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Climber Dies on the Lemmon 10/02/13

Original Post
NC Rock Climber · · The Oven, AKA Phoenix · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 60
supertopo.com/climbers-foru…

tucsonnewsnow.com/story/235…

kgun9.com/news/local/Crews-…

"MOUNT LEMMON, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) - Search and rescue crews recovered a man's body on Mount Lemmon Wednesday.

Rural/Metro Fire Marshall Willie Treatch tells KGUN9 that the body was found near milepost 15 on Mount Lemmon Highway.

Treatch says the body was dangling from a boulder. Deputy Tracy Suitt with PCSD says another climber initially found the man and called 911just before 1 p.m. Cell service was spotty so it took some time before he could contact authorities.

Suitt says the man's body was difficult to access, and crews believe they recovered him within an hour of his death.

Suitt says the man is an avid climber and well known in the community. They have not released a name as next of kin has not been notified.

No word yet on what caused the death."

My condolences to friends and family of the deceased.
Bigbad WOLF Anderson · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 580

R.I.P. this man will always have a spot in my heart. ..

Brigette Beasley · · Monroe, WA · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 275

The article has been updated, with the climber identified as David Webster. What a shame. I'm so sorry that he had to die alone. Rest in peace, Dave.

Robbie Mackley · · Tucson, AZ · Joined May 2010 · Points: 85

This is such sad news. Condolences to Dave's friends and family. Rest in peace.

Geir www.ToofastTopos.com · · Tucson/DMR · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 2,751

This is very sad. Dave was a very nice man. Sincere condolences to his family and friends!

Christian RodaoBack · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Jul 2005 · Points: 1,486

Aw man :-(

My condolences. Only talked him once or twice, glad I got to learn about some of his badass FAs on a thread here.

It will be sad not seeing him and the white CRV anymore :-(

Caverdude O'Cicero · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 126

Very sorry to hear about Dave. He was a really good guy with a crazy fun streak. At least he died doing what he loved. He will be missed, especially at the annual PLP. Climb on Dave...

Manny Rangel · · PAYSON · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 4,788

My condolences to his family and friends. Sad to hear of this happening.

Scott M. McNamara · · Presidio San Augustine Del… · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 55
Joe Kreidel · · San Antonio, TX · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 1,495

Terrible news. I only met Dave once, but saw him or his car on Mt. Lemmon on probably half my trips up there. It was cool seeing him up there so much, knowing he was still doing the things he loved to do. I always wanted a chance to talk to him a little more and get to know him, unfortunately I never was more proactive about it. My condolences to his family and friends.

Chris Horton · · St. George, UT · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 327

Sad. Like everyone else, I only talked to him a couple of times and should have reached out more. It was always comforting in a way seeing the white CRV. We just talked to him a few days ago, such a nice guy.

He was a great motivator to just get out there.

Paul Davidson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 607

Condolences to family and friends.
Sad day...

Wayno · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 0

Dave was a good friend and climbing partner. One of the best. We did the Tangerine Trip together in Feb. of '82. Full-on Winter conditions. It was our first El Cap route! I plan on starting a thread about him on Supertopo in a couple days. I still need to wrap my head around this one.

Wayno from the Taco.

kristiew · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 0

Thank you everyone for your compassion and kind words about my husband, Dave Webster. Reading your posts have helped make a difficult time easier for me and my son.

JMayhew · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Sep 2006 · Points: 1,186

My buddy and I gave this long-haired, sun-baked hitchhiker with a ratty ol’ pack and fuzzy rope a ride up Mt. Lemmon one day… and I spent the next 28 years chasin’ him through the mountains. Davey would reel me in with excited promises of unclimbed rock walls then proceed to teach me the fine Art of Suffering, and the even finer Art of Appreciating the Adventure. We shared countless summits, many of them in the rain and/or dark and/or cold.

It really sucked when he finally had to limit himself to roadside approaches. You couldn’t tell by talking to him though. Endlessly enthusiastic, a day or so before his death Davey was telling me about his new “project” with those same wild eyes and dramatic descriptions of the problems he would have to solve. I, like so many others, will truly miss his inspiration and friendship.

Another thanks to all who have offered condolences. What an amazing extended family we all have.

Rest in Peace, My Friend!

(copied to ST)

2008

Mike Beck · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2013 · Points: 0

Wow. Pretty hard to get my mind around. Dave, kristie , hans lippuner and I (Mike Beck) have been friends since maybe the hayday of the late 70s + 80s. We made movies of Cathedral Spire in yos. And joshua tree. Always excited to climb and be in the "place". His laugh was hysterical and sometimes made us laugh more. Kristie, thanks for being the best mate he could have had. You stuck with him pre kid and took him so very far, and I really thank you for that. He was definitely the type of partner and friend that made my mountaineering adventures so enjoyable, rewarding, and usually successful. His bride always supportive. We both shared the "accuracy in reporting" of our adventures, though we could argue ratings. But if you thought it was easier than he did, it would probably be your lead! I was just in Tuolumne in September and climbed Tenaya peak with Hans. A route suggested by Dave so many years ago finally completed... But we're getting older, Hans used a cane for the approach! But the route was as awesome as promised! Dave you made good again! He turned us on to several areas some took me many years to fit into my schedule but the info and topos and photos were always good. Some roads were closed however! Great guy, great friend, awesome partner for everything we ever did together. Hans doesn't do electronic mail, but we spoke and he thought the only good thing was he was pursuing his passion. Hans sends his condolences and agreed that we really enjoyed his friendship, enthusiasm, and all the adventures we had together. More Monkey than Funky comes to mind, everyone went for their pilots license except Hans wearing his funky tennis shoes! We really love you Dave. Mike Beck, Hans Lippuner

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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