Andrew Barnes
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montrosepress.com/breaking_…
In case you haven't heard the news, Andrew Barnes from Ft. Colins was found dead in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison a few days ago. I never met him, but perhaps those of you that did would like to share some good stories about him here. Rest in peace. |
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I went to school with Andrew at Colorado State University. We took quite a few classes together in the college of natural resources, Andrew was a great guy. Always climbing and excited about the next adventure. I remember climbing at Rotary Park, getting ready to leave and seeing him just arriving, riding up the A trail on his bike, what a badass. Rest in peace Andrew. |
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Andrew was a great guy. I got the opportunity to work a summer with him at Kmac climbing, sending hard and living the life. He was always so passionate about climbing. He feared nothing always climbing hard routes sometimes good gear sometimes his old Kpac cams as he called them either way it was always an epic with him! He always was in good spirits no matter the circumstance. One of the best stories i have of him is when he climbed CSU's library during mid day classes probably still on youtube. Andrew will be missed! My thoughts go out to his family! |
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Thanks Stich for your recognition of Andrew even though you did not know him personally. Andrew was a great human being. I met him in high school when he moved to Colorado Springs from Billings, Montana and later lived with him and a few other friends in Fort Collins when we moved into our first college house during our sophomore year. He was in my wife and I's wedding two years ago when we became the first out of our circle of friends to tie the knot. He gave us a painting on canvas that he was given as a gift in Africa a few months before. It has hanged in our bedroom wall since and always felt like the most genuine gift that we could have been given. Way better than the tuppaware of a silverware we received. He was at my bachelor party the week before our wedding. We went to a casino in Black Hawk and ended up spending the night hanging out in the woods next to the casino. The next night we ditched the casino atmosphere all together and camped. Andrew found a tennis ball and stick and we proceeded to play baseball for hours. We are not baseball players but Andrew had the ability to create a good time out of nothing. He was wise beyond his years and I learned so much from him in the ten(ish) years that I knew him. I talked to him about a month ago on the phone. i was feeling a little weird/down after having a bad day when I first talked to him and hung up feeling happy and refreshed. He had a unique ability to leave a positive mark on everybody he talked to. This is a mini eulogy that I wrote on Facebook about him: "Andrew Barnes was one of the best people I have ever had the honor of knowing. He was incredibly kind and lived thoughtfully and fearlessly. Anybody who ever knew him well can attest to the fact that his character was admirable. I learned more from Andrew about life in the ten years that I knew him than just about any other single person. He was an artist, athlete and comedian who always saw the good in people and only wanted the best for them as well. He was aware of the dangers that came along with what he loved to do but did not let them stop him at living his life how he chose. It was always a treat to run into him on any given day and he impacted many people in the most positive of ways. He will continue to bring smiles to this world through the memories he helped others form. Love." |
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I have been asked to put together a video commemorating Andrew. If anybody has an video or photo's can you please contact me so I can include them? We have been in contact with his parents and are in the process of organizing a celebration of his life in Fort Collins. From what I know, an actual service will be held in Montana after this celebration. I need to get this done in the next few days, so please contact me and/or pass this on to anybody that may have some footage or pics of AB. Thanks everybody for all the support and kind words toward Barno. I know his parents and all those who were even closer to him than I are gonna have a rocky road in front of them so I really want to make this tasteful and meaningful. Talk with everyone soon. Email me @ tmitch94@gmail.com or call @ 719-640-2636. Have a great weekend! |
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I, too, was good friends with Andrew in high school and had the pleasure of seeing him on and off over the last 5 years. He was an amazing person, always surrounded with positive energy. Like Teddy said, it was always a pleasure to run into Barno, and that's usually how seeing him had to happen. If you hung out with him you always felt like you were in the right place at the right time. He will definitely be missed, but he will always be celebrated. He died doing what he loved and lived life full force to the end. |
