James W. Walsh, Jr., 1887-1958

Publication Year: 1959.

JAMES W. WALSH, JR.

1887-1958

Devotion to the out-of-doors and loyalty to the organizations of which he was a member were two of Jay Walsh’s outstanding characteristics. Jay’s interest in climbing, skiing, and cross-country walking dated back to an early age and continued up to the end. The interest was an active one as long as his physical condition permitted. In the field of mountaineering, Jay’s activities were largely in the Canadian Rockies, but were also in the Alps and in the mountains of our own country. He was a member of the American Alpine Club (1928) and of the Alpine Club of Canada (1925), and attended numerous camp sessions of the latter.

Jay’s skiing goes back to the days before it assumed its present popularity, and included ski-mountaineering. He was a member of a group which represented ski and outing clubs which did a great deal for the advancement of recreational skiing for the New York City area in the mid-thirties. Jay contributed very liberally of his time and energy on a volunteer basis to the promotion of the first snow-trains out of New York City.

Cross-country walking filled in the weekends when skiing and mountaineering were out of season. Jay was a member of the Fresh Air Club of New York, a pioneer men’s walking club, as well as the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Green Mountain Club.

His loyal devotion to these clubs and his enthusiasm for their activities will be missed.

J. Howard Carlson