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Craig Luebben

Clyde · · Eldo Campground, Boulder CO · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 5

I've lost a lot of friends to climbing and it never gets easier. This one especially hurts. Got to know Craig when I was gear editor at R&I ages ago and have been friends ever since. Because he was in China and the deadline was tight, I did the final edit on on his book "Rock Climbing: Mastering Basic Skills" before it went to press; something that no writer ever wants on something so technical. He liked most of my changes but I did screw up one detail (a misinterpretation) and he forgave me. Helped him on the Anchors book too. But overall he was a very good writer on his own. And of course a solid climber.

But the real pleasure of knowing Craig was seeing how he absolutely glowed when Silvia, and even more so Giulia, were around or even in the conversation. His love of Cuba and the climbers there was also profound. There's definitely another big empty spot in the climbing world now.

KevinCO · · Loveland, CO · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 60
climber73 · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 185

I only met Craig once, and I still can't believe how down to earth and personable he was. It is climbers like Craig whom make this sport great. Sincere thanks for the inspiration Mr Luebben!!!!

Cary Hayes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2008 · Points: 0

Craig was the guy who taught me to climb...it was the fall of 1988, and I was a bright eyed, looking for adventure, kid from Chicago, showing up in Fort Collins for my freshman year at CSU.

I enrolled in classes, including "intro to Rock Climbing" at Horsetooth reservoir. 2 weekends in a row bouldering at climbing around Horsetooth, and then it was off to devils tower for an ascent. Up the Durrance route with a group of about 5 as I recall. It got late, and I will never forget rappelling in the pitch dark down the lower pitches. I was pretty scared, and Craig was calm, cool, and reassuring. The ultimate teacher.

We climbed a bit at Lumpy in the early nineties, and I remember watching him lead crack of fear sometime back around then. Awe inspiring that gave me sweaty palms. Still does.

Thanks Craig....You lead me to have experiences in my life, that I hope I can share with others. Thanks for getting me into this sport in the first place. Your gone too early.....

Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,520

We were just talking about Craig yesterday at Turkey Rocks. Shane had a blue Big Bro in his rack and of course we all had to go into the story of how Craig had designed them.

I always enjoyed running into Craig at the Golden City Brewery when I lived in Lakewood and Wheat Ridge.

Allen Hill · · FIve Points, Colorado and Pine · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 1,410

Craig was a good guy. He made the effort to support other people climbing or otherwise. Once at the Taos Mountain Film festival one of my films had a early sunday morning showing. This is the worst time imaginable as saturday night is the big party night at most film festivals. So Chuck Grossman (who did some of the music for the film) and I show up to a empty screening room with the exception of Craig, Royal Robbins, and Glen Denny. One of the best audiences ever! Craig will be missed. My thoughts go out to his family.

sibylle Hechtel · · Silverthorne, CO · Joined Aug 2005 · Points: 4,525

How very sad for all of us, especially his family. My son Tristan and I were climbing at Arapiles in March - April, and the locals told us how impressed they were when Craig flashed Kamasutra, a very difficult, overhanging off-width. I'd planned to ask Craig for off-width tutoring when I next saw him - now I won't get that chance.
With all these deaths, we can only decide to live as thought each week, each month, was our last, and to value our friends that still live.

Farzin · · San Diego, CA · Joined May 2009 · Points: 85

I had the privilege of climbing in the Vedawoos with Craig a few years ago. I was most impressed with his kindness, as he picked me up at the DIA and had me sleep over at his house prior to our trip. No other guide had done this for me before. I remember Craig introducing me to his beautiful little girl and Sylvia the next morning. It is hard to bear the loss of a great human being such as Craig. Condolences to Sylvia and Giulia.

Rest in peace and thank you!

Laurelyn Sayah · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 0

I hope I at least expressed in words a few times: Thanks so much Craig for opening the door to every thing I love, and being a true friend too. It looks like I'll have to say the rest through the soul. I never realized time would run out so quickly. The message I keep getting is to keep enjoying all the beautiy of the hills and good peoples' company. Wow, I didn't know I was going to run out of time to share it all with you one more time. So sad. I will be looking for ways to reach out to Sylvia and Giulia, as I know their grief must be fathoms deeper than mine. Deep and Dear thanks to Craig for everything. I'll see you at the next belay - next pitch looks steep - hope I can get that sidewinder move my friend. Ouch.

Bill413 · · Northampton, MA · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 0

My condolences. This is sad news.

Rebekah · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 80

Craig was an amazing teacher and photographer! I was honored for him to be my first climbing guidance through Red Rocks Community College. And his care and love towards the outdoors was amazing! He personally helped me through a death that happened to me on that trip!! He will be missed!!

Alison Conrad · · Evergreen, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 0

Craig was a genuinely nice person. The minute you met him you liked him. I had the opportunity to take an offwidth clinic from him and saw firsthand what a great teacher he was. I learned a tremendous amount from him and he was the one who helped improve my offwidth skills. I will forever be appreciative of what he taught me. I am saddened to hear of his loss and my condolences go out to his family.

David Bayendor · · Denver, CO · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 145

Craig was a gifted teacher and a brilliant author. I had the pleasure of climbing with him at Vedauwoo and was hoping to go again later this month.

He had offered to sign my copy of Rock Climbing Anchors, alas this will not happen.

My condolences go out to Silvia and Giulia.

RIP Craig. You will be missed. I enjoyed drinking beers by the fire with you after a long day on the crags and talking about life.

Handsome B. Wonderful · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2004 · Points: 90

This is unbelievable. I called Craig out of the blue several years ago because I wanted an OW climbing partner. He called me right back and that weekend we went to the Voo. I climbed, camped and drank with Craig, Guilia, and Silvia nearly every weekend for that entire summer. He even got me on the cover of climbing mag. Craig was a fantastic person. He was always psyched to climb and always gave that extra push. Possibly the saddest part of all this though is how much he loved his wife Silvia and daughter, Guilia. Craig would constantly talk about how his family redefined his existence and basically completed him. He climbed conservatively and did not take unnecessary risks. I have not talked to Craig in a while. But hearing this brings back a lot of memories and I will miss him. To Guilia and Silvia...I cannot possibly express my condolences enough.

Buff Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 1,145

the nps released a summary in their morning report:

home.nps.gov/applications/m…

Jim Davidson · · Fort Collins, Colorado · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 20

Here is a recent great interview with Craig:

frontrangebouldering.com/ar…

Callie Rennison · · Boulder, Colorado · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 15

There aren't words for this. Sitting in a Bishop Ca coffee shop in utter disbelief. Condolences to his family and friends.

Mike Dorn · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 0

I had only been around Craig a few times, but felt like he was a good friend. That's how Craig left an impression on you. He was just so personable and unpretentious. Every minute you climbed with him you were learning something. My friends and I had the tremendous privilege of crack climbing with Craig in Kentucky's Red River area and taking several of his clinics at area gyms in Ohio. All lessons we won't forget. Craig helped inspire my friends and I to go on and become AMGA guides ourselves.

He wanted us to come to CO to climb or ski with him, just like an old friend would invite you. When my wife's father died, he even sent her a personal card. A truly great person.

My heart goes out to those who where close to him, especially Silvia and Giulia.

Lee Smith · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2003 · Points: 1,545

Craig was one of the best. I ran into him at the AMC in Golden a couple of times; I even copped a belay from him.

My condolences to his family and friends.

Greg D · · Here · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 883

I had the pleasure of meeting and climbing with Craig's wife and daughter last fall. I am very, very sad to hear of their loss. My deepest sympathy to you and all of Craig's family and friends.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Memorial
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