From America with love

Throughout my travels it has always amazed me: the warmth and hospitality brought forth by peoples and cultures, with Inuit culture, particularly the community of Clyde River, setting an even higher standard. On May 19, 2005, after reaching the summit of a beautiful unclimbed and unnamed 2300-foot sheer rock face in Baffin Island’s Stewart Valley, I watched helplessly as my cousin and favorite climbing partner fell 700 feet to his death. It was the worst day of my life, one I’ve spent the last couple of weeks trying to forget and the years ahead always remembering.

It seems to be that the sweetest acts of kindness always come from tragedy. Truth to be, in the days that came after my worst, Clyde River demonstrated the best. I would personally like to thank everyone in Clyde for his and her warmth, kindness, and heart that was expressed upon my arrival from Stewart Valley. Walking through your community I was showered with words and gestures expressing your heartfelt sorrow and genuine sincerity. You demonstrated a deep regret for my loss and welcomed me into your homes for the much-needed comforts that one only can wish for during such a difficult time. You should all hold your heads high for you are an amazing community filled with incomparable benevolence and untainted compassion, one from which the world should set a standard.

I would especially like to thank Jake and Shari Gearheard for the much desired and amazing dinners which climbing expeditions usually lack. Your friendship expressed during a time I felt so lonely is one I will always cherish.

Corporal Randy Slawson and his wife Vera Saltzman for so willingly housing and feeding a tired, cold, and stinky climber. You both provided me with the comfort and solace that only parents could have given, Thank You.

Clyde River RCMP officer Eric Ootoovak, for all your help with the extraction of my cousin and myself from Sam Ford Fjord. My family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts.

I would lastly like to thank Levi Palituq and everyone involved with Palituq Outfitting for giving both Drew and myself the chance to live and do what we love in the land in which you live. It was climbing that brought us to Stewart Valley, but it was you who gave us the chance to live our dreams.

My cousin Drew Wilson died doing what he truly loved in a place he truly felt spectacular. After he fell, an all too familiar Arctic storm blew in carrying his soul onward towards his next life. Drew’s last weeks were spent on the side of a beautiful unclimbed and unnamed mountain, one which he and I worked incredibly hard to summit. Before his death, we had decided to name the particular route Grin and Barrett (Barrett after the middle name we share) and grade it VI 5.11 A4-. Drew, our family and myself would be honoured if the same rock formation that took his life also took his name. We feel Will of Wilson Wall appropriate.

I left many emotions in Stewart Valley, which I hope to someday face again. From America with love, I send my heart and deepest thanks to the community of Clyde River. I look forward to the day we will see each other again and will always remember the great acts you demonstrated during such a difficult time of my life.

Deepest thanks,
Kyle Dempster