Calgary climber killed in fall on Mount Robson

starlight

CALGARY — An experienced Calgary climber fell to his death on the backside of Mount Robson in British Columbia on Monday.

Barb McLintock, spokeswoman with the B.C. Coroners Service, said Bradley Charles Joyce, 35, was crossing a snow bridge over a crevasse with a friend.

The bridge gave way and Joyce fell into the crevasse, where he was smothered by a small avalanche.

His climbing partner, a man in his mid-40s, was not injured and was able to call for help.

McLintock said they were able to retrieve Joyce’s body late Monday afternoon.

Joyce was an experienced climber and was not married, she said.

The B.C. Coroners Service continues to investigate.

Rick Collier died while rock climbing in B.C. on Wednesday. He was 71. (Alberta NDP)

CBC News Posted: Aug 17, 2012 10:41 PM MT Last Updated: Aug 20, 2012 3:51 PM MT

An avid mountain climber and outdoorsman from Calgary has died in a climbing accident in Mount Robson Park.

Rick Collier is a former Mount Royal University literature professor, who ran for the provincial NDP in the last election. He was also a social justice and environmental activist.

Earlier this week, Collier was leading a party of four up Mount Geikie in B.C., when a rock face gave way, causing Collier and the others to fall.

The B.C. Coroner's office says the 71-year-old died within minutes.

The other members of the party were rescued. Two of them were injured.

Collier leaves behind a wife, three children and five grandchildren.

PanShiBo

Rick Collier with Cup (1941-2012)
Photo by: Robin Tivy on Wednesday April 20, 2005

starlight

PanShiBo
Rick Collier with Cup (1941-2012)
Photo by: Robin Tivy on Wednesday April 20, 2005

So I think when you are 70, maybe Taiji is a better hobby than rock climbing. But I believe the guys died doing what they love.

PanShiBo

So I think when you are 70, maybe Taiji is a better hobby than rock climbing.

It is sure safer, at any time, even when one is 25 or 15. But Taiji never gives you what one writer described:

"To put yourself into a situation where a mistake cannot necessarily be recouped, where the life you lose may be your own, clears the head wonderfully. It puts domestic problems back into proportion and adds an element of seriousness to your drab, routine life."

Also, in alpine one can often see reality without fake layers. Who is who. And who is you.

But in the end, it is a matter of personal choice, no?