tommyguns
Aug 26, 2004, 6:47 AM
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Aug. 25, 2004. 01:00 AM
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Famed climber dies rescuing cat from tree
VICTORIA—A renowned B.C. mountain climber has died from injuries sustained when he fell out of a tree while trying to rescue a cat.
Daryl Hatten, 49, lived much of his life on the edge of mountains and cliffs. He blazed trails in the Canadian Rockies and California's Yosemite National Park, as well as the Squamish Chief region north of Vancouver.
But Hatten died Saturday after falling from an arbutus tree soaked by heavy rains in suburban Langford. He slipped and dropped about 20 metres to a rocky patch while being paid to retrieve a large, black house cat for its owner. Hatten was rushed to Victoria General Hospital, where he died of severe internal injuries.
Friends in the climbing community are organizing a memorial service for Hatten Sept. 8 at his favourite climbing spot on the Squamish Chief, where some of his ashes will be spread.
"He believed some of the most worthwhile things you do in your life are the ones where the outcome is uncertain and he embraced that ideal," said Greg Foweraker, 42, an old climbing friend in Vancouver.
"Daryl's death will affect us all," said Kevin McLane, whose Elaho Publishing company produces guidebooks for climbers and mountaineers across B.C. "It really is the passing of a great legend."
Along with climber Eric Weinstein in 1975, Hatten accomplished the first free ascent of the Split Pillar on the Grand Wall of the Squamish Chief, which still stands as a hallmark climb, said McLane.
"Daryl lived to climb," said McLane.
Canadian Press
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