Who is Craig Luebben, 49, an experienced climber, climbing author, and climbing guide from Fort Collins, Colorado?”
raig Luebben, 49, an experienced climber, climbing author, and climbing guide from Fort Collins, Colorado was killed yesterday, August 9, after been hit by falling ice on 8,120-foot Mount Torment in Washington’s Cascade Range. Craig, a friend and fellow author for FalconGuides, was climbing with Willie Benagas in preparation for an American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) test for their coveted Alpine Guide certification. After the accident, Benagas was able to call rescuers who picked the pair up by helicopter yesterday afternoon. Details coming from Washington are still sketchy since the accident happened less than 24 hours ago. When I find out more, I will post the latest news. Craig was well liked and respected as a climber, guide, author, friend, and family man. He will be missed by his wife Silvia and daughter Giulia Maria. My heartfelt condolences go out to them. Craig, rest in peace.
Local Denver climbing and mountaineering icon, Craig Luebben, was accidentally killed yesterday after being hit by falling ice on Mount Torment in the Cascades. Luebben’s partner, Willie Benegas was injured. Both men were flown off the mountain Sunday afternoon. (source: Mountain Project) Benegas and Luebben were training for an upcoming AMGA Alpine Guides exam at the time of the incident. Popular and likeable within our cozy climbing and mountaineering community, Luebben contributed much to climbers both locally and worldwide. He was an author, photographer, inventor, guide, world traveler, as well as being a husband and father. In the past few years, Luebben was particularly well known for his self-rescue and advanced rock climbing technique clinics. His invention of the Big Bro opened many possibilities for climbers to pioneer new offwidth routes. Spending time with Craig during guide training in Vedauwoo, WY learning offwidth techniques is something I will never forget. His unassum
