Dr. Peter Spatt

It is now nearly ten years since Pete's death. I miss him deeply. He was the essence of hard wildcat climbing. We met on Ojos del Salado in 1992, but alaso climbed on Pissis and Mercedario in Argentina. Every year (usually twice a year) we did something in Colorado. These ventures included North Maroon, South Maroon, Crestone Peak, a little-known and climbed side of Little Bear, Cathedral, and the Kelso Ridge on Torreys three times. For the most part, my climbing stopped with the outing on...

He was my doctor for only a short time. I cried after I called to make an appointment with him and learned of his passing. He was a gentle spirit. He lives in my memory.

Pete Spatt: Ojos del Salado (1992); from the Chilean side; it involved technical climbing using jumars well aove 22,000 feet. A photo of Pete taken at the base of the couloir separating the two peaks was featured on the cover of Trail and Timberline; his face was covered by a surgical mask to help him breathe in the cold thin air. Pete was mellow, savvy, a good climbing companion. We reached the summit.

July 19 - Hard to believe that five years has gone by since the terrible day of the accident. He was a ferociously intense athlete whose suburban demeanor belied his intimidating ability to move up and down the mountain. He loved his family, and I think he loved us too. There is perhaps no better testament to his importance to our group than the fact that we haven't joined together in the mountains since losing him. It's not the fear of risks, but that he was the glue that held us together....

Pete, I know you're up there somewhere. You are always in my thoughts. All of us who have climbed with you--Mike, Cal, Craig, Doug, my son Scott, Greg Wilson--miss you greatly. You always set the pace, and made our standard. We did some awesome climbs together--North Maroon, South Maroon, Little Bear, Crestone Peak--and you finished off Capitol when the rest of us turned back. I still have the photos you took from the snow couloir on Cathedral Peak. The memories never fade. We're all with...

He watched from high upon the cliffs, the hawks in splendor soar,
He said this is where I find my soul, my heart, my peace, my love.

There is nothing like Peters' smile, in the sun, blue eyes, blue sky, radiant.

Thank you for this beautiful memorial of this very loving, unique and ever reaching man. He is so very missed and always loved.

Dr. Spatt was my doctor and a very good one. He always had a smile on his face when ever I saw him. He worked with me to bring my blood pressure down and I feel heathier than ever before. I will surely miss him. Will always have him and his family in our prayers.