The climbing community of the Adirondacks has lost a legend. On March 14 Joe Szot passed away while rock climbing at the Gunks. Szot was known locally not only as an ice climbing hardman who made the first ascents of routes like Premature Birth (WI5 M6) and Midlife Crisis (WI5 M6) but also as the man behind “the Bivy” , a hostel for wandering ice climbers. Always willing to share a rope with others, regardless of ability, Joe Szot touched the lives of countless local and visiting climbers, as well as many others outside of the climbing community. He is dearly missed.
For additional information and memories about Joe please see the posts on NEIce here and Climberism’s tribute here.
Sources: Climberism.com, Pedroespina.com