Andrew Barnes

I'll confess I've never been much of a climber but I stumbled upon this site after being told the news of Barnes' passing today. After reading through this thread I think it's really telling of his character just how many people on here all have the same uplifting, consistent things to say about their experiences with Andrew and what a great guy he was. I couldn't find any photos off hand but since all of your stories have helped me to cope with this a bit better I wanted to share a bit of something I posted to Facebook in remembrance of him that hopefully everyone can relate to:

"Received some sad and sobering news at work today, and I felt compelled to write out at least a little something here - I was told that just a couple days ago one of my friends and former coworker Andrew Barnes died in a climbing accident in the Black Canyon. I'm not going to write out a whole eulogy here or try to make him out to be something that he wasn't, but I can honestly say with utter sincerity that he was one of the most genuine, passionate, fun, and courageous people that I've ever had the privilege of knowing. He always had a smile on his face and a love for life that most of us only touch upon in our day to day routines, and if you had ever met him you'd know he had a way of putting people at ease as if he had always been an old friend. My favorite memory of him is when he came over to the old 812 house one day all excited about something he had just done but he said he couldn't tell us what just yet. I was puzzled as to what it could be, but the next day as I was walking out of spanish class I happened to glance down at a copy of the Collegian sitting on a desk and who is on the cover? None other than the great Andrew Barnes, decked out in a viking helmet and wearing an American flag for a cape, having just been apprehended by the CSUPD for free-climbing the face of the Lory Student Center and unfurling a giant 30-foot banner that read: "Guck the Fuverment." It makes me smile to this day just thinking about it, and how funny it was when he eventually told us all the story of how it all went down. Just one example of many of the spunky character of an amazing guy who always did what he loved to do, regardless of how hard it was or what anyone else thought of him for it. I don't know the details of the accident, but I know he died doing something that he loved, and it's safe to say the world lost a genuinely good person with his passing. He truly will be deeply missed by many people. I am told that there will be a memorial service in celebration of his life, and I plan on being there to remember and celebrate him with many of his other friends and family. Peace, love, passion, fun, and happiness... We'll miss you Andrew. Rest in peace, brother. <3"

Hi Everybody,

Just got this confirmation from a friend who has been with Andrew's parents for the last few days:

"Vedauwoo, Wyoming 5pm Thursday July 18
For those of you who can make it, we will feast to celebrate Andrew! The only way he would have it."

Andrew Barnes was an older brother to me. He was one of my older brother Jess' best buds through high school. I learned how to stay positive and have a good time in any situation from Andrew. I learned how to be a better climber and a better person from his awesome energy. He has always been a voice of clarity and approval for me. He would slap me on the back encouragingly and say "there you go, lil mike" or "lil arnsteen, getting some hair on your chest, bud" would pretty much be the most high praise from the dude I am positive was the most badass person I have ever known.

Quick story: I went up to Barnos house in Foco with Brennan Hanley for the fat tire tour de fat a couple years ago. We spent the day playing bike polo spanking a lacrosse ball and a rock around town with beer in hand. Next morning I woke up in Barnes' living room to the Andrew cranking "Love and Happiness" from Al Green's Greatest Hits, dancing and cooking breakfast. Barnes said "Best cure for the hangover lil Mike! Al Green!"

Been Listening to Al Green ever since. Love you Barno. Miss you man. I will always look up to you, just as I have my entire life. You will always be my older brother.

I'm one of Andrew's NY uncles and I'm very very sorry to hear of his passing. Reading these posts reminds me of when I met him for the first time. He was around 5 years old and we had all gathered in Red Lodge for a faminly reunion. A bunch of the adults were all gathered in the space between three cabins; talking , drinking and enjoying ourselves when we heard a noise from above. In a tree over 60' above us was five year old Andrew.

Later on that evening he put a fake turd in the guest bathroom. My poor old Mom was the next too use that room. Thinking it was real she asked if there was a plunger. In the corner Andrew was laughing.

Wish I know him more recently than that.

To all of Andrew's friends and the climbing community we would like to thank you for all these photos, videos, and stories. Please keep the posts coming.

