Steve Gladbach

[thevagabond]

Absolutely terrible news I will always remember my hike with Steve. Deepest condolonces to his family.

[ameristrat]

To Britt, Jim, and Steve's family, I am praying for God to give you peace in the coming days. If there is anything we as a community can do to support you, please let us know.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:1-4

[Shogun]

Steve helped me up my first winter 14er on Mt. Yale in 2008. I clearly remember his strength, his humor and his kindness. Like so many others, I too always looked up to him. A truly wonderful man.

My condolences to his family and friends.

[Dancesatmoonrise]

In November '09 Steve, Jeff (slimshady) and I climbed Antero in less than ideal conditions.

"Less than ideal." Michael, I love your understatement. You guys were tougher than me. I felt guilty for a long time after that trip.

Heading up Ute Pass from the Springs, I couldn't believe the snow and ice on the roads, slipping sideways at 25mph, and the view of nothing but white flakes coming at you in the windshield, in the pre-dawn darkness. After a few miles I turned back and called Steve to let him know I would never make it to the TH in time at this rate. To my surprise, Steve had driving conditions just as tough.

So Steve pulls out of Pueblo West, onto Highway 50, in the pre-dawn snowstorm, heading west for the Antero TH. He's surprised as hell to see State Patrol behind him. And even more surprised the patroller turns on the lights and pulls him over. "Sir, did you know you were heading west in the eastbound lane?" Yeah, snow was that bad. The patroller lets him off. He goes back to the intersection, gets in the correct west-bound lane, and makes it to the Antero TH. Where the three of these guys push all the way straight up the dead-west slopes of Antero in the full on snowstorm!

What's more, they don't summit till sunset! Tough hombres.

Steve, I miss ya, man.

[moon stalker]

I'm in total shock. Words cannot express the loss I feel. I'm sorry I will not hear his words of encouragement again.
RIP Steve.
Lost but never forgotten.

[KeithK]

Then when he heard that our partners had gone onto the summit and we'd be left at the trailhead waiting, he invited KeithK and me to their rented cabin for a spaghetti dinner with the rest of his group. In fact, he insisted on it. He wasn't going to let us stay out in the January cold.

Best spaghetti I ever tasted. And quite possibly the kindest, best person I've ever met. One of a kind, irreplaceable.

[I Man]

It was an honor and a pleasure to climb with Steve on his latest winter quest. He invited me to join him on his second attempt that season of Ice Mountain, a very difficult Centennial 13er. It was an incredible day and we worked hard, eventually Steve made it to the top, adding to his unmatched winter resume. I am very grateful to have shared that day with you Steve, and for everything else.

[Winter8000m]

I remember joining the site at 12 or 13 and reading all of Steve TR's. I was inspired. And then I had the privilege of finally meeting you. I was so shocked how humble and nice Steve was. The kind of guy you want to go into the mountains with. The guy you could really trust your life with if it came down to it. I have extremely fond memories on the Cap Snow traverse we all embarked on. I remember carpooling and you continued to tell me stories the whole way there. I remember doing some dangerous climbing on that traverse. I had to fully concentrate but yet you continued to talk. I was shocked how you were able to concentrate hard and tell me stories.

After that trip, something sparked.....It wasn't just a trip in the mountains. It was sort of a brotherly bond. I felt we all made a connection from the dangers we dealt with. A lot of stress and being scared. We all went down together.

And then I had no ride home. You went out of your way to drop me off in Denver. You were more then happy too.

I came back a different person. Hard to describe.

It's such a shame to loose someone like you. Your energy went beyond climbing. You cared about more then just that. You cared about others.

Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the rest of the community.

I'll miss you, Steve.

[EVEREST DREAMS]

Another very sad day. Prayers to Steve's family and to everyone involved. He will truly be missed.

[Fisching]

I just found this picture (I was afraid it got deleted) from the Humboldt hike we did together, along with two of his summer school students. Finding this lost photo means the world to me. It's somewhat fitting that his favorite 14er is in the background:

[Tornadoman]

I never had the privilege of meeting Steve, but like so many here noticed how kind and encouraging his posts were and how humble he was. Steve's trip reports of his Winter peaks were second to none, and I LOVED seeing a new report from him.

I wish I would have met you Steve; but even though I never did I feel like I lost a friend. You will be missed! RIP!

[FireOnTheMountain]

Very nice pictures everyone.

This week (and much longer that) due to the upcoming weekend's race I have been thinking a lot about Rob. Now we must struggle with this.

I never got the honor to meet Steve but I heard wonderful things about him including his love of talking
Will never forget after a memorable climb someone mentioned Steve had heard that my partner and "Fireonthemountain" had made the summit. It just brought a smile to my face because this was a guy I revered and respected.

His words of wisdom on the forum will always linger with me.

You will most certainly be missed Steve.