Just when we thought Fred was immortal, and would still be climbing at age 100, he got sick a couple weeks ago, then died Monday in the arms of his female companion. (Womanizing in his 90s? Sure. Anyone who knew Fred couldn’t imagine him any other way.) Fred became a climbing bum in 1938 while still a teenager and never gave up the lifestyle. He has more first ascents than any other climber in history, a record that will never be broken, because there aren’t that many unclimbed mountains left. Although a hero to many, he allegedly went through a lot of climbing partners because nobody could stand him for very long. But he’ll be missed, because the Pacific Northwest without Fred Beckey is like Washington minus Mount Rainier. Like that iconic peak, he was monumental and an essential part of the landscape.