Enjoy These Photos of Mountain Legend Fred Beckey

Fred Beckey (1923-2017) was the most important and prolific mountain climber in North America in the 20th century. He dedicated his entire life to climbing the highest quality routes on the best peaks, and recording the information in incredibly detailed guidebooks. To climb any of his classic routes is a journey into history. Peder Ourom and Alex Ratson spent time photographing Fred Beckey in Squamish and Mt Waddington, BC. 

Eleven-year old Alex Ratson and Fred Beckey, Claw Peak, Mount Waddington, BC, 1997. Photo courtesy of Alex Ratson.

Eleven-year old Alex Ratson and Fred Beckey, Claw Peak, Mount Waddington, BC, 1997. Photo courtesy of Alex Ratson.

Fred Beckey and Jim Sinclair, Smoke Bluffs, Squamish, BC, 2015. Photo by Paul McSorley.

Fred Beckey and Jim Sinclair, Smoke Bluffs, Squamish, BC, 2015. Photo by Paul McSorley.

Fred Beckey Claw Peak, Mount Waddington, BC, 1999. Photo 1 by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey Claw Peak, Mount Waddington, BC, 1999. Photo 1 by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey and Rick Clement, Plummer Hut, Mount Waddington, BC, 1999. Photo by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey and Rick Clement, Plummer Hut, Mount Waddington, BC, 1999. Photo by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey, Tellot Glacier, Mount Waddington, BC, 1999. Photo by Alex Ratson.

Fred Beckey, Tellot Glacier, Mount Waddington, BC, 1999. Photo by Alex Ratson.

Fred Beckey, Tellot Glacier, Mount Waddington, BC, 1999. Photo 2 by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey, Tellot Glacier, Mount Waddington, BC, 1999. Photo 2 by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey, Tellot Glacier, Mount Waddington, 1999. Photo 1 by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey, Tellot Glacier, Mount Waddington, 1999. Photo 1 by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey, Claw Peak, Mount Waddington, BC, 1999. Photo 3 Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey, Claw Peak, Mount Waddington, BC, 1999. Photo 3 Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey on the Snake Route, Squamish, BC, 2001. Photo 9 by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey on the Snake Route, Squamish, BC, 2001. Photo 9 by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey on the Snake Route, Squamish, BC, 2001. Photo 2 by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey on the Snake Route, Squamish, BC, 2001. Photo 2 by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey on the Snake Route, Squamish, BC, 2001. Photo 3 by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey on the Snake Route, Squamish, BC, 2001. Photo 3 by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey on the Snake Route, Squamish, BC, 2001. Photo 4 by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey on the Snake Route, Squamish, BC, 2001. Photo 4 by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey on the Snake Route, Squamish, BC, 2001. Photo 10 by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey on the Snake Route, Squamish, BC, 2001. Photo 10 by Peder Ourom.

Fred Beckey's partner, Rick Clement, after surviving lightning strike, Mount Louis, Canadian Rockies, 2000. Photo by Peder Ourom. "Leave him he's a goner."

Fred Beckey's partner, Rick Clement, after surviving lightning strike, Mount Louis, Canadian Rockies, 2000. Photo by Peder Ourom. "Leave him he's a goner."