ALBERT WALTER BAILEY

1917-1958

The many friends of Walt Bailey were greatly shocked to hear of his untimely death in Peru on June 29th. Walt was a member of the North American Andean Expedition which was attempting the ascent of Mount Alpamayo (20,080 feet). The mountain is said to be one of the most difficult peaks in the Cordillera Blanca. His death was caused by pneumonia at an elevation of 16,000 feet. He was 41 years old and was Director of Student Personnel Services at Casper College, Casper, Wyoming.

Walt had climbed extensively in the United States, Canada, and Europe and was a Life Member of The American Alpine Club. He also belonged to the French Alpine Club, The Boulder Group of the Colorado Mountain Club, and climbing organizations in Mexico.

During World War II, Walt went through three years of combat with the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific. He was awarded the Air Medal eight times and received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Walt Bailey loved the mountains and delighted in having others share his enjoyment of them. Some years ago he organized the Wyoming Mountaineers, of Casper College. His many students became noted for their excellent technical climbing ability and high standards of mountaineering. His classes received national note when he instituted the climb of Devils Tower as their final examination. Walt climbed Devils Tower 27 times, including ascents of both the Durrance and Wiessner routes and a new tension-route established by him and some of his students in 1956. The latter is known as the Casper College Route. That same year, Walt was instrumental in bringing climbers from many sections of the country to climb the Tower during Mountaineering Week. This was a special feature of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the establishment of Devils Tower as the Nation’s first National Monument.

The “A. W. Bailey Memorial Scholarship” has been established by Walt’s students in his memory. There are no restrictions on the scholarship, except that it will go each year to some deserving man or woman student at Casper College. Initial funds have been provided from the Wyoming Mountaineers treasury, and additional funds will be derived from contributions which may be sent to Casper College in care of the Registrar.

In his work with young people, Walt had unusual patience and depth of understanding. He enjoyed many friendships, and the lives of his students and friends have been greatly enriched by knowing him. The following is taken from a newspaper article written by Walt’s students: “… It is almost impossible to attempt to express our feelings on the tragic loss of our climbing instructor, Walt Bailey…. To us he was more than a student advisor…. He was father to our every need, emotional, scholastic or financial.”

Walt’s death is a great loss, not only to his many friends, but to the safety and advancement of mountaineering. It is characteristic of him that he once made a difficult ascent in record-breaking time and recorded his speed in the summit register. After the descent, he decided that to leave the record in the register might challenge other climbers to exceed it. Believing that speed is not conducive to safety, Walt returned to the summit and erased his record.

We need more climbers of Walt Bailey’s calibre and high ideals. He will always be an inspiration to those who knew him.

Baker W. Armstrong