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Bill Forest was an icon of Colorado climbing. I visited the Forest Mountaineering shop in lower Downtown Denver many times. Coolest shop with manufacturing upstairs and retail down.

A true icon of climbing. We are losing these legends fast; so many are coming of that age where time is catching up with them. Hope that the appreciation for so many continues before they are lost to us.

I haven’t see Bill in over 20 years and just knew him to say hello to and exchange pleasantries, but he gave me some advice that has stuck with me. In today’s terminology, it would be called “mindfulness.” He said that when repeating a route, even a very easy route, pay attention and always find a way to do it better and that would keep you alert and make you a better climber. This summer as I passed the roof on Calypso , I saw a perfect placement for a cam that I hadn’t noticed despite having climbed the route many times in the past 35 years. I thought of Bill at that moment.

He made great, well-built equipment. I bought one of his backpacks decades ago. After using it outdoors for 20 years or so, I retired it for indoor use. It works great for doing weighted chinups. Just throw in a bag or two of birdshot. More comfortable than anything else I’ve used. Here, I am this afternoon wearing the backpack.

Sincere condolences to his wife and family. RIP Bill.

Rob.calm

The old Forrest backpack Submitted By: rob.calm on Dec 29, 2012