A Tribute to Harlan Westney, by Boston climbing community member Glenn Gyrisco:

I am writing this letter to be sent with a donation to the AMC Ice Program in the name of my friend and climbing partner of twenty years, Harlan Westney. I was left Harlan’s ice gear in his will and asked to do something good with it. To that end I have, with the help of IME, put his gear out for others to use and made the money for this donation.

I first met Harlan when he was a brash twenty-something Ironworker. He started rock climbing with me and then went to the AMC Ice Program, where stewardship of the land, climbing as a privilege, and respect for other climbers were some of the things that he learned and made a lifelong impression on him. To that end he would pack trash bags in his climbing pack to carry out other people’s trash to help clean up climbing areas.

Through relationships, broken relationships, marriage, divorce, 70-hour-a-week jobs, layoffs, and injuries Harlan always wanted to get back to ice climbing. His love of the intensity and physicality of ice climbing was something he always wanted to return to.

One of Harlan’s wishes was that his gear be used and support be given to the people that taught him one of his life’s passions. With the sale of his gear, and this donation, that wish has been met. Remember to savor every climb and epic, good weather and bad. Savor the people you meet along the way.

Good climbing, have fun, stay safe.

Glenn Gyrisco

The Crux

Celebrating Harlan Westney (1975-2022)

AMC Boston Climbers