Couple of weeks ago went to help with my son's High School climbing club. The place we went to had just hosted a memorial fund raising climb in honor of Jess. We passed by the wall where the competition was held. It is mind boggling to see the chalk marks and dangling quick draws more than 100 feet above on overhanging rock where the competitors tried to high point. The ropes would have hung free of the base by 20 feet or more when they were to be lowered off. Jess's local community of friends are very gifted, hard working and accomplished, just as his dad is.

The tragedy shows that even if you are a superior climber thru genetics, training and experience, the objective hazards of a route still remain.