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Looking forward to meeting you someday too, Ted. Just a little bump for this thread. Friends of mine are posting about Andrew elsewhere online, too. |
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I was very close to Andrew. All of us at KMAC in Estes Park lost one of our closest of family. Barnes was one of the most pure people I ever knew, always kind, generous, and warm. He was there during many of the big moments in my life. I am sure that is true with most people that he met. |
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Never got to climb with Andrew, but remember him from hanging out in Estes over the last few years. He always had a huge toothy smile on his face, definitely a one of a kind person. So sad. My condolences to all who knew him. |
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Spot on, folks! Andrew Barnes (Barny-boo) was the man. I climbed with him on several excellent adventurous occasions in various places, and one particularly EPIC adventure I will never forget, that was amazingly good, and that was all Barnes' doing. I had the pleasure of hanging and climbing with him along the Front Range as well as at Indian Creek and Devil's Tower. |
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Sounds like the world has lost an amazing person. Andrew seems like one of those people that just makes you proud to be human and happy to be alive. There aren't many people in the world like that. Thoughts and prayers for everyone he's touched. |
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"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing" -Hellen Keller |
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I found out a hour ago and I am heartbroken. I would call myself a good acquaintance of Barnes'. We were fellow NR students on campus. We showed up at the same parties. We worked together for a bit. The man was always in high spirits. I'd instantly be caught up in a smile every time I saw him. Halloween of '08 is the time I remember best with him. We were at one of Tyson Wormus' legendary bashes, he as Bill the Butcher and I as Borat. Both so dedicated to our characters. We never broke our roles the whole night. My abs were bruised from laughter the next day. I used to climb but had neither the balls nor the heart to pursue it. I admired and envied his passion for the sport. He completely dedicated himself to something he loves. Not many can say that. You will be missed Barnes! |
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Andrew Barnes was amazing. Always happy. Always nice. And braver than anyone. |
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It is with a heavy heart to write on here about Barnes. I had the pleasure of living with Barnes in New Zealand and taking on epic adventures, including boot packing it up Mt. Arthur since we decided to forgo crampons.. All the many climbing trips to Castle Hill and epic week participating in the Uni Ski games, Surfing, and when Andrew took off on his own biking around the South Island, pitching a tent, living life.. Andrew lived life to the fullest! After we returned from New Zealand I lived with Andrew and Jon and we continued to visit breweries, and climb hard. Always planning the next adventure. The Library stunt was a killer and so are many of Barnes feats. He loved to show people his scars from when he broke his hip as well as his collar bone. One of his craziest life stories was the bus accident in Chile, a story only Andrew can pull off. He was afraid of what life would bring and knew precisely what he was doing at all times. Living life without fear while making people laugh and loving every minute of it. Artist, climber, comedian and friend to manny, sums it up perfectly. The only time I've ever trad climbed was with Barnes a few summers back, and he's about the only person I'd ever trust to climb trad with. You will be missed Andrew Barnes, but you touched enough people to last a lifetime! |
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I work with Andrews Uncle and just learned of this tragic loss. Very sad news for the climbing community. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends & family. |
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Alpine nappin'
Firin' at the Voo Me and the kid, long day on the D AB & Dimebag watchin' the show Exploring Barnes and D christen "The Guidery" Hiked to Mt Alice, 16 miles round trip. No wind at treeline in The Park!? Barnes catches the only gust of the day. The Assault Sluggin' water before sunrise on an alpine day. Headed for a refill on margs - in style. All smiles, high on the Diamond KMACin' Sharing a cig, reflecting, satisfied |
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I had the great pleasure of hanging out with Andrew in New Zealand while at Lincoln University. He was an absolutely delightful person, full of energy and joy. We attended the university winter games together, took in a few concerts, learned to ride a nut-cracker and made the most of our short time together. Andrew was that kind of guy, The one who would bring everyone's spirit up to its highest level. Remembering him will make us all better people. A sad day indeed. Condolences to his family and friends for this devestating loss. |