[veronika]

[maggieg]

Thank you to those who have posted notes of condolences. The hiker who was killed on Aasgard Pass was my brother in law, Steve. He was 52 years old, not 47 (although I suspect he would take the lower number as a compliment). He was a father, son, brother, uncle and my brother in law. We are grieving and making plans for "what next." I will share the kind words with his family. With peace- Maggie Grate

[zeroforhire]

^ So sorry to hear of your loss.

[Backpacker Joe]

God bless you and your family Maggie. We are all very sorry for your loss.

[veronika]

It is very sad indeed. God bless to your family.

[HitTheTrail]

Maggie, A couple of years ago my daughter and I went up Aasgard the next day after a father and young teenage son fell to their deaths just a few hundred yards from there. Every time I am in that area I think of them and the wife/mother. My condolences go out to your family. May you find peace.

[climbonice]

[Magellan]

I am very sorry for your family's loss Maggie.

[WildWaySeeker]

Don't blame the permit system for this death. We were camped near Isolation Lake just below the pass the evening this happened and were there for four nights. We ran into a number of parties of differing skills, preparation and motivation. Sure, some day-hiked Aasgard because they did not have a permit for camping in the Enchantments zone, but many chose to hike it because they didn't want to carry a heavy pack up the pass. Others simply wanted to hike through from Colchuck to Snow Lakes. We met three groups of from 2 to 5 people who were trail running it as part of a run from Colchuck TH to Snow Lake TH. The bottom line is that people will attempt Aasgard with or without a permit system. And some will do so with little skill and preparation. I make no judgment here about the deceased hiker as I know nothing about his situation. But others we saw were pushing the limit in skill, prep and safety. I do believe that without the permit system this magnificent place would be loved to death.

[intoverflow]

I was in his party. He was a formidable hiker. He's ascended Rainier. This was his third trip on Aasgard Pass in three years, always during this same week. We were camping down at Colchuck Lake with several days left in our trip, and had only made a day trip up the pass to see the upper Enchantments. I saw him fall. It wasn't a case of recklessness or exhaustion. It really was a one in a million accident. He had a small slip, like we've all had, and he almost recovered his footing. It was by massively unfortunate circumstance that the cost was so great. He's been my friend and mentor for the past 10 years. He was a man of incredible charity and passion. I would have an easier time with his accident if I believed there was no good reason for him to be where he was, but (without getting into the details) this wasn't the case. On Friday we lost one of our own.

[Dayhike Mike]

Intoverflow, burncycle, and Maggie, I can't imagine your pain and sorrow, but simply know I'm terribly sorry for your loss and hope that you may one day come to find peace in the fact that he passed away living life to the fullest and surrounded by what he loved. May he rest in peace.

[Chief Joseph]

[burncycl]

Dear NWHikers, Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for my Dad - Steve Grate (the hiker that died), myself - Michael (his son), and our family & friends. My Dad was 52 years old. He was an avid hiker, an Eagle Scout, and well versed woodsmen (to say the least)....This was his third visit to the Enchantments (my best friend and I's first time). As mentioned above, no extent of experience could prepare or prevent what happened. The entire Alpine Lakes Wilderness area is inherently dangerous. My father, who loved the outdoors and photography, was on a cliff edge taking pictures of the waterfall and beautiful scenery the Enchantments/Asgaard pass has to offer. He made one false move and slipped on a rock and fell 25 feet into a snow cave. Badly injured my best friend Tim and I pulled him from the icy water. Rescue workers soon arrived at the scene....Everyone involved did their very best to save his life, above and beyond the call of duty (God bless you David, Adam, and Ian). For the record, we were fully permitted to Colchuck lake for the weekend. We day hiked to the upper Enchantments and on the decent this tragic event took place at 7:30PM with plenty of sun to spare (we had head lamps, just in case). We were along the boulder scramble waterfall line "crab walking" to take in the scenery and avoid the slippery gravel on the main trail. My Dad even mentioned how much fun he was having on our decent, and how his other fellow climbing buddies, who he had hiked with both years before had joked calling him a "mountain goat" because of his affinity for traversing the rocks. Our intent was to make a quick stop at the cliff/waterfall and then move across to the main trail. He died with me, whom he was closest to.....His step son, who he loved very much, just married this year and not but a month earlier I graduated from college. He died one proud and happy man! The happiest I've seen him in years! This has been very tragic for all who knew him. His death has caused huge ripples across the universe and words cannot describe how incredible a man or father he was. I miss him so much! The lesson I can share with you from this tragedy is to live life to the fullest, revel and share your experiences, and let the people you love in your life know how much they mean to you....One can never know when death is upon us. Rest in Peace Stephen Michael Grate October 23rd 1957 - August 6th 2010 http://www.burncycl.net/inmemoryof/

[jenjen]

Intoverflow and burncycl, thank you for sharing first hand what happened that day. My heart goes out to you. May he rest in peace. And, may you eventually find peace with his passing.

[RickZman]

Intoverflow and burncycl, thank you for sharing your sad experience. It is wonderful, burncycl, reading about you love for your father. I know how quickly this type of accident can happen since I slipped and fell on the way up Aasgard on July 2nd. Mine fall was on snow. My sincere sorrow to your family and friends for you loss. Rick