In Memory of Carl Smith

Today we remember long-time NM Mountain Club member Carl Smith, 86, who passed away on September 7, 2024. Carl was an active Climb Section member in the Club for many years. He assisted in the annual Climb School as an instructor, a graduation climb leader, and a snow session instructor, lending his mountaineering experience for the benefit of all. Two of his regular climbing partners were NMMC members Guy Dahms and Jim Linn. Carl summited peaks in many countries including Aconcagua/Argentina, Afghanistan, Chimborazo/Ecuador, ‘Popo’/Mexico, Matterhorn and Urals. In North America he climbed Denali, St Elias, Yosemite/Sierras, Tetons, Canadian Rockies and more.

A former physicist with Sandia Labs, Carl was a mentor and instructor to many in his different active endeavors. He was an active member of New Mexico Cross-Country Ski Club, was a chainsaw sawyer in Friends of the Sandias, and was an avid mountain biker and a road biker in NM Touring Society. Carl was a skilled photographer, contributing to Robert Julyan’s The Mountains of New Mexico and Sam Beard’s Ski Touring in Northern New Mexico, among other publications. Carl was confined for a few years in the care and companionship of his wife, Marilyn. 

Carl's Celebration of Life will be held at 2pm on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at French Funeral Home (10500 Lomas NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico).

Read Carl’s obituary.