In Memory of Chris Chan, 9 July 2010

Submitted by Tom Evans on Mon, 07/12/2010 - 01:49

In Memory of Chris Chan who died on 7/09/10 in Yosemite.

By Tom Evans

Our wonderful friend, Chris Chan, died from a fall while traversing, unroped, along the North Face of Eichorn Peak, in the high country of Yosemite National Park.

She was an unusual person with many interests. Her friends most often mention her enthusiasm for life and all it has to offer. She was highly educated and yet a person of great humility. Her smile was legendary and she made friends instantly.

I first saw her through my camera lens, as she made an ascent of the Salathe Wall, in June of 2007, with Clint Cummins. I later met her briefly at the ElCap Bridge some time after that climb. It was a delight to have her around as she was always laughing and enjoying herself. I was fortunate in being able to photograph her solo climb of the Shield on ElCap. I had missed her solo of Zodiac a few weeks before as I had yet to arrive to shoot the Fall Season in 2009. Her solo of the Shield was an inspiration to all who were able to read about it on the ElCap Report, or witness it, from the Bridge, in person.

After the Shield she came by the Bridge and hung out with her many new admirer’s. Later in the Fall we would talk from time to time about what she wanted to do in her future. She was uncertain but wanted to be sure that climbing was a part of it. The Season closed out and she went to China and I went home.

This past Spring I came up and photographed as usual and got word of a woman solo on Tangerine Trip. Some friends said they thought her name was Trish so I followed “Trish” as she went up the climb. The ascent drew a lot of attention as this “Trish” person was a good climber and no one seemed to know anything about her. Well, after the climb was over, who should walk up to me at the Bridge but Chris, all grubby looking, like she had just done a big climb. Ahhhh, the mystery was solved!! Trish turned out to be Chris herself!! We all had a good laugh from it and she said she didn’t want to be identified because she was uncertain if she could do the route after being away from wall climbing for many months! I last spoke to her a few days before her death…. I have to tell you, my heart is so broken over this event that I can hardly stand to think about it…

Below are some shots I took of her on the Shield, at the Bridge, and on the Trip.

She will be missed ….

Facebook link to Memorial page for Chris http://www.facebook.com/groups/136210793068504/

Chris coming back to the Belay after climbing the Roof Pitch on the Shield.

Chris after leading the Groove Pitch on the Shield.

Chris packing up her kit on the Shield.

Climbing past the Canoe on the Shield.

Climbing to Chickenhead ledge.

Chris taking a break on Chickenhead ledge.

Chris and the obligatory Cobra shot at the Bridge after just getting down from the Shield.

Chris and the Bridge Crew the afternoon of her descent from the Shield.

Chris with her many friends and admirer’s at the Bridge.

Chris cleaning the 5^th pitch on Tangerine Trip in mid June this year.

Chris traversing on the Slab Pitch on the Trip.

Tom Evans and Chris Chan at the Bridge in Yosemite, after her solo climb of the Shield on El Capitan.

So, we remember our friend and are richer for having had her with us, albeit for such a short time…

Chris Chan, gone but never to be forgotten.

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#1Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 08/01/2021 - 05:48.

Just Passing By.

Never knew you. Like many I know what it's like to lose somebody special. Figured while I pass by I'd leave my condolences. Good luck to any and all in this world. The only world we'll ever know.

#2Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 10/06/2017 - 20:59.

Shock

I dated Chris. I met her at Vertical Hold, a climbing gym in San Diego. She said she was training for El Capitan. I introduced her to Fatburger in Pacific Beach. She tried to order a chicken breast sandwich. I wouldn't let her! She was probably the sweetest, most humble person I've ever known. She popped up in a dream last night after all these years so I googled her name and found this. I'm in shock.

#3Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 08/24/2015 - 16:22.

5 years now

and she's been gone all this time, such a tragedy.

#4Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 08/09/2010 - 13:20.

I studied together with Chris

I studied together with Chris at Stanford. I miss her so much. I still can't believe she left so soon. Thank you for beautiful words and pictures.
s.

#5Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 07/29/2010 - 02:44.

Uncle Tom .. Last June, our

Uncle Tom .. Last June, our Korea Lunar Eclipse ExtremeRiders team we're climbing solo on the side of the rock I saw her. Very brave of her to have been a very strong impression. Chris Chan's soul rest in peace - S.Korea ExtremeRiders team IM.

#6Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 07/29/2010 - 02:51.

Uncle Tom .. Last June, our

Uncle Tom ..

Last June, our Korea Lunar Eclipse ExtremeRiders team we're climbing solo on the side of the rock I saw her.
Very brave of her to have been a very strong impression.
Chris Chan rest in peace

- Team ExtremeRiders S.Korea

IM.

#7Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 00:33.

