Mountain Project Logo

RIP Magic Ed

Original Post
Alicia Sokolowski · · Brooklyn, NY · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 1,781

I would just like to create a space for people to post the fond memories they have had of Magic Ed. He introduced me to Mexico climbing and helped my family through our first international climbing trip with an infant. Just a really genuine person and always kind to everyone he met. The world is a little less warm and welcoming without Magic Ed in it. He will be missed!

Me and Ed

A little about Ed:
rockandice.com/lates-news/m…

Steven Groetken · · Durango, CO · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 390

That's absolutely awful. I was really hoping to meet him in the near future. Fantastic article too. I have a huge soft spot for stray dogs, and the fact that he was also well invested in helping that situation shows how amazing a man he was. Rest in peace Magic.

Paul-B · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 115

Very sad. I was lucky enough to spend a week with him and climb a few of his routes with him, and of course, I was given a copy of his always-in-progress guidebook.

A few things I'll always remember about Ed (besides his tireless work to improve EPC):

1. His care for the stray dogs of EPC (as mentioned by Steven), I was there the week they opened the shelter he and tammy worked on to take in all the strays

2. Watching him teach the local kids how to climb. It was either saturdays or sundays he blocked off his day to teach local kids how to climb. It was really cool to see all those young Mexican children having a blast on top rope. Ed, sharing the thing he loved with kids who would likely not get the opportunity otherwise. I think he did ALOT to build support for climbing in the area among locals.

3. His dogs- always just chilling by the van in the Mexican heat while we did a 12 pitch route.

4. The time he siphoned a bunch of gasoline out of his van to help me try to start some charcoal. It ended badly...

Climb on Ed!

rgold · · Poughkeepsie, NY · Joined Feb 2008 · Points: 526

There's a companion thread on Supertopo: supertopo.com/climbers-foru…. Here's a selfie from Ed's photo album there:



RIP Ed.
sherb · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 60

I was afraid this was going to happen. I'm so glad I went to EPC, met him, got his guidebook. He told me he was looking to bolt easier routes so he could climb when he got really old. I'm sad that never got to happen. At least he got a second chance after overcoming cancer. A wonderful sense of humor, friendly and helpful.
Best intro to epc. Don't know how I'm going to get from the airport to la posada now.

Rob D · · Queens, NY · Joined May 2011 · Points: 30

One of the nicest people I've met in climbing. Incredibly sweet if not a bit off an oddball. I wish I got to know him better. A lot of people have passed away in EPC in the last 12 months. Awfully sad.

michael s · · Denver, CO · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 80

Never met him, but I keep dreaming about visiting El Potrero one of these days. He was quick to answer questions and invested a lot of himself in that place. A huge loss for the climbing community. Climb on Magic Ed!

20 kN · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 1,346

Magic Ed was the man. A huge loss to EPC for sure. RIP

Paul-B · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 115

Anybody know what happened to magic Ed's blog? There was a lot of useful info for EPC... seems to have been taken down.

Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,520
Paul-B wrote:Anybody know what happened to magic Ed's blog? There was a lot of useful info for EPC... seems to have been taken down.
Oh, no. I was hoping to visit it and see some more pictures. Since Ed was probably paying for the site and may not have mentioned how to do that to anyone, I'm guessing the bill didn't get paid and the hosting site dropped it. Same with the domain name. When people pass away, they don't always let everyone know their passwords and the like. It's sad, but a lot of stuff gets locked up on hard drives that need to be cracked to find again.
Rope Byrne · · Colorado Springs · Joined May 2015 · Points: 105

Try the wayback machine: web.archive.org/web/2015080…

Also, if many folks need it, then someone might want to make a mirror using wget. It would be static, but at least the photos/text would be captured.

fosswire.com/post/2008/04/c…

Gail Blauer · · Gardiner, NY · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 1,051

RIP Ed. Mitch and I climbed many many years at EPC. In the later years we relied on Ed to get us to/from MTY airport, arrange our housing, take us shopping etc. We had many dinners with Ed and Tami. My fondest memory was the day we climbed Crescent Moon Buttress and Ed set up a cool Tyrolean Traverse. It was a long, fun filled day with lots of adventure. (The biggest adventure was having him at the wheel of his van which needed some major work on the steering system!)

Another great memory is working with Ed to teach the local kids (and some adults) how to climb. I loved the Saturdays where we would break out the donated gear and put up some climbs for the very eager kids. Ed was determined to get the local community involved in climbing.

Ed, we miss you. Maybe you and Mitch are occasionally cavorting up there in heaven. If so, I hope you are recalling good times in EPC.

Ed climbing with us in 2011

Paul-B · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 115
Sam Byrne wrote:Try the wayback machine: web.archive.org/web/2015080… Also, if many folks need it, then someone might want to make a mirror using wget. It would be static, but at least the photos/text would be captured. fosswire.com/post/2008/04/c…
!!!

Thanks, this is awesome!
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Memorial
Post a Reply to "RIP Magic Ed"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.