Michael R. Franklin, 1945-1996

Publication Year: 1997.

MICHAEL R. FRANKLIN

1945-1996

Michael R. Franklin, born December 31, 1945, in Boston, Massachusetts, was killed in an auto accident on January 3 near his home in Herriman, Utah. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl.

Michael joined the AAC in 1983. An electrical engineer, he was vice president of Franklin Service in Salt Lake City, Utah. Notable ascents over a lifetime of all-around climbing include: The Black Dike in New England in the early 1980s, the Chouinard-Herbert and Steck-Salathé routes on Sentinel and the third pillar of Mt. Dana in Yosemite (at age 48), the south face of Mt. Moran and the Snaz in the Tetons, Black Orpheus in Red Rocks and “Russian Style” ascents of Mts. Elbrus and Kazbek in the Caucasus. In Utah, he made early ascents of Frozen Assets and Hogum's Heroes, the first ascent of Stratosphere, and the first winter ascents of the south face of Monte Cristo and the northwest face of Storm Mountain. Michael’s passion, courage, humor, wide ranging skills in the mountains and big truck will be missed by many. His ashes were scattered on the summit of one his favorite Sierra peaks after one last climb with five of his regular climbing partners.

Brian Dannemann, M.D.