A Celebration of the Life & the Spirit of Andrew Barnes

When
Thursday 5:00 pm MST, July 18, 2013

Where
Vedauwoo, Wyoming
Specific Directions to follow

With Love and Appreciation
Andrew's Family

Hey all, thanks for these amazing posts! I am not a climber, but it's so fun to read about everyone's different experiences with barno. I first met barno at a party. He walked up behind me and asked if I knew what an "upper decker" was. I instantly fell in love. from that moment on I followed andrew around like a little duck! He was the coolest guy i'd ever met. His personality was so magnetic, people from all different walks of life just wanted to be around him, he had a way of making any situation comfortable and easy. After school everyday we used to cruise around c springs for hours, talking about everything, and nothing all at the same time. My favorite memory of barno was on my eighteenth birthday. I insisted we all eat tacos for lunch, which is a decision I will regret for the rest of my life. A couple hours later we are sitting on the bed and andrew gets this crazy weird look on his face, he proceeds to projectile vomit all over me, hair clothes and everything! I start to cry, and andrew starts to laugh! How can you be ever be mad at him?! My second favorite memory of barno was at prom. I went with him my senior year, and i think my stomach still hurts til this day from laughing so hard! We are out all night acting like these are the only moments that matter for the rest of our lives, and being completely in the moment. Andrew looks at me across the table at IHOP at 5 am and says, "so whittier, what are you going to do for the rest of your life?" I respond with "I have absolutely no idea, debbie downer". Andrew looks at me and tilts his head to the side with his all knowing little smirk, and in that moment I truly believe andrew did know what he wanted to do the rest of his life, and that was make people happy. This was a man who lived completely in the moment, who never had a bad thing to say, who had this joy that bubbled up from deep within his soul, and people could feel that. You could not help but laugh just being in the same room with him. I believe that people who fulfill their destiny in life end up leaving us, because they discover the meaning of life, and no longer need to search like the rest of us. Barno was such a unique and beautiful soul, and knew what it was to be truly living all the time. I can't imagine what it must be like to lose a son, and my heart aches for his family. I will miss andrew everyday for the rest of my life, but will also thank god that I was so lucky to be able to share in a piece of the joy that he brought to this earth. Let's love each other more, and be more like andrew.
These pictures are oldies, but goodies! Enjoy!

I had several conversations with Andrew at JAX in FOCO. It's amazing reading descriptions of his character and then thinking about our few interactions...spot on! The guy was clearly psyched on life and climbing. We talked about the Black and it was evident that he held the place in high regard. It felt like we were friends after our initial meeting. I wish I could have gotten to know him better. Clearly, one of a kind.

Here is another tribute to Andrew, and more details pertaining to the celebration of his life at Vedauwoo this Thursday:

nococlimbing.org/news/andre…

I've been reading all these posts, debating on whether or not to post one myself. I've started about four different times and just couldn't ever finish. Not from tears or lack of input, but from smiling too much to type. I lived with Andrew and Ted Mitchell (among other close friends) in the infamous White House our sophmore year in college. The summer leading up to that fall semester, Andrew and I had the house to ourselves. As Mikey Arnsteen said, a typical hungover morning included every door and window open, Al Green jamming in the background, and Barnes famous breakfast, usually hot sauce with a side of potatoes. Then we'd sit on the porch and buzz our heads while listening to Souls of Mischief. Totally Barber-Shop style. We even had a few brothers from the block stop by for, how Barnes put it, a "fat-ass fade". I think Andrew really began climbing seriously that summer, and while I didn't have the guts for it myself, I was always eager to join him on trips up to Horsetooth to watch him boulder. Just watching him develop as a climber helped me develop as a person. I learned more about living life in those couple months than I have in the rest of my life summed by a large margin. When I told my Mom (who is notorious for not remembering my friends) what had happened last week, she asked me kind of an odd question. She smiled and said "Oh wasn't he just the loveliest, who was his best friend?" I didn't know how else to answer, but to say "We all were". Whether it was a week, a month, or a few years between "Barno-sightings", he always made you feel like you'd seen him yesterday, and that you'd see him again tomorrow, waking you up with smooth soul music and cooking you breakfast. See you in Wyoming brother.

A Celebration of the Life & the Spirit of Andrew Barnes

When

Thursday 5:00 pm MST, July 18, 2013

Where

Vedauwoo, Wyoming
Hidden Valley Picnic Area: From Laramie take I-80 to exit 323 (Happy Jack Road). Take a left off the exit and then a right just after the bridge. Go straight past the visitors center. After one mile you will see the sign for the camp site on the right. Parking will be though the open gate.

Who

Anyone who has been touched by Andrew's life

Where to stay

Bring your tent or sleeping bag as camping is available at the memorial site in Vedauwoo

Accommodations are available in Laramie WY at the
American Lodge & Suites
4712 Grand Avenue, Laramie WY 82070
Please call 307-745-0777 to reserve room and ask for Barnes Group Rate

Other Information

Food and drink will be provided
This celebration is informal; A sharing of stories, a blessing of Andrew,
and a celebration of his life will commence around 6pm

I have had the honor and privilege of acting as Andrew's realtor in the last few years and I have never met a more pure soul that this man. I am deeply saddened as you all are but feel gratitude to have actually spent some brief but quality time with a person who just glowed with joy. I know the Heavens are brighter, but we are left with heavy hearts.

