I just wrote a blog entry New Website to Help Iconic American Climber Layton Kor on my Climbing site at About.com about Steph and my efforts to raise more funds to help Layton with his medical expenses. It also has a link to a great article that Alison Osius wrote in the new Rock and Ice magazine (#181). Check it out.
I talked to Layton last Friday. He was complaining about the heat in Arizona this summer. He said dialysis continued to be a pain, especially since he was suffering from some debilitating headaches afterwards. We made plans, however, to go climbing in late September after I do a week of guiding at Red Rocks. He said, “I got a good easy climb we can do the first ascent of.”
I love it. The man, even after everything he’s been going through, still wants to get out there and crank first ascents. Layton still has the fire. That we can all be so lucky when we’re 70 years old!
Photograph top: Layton Kor seconding the second pitch of our unclimbed Tower of Pain out in the middle of nowhere Arizona last April. Photograph © Stewart M. Green
Getting the word out also to as many as I can.
I’m on my way agewise too and only hope to be as energetic as Layton when I get there…
I so admire that kind of endurance…
DSD
Hi Layton,
Hope you are feeling better and getting in some more pitches.
These guys and gals are really doing a great job getting the word out for you… and we’d like to help! Jane and I’d like to donate some stuff for an auction to raise more coin for you. I was also saving a copy of Beyond the Vertical (still in shrink wrap) and now know why…it should fetch a grand or two for sure. Have Stewart or Steph give a call 800 510-2514.
I remember a crazy day we spent together with Yabo, Lynny and Russ in the Velvet. Bottomed out the oil pan on a rental car (Yabo’s bubble gum ingenuity got us to the pavement where we abandoned ship). Then into town for steaks and margauritas! It’d wasn’t til the next day – after flying home – I thought to call the rental agency… who previously had been unable to find the car! Yipes! It took another day for them to find and recover it… and not a cent was added to the bill.
Best Climbing!
LA