Couldn't let the passing of a colleague go unmentioned. Read about Francis X. Olding. His brick at Ohio Stadium in not too far from mine. I'll stop at his everytime I'm there.
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK - An experienced climber died on Grand Teton National Park's 11,618-foot Disappointment Peak when his rappel anchor failed and he fell 50 feet, officials said Tuesday.
Frank Olding, 40, of Seattle, died Monday of traumatic injuries, the National Park Service said.
Olding was part of a three-person climbing party that began an ascent of the peak's East Ridge early Monday, park spokeswoman Jackie Skaggs said.
After reaching the top of the fourth pitch, Olding apparently decided to abandon going further, because he felt the next section was beyond the skill levels of his partners - Adam Heiner, 29, and Eric Newman, 30, also of Seattle.
As Olding began to rappel back down the fourth pitch, his anchor failed and he fell, Skaggs said.
Heiner was able to reach Olding, then rappelled alone further down the mountain until he found a hiker with a cell phone and called for help at about 3 p.m., Skaggs said.
Newman remained stranded at the original anchor site because Heiner needed all their climbing gear to get back down quickly.
A helicopter flew seven park rangers and rescue equipment to the scene at 4 p.m. However, Olding had died by the time rangers reached him.
Two other rangers used a rope and pulley system to raise Newman about 100 feet to a safe area where the helicopter could land.
All three climbers were lifted off the peak before dark.
Heiner told rangers that Olding was an avid and experienced climber, and all three were wearing helmets.
Skaggs said rangers were assessing why the rappel anchor failed.
Francis X. Olding, devoted husband, Army Ranger, Seattle lawyer, and avid climber and outdoorsman has parted company with us to climb peaks unseen.
Frank Olding, born on April 23, 1964, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Paul and Anna May Olding passed on September 6, 2004 while climbing at Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. In addition to his adoring wife and loving parents, Frank leaves behind three brothers and three sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Prior to moving to Seattle in 1997, Frank served with distinction in the United States Army. As an Airborne Ranger, Frank graduated from Ohio State University in 1992, where he received a Bachelors degree in Political Science. After attaining his undergraduate degree, Frank obtained a Law Degree from the University of Toledo, Ohio. In 1997, Frank moved to Seattle to pursue his dreams, including the practice of law and all things outdoors. In 1999, Frank had the good fortune of meeting, falling in love and, in August 2001, marrying his wife beloved Teresa Olding. Frank and Teresa celebrated their marriage by climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, elevation 19,340’, in Africa for their honeymoon.
Frank was a charismatic, compelling person who touched everyone that had the opportunity to meet him. His love of the outdoors was infectious and he always sought companionship for every adventure that called to his great heart. Although possessed of an uncompromising adventurous spirit, he was happiest when in the company of family and friends, whether lifelong or newly made. Frank enjoyed sharing his passion for the mountains with people of all abilities and skill levels. His enthusiasm was tempered with patience while introducing the sport to family and friends. He took frequent trips to the Cascades and Tetons. He also traveled and climbed in Peru, Ecuador, Mexico and Africa. To have spent any time in his company was simply to know the delight of life. Although we are joyful that Frank’s spirit must now soar above the peaks that so called to him and he is onto another great adventure, we all mourn his passing. His will be greatly, greatly missed.
In June 2004, after a successful career with the Seattle law firms of Lee Smart Cook Martin & Patterson and Betts Patterson Mines, Frank established the Law Offices of Francis X. Olding.
Memorial services will be held this Saturday, September 11, 2004, starting at 11:00 am and ending at 2:00 pm, at Leif Erikson Hall, 2245 NW 57th Street, Seattle WA 98107, in Ballard. For further directions, contact Leif Erikson Hall at 206-783-1274.
Frank and Teresa had dreamed of building a school in Nepal for underprivileged children. Please send any donation to Room to Read, a group dedicated to providing reading materials to underprivileged children in Nepal. Send check, payable to Room to Read and In Honor of Frank and Teresa Olding, at: The Prisidio, PO Box 29127, San Francisco, CA 94129.
Found this article in a Wyoming paper:
ReplyDeleteSeptember 8, 2004
Last modified September 8, 2004 - 12:29 am
Rappel anchor fails; Teton climber killed
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK - An experienced climber died on Grand Teton National Park's 11,618-foot Disappointment Peak when his rappel anchor failed and he fell 50 feet, officials said Tuesday.
Frank Olding, 40, of Seattle, died Monday of traumatic injuries, the National Park Service said.
Olding was part of a three-person climbing party that began an ascent of the peak's East Ridge early Monday, park spokeswoman Jackie Skaggs said.
After reaching the top of the fourth pitch, Olding apparently decided to abandon going further, because he felt the next section was beyond the skill levels of his partners - Adam Heiner, 29, and Eric Newman, 30, also of Seattle.
As Olding began to rappel back down the fourth pitch, his anchor failed and he fell, Skaggs said.
Heiner was able to reach Olding, then rappelled alone further down the mountain until he found a hiker with a cell phone and called for help at about 3 p.m., Skaggs said.
Newman remained stranded at the original anchor site because Heiner needed all their climbing gear to get back down quickly.
A helicopter flew seven park rangers and rescue equipment to the scene at 4 p.m. However, Olding had died by the time rangers reached him.
Two other rangers used a rope and pulley system to raise Newman about 100 feet to a safe area where the helicopter could land.
All three climbers were lifted off the peak before dark.
Heiner told rangers that Olding was an avid and experienced climber, and all three were wearing helmets.
Skaggs said rangers were assessing why the rappel anchor failed.
The obituary.
ReplyDeleteIN LOVING MEMORY
FRANCIS X. OLDING
1964 - 2004
Francis X. Olding, devoted husband, Army Ranger, Seattle lawyer, and
avid climber and outdoorsman has parted company with us to climb peaks
unseen.
Frank Olding, born on April 23, 1964, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Paul and
Anna May Olding passed on September 6, 2004 while climbing at Grand
Teton National Park, Wyoming. In addition to his adoring wife and loving
parents, Frank leaves behind three brothers and three sisters, and
numerous nieces and nephews.
Prior to moving to Seattle in 1997, Frank served with distinction in
the United States Army. As an Airborne Ranger, Frank graduated from Ohio
State University in 1992, where he received a Bachelors degree in
Political Science. After attaining his undergraduate degree, Frank obtained
a Law Degree from the University of Toledo, Ohio. In 1997, Frank moved
to Seattle to pursue his dreams, including the practice of law and all
things outdoors. In 1999, Frank had the good fortune of meeting,
falling in love and, in August 2001, marrying his wife beloved Teresa Olding.
Frank and Teresa celebrated their marriage by climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro,
elevation 19,340’, in Africa for their honeymoon.
Frank was a charismatic, compelling person who touched everyone that
had the opportunity to meet him. His love of the outdoors was infectious
and he always sought companionship for every adventure that called to
his great heart. Although possessed of an uncompromising adventurous
spirit, he was happiest when in the company of family and friends, whether
lifelong or newly made. Frank enjoyed sharing his passion for the
mountains with people of all abilities and skill levels. His enthusiasm was
tempered with patience while introducing the sport to family and
friends. He took frequent trips to the Cascades and Tetons. He also traveled
and climbed in Peru, Ecuador, Mexico and Africa. To have spent any time
in his company was simply to know the delight of life. Although we are
joyful that Frank’s spirit must now soar above the peaks that so called
to him and he is onto another great adventure, we all mourn his
passing. His will be greatly, greatly missed.
In June 2004, after a successful career with the Seattle law firms of
Lee Smart Cook Martin & Patterson and Betts Patterson Mines, Frank
established the Law Offices of Francis X. Olding.
Memorial services will be held this Saturday, September 11, 2004,
starting at 11:00 am and ending at 2:00 pm, at Leif Erikson Hall, 2245 NW
57th Street, Seattle WA 98107, in Ballard. For further directions,
contact Leif Erikson Hall at 206-783-1274.
Frank and Teresa had dreamed of building a school in Nepal for
underprivileged children. Please send any donation to Room to Read, a group
dedicated to providing reading materials to underprivileged children in
Nepal. Send check, payable to Room to Read and In Honor of Frank and
Teresa Olding, at: The Prisidio, PO Box 29127, San Francisco, CA 94129.