|
peanutbutter
Jul 14, 2005, 2:02 AM
Post #1 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 9, 2004
Posts: 12
|
Erica Kutcher and Pierre Olssen were climbing in Pakistan and have been caught in an avalanche. Pierre was found alive, Erica is still missing.
I know them both from camp 4, and I wanted to make sure this news got out. For everyone who knows Erica, she's a real gem of a person, and Pierre is certainly no slouch.
The last time I spoke with Erica, she said they were going for a new route on Shipton Spire. The news reports mention K2 at every turn, but this was not their objective. My guess is that they were heading to the K2 basecamp for a party before returning home.
If anyone has heard from Pierre, please share the info.
Andy
|
|
|
|
|
moabbeth
Jul 14, 2005, 2:32 AM
Post #2 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 22, 2002
Posts: 1786
|
I deleted my original post from when it appeared she perished in an avalanche, I was devasasted that she might be lost but now I'm holding on to hope she's out there. But after reading Michelle's post, I'm going to repost the story that was inside of it to share with her friends and family:
Erica was lliving in Moab from October 2003-April 2004, climbing hard routes and putting up new first ascents. She worked waitressing at Moab Brewery while there to support herself. I rolled into Moab for my usual Octobers in Moab. I was so stoked to see her again since I hadn't seen her since the valley a few months before. One Saturday, my friends Bill, Joe, Skip and I headed up Sand Flats to a seldom climbed rock called Elvis' Hammer (it's shaped like a hammer, I have photos of it in the photo section of my profile). The four of us spent the day up there. Joe led. It was solid 11 and had seen less than 10 ascents since it was first done. It was a tough lead. Literally Joe got physically ill on it. But he got up it in proud style. The rest of us went up there. Great climb but hard everything....small fingers and edging at the start, huge wide offwidth right before a challenging roof move at the top. By the end of the day when we were back at our rigs we cracked out some beer, Skip put on some tunes and we toasted to a great day of climbing.
We ended up at Moab Brewery for dinner that night and I introduced the guys to Erica. We told her about the rad climb we'd done that day. She thought it sounded really fun and said since she didn't have to work til 3pm the next day, that she'd head up there in the morning and do it! Of course the guys I was with were like "cool, a girl that likes hard leads" but were still kinda skeptical that this cute little thing could send a lead like that, especially since she'd just had foot surgery a couple months prior and had to wear a running shoe on one foot instead of a climbing shoe to climb in to protect her foot's recovery.
The next morning we were back up Sand Flats, planning to do Rhino's Horn, a tower next to Elvis' Hammer. There was Erica's car. We hiked in and you have to go past the Hammer to get to the rim to RH. We look up and there's Erica at the roof. She'd already led all the hard 11a up to it with a goddamn running shoe on one foot. Stuff I struggled and grovelled through with 2 good shoes and feet the day prior. She made the climb look effortless. The guys looked up at her leading with awe and were like "that girl can CLIMB!!!" She took a couple falls at the roof then BOOM, pulled that thing and summitted. We all let out LOUD cheers for her and she looked over from the top and laughed. Of course she when she got down she was all embarassed and sheepish to our loud cheers and congradulations (she has NO ego when it comes to climbing, such a rarity for someone so talented). She said "oh, I didn't do that well on it. I didn't get it clean." To which we were like "are you nuts? You cruised it...and with one shoe!!"
Hugs, congradulations and then we headed off to Rhino's Horn. And she would then head off to work at the Brewery. Just another morning of climbing for Erica. Life is her playground. She always makes the most of every moment she can be on or near rock. So much life and spirit.
I know she's still out there, somewhere.
|
|
|
|
|
moabbeth
Jul 14, 2005, 2:47 AM
Post #3 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 22, 2002
Posts: 1786
|
*deleted when learned she was not in the avalanche/news link was wrong. See my above post as an example of what an extraordinary climber and person Erica is**
|
|
|
|
|
jgardnerphoto
Jul 14, 2005, 3:26 AM
Post #4 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 13, 2003
Posts: 24
|
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=3592271
found this on one of the news sites...might be a little better news than an avalanche. at least this gives a little more hope...
i really hope that she's ok. spent plenty of time running from rangers and playing all the camp 4 games with her and pierre.
anyone with real info please update us.
|
|
|
|
|
peanutbutter
Jul 15, 2005, 7:41 AM
Post #5 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 9, 2004
Posts: 12
|
It looks like the avalanche was the wrong story, but there is some good info over at supertopos, look for a thread with Erica's name in it.
pb
|
|
|
|
|
elepita
Jul 15, 2005, 11:18 AM
Post #6 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 23, 2005
Posts: 160
|
I briefly met Erica last May in Yosemite, I hope she is found okay, my best wishes to her and her family. Sorry to hear all this.
|
|
|
|
|
ericasbestfriend
Jul 15, 2005, 3:46 PM
Post #7 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 14, 2005
Posts: 1
|
thank you guys for your wonderful messages. it's wonderful and not so surprising to hear all these amazing things about erica.
i am erica's best friend--from the age of 2 till today. sadly there is no more information to report than what has already been reported in the media--that she went for a walk after lunch last saturday at her's and pierre's base camp at shipton spire and has not returned (the avalanche story is totally false). we have assurances that the embassy in islmabad is doing--and is putting pressure on the pakistani government to do--everything they can to find erica. pierre is in skardu, 60 miles from skardu, coordinating the search effort. there has been tons of press here in new york. if anyone wants to read more about her, i have included a few links:
NEWSDAY:
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-limiss0714,0,7874864.story
DAILY NEWS: http://www.nydailynews.com/07-14-2005/news/story/327976p-280323c.html
NY POST:
http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/25968.htm
Pictures of Erica in Moab:
http://images.climbingmoab.com/album/sized/580.jpghttp://images.climbingmoab.com/album/sized/591.jpg
i've shared your stories with erica's family and i ask anyone out there who has climbed with erica to post stories. those of us who grew up with erica are going to get together this weekend to share our stories about her though none of us has ever climbed with her. i would love to be able to share your stories and thoughts as well.
thank you all of your thoughts and prayers. let's hope our beloved eri comes home soon.
thanks,
michelle
|
|
|
|
|
epic_ed
Jul 15, 2005, 5:47 PM
Post #8 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 17, 2002
Posts: 4724
|
epic_ed moved this thread from Aid Climbing to World Climbing News.
**Changed title of thread to more accurately indicate topic.**
|
|
|
|
|
epic_ed
Jul 15, 2005, 5:59 PM
Post #9 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 17, 2002
Posts: 4724
|
I, too, have been blessed by getting to hang out with Erica. I met both of them and shared a few meal in C4 last June, and was working on Zodiac when her and Pierre came up and sent it in a day. In fact, I have a few great photos of her at home from the C4 parking lot that I'll post later. She is an absolute doll, incredibly down to earth, and wicked talented. I hope they find her very soon -- it would be a tremendous loss to the climbing community, and I can only imagine how people she has touched and lives she's influenced in her travels.
Ed
|
|
|
|
|
paganmonkeyboy
Jul 15, 2005, 6:46 PM
Post #10 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 30, 2003
Posts: 663
|
Not a lot of details in that article... :(
I sincerely hope they find her alive and well - this has to be rough on all concerned...
Regards,
tom
|
|
|
|
|
the_alpine
Jul 15, 2005, 7:02 PM
Post #11 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 6, 2003
Posts: 371
|
I first met Erica and Pierre during the summer of 2004. They had just finished a major epic on some obscure route on the Captain named Realm of the Flying Monkies. Something about lots of heat, no water and then bad water culminating in a nasty stomach virus for the both of them. They were both puking and on the toilet for days. Somehow her and Pierre got wind that a friend and I were going for a stroll up the RNWF and they wanted us to use their rack. Why? So we could leave it up there and they could climb the route sub 4 hours the next day. After summiting we hiked back down to the base and chilled for a while, waiting for Erica and Pierre. As the sun crept lower in the sky and we still had no sign of the two ropeguns, we decided to head back down the slabs with their gear (as opposed to leaving it). By night fall we were back in Camp 4 dirty, tired and ready to pass out. In the morning we found Pierre and Erica (sick again from the stomach bug) and walked to my friends truck in the parking lot to return their gear.
