Marty Rogers, a long-time outdoor friend of mine, passed away from cancer on September 1, 2004.

Marty loved to hike, to climb mountains, to rock and ice climb. And that's how I knew him. I rarely ever saw him in town. It was always on a trip somewhere, toting a heavy backpack of gear up some mountain, or on the end of rope scrambling up a steep rock face.

Marty was a strong, quiet man with an infectious smile and an optimistic attitude, which spread to all those around him. His optimism was still with him a few months back when I shared a beer with him at the Great Lost Bear after a MOAC meeting. He knew the end was in sight and plainly said so. But he refused to give in to the disease that was taking him down.

I recall a hike we did together over Saddleback Mountain a few years back with friends from MOAC. We camped the first night at a renegade site just above Poplar Ridge. I remember coming over to Marty's camp in the evening and seeing him sitting comfortably on the ground next to his slick one-man tent, dressed warmly in Gore-Tex, and crouching over his fancy stove cooking dinner. He was as happy as can be, a real mountain man. And that's how I'll always remember him.

I'll miss you Marty. We all will. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and friends.