Remembering a great friend!

Erica Kutcher: one of the most unusual and special people I've ever known. Her sense of humor was outlandish. She was as smart as anyone I've met. And she was an incredible adventurer.

I don't use the word "incredible" lightly. Erica was a very talented and bold climber. She would climb long aid routes in Yosemite in a single push - sometimes 40 hours nonstop. She biked across Australia solo. She was a madly talented skiier.

Tragically, on July 9, 2005, Erica died in an avalanche while on a climbing expidition in Pakistan. She was 27 years old.

Erica had traveled to Pakistan to put up a new route on Shipton Spire, a remote, challenging big wall climb with a 19,000-foot-summit. Her team had established a base camp at about 14,000 feet, and was taking a 2-day break. On July 9, Erica went for a walk in the afternoon, and when she didn't return promptly, the team began to search for her. They recruited numerous volunteers to aid in the 10-day search, including the Pakistani army.

Thinking of Erica brings always brings a smile. We climbed dozens of great routes together in southern Arizona. I will always remember her ability to be absolutely hilarious and yet be able to say just the right thing during serious times. What a great person!