Award-winning climber killed in Argentina

Submitted

Carlyle Norman

view all photos (-count-)

Canmore’s climbing community was saddened Tuesday (Jan. 17) after learning that local Carlyle Norman was killed in Argentina.

Norman and partner Cian Brinker were climbing a difficult route called Last Gringo Standing, a 13-pitch 5.11 located on Aguja Saint-Exupéry, a 2,558 metre peak on the Fitzroy Massif, when she was struck by rockfall and sustained serious head injuries.

The accident occurred on Sunday (Jan. 15), according to an Alpine Club of Canada press release, and Brinker returned to base camp alone. On Monday (Jan. 16), attempts were made to reach Norman with a team of climbers and a Red Bull helicopter which was unable to land.

By Tuesday, a strong group of climbers were dropped at the base of Saint-Exupéry at first light. They climbed into the night, but were unable to reach Norman due to deteriorating weather conditions.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Carlyle, too young at just 29 years old,” wrote the ACC in its release. “She was a beautiful, spirited woman, loved by many in the Bow Valley and beyond.”

Norman and Brinker were the recipients of the 2011 John Lauchlan Memorial Award, and their primary objective in Patagonia was to complete a new route on Aguja Bifida.

Norman owned and operated Rockies Yoga as an instructor for 12 years, with clients including the Banff junior climbing team, Vsion junior climbing team and Alberta Alpine Ski Racers.

She also wrote a regular blog for Highline Magazine, which online described her as an enthusiastic climber and adventurer and “what she lacks in skill she seems to make up for with stubbornness and attrition.”