"Uhhhhh, Justin... Why is there no back window in your truck?"
"Uhhhh...."
"Uhhhh, Justin... Where are our packs from the climb?"
We had been beared. Apparently we forgot about some stinky food wrappers in our packs. It was bad enough that all of our personal equipment was gone - harnesses, shoes, helmets, yadda yaddda, but we had just lost someone else's rack!
"Its alright Ericka and Pierre, you guys didn't need that gear anyways, right?"
Dumbfounded and speechless, there was only one place I could turn to in such a dire time - the cafeteria. It was glorious. George was there flipping perfectly golden flapjacks, Coiler was washing the windows, Cedar, Ammon, Ivo, Dave, Nick and all the other monkies were in their usual back corner spot, kids were chasing squirrels under the tables - truly magical. With the last bite of my pancake though, the dread returned - we had lost Pierre and Ericka's rack. It was time to return to campo quattro and get to business.
As we crossed the road and stepped into the dusty lot, a young man walked up to us and asked if we had lost some packs full of gear.
"Actually, ya..." we responded.
"Some old bum-guy found a bunch of stuff in the woods over there"
I train my eyes over to where he pointed and couldn't help but laugh. The old bum guy was, of course, Chongo, and he was strolling towards us arms brimming with harnesses, shoes, quickdraws, aliens and OE. That friggin' guy... You gotta love him.
So the day was saved...by Chongo, who in the middle of the night, heroically battled a ferocious bear to the very edge of life and emerged victorious with Ericka and Pierre's rack.
|
|
|
|
|
jgardnerphoto
Jul 15, 2005, 7:14 PM
Post #12 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 13, 2003
Posts: 24
|
I'd have to say that my favorite Erica and Pierre moments are from last summer. Any monkeys that were in the valley will remember the famed Realm of the Flying Monkeys push. That one was really amazing, interesting study in how far can someone push it before they really get hurt.
Erica and Pierre took 70 oz. of water between them for the route and just a handful of food (thinking that they'd only be up for 18 hours tops) 40+hours later they stumbled back into camp 4. Pierre told me that that was the closest he's ever come to buying the farm and if Eirca hadn't known/blasted up the final West Butt finish he'd have been done for.
Then there was the little game that they played in camp. They both would stand on opposite sides of the slackline. One would put the line right against their stomachs while the other started pulling the line back like one of those water-ballon launchers. When the desire to not get snapped in half overwhelmed the desire to win the person awaiting the smack would call pull and the other would let go. Erica would always win...she'd let pierre pull as far as he physically could and when he'd say so then she'd tell him to let it go. The line would knock her back a good few feet but she never lost.
My thoughts are with the both of them and I hope that Erica comes back to all of us. Camp 4 (and indeed, the whole of the western US) wouldn't be the same without her.
|
|
|
|
|
vivalargo
Jul 16, 2005, 1:43 AM
Post #13 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 26, 2002
Posts: 1512
|
Hope for the best. Stranger things have happened than someone stumbling out of the wilderness after a week or so -- but not much stranger.
JL
|
|
|
|
|
moabbeth
Jul 16, 2005, 3:17 AM
Post #14 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 22, 2002
Posts: 1786
|
Nice story alpine. Poor Erica, that's twice in one year her rack was taken. Unfortunately, in early April she was going to head out here to climb in Idyllwild and someone broke into her car in Tucson and stole all her gear. And her boyfriend was hit by a car while on his bike, so 2 reasons she couldn't make it out.
But of course when I was talking on the phone to Erica and she told me that news, it was with humor and sunshine in her voice, not totally bummed with the world like the rest of us would sound. You know how you can always tell on the phone when a person is smiling by the tone of their voice....how it sounds like their happy even though they may not be? That's how she'd sound. Always. I don't think I ever saw her without a smile on.
Last summer she and a partner soloed Cathedral Peak where they role played as trad girl and sporto boy, complete with fake superhero karate fights at belay legde areas and improvised dialogue about which superhero would win ("I won't let you bolt that move sporto boy!!"). She ALWAYS finds a way to make climbs fun. She's got more spirit towards climbing that anyone I've ever met.
|
|
|
|
|
jgardnerphoto
Jul 16, 2005, 4:33 PM
Post #15 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 13, 2003
Posts: 24
|
so i just got this email...hope this helps to clear up all the false stuff going around and like Pierre says, lets just keep praying and hoping for Eirca.
Hey all,
I have to bring you some very sad news from our trip to Pakistan.
On saturday the 9th of July, Erica Kutcher was out walking the glacier near our basecamp. The weather was good with blue sky and no wind. Erica was walking alone. She told me she was going for a short walk, it was our second restday in camp after much climbing. Erica left camp between one and two pm. She did not return. We did a search that evening (starting at five pm) and all night and the next day. At one pm on Sunday I called for army helicopters and we did a full air search on Monday the 11th of July with the help of two helicopters. We found no trace of her. The search is still going on.
I am missing my very best friend and climbing partner, we pray and hope for her every second.
I am currently in the little town of Skardu, talking to officials about the incident, Skardu is located 10 hours by jeep and tre long days hiking from basecamp.
Please inform anyone we know about this,
pierre
|
|
|
|
|
vivalargo
Jul 16, 2005, 5:10 PM
Post #16 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 26, 2002
Posts: 1512
|
Someone of Erica´s experience is unlikely to get lost on a glacier, even the maze like ones found on the Braldu. And if she wandered away from the hardpack for reasons unknown you´d think two helicoptors and a day and a half search on foot would have turned up something.
Sort of feel worthless just sitting here not able to do anything. Maybe if we all shounted loud enough Erica would shout back. . .
JL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
sdc
Jul 16, 2005, 9:49 PM
Post #19 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 16, 2005
Posts: 1
|
As one of many very concerned family members, I am not above trying anything and everything to locate the whereabouts of Erica Kutcher and return her to safety as quickly as possible... I admit to having contacted a psychic known to assist in missing persons investigations and for what it is worth, there was mention of persons having gone "right over me” and “thought she would be found” and again, they “went right over me." I am without any clue of the area in which Erica traveled and can only suggest and hope that this be given some consideration...
|
|
|
|
|
courtney
Jul 17, 2005, 8:58 AM
Post #20 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 17, 2005
Posts: 5
|
Hi Everyone...couldn't sleep. Had to write. Hope you enjoy a few Erica stories and that everyone takes this in the spirit with which it is meant: hope and love, Courtney
Dear Erica,
It’s just after midnight urban Santa Barbara time on Sunday July 17th. I can’t even begin to calculate through my sobs of hope and fear what time it is in Pakistan. I just know it’s been a week since you went out for your hike and haven’t come back--yet.
Statistics tell me you’re dead. My heart and soul hope that you are alive. I want you to know, either way, you are, were, and will be one of the inspirational women in my life. I think of you and I want to go out and do big things. I think of you and I smile.
The first time I met you, you were wearing green plastic Incredible Hulk hands about twenty times larger than life from some sort of Halloween costume that I think you somehow found on a shopping trip to the great shopping Mecca of Mariposa, pretend boxing with one of the guys who so generously shared his salad with me (probably to conjure up some female companionship in the scarcity thereof in Camp 4). You jumped up on his back and he swung you around in circles while you pretended to use your superpowers to fend him off.