We met her the weekend of

We met her the weekend of July 4th after she had climbed the nutcracker with a friend who she was introducing to yosemite climbing. She was super nice and humble (unbelievably so - given all of her accomplishments). i can't believe she is gone already. the world has lost a true gem.

#8Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/19/2010 - 18:03.

Such a beautiful woman and

Such a beautiful woman and heart - thank you for posting. I was with climbers who had just come down from Leaning Tower/West Face and we were unaware of Chris's fall until we got back home. I wish I had known Chris - she obviously was one of the greats and we all miss her, climbing community and all others. Condolences and heartfelt wishes to everyone whose life she touched. Beth

#9Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 07/17/2010 - 22:55.

I was an old friend of

I was an old friend of Chris's from high school who lost touch with her and never knew of her amazing accomplishments as a climber until I heard of her death. Thank you so much for sharing this part of her with the world who loved her for so many other reasons. She truly was a person of varied interests, and she excelled in everything she was passionate about.

SEF

#10Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 07/15/2010 - 20:27.

It is so awful when a great

It is so awful when a great one goes. I didn't know chris well but when i saw the photo i knew the face. I looked back at leaning tower shots from '06 with my good friend colter i realized we shared ahwahnee with her and her friend that night; she was showing him the ropes on his first wall. She seemed like such a rad woman. Rest In Peace on those great granite giants in the Beyond! Doug McKee

#11Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 07/14/2010 - 18:22.

oh no! Chris Chan was a

oh no! Chris Chan was a wonderful person... I talked with her at the base of El Capitan last summer after she had spent a week on the wall, just before she left on a trip to China. She showed me her bruised arm. I sat at the awards ceremony at the conclusion of the cleanup of the Yosemite Valley floor, and I noticed how she was loved by all the climbers, how proud they were to be with her; Chris died from a fall July 9, 2010 while traversing, unroped, along the north face of Eichorn Peak, in the high country.
Wert thou some Starr which from the ruin'd roofe
Of shak't Olympus by mischance didst fall;
Which carefull Jove in natures true behoofe
Took up, and in fit place did reinstalle?
Or did of late earths Sonnes besiege the wall
Of sheenie Heav'n, and thou some goddess fled
Amongst us here below to hide thy nectar'd head?
.......................................................
(John Milton, 1626: On the Death of a Fair Infant)

Richard Thompson, thompinc@alum.calberkeley.org '80, English

#12Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 07/14/2010 - 16:25.

Rest in peace.

#13Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/13/2010 - 05:28.

Terrible news. Very sad

Terrible news. Very sad indeed

#14Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/13/2010 - 04:08.

Thanks Tom, Devastated to

Thanks Tom,

Devastated to hear the news as all of us are. Your reports of her solo's this past year forced me to come down to the meadow and gaze up to see that incredible woman accomplishing goals I can only dream of.

RIP

#15Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/13/2010 - 03:01.

I worked in IUP, the Chinese

I worked in IUP, the Chinese language program where Chris studied Chinese from January to May, 2010. I was deeply impressed by Chris'passion for climb. Sorry for the loss of her family and friends. We'll miss her.

Yun Li

#16Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/13/2010 - 00:45.

Dear Chris, Miss you so much!

Dear Chris,

Miss you so much! You were such a wonderful person. I will pray for you and your family.
Rest in peace...

Annie

#17Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/12/2010 - 19:13.

Thank you, Tom. Chris left

Thank you, Tom. Chris left too soon. I still have in my wallet the diagram of the King Swing you drew for us.

Erika

#18Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/12/2010 - 14:54.

Thank you Tom.

#19Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/12/2010 - 14:37.

Beautiful words and pictures

Beautiful words and pictures Tom to go along with her beautiful spirit!
She was an inspiration to many! Oh that smile:) She will be missed.

Denise

#20Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/12/2010 - 12:19.

This is beautiful, Tom. I

This is beautiful, Tom. I enjoyed seeing some of these in the pass. I wish I had met her.

Thank you,

Chad

#21Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/12/2010 - 09:56.

I remember a picture of her

I remember a picture of her hands took by you after her descent from the Shield...

Climber's death is always sad..

I have never seen her..

Nevertheless,I respectfully express my condolence..

I.C.Kang

#22Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/12/2010 - 09:23.

hey there say, tom... very

hey there say, tom... very sad for this loss of your friend, and the loss of a young life... :(
god bless, as you, and those in her family, get through this hard sad time... thank you for sharing who chris is, here...

#23Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/12/2010 - 07:10.

Thanks Tom. Chris was a very

Thanks Tom. Chris was a very special person.

Sincerely,

Doug

#24Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/12/2010 - 06:57.

She was exceptional

She was exceptional person.
You will be so missed, Chris.

regan

#25Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/12/2010 - 02:38.

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