Lisa’s enthusiasm was priceless. Any time I would ask whether she was interested in a particular trip I was planning, her usual response was “Yes!!”. She didn’t need any prodding, and looked forward to being outside with good friends and nice weather. Throughout each of the outings we shared, her attitude was consistently upbeat.
One year, a small group of us planned an ascent of the Kautz Icefall on Mt. Rainier. Our approach day turned out to be the hottest day of the summer. That evening, I realized I had become too dehydrated for the ascent the next day, having made a bone-headed choice for my hydration system. The next morning, Lisa “mothered” me throughout our retreat back to the car. “Have some water.” “Have a bite to eat.” “Are you feeling OK?” “Did you have that water yet?” I resented it just a little, but knew I had no choice but to put up with it, since I surely deserved worse. In spite of that experience, Lisa continued to be a ready and willing climbing partner.
My last trip with her was a scramble of Mt. Roosevelt this past July. We talked about many things beyond “climbing”, including homes and remodeling, how our attitudes towards work/career have changed over the years, and some day no longer working, so we could be in the mountains more often. We took summit photos of each other; something I nearly never do any more. I’m glad we did. While I am so saddened that I won’t get to see her smile and enthusiasm any more, I’m happy to have had one last day together with incredible weather.
-- Steve Kleine
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