I was saddened to hear the news of the passing of Dick Duane — climber, lawyer, historian, amazing dad, guardian of wild places and people, and a wonderful friend and counselor.
Dick may be best known for helping save Camp 4 with Tom Frost, getting this Yosemite landmark added to the National Register of Historic Places. He also represented Galen Rowell, the godfather of adventure photography. Early in my career, when I needed legal advice as a young adventure photographer, Dick was the person I sought out—knowing that whatever I was facing, he’d already seen it through his years working with Galen.
Dick lived in Berkeley and would often come up to Tahoe with his wife, Kit. We’d always make a point of long lunches with the Duanes and Chris McNamara’s family at Sorensen’s in Hope Valley. Those afternoons were pure joy—listening to Dick’s Yosemite stories, and inevitably reliving the time he represented Chris and me in federal court.
After a Grand Canyon climbing/rafting trip—a project for NBC with Tommy Caldwell, Beth Rodden, Pete Mortimer, Josh Lowell, and Chris McNamara—which involved a BASE rig (ahem, Chris) and a commercial-filming permit with my name on it, Chris and I found ourselves in federal court with Dick by our side. As the very unimpressed judge walked in, Dick calmly leaned over and whispered: “Remember—this courtroom is church, and he’s God. Smile. Nod. Say nothing.”
The judge called me an idiot for not finishing college and warned Chris that if he ever saw him in that courtroom again, he’d better bring a toothbrush for jail. I almost talked back. Dick elbowed me in the ribs. We paid our fines, got banned from national parks for six months, and—thanks to Dick—walked out without permanent records or jail time.
Over the years, Dick’s son Dan Duane, the prolific writer, and I teamed up on many stories together (including that fateful Grand Canyon misadventure). And his daughter, Kelly Duane, is an incredible, award-winning director. I was lucky to collaborate with her on “Wampler’s Ascent”—the story of Steve Wampler, who climbed El Cap while living with cerebral palsy. An extraordinary family whose friendships have meant so much to me.
Here’s to a great man who loved climbing and climbers—and who helped bail out more than a few rebellious ones. Forever grateful for the counsel, the stories, and the friendship of a true legend.
