In Memory of Jim Linn (past NMMC President & Climb Chair)

Services held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 9500 Constitution Ave NE, 87112, at 4 p.m. on September 14th, 2024

We are saddened to announce the passing of Jim Linn, a long-time Member of the New Mexico Mountain Club. Jim was a mentor, a climbing partner and a friend to many in the Albuquerque climbing and hiking community. He was both a past President (1994) and past Climb Section Chair (1984) in the Mountain Club and led many climbs in the Sandia Mountains. He also annually took Climb School students out for their "graduation climbs" and gave generously of his time by serving for many years on local Search and Rescue.

Longtime Mountain Club member Kathryn Sedlacek shared the following thoughts regarding our recent announcement of Jim Lynn's passing, and she has kindly agreed to let us share them with everyone. Additionally, Jim Dennis submitted a couple of photos of Jim participating in Club events around 2010 and 2011 which we've included above.

Jim was one of my instructors when I took the climb school in 2000. (I passed the class but decided I'd rather walk up 1000 ft than hang on a rope to go up 1000ft.) Climbing was his major focus in the Mountain Club but he also went on hikes and lead a few hikes. He lead a great weekend trip in the winter to his cabin between Pagosa Springs and Chama. During the day folks were free to cross country ski or snowshoe. Jim and I explored the area around the cabin on snowshoes. Part of the reason for the trip was so Jim could get a very deep amount of snow off the roof of his cabin. He belayed Randy Simon who went on the roof and pushed the snow off. (Climbing skills are good for roof work).

During my stints as NMMC Outings Chair, I would seek Jim's counsel whenever someone submitted a hike that sounded like it might be rather edgy and require roping up. Jim could tell me if the "hike" should be rated a class 4 or tell me if the person leading the hike had the requisite skills to lead it safely. (This was when we had a paper bulletin so all hikes for a particular quarter were submitted in advance and the Outings Chair reviewed them). I was very grateful to have him as my go-to source.

Jim was a great asset to the Club and the annual climb school. I think he leaves as part of his legacy the importance and emphasis the climbing school puts of safety.