My first impressions of you were that you were spunky, hot, vivacious, and probably just a bit too thin for your own good. I learned more about you from the usual suspects – one of my favorite tales being how you took a hula hoop up El Cap and hooped three thousand feet off the Valley floor. I, like everyone else, love being in your presence—you make everything so fun.
Being the superhero you are, you soon came to my rescue. You and Hollywood, (a.k.a. Scott Stanley) saved me from the entertainment starved Tourons the night Lincoln was away and I, as the volunteer to the climbing ranger, had to host the weekly climbing film, but could not get the video projector to work. Somehow, instinctively, I knew you would save a sister in trouble. As I fumbled with the video connection and the crowd in the Village amphitheater grew restless, I had an idea and got on the mike.
“While I am sorting out this technology, I’d like to ask Erica and Hollywood, two real life climbers, to come forward to talk to you about what it’s like to climb in Yosemite,” I announced over the P.A. system, giving you zero warning.
True to your style, you energetically sprung from your seat and fielded questions from the audience. They loved you and your authenticity. You were dressed in form-fitting navy blue sweats, a long-sleeved synthetic top, and a matching blue knit beanie with your super-cute little pig tails sticking out either side — all topped off with a headlamp. Hollywood, whose nickname origin still eludes me, was wearing a Hawaiian print shirt and was dashingly unshaven. The two of you captivated the audience with your frank, quick-witted Q&A. Hollywood remembers the questions and answers much better than I — I simply remember a great sense of relief and thankfulness that you were there. Eventually I got things sorted out, the audience saw the film, and we hung out and built human pyramids afterwards.
That night we planned a First Ascent of sorts -- an F.T.A. -- which, we to this day have yet to do.
I don’t know if tonight is your last, or if tonight is my last for that matter. I pray that you’re alive and that we get to do more of the things we have each planned. I want you to know, we are all thinking of you, cheering for you, and thankful you are in our lives. You might be physically by yourself at the moment, but know that spiritually, you are surrounded by loving friends, now and always.
I miss you.
Come home and play some more with us.
Love,
Courtney
|
|
|
|
|
homefriend
Jul 18, 2005, 12:46 AM
Post #21 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 18, 2005
Posts: 1
|
Some inspiration while we still pray for Erica. It's a link to a teen who survived the tsunami after 10 days without food or water. Please feel free to include more inspirational stories like this one. Much love.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,11875313%255E1702,00.html
|
|
|
|
|
sedonagal
Jul 18, 2005, 1:52 AM
Post #22 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 18, 2005
Posts: 9
|
geraldo (on fox) doing segment on erica tonight...
|
|
|
|
|
daisyb
Jul 18, 2005, 3:49 AM
Post #23 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 18, 2005
Posts: 3
|
I love hearing all these stories about Eri. Er was my first friend (we were less than a year old) and is still to this day, my best best friend. We were inseparable growing up. It's so great to hear stories from her climbing buddies, about a part of her life that is so important to her that i don't know as well. Erica has this amazing energy and smile that is so contagious. She makes an impression and impacts your life, even if you have just met her for a few minutes. She is confident, sincere and so modest. I just wanted to let you all know that your stories about Erica are helping her close family and friends get through each day. We print them out and read them in the Kutcher home and it just makes us smile. Thank you all, and keep them coming.
-Sharon
|
|
|
|
|
epic_ed
Jul 18, 2005, 5:39 AM
Post #24 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 17, 2002
Posts: 4724
|
I just saw the segment on Geraldo -- they did more than just a mention, it was a full on segement with some good reporting and Erica's Mom and cousin were in the studio. It's nice to see it get this kind of publicity, because it may help influence the length and bredth of the investigation by the Pakistani government.
Some disturbing news from the segement for those of you who didn't see it:
- It seems that Pakistan has called off the formal search. No explanation given publically, but speculation abound.
- Pierre was taken into custody and interrogated last night. They asked him to sign a form indicating (admitting?) she was dead so they could close the case. It appears they are trying to implicate him in her disappearance, or they are trying to take the easy, convenient way out just to put this matter behind them. He was released this morning.
- I don't know Pierre very well, but he seemed like a top-notch guy to me. The trust level that he and Erica have established over the past few years during some very extreme adventures is one that would not easily be betrayed, and I would find it hard to believe he could have anything to do with her disappearance.
- The above has been offered as one reason the search was called off. Her Mom was also told by US officials that it was called off temporarily today because of weather and will resume with the addition of SAR dogs.
- Erica's cousin talked with Pierre today and Pierre plans to be involved in every way possible to assist the search.
A lot of conclusions can be drawn or implied from the above info, but I don't think it would be appropriate to speculate too much. I do know that Erica's Mom and cousin wanted to make clear that it is important that the audience, and we the climbing community do everything we can to pressure the State Department to keep looking for Erica and to ask them to put pressure on the Pakastani Government to provide all possible resources until Erica is found. I personally have a friend in the State Department who I will be writing after posting this message. She's not a big player, but every contact could help. If you know someone who could help assist in this search, please pull those strings and call in those favors now.
Ed
|
|
|
|
|
elepita
Jul 18, 2005, 2:20 PM
Post #25 of 68
(28153 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 23, 2005
Posts: 160
|
Hi all, any ``good´´ news on this?
|
|
|
|
|
courtney
Jul 18, 2005, 6:52 PM
Post #26 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 17, 2005
Posts: 5
|
Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the updates. Three quick things:
1) It seemed odd to me that Pierre would be questioned for so long by authorities, so I called a Federal Investigator I work with in Yosemite National Park who is often tasked with similar types of lost person investigations. His first words were that he is very sorry Erica is missing. He confirmed that investigators do question the partners extensively. I'm sure I can ask him more questions about this process if anyone wants me to. He was reassured to hear that the State Department is involved.
2) I think someone mentioned going to see a psychic. Interestingly, I believe I read that "seers" are helpful in a number of cases. I have not been involved in a case where seers have been used, so I have no first hand experience. However, I believe there is some positive data in "The Handbook for Managing Land Search Operations" by Robert "Skip" Stoffel, published by Emergency Response International www.emergencyresponseintl.com
3) I'm glad to hear dogs are being deployed. For those of you who don't know me, I've been involved in search and rescue for three years, mostly in Yosemite. I'm currently training a search dog to do wilderness search.
Erica met Bella, my dog, last summer in the dirt lot when we were out for a morning run. Bella jumped up on Erica with great enthusiasm and scratched Erica's tummy--but Erica didn't mind and just pet her and gave me a hug, smile and lots of great energy.
Please let me know if there is anything more I can due to help.
Courtney
|
|
|
|
|
courtney
Jul 18, 2005, 6:58 PM
Post #27 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 17, 2005
Posts: 5
|
Also, especially to family and friends checking this site--you may also want to check www.supertopo.com for information other climbers are providing. There is a post today from someone who is familiar with the Shipton base camp area, which may be helpful.
|
|
|
|
|
climbs4fun
Moderator
Jul 18, 2005, 7:41 PM
Post #28 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 19, 2003
Posts: 9679
|
For those of you who are long-time friends of Erica's (ericasbestfriend, etc), Glamour magazine has contacted me requesting contact information. They would like to do an article on her. Please PM me (please don't post that information here) if you are interested in having them contact you.
-K
|
|
|
|
|
areuinclimber
Jul 18, 2005, 8:23 PM
Post #29 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 29, 2004
Posts: 436
|
i was hangin in camp 4 about two months ago (give or take a little time) with my friend scott. we kept seeing this girl walking around (she was in the camp site behind us) talking and laughing and just takin care of stuff. she was dressed in these WILD hot pink pants. i was curious so i asked another climber that was in our site if she knew much about her (i was a bit to shy to go up and say anything, plus she looked rather busy) and i got the scoop about how she was an ultra good climber, but other than that didnt know much about her either. a bit later that day she somehow procured a baby from someone she knew and was carrying him (if i remember correctly) around all over, laughing and playing with him. she meandered to our site to chat with the other climber that i talked to. we briefly talked but for some reason i never forgot that girl. the image of her huge smile and personality has stuck in my mind for these last months and when i read the news and saw the pictures i knew exactly who it was though i didnt know her name when i "met" her. it was Erica Kutcher. the nice things people are saying about her seem, from my brief experience with her, to fit like a glove. she was so happy and did not come off like the rockstar she obviously was. when the other climber asked about her plans she stayed on the subject as little as possible. she was very humble about it and never acted like she was above anyone there. i gained immediate respect for Erica and this is why i believe her image has stuck in my mind. i hope she is out there somewhere as it would be a great loss to camp 4 and the world as a whole.
to give up the search would be a grave mistake.
i give my support to her family and friends.
|
|
|
|
|
vivalargo
Jul 18, 2005, 8:33 PM
Post #30 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 26, 2002
Posts: 1512
|
With every passing day it becomes harder for someone to survive without food, fluids and shelter so I sure hope they are getting those dogs out there on the double. After all this time you've got to think or speculate that Erica is stuck somewhere where she can't execute a self rescue, quite possibly close to camp--but maybe I'm just hoping for a miracle.
By all means keep searching.
JL
|
|
|
|
|
epic_ed
Jul 19, 2005, 5:20 AM
Post #31 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 17, 2002
Posts: 4724
|
I got a quick response from my friend. Here's what she had to say:
In reply to: Ed -- I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I sent an e-mail to a friend of mine who is still in Islamabad...and (she indicates) that the American Citizen Services staff at the Embassy have been working on the case ever since they found out that she went missing. It's the job of the American Citizen Services section at the Embassy to take care of Amcits in trouble. That's one of my jobs in Sierra Leone, but in Pakistan they have an officer doing it full time and her boss is my old boss. My old boss is a force of nature and will let nothing get in the way of her helping an American citizen in trouble -- I saw it several times when I was there. The Embassy has very good relations with the police and I am sure they're doing all they can to find her. Before I left Pakistan I went up to the Northern Areas (Gilgit, Hunza) and got stuck for a week and a half because of weather -- the air is so thin up there the planes cannot fly to/from Islamabad if there is even a hint of a storm over Nanga Parbat. I imagine it is the same in the area where they are searching for Erica. And forget trying to predict the weather up there -- I tried it myself while I was stuck waiting for good plane weather -- 3 websites, 3 different forecasts. It really is isolated up there. Take care and keep the faith, Rachael
Still no word, but it sounds like the right people with a lot of resolve are in the region to make sure this is a top priority.
Ed
|
|
|
|
|
3al25v
Jul 19, 2005, 6:26 AM
Post #32 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 19, 2005
Posts: 1
|
I met Eri about 5 years ago through a “looking for partner†posting at the rock gym in Flagstaff. We decided to climb at the Overlook just south of town. It was uneventful, well, at least as uneventful as an outing with Eri could be. Really, she can make everyday tasks like going to the grocery store the most fun you’ve had in your life. Anyway, as we were walking off the top of a climb she casually informed me that she was leaving on a bike trip in a few months. Where? I asked. From Fairbanks, AK to Ushuaia, Argentina, roughly 12 or 13 thousand miles. Eri had already ridden coast to coast twice and across the south desert of Australia and this was the next step.
Next thing I know it’s early May and there is absolute silence... no wind, no animals, nothing. Nobody is around for miles I’m standing in front of a sign that says “66 degrees 33 minutes north -Arctic Circle†and Eri is next to me in pants and a t-shirt trying to hitch a ride to Prudhoe Bay, AK. The temperature during the truck ride back from Prudhoe Bay registered at -17 on the thermometer. Not a big deal except that it’s a 500 mile journey from Prudhoe Bay to our destination of Fairbanks and Eri rode in the back of the truck. I managed for about 45 minutes then I was back inside the cab trying to get feeling back into my legs. Eri stayed
in the back with her rosy cheeks and that smile. Like she knows something that the rest of us don’t.
Several months later we were in Baja cranking though 110 degree heat. She wore the same wonderful smile. I have not met anyone with the level of strength and tenacity that Eri has, be it on a bike, bigwall; mountains or desert. Eri you are an inspiration to us all.
David, Blossom, Sharon, Michelle, Pierre, and all friends and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
-erik
|
|
|
|
|
sedonagal
Jul 19, 2005, 6:32 AM
Post #33 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 18, 2005
Posts: 9
|
I never met Erica but I know her very well. And I mean "very well." Through the eyes of her parents, the joy in their expression each time they have mentioned her, the spark in their eyes when they describe any one of her many adventures... Although there are two daughters for whom the Kutchers carry tremendous pride and love, their smiles and laughter when sharing any one of Erica's conversations will remain with me always. Erica is very special and there is no doubt that she has spun through life with a passion I can only hope to experience myself, but I am so very inspired by these two wonderful people. Erica's father carries a quiet demeanor with yet a wonderful sense of humor and compassion that truly complements his lovely wife's inner beauty and sense of pleasure in all that she touches. They are a wonderful family -- the Kutchers, and I take great pleasure in knowing them and being a part of their family. Even while the anxiety of the unknown looms overhead, Erica's parents carry a sense of dignity and respect for a daughter they miss dearly. I only hope that I can be the parent either one has been to Erica and Gabrielle. I hope and pray like everyone else here for a simple miracle. In the meantime, I thought you all might like to know something about two people so very important in this young woman's life... Peace.
|
|
|
|
|
gblauer
Moderator
Jul 19, 2005, 1:07 PM
Post #34 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 4, 2002
Posts: 2824
|
Erica and her family are in my prayers.
|
|
|
|
|
mezzner
Jul 19, 2005, 3:16 PM
Post #35 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 7, 2004
Posts: 22
|
Regrettfully there are now some sad updates on the Supertopo thread:
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=83031&f=0&b=0
|
|
|
|
|
elepita
Jul 19, 2005, 3:18 PM
Post #36 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 23, 2005
Posts: 160
|
Please check supertopo.com, Erica´s sister has posted the sad end of the speculations. I send all my positive energy to her family and friends, I did not know her really well, just met her a couple of times, but she has been a lot in my thoughts very much lately. I don´t know what else to say really...
|
|
|
|
|
courtney
Jul 19, 2005, 8:47 PM
Post #37 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 17, 2005
Posts: 5
|
Dear Gabrielle, Mr. and Mrs. Kutcher, Marcia, Michael, Pierre, and everyone in Erica's beautiful life,
I am so sorry to learn of Erica's death. Thank you all for sharing yourselves and information so openly and generously through these times. Please know my and my family's thoughts are with you all.
Those of us who climb and do adventure sports are often seen as being brave. Yet it takes so much bravery to be the parent, sibling, or friend of an adventurer. You all exhibit so much bravery by supporting us in all the ways you do big and small--listening to our stories, buying us climbing helmets, forwarding our mail to "General Delivery" addresses at remote post offices, understanding our lack of communication due to poor or no cell phone reception, welcoming us home with truly stinky laundry, and so much more. Thank you to the Kutcher family for supporting Erica in doing what she loved.
I am lucky to have spent a handful of times with Erica. Even if Erica had lived to be 108, I could never have gotten enough of her. As I mentioned a few days ago, she is one of the inspirational women in my life. I think of Erica and I want to go out and do big things. I think of Erica and I smile.
http://i13.photobucket.com/...angerGirlPyramid.jpg
With love and sympathy,
Courtney
|
|
|
|
|
macherry
Jul 20, 2005, 1:37 AM
Post #38 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 10, 2003
Posts: 15848
|
my condolences to the friends and family of Erica Kutcher
|
|
|
|
|
susanna_lantz
Jul 20, 2005, 5:38 AM
Post #39 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 20, 2005
Posts: 1
|
my name is susanna and i am from british columbia. i met erica at yosemite last summer at camp four. she was one heck of a good time. she was the second person that i met and she was pretty welcoming to me, making me part of her climbing community. i was on my way through on the very same cycling trip that she tried to do but had to stop due to her sickness. i rode my bike from canada to patagonia this year and i would like to dedicate my slide shows to her. i stayed at yosemite for just over a month, so i was able to hang out with her a bit. so many fond memories that i will never forget and will laugh at and smile knowing that she was a special, fun, strong woman. when i showed up i didn't bring much stuff and she was always ready to lend me whatever to help me out (her extra sleeping bag, clothes...) i remember doing hand stands with her and doing some crazy stunts (one where you take a beer bottle half full and balance it on your head and without using your hands put it on the ground. we did this so many times and had a lot of good laughs.) lots of crazy camp fires making smores and hanging out...talking about guys and how we like them a lot. i remember being at one end of camp four and i could hear erica's laugh from the other end of the camp. it was always this loud piercing screech which would make me laugh and definitely find her. but one of my most favorite memories was the baseball game that we played at camp four. if you can picture this...four sexy dirty, literally, girls, and a bunch of guys (outnumbering us by far) playing a full contact baseball game with a stick and a rock. eventually the rock became a chunk of wood because we figured it was a little too dangerous due to our audience being drunk and high. the trees and bear boxes became bases and each player would hall ass to make it there with out being tackled and striped of clothing. the girls team, my team, had to use force in order to win...so we did. erica, amee, jeane and i got into it with all that we had. one girl would get the ball and the rest would tackle and jump on the guys so that they wouldn't get to base... and so on and so on... it was a day that i will never ever forget. we were strong and crazy, but happy and full of laughs and smiles. she was someone who i looked up to and will probably forever. susanna
|
|
|
|
|
morleythemonkey
Jul 20, 2005, 8:12 AM
Post #40 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 19, 2005
Posts: 1
|
I met Erica two years ago at a Halloween party in Moab. She was dressed up as a sketchy desert off-width, utterly herself in a red bikini and wig, fishnets and a pair of huge, red, bug eye sunglasses. I was drunk, wearing a pink wig, having no clue at all as to what any kind of off-width might be. We sat on a couch and talked for hours. We hit it off. I couldn’t believe this beautiful person was interested in me. A few weeks later she took me climbing for the first time in my life. It was a revelation, and she didn’t even yell at me when I lowered her way too quickly on a borrowed figure 8.
For the next year we’d make it a point to run into each other when possible, every few months or so. My work as a bike guide takes me to the same beautiful places she liked to climb: Yosemite, Zion, Moab, Vegas. We’d hang out and catch up, talk about one day maybe being someplace together for some amount of time, the loneliness of living a life on the road, our families back east. Last winter we both ended up in Tucson and finally got a chance to spend some real time together. Every minute was special, whether it was mini-golf, crazy 80’s night dancing, ab-rolling till my tummy ached or just hanging out, having those wonderful, long, getting-to-know-you conversations that you remember for the rest of your life. She touched me deeply and I fell hard. She climbed every single day; it gave her what no person could. She’s the most dedicated athlete I’ve ever met and I quickly realized that I’d always come second. That was OK.
She was so excited about her trip to Pakistan, kind of saw it as the end of one era in her climbing career and the beginning of another. She worked crazy hard to pay for it while training and keeping up a budding relationship. The trip meant so much to her. The last e-mail I got talked about how beautiful it was there and that she and Pierre were already looking forward to returning next season. She had so much left to accomplish in life. I’m lucky for every second we had together, she leaves a huge hole in my life. Erica died doing what she had to do, what she loved, on a great adventure and in the mountains. Might we all be so blessed.
jacques
|
|
|
|
|
neantaeus
Jul 20, 2005, 10:39 AM
Post #41 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 20, 2005
Posts: 1
|
Bad news
Erica Kutcher was found found dead; the apparent victim of an avalanche.
I'm as sorry as anyone who did not know her could be
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/329877p-281887c.html
:cry:
|
|
|
|
|
killclimbz
Jul 20, 2005, 1:58 PM
Post #42 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 6, 2000
Posts: 1964
|
I have been lurking on this thread for awhile. Though I have never met Erica, she seems to be on of "those". Those people that once you run into them at the crag, expedition, campground, where ever, the positive impact they have on your life never leaves you. My condolences to all of her friends and family.
|
|
|
|
|
peanutbutter
Jul 20, 2005, 2:34 PM
Post #43 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 9, 2004
Posts: 12
|
We miss you Eri, Camp 4 will never be the same.
|
|
|
|
|
zozo
Jul 20, 2005, 2:45 PM
Post #44 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Feb 3, 2004
Posts: 3431
|
Very sad news, I was hoping it would end ok.
|
|
|
|
|
climbinganne
Jul 20, 2005, 4:00 PM
Post #45 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 15, 2002
Posts: 11679
|
:cry: i think we all were praying for a miracle...to her family and friends from all over the world, my sincerest condolences.
|
|
|
|
|
tim
Jul 20, 2005, 4:37 PM
Post #46 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 4, 2002
Posts: 4861
|
I saw a blurb on Erica's death today in the New York Times today (page A23, Wednesday July 20th, 2005) and for some reason it really affected me. While I never met Erica formally, I lived in Burlington, VT, while she was an undergraduate at UVM, and bumbled around the local climbing ''scene'', almost certainly bumping into her at some point or another. Her name sounded eerily familiar, and the pictures posted reminded me of someone I'd seen before... it took me some time to figure out why.
My condolences to her many friends and her family. Everyone dies sooner or later; very few people live out their dreams to the degree that she clearly did. Much respect to her.
|
|
|
|
|
djoseph
Jul 20, 2005, 5:29 PM
Post #47 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 7, 2004
Posts: 197
|
My condolences to Erica's family and friends. Though I didn't know her, I grew up across the Long Island Sound, and know people from her home town.
I was struck by the fact that millions of people will read Erica's thoughts via the NYT article that Tim referenced:
In reply to: Yesterday, climbing Web sites, which had been filled with postings of concern, displayed a message from Ms. Kutcher's older sister, Gabrielle, 29, who related two lessons she said Erica had taught her. "Be true to your heart and yourself. Never care what anyone thinks as long as you are doing what you know is right," was the first. The other one went: "Take time every day to smile at someone you don't know. It is the little acts of random kindness that, in the end, make a bigger difference."
Dan
|
|
|
|
|
indigo_nite
Jul 20, 2005, 6:39 PM
Post #48 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 3, 2002
Posts: 365
|
my condolences. I met Erica on a road trip a couple summers ago. she'd just finished a ski patrol stint and was rolling between Lover's Leap and Yosemite.
I remember her personality shouted with a zest for life. after we traded leads up a warm-up climb in yosemite, she joked around w/ a couple solo-ers at the top. she did this funny shoulder stand on the guy as he made a base on hands and knees.
at camp 4, she was really gregarious and popular, organizing communal dinner parties. she also entertained me w/ stories of getting sniffed out by bears when she'd crash camp 4 by sleeping under the bear bins. I don't know what else to share but she was a star that burned very brightly.
|
|
|
|
|
old_vt_friend
Jul 20, 2005, 9:31 PM
Post #49 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 18, 2005
Posts: 1
|
I'll never forget the first time I saw Erica. It was the winter of 1997. I was walking by the library at UVM and she walked by me wearing hiking boots, shorts, a down jacket, her Dana Designs lid to her backpack as a fanny pack and pig tails sticking out from under her hat (it was frigid out). The moment I saw her I knew I had to meet her.
