Victor Kenderdine, dirt bag, soul searcher, friend

Victor sadly passed away a few months ago just outside Flagstaff Arizona. For those of you who are just finding out, as I’m sure some of you are please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you want more information or just someone to talk to about anything. Victor climbed with so meany people from this community all across America so don’t be a stranger. 

For those of you that never met Victor, he was a true dirt bag and one of the boldest, most calculated climbers (Took some nasty falls but never once got seriously injured) I’ve ever meet but it took me years to see that through crazy goofball self. He climbed all across America, with partners on big routes in Yosemite, solo on ice all over the north east after fall of sport climbing, trad climbing, Boulder classic and new problems. He rope soloed meany impressive multi pitch routes. He free soloed meany mountain routes from Washington state to California. He did everything, everywhere, every change he got and he spent his life making sure he got as meany chances as possible. He lived in a Jetta for years before upgrading to a Transit van, never working the same job for more then 3 months, working every type of Craigslist job he could find to fund the next project. He was what all 16 year olds dream of being while watching old Alec Handhold films in the gym eating chalk in the Bouldering cave. But he really did it. 

Honestly I don’t know what to say about him on here, you just had to meet him to really understand. I’m sorry this isn’t a better posting to those who did but if you want to talk I’m better on the phone, just message me on here and I’ll be in touch. I have a photo album from his memorial service I want to print out and make a few copies for the family so if you have any photos of Victor being a goofball or sending or just driving around please reach out. 

Keep climbing cuz you know that’s what Vic be doing, especially if it’s raining or miserable in any way. 

Miss you Victor, we all had so much love for you man.

I met Victor in the New river gorge and spent almost the whole time climbing and deep water soloing with him, his good friend Logan, and my friend Tiffany. He was such a sweet guy and great climbing partner. Always stoked to adventure. After a long climbing day he'd want to get dropped off at the pinnacle to do a free solo lap and then hitch hike or walk back home. We were chatting on Instagram soon before he passed and I'm glad we did... I was sad to hear the news last June but happy to see you made this post.

Loved Victor very much. Good friend, adventurer. Sometimes we don't know the pain and struggle one is going through when on the outside we see all happiness and adventure. I'll dearly miss him and never forget him. If anyone would like to talk I'm here too. Personal Message me for phone number.

A memorial boulder has been put up, lead by the determination of Kyle Stapp, in Loyalsock SF, PA. With that, I have a few words of my own to share. Joe, the title of this memorial perfectly captures him. Thank you for creating this forum, it has given me much solace in hard times.

An avid climber, Deadhead, free-soloer, and free spirit, Vic's memory lives on through the many lives he touched. Vic's life was as full and rich as it was short; he accomplished more in 26 years than many do in 80. This boulder was one of many that Vic-mang had plans for, but never had time to complete. 

Embrace life's uncertainties, and always reach out to others when you need support. You are perfectly imperfect, be a colorful light in this world of black and white. 

"Fare thee well now, let your life proceed by its own design. Nothing to tell now, let the words be yours, I'm done with mine."

Victor Kenderdine, 1998-2024