End of the Trail Dan Gayton

By Karin Lindquist and Sue Burke with notes from Kay Gayton and Paul Weber

To the delight of fellow hikers, hot dogs and buns tumbled from trip leader Dan Gayton’s pack at the summit of Greyrock for an unexpected feast. Dan had just introduced a new hiking/scrambling route on this popular mountain near Fort Collins and the “weenie route” was inaugurated. This is just one example of Dan’s original and multiple contributions to the Fort Collins Group of the Colorado Mountain Club. An avid rock climber and snowshoer, Dan willingly shared his passions. On many summer evenings from 1992 to 2003, Dan set up top-roping sessions at Horsetooth Reservoir. Both experienced and wanna-be climbers benefitted from his diligent anchor set-up and his watchful eye. Dan’s good humor, storytelling, and high concern for safety and comfort made him a popular trip leader. Additionally, Dan’s trips to East Glacier Knob and Little Matterhorn in Rocky Mountain National Park were club favorites and annual destinations. As a member of a Crestone Peak, outing his impromptu leadership led the group to the ultimately safe decision to bivouac at the Playground of the Bears when descent was slowed by an injured climber and darkness neared.

Dan popularized snowshoeing among Fort Collins CMCers. He initiated club purchase of snowshoes and led trips every other weekend for several years. Slower snowshoers never felt abandoned, and cold hands were always made warm. Dan also created a new winter route to Lake Haiyaha so that the blue-green ice wonders there would be available to past, present, and future snowshoers.

Dan was raised in New Jersey and migrated to Colorado in 1970. He taught fifth grade in the Poudre School District. His gift for teaching extended beyond classroom hours. During summer months Dan took groups of elementary school children climbing and provided top-roping sessions for Fort Collins Boy Scout Troop 190. After his retirement in 2001,

End of the trail

he continued teaching and volunteering. For a decade Dan maintained the Fort Collins Group’s web site.

Dan met his wife, Kay, on a CMC backpack trip in 1990. They married in 2000. Although Dan was often bored by slide shows, their home became a gallery of their outdoor adventures. Luscious but sometimes austere photographs were hung in Dan’s handcrafted frames with mats by Kay. In addition to woodworking, Dan had many interests. Dan was an expert on Shakespeare and history. He was a scuba diver, pianist, competitive runner, flyfisherman, football and baseball player, artist, sailor, and seminarian. He had a lifelong interest in fitness and visited his health club almost daily, engaging in Spinning, weight training, and Tai Chi.

After retirement, Dan’s life was expanded and enhanced by his grandchildren Jordan, Logan, and Caleb. The basement in Kay and Dan’s home became a fantasy playground for sword fights, climbing expeditions, and art. The boys’ lives were expanded and enhanced by this very involved grandfather.

An active person in good general health, Dan’s development of cough last October and shortness of breath in February was unexpected by family and friends. However, he faced the diagnosis of lung cancer with courage and optimism.

Dan Gayton was awarded Honorary Membership in the Colorado Mountain Club in 2007. He is sorely missed. P

Dan on the top of

Notchtop after climbing up the Spiral Route. Credit: Dave Grohusky

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