Passing of a strong climber

[guest]

Hi folks, my buddy Doug, (who's climbed skyline as many times as probably any), informed me that Carl Garczynski, an avid climber, hiker, and local meteorologist, has passed. I couldn't find an obituary, but know he was at least in his late 80's. He was a genuine, good man, who loved to be around people, especially outdoors hiking and climbing.

Maybe others on this board, (I know it's been slow here this summer) could chime in, on his many accomplishments. I know he climbed the North face / Snow Creek of San Jacinto over 20 times, and I was fortunately, (along w Doug), to be on one, (possibly his last one?). He's the main reason I went, as I had little mt. climbing experience, but was in great condition, and knew Carl was a safety oriented climber with tons of experience. Funny story, his buddies got him drunk on that overnight, he woke w a severe hangover, but managed to summit, (even leading some of the severely iced-over section a few hundred vertical feet from the top.
I also climbed Rabbit peak with him and Doug and a few of same climbers, where he slipped and fell into a nasty yucca, got his upper arm impaled, wrapped a handkerchief around it and soldiered on. I'm fairly certain he summited Denali, as well as other high peaks, (some in Mexico & other continents including volcanoes in South America). He climbed Rainer several times, along w Shasta and Logan, summited Mt Vinson, (highest mt in Antarctica), and would have been one of the oldest to summit Everest, but had to turn back because of weather.

He had such great knowledge of the Coachella Valley and it's weather, and, like Sid Davis, (& now San Jac Jon), would embrace heading into the San Jacintos in all types of weather, and would always stop to check on others and offer help.
The tram had a pair of his old wooden snowshoes in one of the lobbies, and he was a regular there.
I didn't know him like others, so please ad any info or stories you have, to pay tribute to one on the Coachella Valley's hiking & climbing pioneers.
Rip my climbing friend, Scott

[Florian]

I remember Carl more for his weather reports although i do know he was an avid hiker. Sad news.

[tramtim1]

Carl Garczynski was a regular here at the Tram during the 80's and 90's. I always enjoyed his stories from all his mountaineering trips when he and his team were train for Everest. about a year or two back was the last time i saw him, he and a friend were taking a memorial hike for one of their friends and leaving some of his ashes on the summit (San Jacinto).

enjoy your new hiking trails Carl

tramtim

[guest]

Hey Tim, I figured you had plenty of contact with Carl, he was a genuine, good guy that loved people and the outdoors. Scott