Over the next few years I had the opportunity to hang out with Erica a lot getting to know her and her family and friends. To say she was a huge part of my life would be an understatement. Over those years we experienced so much together that I am so grateful to have the memories from. We climbed, traveled, hiked, went sky diving, laughed, cried and the list goes on.
I can also remember the last time I saw Erica. It was just over 5 years ago in June of 2000. We bouldered in Smuggler's Notch that day and then Brad and I drove her to the Mobil station in Waterbury to be picked up by her friends to go back down to southern New Hampshire where they were leading biking trips that summer. Never did I think it would be that last time I would ever see her.
I will never forget Erica and will always be thankful that our paths crossed in life. I learned a lot from her, most importantly how to live in the moment. I don't think I have ever met anyone who knew how to live in the moment like Erica did.
To all of Erica's family and friends I send my sincerest sympathies and love. May we never forget our beloved friend!
-Shane Baron
|
|
|
|
|
epic_ed
Jul 21, 2005, 7:05 AM
Post #50 of 68
(26445 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 17, 2002
Posts: 4724
|
The climbing community is unique in a few regards. In no other sport can the average weekend duffer break bread and share war stories with the elite and best athletes of the sport, often around a campfire or a favorite local hang-out. Erica wasn't a sponsored climber, but she definitely had "rock star" quality talent. As others have mentioned, she was more interested and enthusiastic about your plans that she was about her own. She went out of her way to make me feel like one of the group in a campsite where I knew no one when I arrived, and eagerly invited me to share a few meals with them.
Camp 4 and the Yosemite climbing scene is where climbers of all abilities gather to chase their dreams, whether we are full time dirt bags or weekend warriors. Spend a few weeks there and it’s hard to not want to stay in the Valley for a whole season or longer. It’s people like Erica, though, that make the experience more than memorable. She had no ego, and it was easy to tell that she was thrilled to be living life on her terms and she was having so much fun that she wanted to drag you along for the ride.
Our paths only crossed for a brief couple of weeks, but she left a permanent impression on my life. You don’t forget someone like Erica and the world is a lesser place without her in it. The climbing community is also unique in our ability to rally around those we love in times of loss. Those who have climbed with Erica have had a chance to really experience the essence of her character and we want everyone to know who it is we saw in times where a person’s character is revealed the most. She was a wonderful lady who inspired those around her to suck the marrow out of life! Those of us who grieve do so because we’ve lost a kindred spirit. People who have been life long friends, those who have been casual acquaintances, and those who never even met her -- we all grieve because we admire the way she lived, and hope that we, too, can learn to live our lives unapologetically following our hearts.
Along with the grieving many of us will find our own way to help celebrate Erica’s life. It would be inappropriate to do any less. As I’ve read these stories about her antics and adventures I can’t help but find myself cheering and applauding how she conducted her life, and it inspires me to live a little more carefree. I, for one, will be carrying a hula-hoop with me up a route next year.
Those who are family and close friends of Erica, please know that she will be dearly missed by many who crossed paths with her over the years. I can only imagine the emptiness and sorrow you feel, but please know that you do not grieve alone. We are blessed to have known her.
Ed
|
|
|
|
|
sedonagal
Jul 21, 2005, 2:35 PM
Post #51 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 18, 2005
Posts: 9
|
To all the friends and family members of Erica...
Thank you so much for all your wonderful stories about this amazing and vivacious young woman. Forever more I can only imagine Erica in the "costume" befitting Captain America with red rosy cheeks and a mischievous grin. The image is overwhelming. And the description of grocery shopping posted by Erica's roommate (Supertopo.com?) actually made me laugh out loud. Courtney's pyramid photo that accompanied some very generous and loving statements about Erica was also a real treat. Reading from family friends who have known the Kutchers for "decades" even, really says a lot about the connections that this entire family has had on those around them. I am truly inspired by the kind words and compassion expressed by so many here in this forum and elsewhere, and I know that you are helping to heal some very grieving hearts.
I am asking for a member of the Kutcher household (or close friends thereof) to share where either flowers or donations may be sent in memory of Erica Kutcher.
Peace and love to you all.
|
|
|
|
|
daisyb
Jul 22, 2005, 4:41 AM
Post #52 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 18, 2005
Posts: 3
|
In June 1996
Erica wrote: "...That's what you must continue to do; fly high, and once you are soaring, fly even higher. Their [i love her terrible spelling. it always made me smile] are some people I worry about, not sure if they will be able to move through life...You won't move through life, you will live life and I promise that I will be part of your journeys. I don't care how far or on what mountain I'll be on...I never leave or forget the people I love...Don't let anyone bring you down. Remember I'm here and our wounderful [that spelling again, she's so cute!] spirited energy could never be broken by anything. "
I feel like i can hear her laugh, her contagious, loud, awesome laugh. Sometimes an occasional adorable snort if she's laughing really hard. I cannot imagine a more incredible human being. So giving, and pure. Her mother's favorite story, I think is when she sent me a get well card that she made herself. It was a few pages long. It had polaroid pictures attached to each page. And on the front page, she wrote, "since you aren't feeling so well, i got some men get naked for you." And the card was full of naked polaroid pictures of her friends. She would do anything and everything to make someone smile.
Remember, that Erica never leaves those that she loves, and that she will always be here, and we will never forget her either. Also remember what she wrote, to "live life." If it was one thing that was so important to her, it was to "live life." So make sure you live your life and follow your dreams, it's what she would have wanted.
I LOVE YOU ALWAYS.
Sharon
|
|
|
|
|
sedonagal
Jul 22, 2005, 6:51 AM
Post #53 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 18, 2005
Posts: 9
|
Gab,
Thank you for the kind words and the generous invitation (Supertopo.com). I really wish that I could be there if not to meet you and your three boys. I'd like you to know that you are just as much in my thoughts as your sister and I am hoping that you and your young boys have a lifetime ahead of rich, wonderful adventures of your own. You all have an angel watching over you ... except of course this one has a hardshell helmet and headlight... May it always shine brightly in your lives...
Peace.
|
|
|
|
|
daisyb
Jul 22, 2005, 12:15 PM
Post #54 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 18, 2005
Posts: 3
|
Services will be held at 12pm on Sunday, July 24th in Fresh Meadows, Queens
Gabrielle posted:
All of your love and support has been my back bone during this unbearable time. Erica has 3 small nephews who will never fully understand what a contageous spirit my sister had but I am constantly printing up this forum so that I will have stories to share with them when they are old enough to understand.
For those of you who are requesting information on where to send donations, we, once things calm down a bit, are thinking about starting a scholarship in her honor at UVM for those who want to get an education about the great outdoors. More details to follow.
As for the services, ALL ARE WELCOME!!! My sister was an all inclusive person and so are we as a family. She considered each and everyone of you family and so do we. You mourn her passing just as we do and are all invited to attend.
As for right now times are still contingent upon when she will arive from pakistan but we believe it will be on Sunday, July 24 2005. As for the time, you will have to call the chapel to find out.
