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Niels Tietze

Original Post
James Garrett · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Jun 2005 · Points: 5,937

My heart goes out to his parents Chris and Becky and sister Jo who have in such a brief period of time lost 3 sons and brothers. Niels was a high end climber having climbed everywhere in the Wasatch growing up, he worked a number of years at YOSAR, had tried unsuccessfully to purchase public land up for auction in Indian Creek to keep it closer to to climber access,  he volunteered selflessly for years for the Himalayan Cataract Project helping restore vision to thousands of people through out Africa and Asia. He was kind beyond kindness and he was loved by everyone privileged enough to know him. He was found at the base of  a long route he was developing in Yosemite. I shared his excitement with him as he would confide in me about The progress he was making and his vision for the wall. Niels, you were so young and powerful and wonderful to be around. I knew you in this life and I will find you in the next. So sad and too early. You had so much more to offer the world. 

Nico Parco · · Mojab · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 770

Niels, you will be dearly missed!! On the recent passing of my own brother, he wrote to me:

"We are born with the seed of our own death. In that seed are written all the laws of the world. Strength be to the mothers!"

The eulogy I wrote for NielsT: https://nicoparco.com/eulogy-niels-tietze/

ShireSmitty · · WP · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 70

RIP Niels, so glad to have known you. Fair winds brother

bus driver · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 1,531

I didn't know Niels but wish I would have. I know some good men who knew him and they called him a great man.  I look forward to getting up to Chimera to check out his vision and handiwork. 

A google search for Niels brings up multiple stories from around the world of him climbing confidently into the unknown. Sad to hear a new route got such a good man but it seems he went like he lived . . . Boldly. 

Stephen Felker · · Boulder, CO · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 552

I met Niels’ brother Eric in the valley in 2011, a year before he died in the Tetons.  I was solo, and he graciously let me tag along at Cookie Cliff. I really looked up to both he and Niels for their skill and dedication.  Sincere condolences to the Tietze family.

dwsingleton · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2015 · Points: 0

can anyone tell me what happend?  All I read is a rappel accident.  Any details? I'd like to learn from this tragedy.

Belyn Grant · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2017 · Points: 0
Jimmy Downhillinthesnow · · Fort Collins, CO / Seattle, WA · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 10

The alpinist article is a wonderful tribute. The line between life and death is shockingly thin for all of us. All it takes is one mistied knot, an untimely twitch of the steering wheel, or a single irritable blood vessel. Sounds like Niels drank deeply from the cup while he was here. Rest In Peace. 

Jon H · · PC, UT · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 118

The alpinist article left me reeling. What a tremendous guy, and yet, what a tremendous weight to lie on a family. My heart goes out to the Tietze family. I wish them solace and comfort.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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