A Colorado climber lost his life in a heartbreaking accident while attempting to make the world a little cleaner – by cleaning up trash that had been left behind by another adventurer.
Marc Horan, 46, described by his devastated partner Sarah Zubrin as a ‘wonderful human being,’ died on Sunday in Boulder Canyon after allegedly slipping while trying to discard a soda can left by another climber.
Zubrin, who had ventured out with Horan, her seven-year-old daughter, and some friends, recounted the horrifying moment when what was meant to be a family-friendly climbing adventure turned into a tragedy.
She told local station FOX31 that they were briefly separated when Horan scrambled up some rocks to retrieve the trash.
When he failed to return, she went looking for him-only to find his body after he allegedly plummeted 20 feet from the rocky terrain.
‘I could tell he had fallen and was deceased before I got to him, he did not have a pulse,’ Zubrin told the outlet. ‘I’ve never experienced something so difficult in my life.’
Horan, an experienced climber with a deep love for adventure, was known for his kindness and compassion, according to his family.
‘Every night before we went to sleep, we would kiss goodnight and say ‘I love you’ because we found each other later in life,’ Zubrin recalled.
‘It was like one of those things that we know our time together’s limited, you never know what days going to be the last day.’
Marc Horan, 46, described by his devastated partner Sarah Zubrin as a ‘wonderful human being,’ died on Sunday in Boulder Canyon after allegedly slipping while trying to discard a soda can left by another climber
Zubrin, who had ventured out with Horan, her seven-year-old daughter, and some friends, recounted the horrifying moment when what was meant to be a family-friendly climbing adventure turned into a tragedy
She described Horan as someone with a passion for the outdoors who always put others before himself.
‘Marc was one of the most kind, caring human beings I’ve ever known, Zubrin said. ‘He was very passionate for adventure.’
‘He was a wonderful human being and just a really good person. I love him and miss him so much,’ she added.
A GoFundMe page now set up to help cover funeral expenses.
‘Marc was climbing with his family and friends when he slipped off a boulder. Marc was loved by many,’ the fundraising page states.
‘His mother Ann, Father Bob, brothers Greg and Matthew, and life partner Sarah will miss him forever.’
‘He was a doting son, a loving partner, and the most caring person to have in your corner,’ the statement continues.
She told local station FOX31 that they were briefly separated when Horan scrambled up some rocks to retrieve the trash
When he failed to return, she went looking for him-only to find his body after allegedly plummeting 20 feet from the rocky terrain
‘He did not pass a wealthy man, and there are many expenses to laying him to rest. Please if you can’t donate, share a story about how you know him.’
While there is no exact figure, it is estimated that around 20-50 climbers die annually in North America, according to Accidents in North American Climbing (ANAC), an established publication that documents climbing incidents.