SINAI CHAPELS
162-05 HORACE HARDING EXPRESSWAY @ 162 STREET NORTH SIDE OF THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY
FRESH MEADOWS, NY 11365
(718)445-0300
|
|
|
|
|
oldrnotboldr
Jul 22, 2005, 5:22 PM
Post #55 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 23, 2005
Posts: 306
|
I never had the pleasure of meeting Erica, certianly my loss. However, I know of the type of person she is. And the world is at a loss now. My deepest condolences and prayers to all who know her.
|
|
|
|
|
sanam
Jul 22, 2005, 7:27 PM
Post #56 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 19, 2005
Posts: 1
|
to my beautiful friend erica,
it's been a pretty rough week, hearing the news that you were missing and now that you're gone. i've spent a lot of time these past days thinking of memorable times with you in the valley and about the inspiring, incredible impression you've left on me. i'll never forget the first day i "officially" met you. i'd definitely noticed you around camp 4 before this (who wouldn't), a hot, fit girl whose laughter resonated throughout our dirt dwelling. you'd heard i wanted to climb that day and you were looking for a partner as well. so we headed out together, two girls in for a little adventure up the commissioner's buttress. it didn't phase you that i didn't climb nearly as hard or feel nearly as confident on rock as you. i felt so supported and comfortable in your presence and instantly felt an amazing connection with you. i knew we'd be good friends. when we discovered that both of us were on the road with our pet stuffed pigs it confirmed that there was some kismet acting somewhere deep down. and while we didn't climb much together after that day, we spent a lot of very fun times hanging around camp doing the usually silly stuff, whatever it may have been at that moment. you carried an aura of happiness and laughter wherever you were and this extended to all who had the fortunate opportunity to spend time in your presence. i remember disco dancing in the dirt lot, having a play date for our pigs, creating the lcc, giving each other advice about life on the road and boys and all the rest of a climber's woes. no matter what it entailed, it was always a joy to be around you.
the last time i saw you was a few days before you were leaving the valley this spring. you were getting ready to drive to new york, then head off for your expedition. on this particular may morning you were lacing up your running shoes, preparing for a run as part of your training regimen for pakistan. i'll never forget the intense warmth in your smile, the sweetness in your voice and the excitement in your eyes as we said good-bye for the summer and made some tentative plans for doing something exciting when you got back (hopefully with our pigs in tow). i walked away from you so inspired at your level of humility and commitment to all i've seen you undertake. you could get through a 30 hour push on el cap (and major stomach sickness after) with more spice and flare than anyone could imagine. you are so strong and beautiful. i'm so sad that you're gone but i feel blessed to have spent a sliver of time in your presence, as your friend.
keep shining your radiance down on us from wherever you are, erica. may you be in peace.
sanam
my deepest sympathies to erica's parents, sister and extended family. it's clear that she touched everyone she met with a unique brilliance that will never fade.
|
|
|
|
|
courtney
Jul 25, 2005, 5:45 PM
Post #57 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 17, 2005
Posts: 5
|
Erica's service was held yesterday--I was unable to attend--I'd love to hear from someone who was there!
Below is the information I received on where we can send contributions in memory of Erica.
UVM Outing Club
Attention: John Abbott
Erica Kutcher Memorial Fund
Department of Student Life
48 University Place
Burlington, Vermont 05405
(802) 656-7729
Here is the UVM Outing Club mission statement:
The University of Vermont Outing Club, founded in 1932, is run by students. Membership is open to the entire university community. Our purpose is to promote the enjoyment of our natural environment, make friends, and to have a lot of fun in the outdoors. We offer trips of all types, at levels from beginner to expert. We provide all the equipment and instruction you need. It's fun! It's cheap!! So stop by the house, sign up for a trip, or stay for a meeting. You'll be glad you did!
Here is a sampling of courses they offer:
Avalanche Level I Course @ Tuckerman’s Ravine (I)
Learn how to safely travel in avalanche terrain while pursuing skiing, riding & climbing objectives. Learn how to assess terrain & snow pack, use transceivers & basics of search & rescue techniques.
Price $175 p/p (includes: instruction, certification, food & equipment)
Ice Climbing Skill Development
Women’s Ice Climbing Weekend
Join OC ice climbing staff to explore the basics of equipment, top rope systems and axe & crampon technique. 2 day clinic, Saturday and Sunday Limit 6. $50
Weekend Trip: Hiking the Kinsman Ridge- Enjoy spring in the White Mnts with the backdrop of Cannon and the Presidential range Limit 6- $35
Full Moon Hike: Jump on the Camel’s Hump! (R)
Hike up Camel’s Hump under the glistening moonlight. March 10 only! Limit 9. $10
There is more info on the website: http://www.uvm.edu/~outside/
I've also heard that friends and acquaintances want to throw a celebration in Yosemite, there's an idea Jamie had to create something in honor of Erica in Yosemite--maybe through the planned climbing museum, etc.
May we all remember and celebrate Erica in all our unique ways--and always reflecting her amazing spirit!
Sincerely,
Courtney
|
|
|
|
|
jennycosgrove
Jul 26, 2005, 1:00 AM
Post #58 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 26, 2005
Posts: 1
|
I just found out about Erica's death and offer my condolences to her family and friends. I met Erica back in September of last year working at a troubled youth wilderness program in Utah. The first day I met her she was wearing these huge buggy glasses and was telling me about her mud wrestling experience just the week before. She spoke so loudly because she couldn't hear well due to the amount of mud she had backed up in her ears! I instantly knew we were going to be friends. The job was hard and offered no exercise - so we stuck together and made it as fun as we could. She had me doing sit ups, push ups and ab rolling every day despite the mud and snow. I am inspired by her love of life and her positive attitude. She was an incredible inspiration on the girls we were working with. On one of our weeks off a few of us decided to hang out. We were desperately craving a cake - so we bought an ice cream cake and decided to sneak it into the movie theater. Erica instantly put the rather large cake under her shirt (completely obvious) and walked right into the theater. We proceeded to grab large handfuls of cake and gulped it down before the movie even started. She knew the job was not for her, and she moved on to Tuscon. I stayed in Salt Lake until March. I was able to see her in Tuscon before I did a month long course down there. She was so excited about Pakistan. I can't believe our hug goodbye was the last one I would ever get from her. Erica's memory will certainly live on. She has inspired and reached out to so many people. Her smile and laugh is forever ingrained in my memory.
|
|
|
|
|
sedonagal
Jul 27, 2005, 3:40 PM
Post #59 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 18, 2005
Posts: 9
|
Update: Erica's parents, David and Blossom Kutcher, have provided us with information that should appear particularly alarming to us all --and especially so to the rock-climbing community. Please read below:
Pierre Olsson, Erica Kutcher's climbing partner, seems to be held hostage by the Pakistanis in Islamabad. The Pakistanis are threatening him with detention and possible incarceration if $17,000+ and $6,000+ is not paid to Askari Aviations (a military helicopter service) and Blu Sky Tours, respectively. This position is outrageous and unconscionable. We know, as Americans, that if a Pakistani citizen went missing in the United States, whether it be in the Rockies, in Alaska, in the desert, in a state or national park, or a cornfield in Iowa, all stops would be pulled to find him using volunteer, local, state and national resources without cost to the lost Pakistani or his government.
Please contact any source (personal, media, political) you may have to stop this atrocity and enable Pierre to return home now. Please continue to pass this request along. Thank you... Erica Kutcher's Family on behalf of Pierre Olsson.
I am personally asking for anyone/everyone who reads this to please send it out to any one of the newspaper services local to you, or especially those from whom we had been reading updates about our Erica... Despite their loss and sense of grief, the Kutchers have shown us (once again) their generousity and compassion in focusing their attention away from their personal sadness and on the release of Pierre.
Please assist us in these efforts and we will keep you updated as to the situaton...
Thank you.
|
|
|
|
|
epic_ed
Jul 27, 2005, 6:07 PM
Post #60 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 17, 2002
Posts: 4724
|
Since Pierre is a Swedish citizen it would be the Swedish embassy in Pakistan that will be doing the leg work to help Pierre out of this situation. I'm very sorry to hear about the predicament and I hope he gets out immediately. I'll contact my friend, again, to see if she has any contacts that could find out more about the situation or who to pressure in Islamabad.
Ed
|
|
|
|
|
sedonagal
Jul 28, 2005, 6:45 AM
Post #61 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 18, 2005
Posts: 9
|
(Written for no other reason than "just because"...hope you don't mind...)
