Howard Doyle Dies

I met Howie pretty late in his climbing career. He was probably 50 when we met, and was still cranking off Seneca 5.11s. We climbed together at Seneca, Gunks, Nelson, the New, and some other smaller crags. Howard always astonished me with his ability to climb hard scary gear routes. Howard’s list of first assents at Seneca Rocks, WV is both long and prestigious! Some are still considered test pieces to this day, and many are timeless classics.

The trips I did with Howard, Jay Zim, and Adam Erlich will remain some of my fondest memories. The yearly ski trip to Utah where Howard would take us down through the trees at Snow Bird, Solitude and Powder Mountain were always an adventure and a pleasure.

I have a picture in my head… it is early morning at Seneca, and Howard had brewed up his coffee on the back of his truck, and was sitting there in the cold morning air, legs crossed, drinking his coffee, looking up at Seneca.

I will miss you Howard!