Ron Olevsky

I met Ron around 2010.  Stewart Green had introduced me to Layton Kor who was living in Kingman at the time.  Ron was a very generous soul who was helping Layton and his wife Karen with some of their medical bills.  I’d always appreciated Ron’s environmental ethic and his awareness of the problems (overcrowding, route degradation, etc) caused by the booming climbing culture.  We spoke on the phone a half dozen times over a few year period, mostly in regard to Layton.  One time, probably around 2012 I picked up Layton and met Ron and another climber in the Valley of Fire.  Ron had his sites on “The Spire of Fire” which he believed to be the tallest in the area.  Awake at sunrise, I looked off in the distance to see Layton approaching the base (keep in mind that LK was in very poor health at the time and near the end of his life).  Myself, Ron and climber 3 had a quick breakfast and hiked up to meet Layton.  I think I lead a pitch, climber 3 lead a pitch and Ron / Layton jugged up behind.

Ron organized a number of “Sushi Fests” and other fund raisers to help out Layton.  On one of those, again in Valley of Fire, Layton and I teamed up with Joanne Urioste to climb what we thought was an FA.  A short, scrappy affair, maybe two short 5.7 pitches.  Arriving on top we found a pin or two for a rap anchor.  Back at camp that afternoon we found it had been another RO first ascent.

I know Ron was controversial and that sometimes people did not like his conservation ethic.  But he and I always got along for the 4 or 5 year period we kept in touch.  I know he provided a lot of financial support for Layton Kor in LKs final years.

Ron was a good one in my book.  Rest in Peace Ron.  If you run into Fly’n Brian, Layton or Stewart on the other side, tell them I said hello…

Albert Newman

Ron will be remembered for having a very kind heart. He provided a phenomenal amount of support to Kyle Copeland, during the last years of Kyle‘s life.

I hope with all the help he gave some of the other folks when they were going through the end of life that someone was there for Ron at the end. 

Albert Newman wrote:

Ron organized a number of “Sushi Fests” 

Ouch!