Barnes was one of my best friends. He was the most brutally honest friend you could ask for. He was the first person I went to when I found out my wife's brother passed away. He was like a tree, you could lean on him when you felt tired and beat up and you'd know he would be there.

We never climbed together, we mainly just stood around in the woods or threw water balloons at bicycle cops. I'll think about him every day, he'll never be forgotten.

Does anyone on here have his parents contact information. I'll be heading up to my family cabin in the coming weeks, and both of his parents places are along my route. I'd love to swing through and give them each a hug, and share some memories about their amazing son and the impact he had on my life. Thank you for any information:)

I met Barnacle when I was 18 years old at CSU. He lived on a hall with many of my buddies who lived in the dorms. I crashed there many nights after house parties with the 4th floor crew and got to know them all well. As the years went on I saw Andrew here and there, at a Halloween party he'd have, or around Fort Collins when he was back in town in between adventures. The last time we got to catch up was actually this past April or maybe May. He came over to my house and brought me an amazing hookah as a gift, that I'll forever cherish. We hung out all night catching up over suds, and old 1980's arcade style video games. After that we headed to Barnes place for a smoke and to show me his art he'd been working on since I'd seen him last. I'll forever treasure that evening with Barnes, as it was our last together. The man sure did have a drive for adventure and an immensely kind spirit, I always left his company feeling positive and smiling:) Thanks for teaching me the things you did about life in the short time you were here my friend, I miss you.

Forever,

Marcus A. Jackson

We are Andrew's Uncle & Aunt. Along with our daughter Rachel, we were at his life celebration last night. It was one of the most beautiful & saddest things we've ever seen. What a wonderful kid! He touched so many lives, we were blown away by all the people that cared so deeply for him. Our love, blessings and condolences go out to his wonderful family. We loved seeing all of you and hope you get through this as best as possible. I know that you are so proud to have had such an awesome son & brother! Love to all the family. xoxoxoxoxo

Thank you everybody who shared for this video and who was there last night to celebrate AB! I'm gonna think about and miss him every single day for the foreseeable future. Lots of love and respect to Ron, Jane and Kayla for being responsible for bringing up such a wonderful person into this world and thank you Chris for helping out so much last night. We all needed that and will need to continue to reach out and touch each other, just like AB did. I hope you can smile over this or at least cry in the good kind of way.... youtube.com/watch?v=vqSZiNs…

Thank you to absolutely everyone who came to the celebration of Andrew's life. I can't imagine a more wonderful group of people or a more fitting event. I know there are many people who would have liked to be there who could not be. Some people have asked if I would post this.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT ANDREW BARNES (THE PARADOX OF BOO-BOO)
Crack master, word crafter
Hot rocker, smelly socker
Cheeky joker, holy smoker
Wholly focused, totally non-fussed
On sighter, poetry writer
Painting innovation, untarnished inspiration
Hippy dirt-bag, classiest climber on the crag
Deep thinker, lady sinker
Free as the air, always there
Rocking on the stone man, stoner on the rock man
Crux sender, kind and tender
Minimalist lodger, artful fee dodger
Generous hoster, total coaster
Frequently disarming, effortlessly charming

Andrew Andrew Michael Barnes; about to be the next surge of life energy going directly towards an art of experience and purity, and the genuine practice of positivity. "There's a Party Goin' on in There!" -AB .

Thanks everyone for coming to Wyoming for Andrew's goodbye. It was a very beautiful, sad, and touching time.

For those of you interested. I bolted a route in Lime Creek this weekend in memory of Andrew. If you are ever in the area climbing you should check it out. Here is a link to the MP page.

mountainproject.com/v/vikin…

Rest in peace buddy.

Cheers
Todd

thedadletters.com/2013/07/2…

For Andrew

Hey guys, I still have quite a bit of footage and photos that I have not used yet and am thinking about including them at some other date, maybe a year from now or something like that. I did mean to include this footage in the video though because it is pretty funny and demonstrates the personality of Mr. AB perfectly. Most people would be pretty mad if their roomate gave them a bottle rocket shower. Barno thought it was hilarious though and watched this clip again and again. This started because he was trying to train me to be a morning person and had thrown a rock at my window the morning before in order to wake me up at 5:30am. He ended up shattering my window though which caused me to cut up my hand pretty good on the glass. He was a fast dude though and the time I became alert to what had happened and looked out the window for him, he was gone and all I could hear was that Barno laugh as he sped away on his bike. I soaked all his undies in water and placed them in the freezer before I went to class that day and then surprised him with this. He thought it was hilarious. We had to call a truce though because we both foresaw things getting out of hand very quickly... haha... youtube.com/watch?v=jpWT1cU…

For anybody who wasn't able to make it last Thursday or did not grab one of these: