los Angeles, CA
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Mary Absolon
climber
Edina, Minnesota
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Jan 30, 2008 - 08:57pm PT
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One of the most exciting things I did with my brother Pete was canoeing down the Snake River in front of the Tetons with Avery at his side.
I remember him saying that he had lots of friends in Lander who could loan him a couple of canoes. Well he showed up at Jackson Lake Lodge in this mud drenched truck with these 2 large canoes roped to the roof of his car. Of course, the Aves was with him
at his side. It was exciting and so much darn fun!
We then proceeded to canoe for several hours with the Tetons picture window before us. Pete led the way with his stories. His tender comforting words for Avery were interspersed meeting her every need as she dozed off strapped to her secure chair.
The following Christmas a special gift was a view of Signal Moutain another reminder of our trip out west.
If that wasn't enough, Pete then took us all to a wonderful restaurant that he knew in Jackson. The place was packed and the food exquisite. We had venison and it was to die for. It was just fun being with my brother Pete.
These wonderful memories of our trip to Yellowstone & the Tetons are a gift. The spirit of adventure coupled with warmth of his love truely was how he liked living his life.
Love,
Mary
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Mary Absolon
climber
Edina, Minnesota
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Jan 30, 2008 - 08:57pm PT
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One of the most exciting things I did with my brother Pete was canoeing down the Snake River in front of the Tetons with Avery at his side.
I remember him saying that he had lots of friends in Lander who could loan him a couple of canoes. Well he showed up at Jackson Lake Lodge in this mud drenched truck with these 2 large canoes roped to the roof of his car. Of course, the Aves was with him
at his side. It was exciting and so much darn fun!
We then proceeded to canoe for several hours with the Tetons picture window before us. Pete led the way with his stories. His tender comforting words for Avery were interspersed meeting her every need as she dozed off strapped to her secure chair.
The following Christmas a special gift was a view of Signal Moutain another reminder of our trip out west.
If that wasn't enough, Pete then took us all to a wonderful restaurant that he knew in Jackson. The place was packed and the food exquisite. We had venison and it was to die for. It was just fun being with my brother Pete.
These wonderful memories of our trip to Yellowstone & the Tetons are a gift. The spirit of adventure coupled with warmth of his love truely was how he liked living his life.
Love,
Mary
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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Jan 31, 2008 - 11:09am PT
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Molly,
Don’t despair. The climbing community has not forgotten about you or Pete. I never knew Pete, but I know how NOLS affects young lives. My son had a great experience two years ago on a month-long course and who knows, he may have met Pete in Lander. Also, my original climbing partner learned the ropes on a NOLS course way back in 1971 and then proceeded to teach me. So the connections to Pete run deep in ways you cannot even imagine. You and Avery should be proud of the positive influence he had on so many people.
I cannot imagine saying anything that could possibly ease your pain, but don’t think that your friends, and even those you don’t know, have forgotten.
Rick Accomazzo
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climbluedog
Trad climber
AZ
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Hi Molly,
My connections to NOLS are strong- and I will always remember dinner at the Cowfish (the Tuesday before Pete died) with the three of you after a few hours of climbing at the Sinks. I remember that Avery got chicken on a stick, and that she traded Shakespeare lines with the bartender and how easy it was to be with you guys. And I still remember the fairie house Avery built and how proud Pete was that day because she had climbed her highest yet! My memories and story of knowing Pete so very short, I am honored that I (briefly) knew him- I CAN'T forget that....
:) Lisa E.
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SteveW
Trad climber
Denver, CO
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Molly
I recently read the article about you & Pete in the
WOC newsletter. I didn't know Pete, but he's part of
the climbing community which we all are members of.
I wish I'd been back at Seneca when he'd been there, but
I left the east in '76 to be out here. Anyway, I hope
that you and Avery will find peace one of these days.
I can't imagine the pain you two (and the rest of your families)
feel.
My best wishes.
Steve
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sally
climber
Finland
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Hey Molly,
We're here! I am sorry, I feel so far away here in Finland where the landscape is so different from our mountain home, but in my heart you all are always close, even Pete. I think about you all every day and Avery's most recent school picture is on my fridge, so her smile brightens my days (still quite dark here). I must say that being in such a different world and far away makes it hard for me to grasp the reality that Pete is truly gone, unlike right after it happened when it hit me so hard. I am sure this is so different from your experience Mol, but somehow I keep seeing Pete loading up the truck and heading out for a day at the crags, or cooking in your kitchen, or loading the pellet stove, or putting his skins on his skiis to start laying the skin track for all of us. So I guess that I am in this weird limbo where I almost imagine he's still alive and having fun with you all and then it hits me like a little shock each day. I am crying now and I wish I could come visit and spend some time with you and Aves. I am holding your hand from afar and really wish you could feel how much I think about you and love you. Hug Aves for me and ask her to hug you for me too.
Love,
Sally (M's sis)
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Janeen
climber
Lander, WY
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Hi Molly,
Ryan and I are down here in Tucson and we think of you, Avery and Pete often. I too still come to this site often. Like many others, I read the stories as a way to remember Pete and stay connected to you and Avery.
The other day some instructors were sharing their stories of the best briefings they ever had and someone mentioned one Pete had facilitated. It was a great story and it reminded me what an amazing educator Pete was and what a great mentor he is to me.
I feel so fortunate to have met you three. All of you are inspiring and I have learned so much from each of you.
I hope that your winter is full of rainbows and warm times spent with friends.
Take Care,
Janeen Hutchins
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