Fatality on All Mixed Up

From Chris' Facebook page:

The picture that Brad posted is exactly where they were at while we were watching them. They belayer was at the bottom of that pitch and the lead climber was just coming to the top of it. The weather down low was very nice but windy. It was very windy and nasty where they were up high on Thatchtop. A lot of spin drift and wind hitting the climb itself.

I wished we could have done more when we first heard the calls for help. Our sincere condolences to all who knew him as well.

My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Pruchnic. Such an awful tragedy, c'est lavie. Seems Chris left us enjoying life to it's fullest, doing what he loved to do. In my book, that certainly means a lot.

I think I shall have,
A drink!
And a moment of silence,
For our fallen comrade!

Be careful out there!
-Z

There's no c'est la vie with Chris. He had more enthusiasm about life and opportunity than anyone I've met.

I just saw him on Thursday night. He was excited about being part of the AAC team heading to Iran in June. He'd also just run his first century in Boulder.

I can't tell you how much he will be missed. If anyone is available on Thanksgiving Day to hike in memory of him, please let me know. I know he'd appreciate it.

martha@marthaperantoni.com
303-709-1581

certainly a topic in the memorial section if someone could do it justice. thanks also to ROMO rangers, Larimer, & RMRG.

farewell Haliku

I met Chris few months ago in Tetons as a part of AAC climber exchange program . I also had a chance to rope up with him on the wall . He was a safe climber and one of the nicest people I have ever met and an awesome cook . I took a bunch of photos from him and this along with few other photos were his favorites.

Rest in peace my friend .

Majid

I met Chris many years ago when as a fairly new climber he signed up for a multi-pitch day in Eldo while on vacation from Chicago. The striking thing about Chris was his enthusiasm and passion for climbing and joy at being in the vertical environment. I never climbed with Chris again and only had incidental contact with him through mutual friends and his work with the AAC. I'll never forget his positive energy and am truly saddened by the loss of such a fine young man.

This is truly sad. I was hanging out with Chris a few months ago at the Lumpy trail days. He was an awesome guy, full of energy and kindness.

Does anyone know who his partner was? Losing a partner has got to be really tough.

Legs Magillicutty wrote:Left skittles for me on the summit of Rainier. I will never forget that.

Sounds like a wonderful man with a great sense of humor. All my best to his family in coping with this tragedy. I think everyone in the climbing community feels a sense of loss when any climber is lost, but I can't imagine how brave and strong his friends and family have to be to get through this difficult time.

I can’t run into Chris’ office to tell him I saw an avalanche on Saturday around 4:30 on All Mixed Up in RMNP and then found out Sunday night that a climber died on that very climb two hours before the avalanche occurred. I can’t tell him because it was he who was on that climb that day. Oh my God, I was so close and had no idea you were in the park that day.

I can’t call Chris to tell him that I can raise my arm over my head now. I can’t thank Chris again, who can run 100 mile races, for walking with me in City Park this fall while my arm was in a sling then taking me to one of the best restaurants I’ve been to in a while. All this on a sunny seventy degree Sunday he could have been out on a warm cliff face covering distance in one move that would have taken me three. He actually took a break and hung out with his gimpy friend because she needed to get out of the house.
I won’t get to climb with him on Sundays this summer when my shoulder is strong enough.

The world is a better place just because he was here.
There is nothing good about his passing, not a goddamn thing.

My heart goes out to anyone who met or knew Chris Pruchnic.

I miss you terribly my dear friend.

I only met Chris a couple of times, most recently at the AAC Lumpy Trails Day. But I could tell on only a brief acquaintance that he was one of the good guys...the air around the guy was full of energy. You couldn't help but be enthused about whatever was going on.

Condolences to Chris' family and friends, and pleasant journeys to Chris.

I am sorry to hear that a fellow climber died doing what we all love. From the looks of some of the people who posted comments who knew him he seemed to be a pretty seasoned climber. Does anyone have any information on how this accident occured?

Terrible news.
Does anyone know exactly what happened up there? the accident is described so vaguely...

From summitpost.org:

"Kiefer Thomas wrote:
Delta,
It's definitetly, Chris. Already spoke to Park Staff last night.
I won't list details but investigations are leaning towards conditions...possibly gear.
Rest in peace, buddy.
You'll never be forgotton."

I hope I'm not out of place by posting this.
This is all I know.

I still can't believe he's gone.

My condolences to his friends and family. He sounds like a wonderful person.

Chris Pruchnic Memorial

Whether you knew Chris through diving, long-distance running, climbing, or work; whether you were a life-long friend or only met Chris once but were forever changed by meeting him, you are invited and welcome to gather with us at a celebration of his life hosted by the American Alpine Club.

American Mountaineering Center
710 Tenth St.
Golden, CO

Thursday, December 9

6 – 6:30pm Gather and Mingle
6:30 – 7:15pm Remembrances
7:15 – 8pm Mingle

Bump...to remind folks about the event at the AAC.

Has anyone seen/heard any more info on what caused the accident?