Guy Lacelle, the world’s most prolific and well-regarded ice climber, died this morning in Hyalite Canyon, just outside Bozeman, Montana.
Lacelle and climbing partner were in a gully between climbs, about four miles from Grotto Falls, when an avalanche struck. The snow carried Lacelle down two pitches of waterfall ice.
His climbing partner sustained a minor injury. Two others witnessed the avalanche from safe ground.
“[Lacelle] loves climbing and he loves sharing the sport with other people,” John Irvine, Arc’teryx sports marketing manager, said to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. “That’s what his life was all about.”
Alpinist has posted a video tribute to Guy Lacelle in the December 23, 2009 Feature.