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George Hurley
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It is with great sadness that I am announcing the death of George Hurley age 91. He passed away at 7:15 AM March 6,2026. He was on the FA party with Layton Kor and Huntley Ingalls back in 1962, climbing Finger of Fate which made the November issue of National Geographic. George is survived by his wife Jean with whom he has been married 65+ years. Many 1st ascents were put up in Colorado and around the world by George.  George leading Widows Walk WI5 at 80 years young. |
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Rest in Peace, Mr. Hurley. |
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George Hurley on Within Reason |
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George was a great human being and had a very impressive climbing resume. |
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George was one of my best friends and climbing partners.I had the privilege of doing several climbing trips with him in his later years- his passion was always climbing and travel! He was the “Fred Becky of the East” with his many first ascents all over the world.He was a kind man and I will greatly miss him! |
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I'm so saddened to hear this. George has been an inspiration to me for my entire climbing career. Such boldness, kindness and sensitivity to others and his surroundings. Just two years ago at a local crag in Alton NH, I had been rope soloing a bunch even one day George wonders up to the crag by himself for some trs on his own. He asked if I'd like to rope up with him(!!), and we proceeded to climb a few routes. I was in disbelief that I was actually climbing with one of my heroes!! Last route of the day was a somewhat run out, weird moderate route. I started up, but soon backed off due to the lack of good gear. George politely asked if I minded if he gave it a try. Was so cool watching him style his way (including using his hand to put his foot where he needed it) up the route to finish it. Soo freaking cool . He was 89. He left the crag before me, and when I got to my car he called me from his home to say that he lost his hearing aids and if I'd be willing to go back and look for them. I was honored at the task! So I went back to to crag, prayed for the right vision to find these tiny devices in all these leaves.... And low and behold I found them both!! I called George with the good news, went over to his house and he invited me in to have a bowl of ice cream with him and his wife. I was in dream land. Hands down one of the most amazing climbing days I've ever had. Thanks for everything George!!🙏🙏❤️ |
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George lived only a few miles from me, and occasionally we would go out to a local crag. George was the oldest active climber on the East Coast, and also one of the most prolific, having put in countless first ascents. Last Fall, at the age of 90, he led a tricky 5.8/5.9, one of his 1st ascents. I was a little nervous belaying him, but he had a bolt nearby, and as usual, with his fine footwork, he managed it in fine style. I'm sure that there will be a few write ups in the magazines about George's . He has a long list of 1st ascents here in New Hampshire, but also in Colorado where he lived for many years. George did several first ascents on the Diamond, on Longs Peak, and many routes around Estes Park. I climbed a few of these routes at Lumpy Ridge with my son, and they were classic! He will be missed by many! |
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I only exchanged pleasantries with George on a few occasions, winter of 1993-94. Widows Walk is where I first met him. We thought he was an OG then! |
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George was a wonderful human being . I used to run into him a lot while he was guiding and always so pleasant to be near, and willing to share information. He gave me some really good advice on which routes to climb. I ran into him in the Mt. Rushmore area in 2018 and we talked a bit. He was going to be solo so we invited the legend to climb with us. After that I climbed a few more times with him in New Hampshire. Our joke about George’s routes were the only clean spot were the holds. I will miss him and sending my regards to Jean, she’s also a wonderful person. |
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A truly great and gentle person. RIP |
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I offer my sincere condolences to George’s family and many friends. A life well lived |
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I remember watching him lead WI5 (Dracula)in the 90s…in his 60s thinking that was awesome WI5 in his 80s…amazing legend RIP |
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The first time I led Dracula George was guiding in front of me. Watching this old guy super smooth and casually climb it with 3 screws really calmed my butterfly's.. |
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I had the pleasure of climbing near George and a few of his buddies at City of Rocks a few years ago. George was leading despite being the elder of his group. Super smooth and by watching you could just he had “it”. The smoothness and grace of a very experienced climber. Along with the lack of ego and true joy that comes from that experience. |
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One of the GOATs. George, put up some good ones for us in the next adventure, we’ll need the full beta rundown. |
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I met George ~25 years ago at the base of the Wind Tower. I asked him what his favorite Eldo route was and without hesitation he said "E.L. 100!" (English Literature 100) It quickly became one of my favorites as well. Always interesting to think how much taller the tree is now vs in 1966 on the FA. RIP George. |
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If there is going to be a public memorial, can you please post the info? |
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His obit said: At his request there will be no service nor donations. |
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What a wonderful and full life lived on his own terms! Cheers George, rest in peace and contentment! I got to climb with George a bit back in the early 1980s when I was in my early 20s and he would have been flirting with age 50. We enjoyed seeking out obscure, often grungy repeats of forgotten lines on Cathedral from the early Cote guide. He was a very calm, cerebral climber who left a lasting impression on me as I tried to duplicate his style. Sadly I have no old pics to share, just pleasant memories. |
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My wife and I met George in Sandwich Notch @15yrs ago. We were getting ready to climb one of his routes there called the Contender and he was lowering down to clean off a new climb to the right. He had all sorts of brushes and gear dangling all over him and one heck of a grin on his face. After we climbed he gladly took a tr lap on his climb and I remember thinking wow this old guy is still having a blast! Well now that I’m getting crusty I can’t help but be grateful for seeing these folks out there and keeping the stoke alive. Over the next 15yrs we bumped into George in Ossipee a bunch and he was always still getting after it. His drive for new routing was always there and a true motivator to never stop exploring. I was fortunate to see him last year at Brown’s Ridge to help with the removal of a large tree hung up on the cliff. 90yrs young with a big silky handsaw and attempting to saw the tree and free it. I brought my climbing saw from work and he gave me a belay so I could cut the tree. He told me not to wait for him on the way out but we met back up at the parking lot and exchanged goodbyes. Thanks for the inspiration George and a true example of it’s not the years left in your life but the life left in your years. |
mike schlauch wrote: Reading this thread really inspired me. I’m always struck when I see these memorial threads flooded with people describing the person I aspire to be. In honor of George, I swore the next (and likely final, before I move) time I climbed in Eldo, I would do EL100. I finally did that today, and it’s hard to accurately convey just how special of a line it is. I often feel that it’s easy to get caught in routes needing to mean something - especially in a place like Eldo. A desire to seem like a hardman, to contribute to an area, to establish a classic, etc. E.L. 100 doesn’t feel like it was any of that. It just looked fun, and so it was climbed. It was such a great reminder to keep “fun” centered in the sport - and while I never met George, the stories above make it sound like he did a good job of centering fun both in and out of climbing. Thanks for the climb George. You are certainly missed, and I’m grateful to have learned a bit from you today |
