The Baron in contemplative mood – Photo Joe Brown collection
It is with profound sadness that we have to share with you the passing of Joe Brown.
He left us peacefully at 10pm on the 15th April. He was at home with his family. We have been in contact with his wife Val this morning to pass on our love and condolences and will share more information in line with his families wishes.
We offer condolences to his wife Val, family, friends and climbers everywhere.
In our hearts, Joe will continue to climb evermore.
Joe Brown 1930 – 2020
Joe Brown runnerless on an early attempt at White Slab which was eventually led by Ron Moseley – Photo Joe Brown collection
Joe was an Honorary Member for 55 years and he epitomises what an Hon Member can be – a giant figure in the climbing world we were proud to have on our list! 70-odd years after he put them up, you can still have a hell of a time following his routes round the Peak and in Wales, what a legacy.
Truly one of the greatest of the greats.
What a fantastic legacy of rock climbs. His legacy in the Peak and Wales would be impressive enough on its own, but his influence was much wider. Bow Wall at Bosigran was a major addition. Others will think of other routes in the Lakes and Scotland.
But he wasn’t restricted to UK rock. I believe there are lots of his first ascents in Morocco though this is not an area I know at all well. He was active in the Alps (Le Fissure Brown) and in the Himalayas, first ascent of Kanchenchunga in 1954 with George Band, an attempt on Mustagh Tower in 1957 and the expeditions to Trango Tower in 1975/76 with Martin Boysen, Mo Anthoine, Jim Curran and others.
A great loss to climbing and the Climbers’ Club.
Just had a very quick look at the 1966 Journal in the newly digitised set (Thanks, Tony!) There is just a very simple statement – “During the year, the committee has elected John Poole and Joe Brown to honorary membership of the Club “, no further details. There’s also a classic Tom Patey article “The Greatest Show on Earth” about the televised Gogarth Red Wall ascents, which Joe was on, and a good photo of Joe by John Cleare, captioned “Joe is not easily ruffled”! (tho’ he does look a tad apprehensive!)
One of my first ever climbing purchases, in 1969, was by mail order from Joe Browns – a hemp waistlength and 2 steel screwgate krabs (remember tying on with a Tarbuck knot??), and a copy of “The Hard Years” – never occurred to me to ask, but it came back signed by Joe!
JOE BROWN – What a legend! Met him several times in the ’60’s and ’70’s – occasionally on the rock, while taking a punter up a climb, but more usually in his shop after it first opened – he was there a lot- and always asked what you’d been doing. Always interested, always interesting, a quiet unassuming and modest chap who was an inspiration to us all as it turned out. A towering presence who will be well remembered, not only for all those, mostly spectacular, climbs which we all aspired to lead back then, but in particular for the legendary televised rock climbs during the ‘60’s, and usually aired on the BBC. I recall that almost always the weather never played ball, resulting in a few fiascos with cloud and rain mostly obscuring the action, except for one special occasion on ‘Spiders Web’ at Gogarth. Joe and Mac Davies got tangled up in so much rope, but a great watch. Great TV, Great viewing, Great fun, Great climbs, Great life, Great man.
Dave Cooper