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(Photo courtesy Ginny Hicks) Family fears worst for climber: 'He had an incredible life' By Paul Fattig Mail Tribune JACKSONVILLE — When the telephone rang at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, Morrie and Ginny Hicks knew the news could be bad. It was the worst possible. The body believed to be one of the two missing American climbers — either Charlie Fowler, Ginny's brother, or Christine Boskoff — had been found on a remote mountain in southwest China, a coordinator of the rescue team from Telluride, Colo., called to tell them. The U.S. Consulate called shortly afterward with the same information. The initial report also indicated the body appeared to be that of her brother, Ginny said Wednesday afternoon. "They had seen gray boots and blue gaiters — that's what Charlie was wearing," said Ginny, principal of Griffin Creek Elementary School in Medford. "What they want to do is get permission to dig a trench around the body looking for ropes," she added. "They believe the rope will lead them to the other body." Advertisement The news has devastated family and friends in the climbing community who were hoping for a different outcome. Charlie Fowler was Ginny's only sibling. "He had this passion for climbing," she said. "He got to fulfill that passion, day after day, year after year. "One time Charlie told me it was easier to climb than not to climb," she added. "He was happiest preparing for a climb, climbing or talking about climbing. That was his life. And he had an incredible life." The body was found at the 17,390-foot level on Genyen Peak, not far from the Sichuan border with Tibet. The peak rises to 20,354 feet above sea level. Fowler, 52, was considered an expert on climbing in southwestern China. A photographer and writer, he had also guided climbers up Mount Everest and had scaled some of the most difficult peaks in the world. Boskoff, 37, had ascended six of the world's peaks over 26,000 feet, including Mount Everest. She was the owner of Mountain Madness, a Seattle-based mountaineering firm. Both climbers were from Norwood, Colo. "We find comfort in knowing this is what he wanted to do," Ginny said. "He was very fortunate he found Christine who enjoyed doing the same thing." "It's hard to find fault with somebody when they know the inherent dangers of what they choose to do and still do it," Morrie observed. "He lived his life on his terms. Of course, the outcome isn't always what you want." "He wouldn't have it any other way," she said. "I just wish this didn't happen now." Hanging in their comfortable home is a colorful photograph of Tibet and its people taken by her brother. "One of his plans, because he loved Tibet so much, was to go there numerous times, take lots of pictures and someday publish a book about the people and the culture," Ginny said. The Hicks hope to someday publish a book of his Tibetan photographs. Genyen Peak is a pinnacle just north of the Genyen Monastery where the two climbers visited on Nov. 12, Ginny said. "The monks are very sure of that date because it was a religious festival day," she said of information the family has received. "Chris and Charlie spent the day with them." The word the Hicks received is that the climbers told the monks they would return from a climbing trip in four or five days. No other climbers were seen during that period at the monastery located at about 13,000 feet elevation, Ginny said. "They knew the risks," she said. "But I always felt Charlie was very cautious as a climber. Yes, he did cutting-edge climbing and pushed the limits. But he was more into climbing than he was into summitting. "He told stories of almost being to the top four or fives times but would make the decision to come down if conditions became too dangerous," she added. "For him, getting to summit was icing on the cake if he got to do that." Given the conflicts currently exploding around the world, her brother brought a peaceful presence to the places he visited, she said. "One of the wonderful things Charlie did was, everywhere he went, he made friends in numerous countries all around the world," she said. "They got to meet a very kind and gentle American man. That's so important these days." Their mother wants to have an autopsy to determine whether he died from a fall, exposure or some other cause, Ginny said. The family intends to have his remains cremated in China, then brought home for a memorial in Colorado, she said. "We would hope someday to go to China to see some of the beautiful areas Charlie had loved so much," she said. On the Net: Searchers' blog: http://fowlerboskoff.blogspot.com Charlie Fowler: www.charliefowler.com (lots of photos) Mountain Madness: www.mountainmadness.com Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or at [email protected] Related stories: 12-28-2006 - Family fears worst for climber: 'He had an incredible life' 12-27-2006 - Latest news of climbers encourages local sister 12-20-2006 - Survival prospects appear to fade for climbers 12-17-2006 - Brother of Medford woman overdue in China Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com