- When the dark face of the mountain casts its cold shadow, we huddle together and reflect warm thoughts… Thoughts of her contagious laughter, precious smile, calming energy, and courage.
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Carlyle Norman, our friend and one of Canada’s best female alpinists. On January 15, 2012, while climbing the route ‘Last Gringo Standing’ on St. Exupéry in Patagonia, she was hit by rockfall and knocked unconscious. Her climbing partner, Cian Brinker, stayed with her on the ledge for two hours, before making the difficult decision to descend alone and seek help. Carlyle and Cian were winners of the 2012 John Lauchlan Memorial Award, and their primary objective in Patagonia was to complete a new route on Aguja Bifida.
Full details of the tragedy can be read in this News Release issued by the John Lauchlan Memorial Award Committee.
Carlyle was a Canmore based climber, yoga instructor, and writer. Her warm spirit and sincerity inspired people both in the mountains and in the soul, and at 29 years young, Carlyle’s passing has left a big hole in the hearts of all that knew her.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to her friends and family for their loss.
Send on, dear friend, send on.
Carlyle’s Career Highlights
Route Location Grade Date
Babel, East Face Canadian Rockies V 5.11 July/11
Twisted Canadian Rockies 5.9, WI 5 Jan/11
Polar Circus Canadian Rockies WI 5 March/11
Mt Combatant Waddington Range ED2 M5, 5.9 Aug/09
Sweet By and By (FA) Bugaboos IV, 5.11+ July/09
The Crucifix Yosemite V, 5.12- May/08
Moonlight Buttress Zion V, A1, 5.12- May/08
This is heartbreaking. Big hugs to everyone who knew and loved her.
I met Carlyle in 2010 while at Indian Creek in Utah. We spent a couple evenings around the fire with herself, Jim Donini and a group of amazing and inspiring climbers. In the short time I knew her, I could tell that she was a truly genuine and amazing person.
This news comes as such a shock. At least she was doing what she loved.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Carlyle, Cian, and Brandon back in November. I asked them all: “What song gets stuck in your head when you climb?” Carlyle giggled as she confessed hers. Everyone cracked up. Her laughter was really contagious.
Here’s her sending song, going out to all her Canmore climbing homies.
My son Brodie was a friend of Carlyles in High School, they hung out with the “group” and did some hiking etc. Brodie was killed on a school hike in 2000. I like to think they are hanging out together on the other side. You were a wonderful young lady Carlyle. Very sad.
I went to high school with them both. I didn’t know Carlyle well, but Brodie was such a nice guy. He got along with everyone.
It’s sad to hear this. It sounds like Carlyle was loved by everyone around her.
╰★╮a moment out in the winter night to appreciate the stillness for Carlyle Norman & honour your memory my precious kindred spirit this song is for you╰★╮ Namaste
I went to school with her and although it had been sometime since we had contact I feel this loss greatly, as we are the same age, both climbers and grew up in the same schools. She was truly amazing. One of the organizers at my scrambling club has organized a tribute climb to her this sunday. the world will miss this woman.
Nora, I revisited the blog “Breakfast with Team Bifida” (Nov. 11/11) as I remembered one picture that really stuck with me and it was the one with the caption: “There’s nothing like Canadian Bacon.” It was a fun shot of Carlyle which I think captured her spirit. Canada has lost two beautiful women in the space of a week – Carlyle Norman and Sarah Burke, the freestyle skier. I know they are both scaling heights now beyond our wildest imagination! God Bless Us All.
Mum
I was born in Patagonia, I lived in Calgary. No doubt she was an amazing person.
I am from patagonia, I lived also in Calgary, she must have been an amazing person, I pay tribute from here, Patagonia
I feel for everyone involved in this tragedy. Carlyle was an alpinist and knew the game, Cian is a young buck who has been exposed to the dark side of this life too early.
Shine on, the both of you.
Cian – don’t let this take the motivation from you. You’re one of the good ones, we love you.
So sad and so unnecessary.
I’m going to miss her beautiful smile and warm heart. So sad.
Hey Family,
A memorial in celebration of Carlyle’s life will be held on Friday, February 3 at 7pm at the Radisson Hotel in Canmore.
If you’re not in the Rockies that night, honour her in your own way. Do yoga, send something hard, sip cheap gas station coffee and take the dog for a walk…