![Kim's early days in the North Cascades. [Photo] Thomas Matthiesen collection](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/kim-schmitz-photo-tribute-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
A dusty box of golden memories: photos from the life of Kim Schmitz (1946-2016)
Savannah Cummins befriended the legendary alpinist Kim Schmitz in recent years when they were living in Jackson, Wyoming. Schmitz gave Cummins a box of old photos shortly before he died in a one-car accident in September 2016 at age 70. Rick Ridgeway, John Roskelley and Jack Tackle assisted in identifying some of the images, and in honor of Kim’s memory, we share some of his collection with you now.