John was kind enough to offer carpooling to the spring campout my first year in BOEALPS. I knew he was a fun, friendly, amazing person but I didn't expect to have such a good time with him on that 3+hour car drive! We talked about everything from climbing goals to my own career goals and he gave me advice for it all.

Most surprisingly to me, we bonded over our love of Jane Austen! Despite not being able to quite agree on whether the Pride&Prejudice movie or show was best... I really appreciated what an incredible person I had the privilege of meeting. Thank you so much for everything John.

There were a few loud whistle blows that drowned out the conversations of the camp ground and it immediately caught everyone's attention.  I turn around and see John on a table about to make an announcement.  I didn't know what to expect but he immediately begins warning us of the famous quesadillas that were about to be gone.  

John consistently showed up unapologetically as himself.  Always offered kind climbing advice and where to get the best bundt cakes.  This sliver of a video just gives us a glimpse of that kind human.  

...I'll miss you friend.  

- Boealps Leavenworth campout 2023 

I first met John Taylor in July 2016, John had organized a climb up Mt Hood I had just graduated from the BOEALPS mountaineering class in 2016. I didn't know if I would be strong enough to do this climb and I was quite intimidated but I was determined to do it because it was actually my birthday that day. It was John, Dave Crawford, Dan Martini, and myself and I was the least experience of the three. John welcomed me with open arms, it would have been easy for him to dismiss me because I was so new, but that's nthe kind of guy John was. John cared for others more than himself he was a selfless man in a selfish world. We had a great time and we all summited, John lead that team, we followed his lead and got back to our cars safely. Enjoying a meal before heading back to Seattle. 

Over the years I would start teaching mountaineering as well, John and I would cross paths for years always talking to each other and asking how our lives were. Every time I asked him to climb he was either too busy teaching the class or he had to do some work around the house to please his wife. John loved his family tremendously, were often in the car for hours on end, driving to the mountains, John always spoke fondly of his wife and kids. 

In 2022 John and I were finally paired up on the same team, and we formed a close bond over those few weeks I was involved in the class. A kid from Brooklyn and an older gentleman from Ohio, I never thought it was odd that we became such good friends because when you're in the mountains together, we all become a family. John loved the mountains but he loved the bond he had with all his students much more. You would always see John in the Boeing campout with his grill and a plate serving out quesadillas. He would always carry the biggest pack because he always had summit treats for the students, serving each and every student and instructor. I admired it from afar because  I just couldn't believe a man would volunteer so much of his personal time to people he had just met weeks ago. That's the man John Taylor was, not a selfish bone in his body, always willing to go above and beyond for others, willing to even put his own life on the line for others.

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

-Maya Angelou

If you were fortunate enough to meet John Taylor, he made you feel special, he made you feel that you could do anything, and he made you feel that you could climb that mountain. 

I met John when we were both students in BCC. I was retaking the class because, well...I think I was "too good" at mountain climbing and had to let everyone else catch up. John was retaking it because he took it back in 1985 and he had to catch up. So we naturally bonded. 

Also, he told me that I was one of the "chosen few" because I said I liked the half-life lambda sticker on his car. It was one of my favorite games growing up. Once we found out that we both lived in Mukilteo, it was only natural that we carpool to all of the class outings. 

John was quite the character. He was very smart, but maybe more "book smart" than "street smart". He could tell me about structural integrity of snow, about the Civil War, and pretty much about anything else I can think of. However, when we did our class on self-arrest - for some reason, instead of wearing normal pants, John had on a pair of shorts and he bought some cheap rubber rain pants at Wal-Mart. Neon green too. Anyways, John puts on these pants and goes down the chute. Of course he gets all chewed up. He shamefully walks back up the hill looking like the The Incredible Hulk or like he was attacked by a bear. Shreds of plastic pant everywhere-up to his waist, legs ice burned and blood rash spots all over. So I was like, "What happened to your pants smart guy, what are you going to do now?" Without missing a beat, John just pulled out another plastic bag and said, "It was a 3 for 1 sale." 

I am sure there are many legends about John. 

That was the thing about John, he had a will and determination that not many people have. He took care of me and all the people on his team and in his life. He was our mountain dad and I think I will miss him dearly. 

I hope you have a glorious day John Taylor.

I met John as a fellow student at BOEALPS BCC (Basic Climbing Class), class of 2015. On our first outing, we had noticed that his wind blocker was something resembled a plastic bag. He boasted what a great deal it was. At the end of the day, that wind breaker was all shredded and the whole class (including John) had a great laugh. He never took himself seriously.

His enthusiasm and high energy were contagious. Every outing and every climb, he shouted “Epic! Epic!.” Our class decided “epic” as our motto so we started to join John and shouted “Epic! Epic!” every time we summitted a mountain.

At the end of the class, we had to do a graduation climb and we chose to do Mt. Baker. That was part of the evaluation and all students were supposed to demonstrate everything we learned from the class. One of the things we learned was how to pack efficiently and only packing the essentials. On the day of the graduation climb, John arrived with a huge backpack that was clearly over the weight limit. When we arrived at the base camp and prepared for the dinner, John pulled out full cooking gears and started cooking amazing dinners for the whole group. He was stubborn at times but in the most endearing way and always followed his heart doing what he loved, regardless of what other people said. He found the greatest joy, being outside and surrounded by good friends.

Thank you, John, for great memories and many laughs. Your life was EPIC! Rest in Peace.