Too many years ago (sigh) when I had the opportunity to live in Colorado, my favorite pastime was downhill skiing. I could tell you to the very penny how much it would cost for gas, food, lift tickets, and the essential non-essentials. It never changed week to week and in a Chevy Nova that sometimes was minus reverse, I traveled up to Breckenridge, Copper, and Keystone. Okay, I made that up… It was almost always Breckenridge. I felt immortal back in those days and there was nothing more satisfying that a trip to the mountains to spend the entire day on the slopes. I shake my head now wondering how many risks I took – physically, financially and stupidly… Like the climbers that write about their pleasures on the rock, you can’t imagine the joy of mastering a new slope still landing on both feet. I was young (still am… sort of) and didn’t imagine all the responsibilities that come with injuries, emergencies, and other such matters.
So when I read about Erica, and then Pierre I have to say – there but for the grace of G-d go I. I was always on a shoe-string budget focused on a glass half full not empty. All the comments that have been posted here, there and everywhere make so much sense. One day we were all wondering about Erica and hoping she would come out with a story of eating paper and yellow snow for a week which would cause us to laugh for awhile. The next day we were feeling more frantic. The next few days were more frightening until finally we, her family and friends, are picking up pieces from the storm that has just passed through.
I have to believe Pierre did not expect any of this. Neither did Erica. I have to believe that a walk on her own was never intended to lead her into an avalanche. Erica had a passion to live and not a death wish. And I am glad that Pierre was not there to join her as we might be dealing with the loss of another good friend.
I can only say that the cost for climbing, for safety, and adventure, truly comes at a steep price.
I am so sorry that all of us are having to split the atom on whose responsibility it is to locate, rescue and return a sports enthusiast overseas and back to America. I know that we are not talking about a simple few dollars here and it is scary listening to everyone talk about the cost of emergency care and service operations. And while some of us would like to live in the parallel universe and believe all Nations are created equal, it simply is not so.
I am not sure of what is the right answer here. Really, with everything that has gone on in the past few weeks I just want to see Pierre get back as safely and quickly as possible. Then maybe we can all just breathe for awhile.
In the meantime, I want to say again how very very appreciative the Kutchers are to Each and Every One of you folks… for caring, for questioning, and for wanting to help in some way… I personally am very grateful to you all…
|
|
|
|
|
climbsomething
Jul 29, 2005, 12:01 AM
Post #62 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 30, 2002
Posts: 8588
|
I've been wanting to post something here. I did not know Erica, despite her time in Arizona. But like many of you, just reading this thread has made me feel profoundly sad, yet warmed. Erica sounds like she had a beautiful spirit that I would have been privileged to know. I don't have any Erica stories, but I wish I did. I hope that no matter how or when I pass, I'll leave even a fraction of the impression on my peers that Erica did. The celebration of this one woman is so uplifting. And that photo that Ed posted of Erica and Pierre at the base of Zodiac is too cute.
This reported twist re: Pierre Olssen and the Pakistani government is intriguing. I'd like to know more. I have a few media ties myself and would like to pass the word on as suggested. Could somebody please PM me some contact info for Erica's parents? Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
rasken
Jul 29, 2005, 6:53 AM
Post #63 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 6, 2005
Posts: 15
|
Regarding the problems with Pierre, the word spread from here to an outdoors forum here in Sweden. Contacts were made with our state department, and a newspaper from Pierre's home town reported friday morning (our time, time of this writing) that he was booked on the next flight home.
As for what has happened with the cost claims and the authenticity of the news, I don't know.
I do send all my best thoughts to Erica, and hope the view from the mountain she's sitting on is nice.
/Rasken, Sweden
|
|
|
|
|
sedonagal
Jul 29, 2005, 7:23 AM
Post #64 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 18, 2005
Posts: 9
|
To all friends and family...
Great news! Just received this e-mail two minutes ago. Enjoy!
I accompanied Mr. Olsson to the airport this morning and saw him through the proceedings. He left Pakistan and will be back in Sweden by Saturday evening.
Ann Wilkens
Ambassador of Sweden
----- Forwarded by Ann Wilkens/FOREIGN/MINISTRY on 2005-07-29 10:01 -----
Annette Rosenberg/FOREIGN/MINISTRY
2005-07-29 09:44
UD Islamabad(amb)
Annette Rosenberg
Embassy of Sweden
House 4, Street 5, F-6/3
Islamabad
Mail address: P O Box 1100
Islamabad
Tel: +92-51-282 87 12-14
E-mail: annette.rosenberg@foreign.ministry.se
|
|
|
|
|
missedyno
Jul 29, 2005, 1:33 PM
Post #65 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 21, 2001
Posts: 4465
|
awh crap.
I'm just catching up and reading this now. Started on page one, with the hope, the stories, and then the bad news broken a few pages later.
My absolute sincerest condolences. Since I started climbing, I have met some incredibly amazing, laid back, humble, strong spirited people. I don't think I ever met Erica, but she certainly sounds like she's an amazing person.
May her spirit live on in each of us. Hope that when your time comes, people will have such wonderful things to say about you.
:cry:
|
|
|
|
|
sedonagal
Jul 31, 2005, 6:02 AM
Post #66 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 18, 2005
Posts: 9
|
this may be the last of my postings... i was a "tourist" in your rock-climbing community... i climbed in just to hear stories about a very special young woman and to marvel in her parents' love and support of their daughter's very unique lifestyle... i truly believe the kutchers have faced this adversity with tremendous courage and dignity...i have great respect for this family and forever will... i thank you all for keeping erica's spirt alive and helping her family to balance their grief with these wonderful tributes and warm thoughts... i did learn that erica's father assisted in sending the funds required for pierre to leave pakistan...pierre had been given a three-month grace period...i believe the issue is being resolved as you read this... again, my respect to the kutchers for what they have had to go through despite tremendous grief...it is wonderful to hear from pierre and i will look forward to his personal accounts... again, i am sending my thanks to you all... peace to all
|
|
|
|
|
sedonagal
Jul 31, 2005, 6:03 AM
Post #67 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 18, 2005
Posts: 9
|
this may be the last of my postings... i was a "tourist" in your rock-climbing community... i climbed in just to hear stories about a very special young woman and to marvel in her parents' love and support of their daughter's very unique lifestyle... i truly believe the kutchers have faced this adversity with tremendous courage and dignity...i have great respect for this family and forever will... i thank you all for keeping erica's spirt alive and helping her family to balance their grief with these wonderful tributes and warm thoughts... i did learn that erica's father assisted in sending the funds required for pierre to leave pakistan...pierre had been given a three-month grace period...i believe the issue is being resolved as you read this... again, my respect to the kutchers for what they have had to go through despite tremendous grief...it is wonderful to hear from pierre and i will look forward to his personal accounts... again, i am sending my thanks to you all... peace to all
|
|
|
|
|
anykineclimb
Aug 6, 2005, 10:27 AM
Post #68 of 68
(25842 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 30, 2003
Posts: 3593
|
Sorry for posting late to this but I've just returned from Pakistan.
I was fortunate enough to meet Pierre and Erica at Paiju camp prior to the move up the Baltoro Glacier. Erica had come to ask our medical team some questions regarding their teams meds and her medical history.
In the extremely short time I spent with her( <30min) I found her to be very friendly and personable.
The intitial news we recieved was that an american woman was killed on/ near Gondogo La Pass. It wasn't until we back in Skardu in late July did we hear word on who it was and what happened.
To Erica's friends and family and to Pierre, know that the all on the medical team that had met her are saddened by the loss. Many were shocked to hear of someone dying that they had met in a fleeting moment. Others knew, in time we were in the region that there would be someone we knew of that would die.
I'm just sad it was Erica
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
