I received the following from Mo Overfield over the weekend, who wanted to share the message on UKC, as he - much like I - suspect that there'll be many who knew (or had come across) Stef over the years.“This morning I heard the very sad news that Stefan Gallagher had been found dead by the police last night at his home. I don’t have any details, but it seems certain that his passing would have been a result of his struggle with alcoholism. Stef was well known in the Sheffield climbing community and was a regular at the Foundry. He was a super keen climber and photographer and lived for his days on the hills. Those that knew him will remember his quick wit and his sense of fun, all topped off with his Geordie accent. He was a truly excellent guy, and will be missed by many. The world is a poorer place without him.These brief, scant words do him no justice, but I wanted to let people know of his passing, and if others want to write more below, then please do so.”My own experiences of both working and socialising with Stef were universally fun filled, as he had a big smile and an energetic character, coupled with a keen sense of humour, which made him an entertaining person to be around.It's a great shame and a huge loss to hear of his passing and I've no doubt he'll be missed by many - including myself.
...if you want to read the life and times of America’s top outlaw biker...
Hells Angel founder Sonny Barger - https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2022/06/30/sonny-barger-hells-angels-dead/(paywalled)
I've just seen on Andi Turner's FB page that Doug Moller, Lord of the Roaches, has died. Andi reckoned him to be somewhere in his very late 80s. I'm sure the name means nothing to most here, but a true legend of the Peak, and a good friend to climbers (once he'd got past the chasing them with an axe stage).
Quote from: andy popp on August 06, 2022, 07:12:52 pmI've just seen on Andi Turner's FB page that Doug Moller, Lord of the Roaches, has died. Andi reckoned him to be somewhere in his very late 80s. I'm sure the name means nothing to most here, but a true legend of the Peak, and a good friend to climbers (once he'd got past the chasing them with an axe stage).That's sad Andy. I loved the odd story I could glean from guidebooks but sadly never climbed at The Roaches when he was living at the house. Well before my time. Is it true that he responded to someone stranded soloing Elergy begging for a rope by dropping an old of rope down the crag next to them?! It wasn't attached to anything of course...
Thanks for confirming Neil. And now you mention it, I remember that line about Doug thinking it was Ron. There used to be a lot of rivalries back then but I don't know if there was any between Phil and Ron.
Quote from: shurt on August 06, 2022, 10:36:25 pm...Is it true that he responded to someone stranded soloing Elergy begging for a rope by dropping an old of rope down the crag next to them?! It wasn't attached to anything of course...I believe so. Buried somewhere in my memory is the idea that it was Phil Burke - but seeing as he was supremely competent and bold that seems unlikely.
...Is it true that he responded to someone stranded soloing Elergy begging for a rope by dropping an old of rope down the crag next to them?! It wasn't attached to anything of course...
Dougie was quite a complex character and once over a cup of tea in Rock Cottage he explained that when he and Annie bought the cottage it was as an escape from the everyday world. They’d first visited in winter, not realising the area was a honeypot must visit destination and hence his initial aggression. He also probably saved my life, when soloing Elegy I hadn’t realised the top delicate last few moves where green and wet. Made one upward move too many and started to slide, but I couldn’t reverse for the same reason. I’d started contemplating a fall out zone, when I spotted and shouted to Dougie, who ran round to the top and lowered me the end oh his wood bundle rope. One quick pull and I was up, so thank you Dougie! At the top I thanked him profusely and he replied “Any time Ron”. Ron and myself both lived in Buxton at the time and so climbed there a lot, sometimes soloing together and Dougie often mixed us up.