Are you in favor?
Update: The peaks have been named! Learn more here.
There is a proposal to commemoratively name two unnamed thirteen thousand foot peaks that straddle the border of Dolores and San Miguel Counties between Navajo and Elk Creek Basins after two internationally-prominent American mountaineers, Charlie Fowler and Christine Boskoff.
Let us know if you are in favor by taking a one-question survey, here.
Charlie Fowler and Chris Boskoff were residents of Norwood, Colorado at the time of their tragic deaths during an alpine climb in Tibet almost ten years ago. In 2006, the two climbers were caught in an avalanche while attempting to climb the Genyen Massif in Sichuan Province, China. Part of the attraction of the peak naming proposal is the proximity of the peaks to each other, symbolizing the partnership in life and death of Charlie Fowler and Chris Boskoff, and that proposed Boskoff Peak can be seen from the Town of Norwood where they resided.
The proposed Fowler Peak and Boskoff Peak are located in the Uncompahgre National Forest near Navajo Basin & Elk Creek Basin and the Wilson Range, approximately 10 miles southwest of Telluride and five miles northwest of Lizard Head Pass on Colorado 145.
We are still determining the best strategy to get the peak naming accomplished, but realize we will need support to make milestones with the Colorado State Government. Please help us by taking this short survey to let us know whether or not you are in support of the Fowler-Baskoff peak naming proposal.
Please do not name these peaks after two dead people, their egos are no longer in need of inflation. I would prefer naming the peaks after me! I’m still alive and would enjoy the ego boost! Sincerely, Basham.
I think this is a wonderful idea.
What are the current name of the peaks? Why not leave this as is or return the name to the native Uncompahgre Ute Language. These peaks do not only belong to the people that summit them, but the people who see them everyday. I think this will be, and should be, a hard sell.
I Think this is a great idea. Zach, they are currently unnamed – if you actually read before you wrote you wouldn’t come off so ignorant. Charlie helped inspire many people to get out and adventure in the area with his first accent and descents, and through his guide books. Chris was one of the best female american climbers, climbing 6 8000m peaks. I look at these peaks every morning and would love it if they were named after two people who helped and inspired many to get outside and explore the great outdoors!
I think it’s a brilliant idea honoring two people for whom the mountains, Telluride, and Norwood meant so much.
Wow, when a friend share this with me, I was so pleased that a group of people, minus a few, would propose this. I did not know Charlie but for a few social encounters in between their trips. However, I knew Chris for years. Way back early on when she 1st started climbing and traveling the world. She and her husband Keith would climb with anyone..even a modest beginner as myself. Every climbing trip or day to the crag, and there were lots; I remember with great appreciation and joy. Never were they ‘above’ hanging out with anyone who loved climbing. I remember when they 1st asked me to join them to climb Mt. Adam; I only had one other alpine peak under my belt. Chris was passionate. She was strong and focused. She was our inspiration to the then Sheclimbs organization, a National women’s climbing group. She and Keith put up so many climbs so us back then as we were learning. I’ll never forget her laughter or her commitment to the sport of rock, ice and alpine climbing. To know her history is to know another of our female contemporary leaders. I am sure from what folks said about Charlie that would have been why Chris partnered up. Rock on with naming these un-named peaks. And, for the record…I have native American Indian blood in me and I approve! Thanks good folks.
Yeah..well said!!
I think paying homage to the Ute people who inhabited these mountains is a better idea. I don’t want these peaks named Boskoff (Russian?) or Fowler. Also I thought one of them was already Woods peak, I will probably always call it that.
Both peaks had unofficial names. Fowler Peak was named Big Bear Peak and Boskoff Peak was Woods Peak. It is a touching idea and I bet everyone would love to have their own peak. Perhaps we can start raising funds for a worthy cause by selling off naming rights to all of our unnamed mountains?
This is not about Charlie Fowler or Christine Boskoff. Mountains should not be named for people. Unnamed mountains should retain their local names, elevation names (i.e., Unnamed Peak 13,768), or have their historical Ute or Arapaho names restored (when applicable).
When informed that a mountain in Nepal was named after her in honor of her mountaineering contributions to Nepal, Elizabeth Hawley (Chronicler of the Himalaya) remarked: “I think the mountains should not be named after individuals. They should have local names.”