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Richard Leversee has passed.
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If you follow in his footsteps at the Needles and Dome Rock, you will admire him. And he was a solid and a wonderful man. Way to young. A sad day... |
Shaniacwrote: A great picture. Thanks. |
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John Fischer & I meet him in the 1980s ice climbing in Lee Vining . His enthusiasm was contagious ! Condolences to friends & family. |
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I remember him from a 1990 video when I just started climbing,.., where he is soloing on the 3rd pillar of Dana with John Monyier in tow |
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From Richard’s sister, Sally… Richard Leversee - Chouinard Equipment & Black Diamond sales rep from 1985 - 1998, and dear friend to many in the Patagonia/Lost Arrow family - passed away peacefully on Jan 12, 2022 in Morro Bay, CA. A lover of the natural world, particularly vertical granite, deep snow and ocean sunsets, Richard spread this love into all his relationships and lead with his heart. He leaves this world having enriched the lives of family: brother Bill and wife India, sister Sally and husband Ben, dear nephews Blake and Miles, and beloved mother-in-law Diane and partner Bobby. Additionally, his treasured circle of friends and family in the climbing, backcountry ski and snowboard, massage and spiritual communities will forever carry extra joy in their hearts for having known Richard. There’s no doubt that his first stop as he crossed over will be straight into the arms of Cari, his beloved wife. She passed away in 2017 and Richard grieved inwardly and outwardly every day since. Richard was an exceptional friend, brother, uncle, son, intrepid adventurer, outdoor photographer, big wall/ice/rock climber, backcountry skier, massage therapist, and most importantly husband of Cari Leversee. RIP Mr. Big FYI No memorial is being planned at this time due to COVID. |
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I hope I can dig up the photo of the extreme sledding party we had in 1986, at ASI, for a Chouinard Dealer Ski Camp... 3 in 10 people wound up in the hospital for one reason or another. But the next week Richard cratered in an early paragliding accident, and broke both his legs. Or maybe it was just his ankles, I forget. Regardless, he was seriously hurt but recovered. Anywa, I visited him in the hospital in Santa Barbara, announcing my entry with cheesy plastic parachute toys purchased on a whim at a nearby grocery store, throwing them about the room. He was so doped up he was laughing and crying at the same time. I remember him wiping his eyes and tears streaming down his face in uncontrollable laughter.  A life-long friend, I shall miss him.  |
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I never met Richard, but throughout my 10 years + climbing in Sequoia and the central/southern Sierra, his name was always popping up on the FA lists in the guidebooks. Always thought of him as a local legend. RIP. |
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Damn, I heard this news a couple of days ago. So sorry to hear. I have a scattered history with Richard beginning in 1979. I was a sales rep for Trak Skis and met him when he worked at Sunrise Mountaineering in Livermore. Shortly after that, I ran into him having a tough time on the first pitch of the Fracture at Sugarloaf. I tied in and led it and he followed, that was probably the last day I ever climbed harder than him! I moved to San Diego in the early '80's and we crossed paths a few times when he was working for Chouinard Equip and he’d stay at my place occasionally when he was in town. I took him down to Canyon Tajo in Baja once for a several day trip and had a great time playing on warm granite. Skied a few runs with him here and there over the years too. Being in the Outdoor Industry, I saw him at annual Trade shows until he left the Industry sometime around 2000 I think. After I moved to Spokane WA in 2002, I only saw him a couple more times but kinda’ kept up with him via mutual friends. He lost his wife Cari a few years ago and I don’t think he ever moved past the grief. I was sad for him. RIP Richard, you were a force in the climbing world. Eric Barrett |
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I'm beyond grateful I got to know Richard these last few years. He was of course inspiring as a climber. Incredible new lines in the coolest corners of the Sierra backcountry, early El Cap repeats of hard routes, unique adventures of all kinds. And all this time after having given it up, he was still as psyched as ever, tirelessly encouraging friends and me to go finish many of his dream projects. And then, to have loved someone as much as he loved Cari, was simply amazing. Their view on death was powerful and thought-provoking. For those unfamiliar, googling Cari Leversee can turn up some really unique views, and shed light on the amazing person she must have been. Richard said he still loved life, which was apparent, but was dying of a broken heart - a very real thing in his view. His grieving was something he fully embraced and not something he intended to get past, as far as I know, viewing his “life-walk” here on Earth complete. I don’t believe in an after-life myself, but I must admit it is wonderful to think of him and Cari together again, across the rainbow bridge, as he would say. Leversee was a super special person in many ways. I wish I took more advantage of knowing him. |
  Richard on Electric Ladyland, Yosemite   Richard's tool box lid with stickers A few pics from the family archives, posted by Sally Leversee Carlile, sister |
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He will be missed. My stepson has now inherited one of The Lever’s old ice tools; one I bought off Richard years ago. |
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I'm so sorry to hear Richard Leversee has passed. I am so grateful to had spent my high school years climbing with Richard. He inspired me and infectiously shared his love for climbing and adventure. I met Richard in the mid 1970's when he was working at the local Sports Chalet, a sport shop in his home town of La Canada, CA. We began trips to Idllywild where he introduced me to climbing the crags located there. Later our trips took us to his family cabin in Camp Nelson where we climbed in the Needles and Dome Rock located in the southern Sierra. What a lucky young man I was! I remember one trip where we were caught in a sudden storm while repelling from a climb on Dome Rock. At the base we could not pull our ropes. They were laden with water and could not slide across some of the low angle granite. So we returned to his family cabin and retrieved our ropes the following day. I was a senior in high school and returned to school on Tuesday having missed school on Monday due our ordeal. I was 18 years of age at the time and could write my own notes so I wrote "please excuse Todd for his absence. He got hung up." Later I was fortunate to be with Richard and the crew to put up White Punks on Dope in the Needles. It wasn't until and long time later I realized we could have called the route: White Punks on Rope! The years have gone by but I will always...always remember my time spent with Richard Leversee. Thank you Richard for all the people you have touched. We will miss you. Todd Burrill Truckee, CA |
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Farewell, my old friend. Many an adventure had, many a sand bag passed on to another generation. Fastest hand driller ever. Won't forget the 3am solo of the Tree Route at Dome with Dave Ohst. I think we had one headlamp between us. He was a complicated man, always seemed in search of himself and was glad he found his better half in Cari as only then did he seem complete, a healthy co-dependence. I'm sorry to hear of his passing so late. Would have liked to see him again........ Another bit of an older generation and way of climbing is passing. In loving memory, John Tuttle |
