RIP Dave

You probably didn’t know him or climb with him, and he wasn’t famous or newsworthy (except in his hometown where he made a name for himself as a boxer.)  He was one of my favorite climbing partners and he died a couple of days ago.

David Lynch, barely 60, of Alaska, Eastern Wyoming, Wisconsin and elsewhere, was one of those people who responded to a partner search post with a phone call and then actually showed up. He loved rock. He loved ice. He was more than decent at both, but not so good that he was “too good” to climb with a duffer like me.

Dave was steady, hilarious, frank and an absolute open book. No topic was off limits. His life was a real mixed bag until he met Jeri, and then the importance of family became more clear to him.

We probably only climbed a dozen days together, but he left an indelible impression and we stayed in touch, mostly, even after he’d hung up his cams and crampons.

His death came as a shock. The “open book” didn’t let on he was sick. I’m sure he had a good reason for that.

Here’s to you, Dave. Thanks for the stories and laughs, the beers and the bullshit, the great route finding and the getting-lost-on-the-approach days. And stuck ropes that became cut ropes, and then poorly-improvised rappels that were safe for the first one down (me), and not so much for the second one down (not me).

I’m sorry you went first this time.

I hope Dave is enjoying that crystal crag up yonder.  Sounds like he was quite a guy who left some "Tracks That Won't Blow Out".  You and his other friends and his family have my sympathy.

Cheers to Dave! He sounds like someone a lot of us would have gotten along with.

Sorry about your friend.

I offer my sincere condolences to Dave’s Family and Friends.

99.9% of us will never be famous climbers. It’s quite enough legacy to just be considered a friend. Someone who is fun to be with and adds a smile to this world. 

Short Fall Seanwrote:

Cheers to Dave! He sounds like someone a lot of us would have gotten along with.

That's what he sounded like to me too, good words brother. 

Dara, this is a beautiful post. Good on you and good on Dave.

Sounds like a great guy; one who would have been great to know, climb, and hang out with. Thanks for letting us all know Dara. RIP.

Best Memorial to a nobody who was somebody. Betting Dara's the identical twin peak.

Rest in peace, Dave! And sorry for your loss, Dara. He sounds like a partner/friend all of us would be honored to have in our lives. 

Thanks for writing that beautiful tribute, Dara. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend.