David A. Sowles Memorial Awardees

David A. Sowles was killed at the age of 29 in a tragic accident during a lightening storm in the Alps on August 4, 1963. He was considered a mountaineer's mountaineer. He climbed with grace, style, and elegance matched only by the professional guides. He moved swiftly, always safely, and with the utmost consideration for the welfare of his companions. The David A. Sowles Memorial Award was established in 1981. It is conferred from time to time on mountaineers who have distinguished themselves, with unselfish devotion at personal risk or sacrifice of a major objective, in going to the assistance of fellow climbers imperiled in the mountains. It is dedicated to the memory of David A. Sowles.

1988

  • Jenny Lake Rangers of the Grand Teton National Park

1985

  • Eiho Otani

  • James Wickwire

  • Kim Momb

  • Jack R. Durrance M.D.

1983

  • Douglas J. Cannalte

  • Soichi Yamada

  • Sizuya Tanaka

  • Kiyo Saito

  • Yoshio Ota

  • Shunsuke Tamura

  • Tetsuro Hatano

  • Toshito Kabayshi

  • Soichi Funai

1982

  • Gary Hemming

1981

  • Leigh N. Ortenburger

  • Thomas O. Nevison

  • H.R.A. Streather

  • Peter K. Schoening

  • Charles S. Houston M.D.

  • Dee Molenaar

  • George I. Bell

  • Robert W. Craig

  • Dee Molenaar

  • Peter K. Schoening

  • H.R.A. Streather

  • Thomas O. Nevison

  • Leigh N. Ortenburger

2022

  • David Nyman

2019

  • Dennis Urubko

  • Adam Bielecki

  • Jaroslaw Botor

  • Piotrek Tomala

2016

  • Mike Helms

  • Bob Kandiko

2013

  • Peter Hackett

2009

  • Pemba Gyalje Sherpa

2003

  • Charlie Sassara

  • Jack Tackle

2002

  • Simone Moro

  • Tap Richards

  • Jason Tanguay

  • Dave Hahn

1999

  • Richard French Wilcox, Jr.

  • Mountain Rescue Service

1998

  • Elizabeth H. White

1997

  • Anatoli Boukreev

  • Pete Athans

  • Todd Burleson

1994

  • Ed Viesturs

  • Ed Webster

1992

  • Paul Doherty

  • Harry McDade

1990

  • John Martin Petroske