Evan Matthew Sloane

Because I met Evan on Mtn. Project, it seems fitting for me to say goodbye to him here.

I moved to Boulder a year ago May. When I arrived, like many other climbers, I posted on Mountain Project as a way to meet people who shared my interest and passion for climbing. Many people were kind enough to respond to my posting, but I actually went out climbing with very few because I immediately met Evan. We climbed at the gym and at Eldo mostly. Evan was kind, quiet, unassuming, encouraging and a very skilled climber. He quickly became my friend; the kind of friend you knew would be a part of your life in some form forever.

Evan had moved to Boulder for School and recently completed his PhD in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Evan’s passion for life, his work and climbing remain undeniable. He climbed rock and ice every opportunity he got. From single pitch sport at Shelf Road to big Mountains in Peru, Evan climbed anything and loved it all. Evan dreamed of returning to Peru to climb and after being diagnosed with Cancer last November, he hoped he could do so with a group of other folks who survived cancer. Although climbing was probably his first passion, Evan was also an amazing cook, talented photographer and lover of Blue Grass Music.

Evan Matthew Sloane died on Tuesday September 23rd after battling cancer for nearly a year. I never believed he would lose this battle. Evan was young, very fit and very strong. Even after his 1st round of chemo, Evan was getting on 5.11/5.12 lead climbs. Having been the 1st person I ever climbed with in Eldo, I will never be able to climb there again without thinking of him. Evan was a fairly private person who rolled with life as it came. If he was here and the outcomes were somehow reversed, he would go climb rather than sit in sadness. So as the lucky ones, who are still here, think about the years of climbing cheated from Evan and go climb.

Goodbye Evan. I miss you!

Jacki

Memorial contributions may be made to the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado-Boulder, Campus Box 345, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309 Attn: Dr. Linda Watkins.

Thanks for the post and my condolences....

It's easy to forget how silly and misguided we can be as people...As much of a trajedy his death is, it's a reminder that life is short and is what you make of it.

Always a bummer.....

I lost a good friend/climbing partner a few years back to Colon Cancer......He fought it for 2 years.

I have so many routes we did together, from road trips to local stuff.

I carry one of his biners on my rack......it's the one that will never be left behind....

my condolences, sorry to hear about evan passing away.

from the eyes of Evan:

Very sorry to hear about your loss, may he rest in peace