The Slim Fox - Allen Steck - RIP

It is with sadness that today I learned Allen Steck has passed. There are many many routes and stories associated with the Slim Fox, I am proud and was fortunate to have shared a rope with Allen. Thanks.

May 2016 Allen and Allen at his 90th birthday.

April 2000 A top Castleton Tower after climbing the classic Kor-Ingalls. Steck had never climbed the route as Roper did when they were writing "the book," 50 Classic Climbs. He lead last pitch. 

Farewell, Climber. We stood on your shoulders. Salute!

Very sad. However an incredibly full life, well lived. A true legend. RIP.

Wow...and....what a legacy!

He was great to hang out with.  Shared a campfire at the City of Rocks with him many years ago.  Subject of 50 Classic Climbs of North America came up.  I told him I heard the Wiesner was a better route than the Durrance on Devil's Tower and asked jokingly, "who picked the Durrance?".  He chuckled, and mused, "yeah, who was that guy?".

He was the bridge, especially in Yosemite, of the old old guard and the newer.  Amazing path.

RIP.  Condolences to friends and family...so many lives touched...  

From the FA of the Steck Salathe in 1950, to the 1965 FA of Hummingbird Ridge on Mt. Logan and so many other classic routes. Clyde Minaret SE Face, FFA Travelers Buttress, and so much more.

One of the greats. 

A climber to the end! I recall running into him a few times at the A-Hills and even giving him a belay or two. A fabulous person who lived large to the end.

I offer my sincere condolences to his Family and Many Friends.

Wow, what a life! RIP Mr Steck. 

RIP. His "A Mountaineer's Life" is my favorite climber autobiography. 

Rest in Peace, Alan.  Steck-Salathe is a super classic.

They don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Raise a (edit):  glass of red wine to a life well lived!

Condolences to his family and large tribe of friends.

Norm Larsonwrote:

They don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Raise a glass to a life well lived!

If I may, Allen preferred a good red wine. I drank most of a bottle of Pinot Noir from Alpen Cellars last night. So raise a glass of your favorite red wine.

Though published 30 years ago an accurate portrait of Allen Steck:

Vagabond of the Mountains. A portrait of Allen Steck by Sally Moser, From Rock&Ice #91

I met Allen through my brother bob schneider, and at early meetings of the Sierra Nevada section of the AAC.  bob went on two successful expeditions to China with Allen, and I got to glimpse Allen through my brothers eyes. For pioneering new routes and influencing North American climbing, Allen was on a par with fred Becky. Just 2 weeks ago bob gave me Allen's latest book that Allen had personally inscribed to me.  you bet that book is going to find a sweet spot in my library.  Steve schneider

I met Allen in 1977 at PSOM .He, Mike Graber ,and Alan Rouse were the world-class instructors . The highlight of the week was Allen leading his daughter ,Sara, & I up the Swiss Arete on Mt.Sill for my first-ever  multi-pitch route & the only one I've  ever climbed with a father & daughter .I had  enjoyed "Ascent" and was very interested in his comments about his forthcoming work , "The 50 Classic Climbs of North America ". He was regularly visiting John Salathe' . I later spoke to him when he climbed the Nutcracker on his birthday in Yosemite Valley and at John Fischer's memorial service in Bishop. He was always calm ,cordial , and inspirational .

R.I.P and sincere condolences to his family .