Don Wilson
Don and Karen Wilson were a fixture in the 1980s SO Cal/West Coast climbing world and were dedicated, hard-core, and well-traveled. If you climbed in southern California, you no doubt bumped into this friendly and focused couple. Not only were Don and Karen excellent climbers, but they were able to balance climbing, hard work, and parenting with success. Always curious and motivated, Don and Karen systematically visited crag after crag. El Cap, new routes, sport climbs, etc...all were embraced and mastered. Well over 6 feet tall, when Don placed a bolt, just hope he placed it low enough for regular sized people to clip. The Wilson family lived in Joshua Tree for years, but moved to Tuscon and continued their progressive, adventurous, lifestyle. Their presence is missed greatly by the So Cal climbing community. The life-long friendships they developed through their climbing adventures continues on for those of us fortunate enough to know the Wilson family. Go try Pet Cemetery 5.11 or Preditor Tigres 5.11+ for some of the Wilson creativity. |