Stewart Green decided to start helping out with Layton’s mounting medical costs several months ago. He made small photo prints of some of Layton’s historic slides, asked Layton to sign them, and created a donation fundraiser with them. Many climbers from around the world were eager to buy the prints and support Layton, a climber who has inspired so many. The historic photos are still available on this site.
The photo project inspired another plan, to create a fundraiser that could go on for several months, with the goal of easing the financial burden that is mounting for Layton as the months of dialysis go on while he waits for a kidney transplant.
From the first day of this project, the response from the climbing community and the outdoor industry has been overwhelming. Layton himself is amazed, moved and thankful that so many climbers want to help him. As full of energy as he has ever been despite his current struggle, he is already looking to the future and hoping to do many new climbs. Already, this project has been a success for those reasons, in its first days.
Thank you to all of the climbers and outdoors people who have responded so generously and so immediately to help Layton and get this project off the ground. We have high hopes for the months to come, as the fundraiser begins.
Thanks so much for the November Gear Giveaway prizes! Thank you Backcountry.com, Clif, Five Ten, Mammut, MSR, prAna and Sender Films.
The name Layton Kor has been known to me since I started climbing in 1974. How many of us started big wall climbing on the Kor Roof on Washington Column?
Climbing is a brotherhood. We’ve got to stick together. It’s time to give back to those who have led the way before us, and made all this possible.
Get well Layton.
Harry