For the old dogs: Eric Weinstein.

[Spaztic]

Do any of Eric's old climbing partners frequent the board?

My girlfriend (Sara) is his niece. I've heard lots about Eric from Sara, her mom (Stella - Eric's sister and my mother-in-law, for all practical purposes), and Eric's parents (Ed and Martha). I also know of him through the many routes he established back in the day, and as one of the pioneers of free climbing in Squamish. In my mind (and I assume, in many others'), the guy is a legend.

Sadly, Eric's mom passed away earlier this year. Her family was with her. While cleaning out her house down in Seattle, Stella found Eric's copy of the Squamish Chief Guide, by Gordon Smaill, published in 1975. She brought it up for me, knowing that I'm a keen climber. It's wild - I didn't realize that so many of the classic routes had already been established before the mid-70s. Most of the routes listed were still only climbable as aid climbs.I scanned the cover and Eric's name, written on the inside. The scans are below.

Eric's niece (and my girlfriend) took up climbing a couple of years ago. She has a natural aptitude for it, so it must run in the family. We've got a little girl now, and as soon as she's big enough, and assuming she likes it, she'll hopefully be climbing with us. I'd like to think that Eric would be pretty fired up that the climbing lineage in the Weinstein family continues (his parents were both avid mountaineers, too). Just wish he was still around so I could have met and climbed with him.

[scrubber]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing that.

I wish my old Smaill guide had some ledgend's name in it...

[Lurch]

Make sure you write your name in your copy good sir. Someone might want it some day.

Ultimate Everything was my first full Chief ascent and I will never forget it.

Mike

[Anders Ourom]

Yes, I knew Eric Weinstein very well, as did Perry Beckham. I don't think anyone else who knew Eric posts here, although some may lurk. There's not that many of us.

Send me a note at aiourom(at)telus.net, or (604) 228-1798. I'd be happy to re-establish contact with Eric's family.

[squamish climber]

Anders and Perry,

Can either of you offer up some stories of Eric and his exploits both on and off the walls in Squamish? I know of a few of his FAs such as Exasperator. What are some others?