JIM EBERT  July 5, 1947 - July 26, 2011

1975: 30 Prospect Place, Iowa City, IA

1985: 27 Prospect Place, Iowa City, IA

Jim's wish was that an obituary not be published. These are excerpts from “Rock and Ice” magazine:

James “Jim” W. Ebert, climber, mountaineer and adventure guide, died unexpectedly while hiking Mt. Whitney with his son on Tuesday, July 26, 2011. One of the world’s most experienced outdoor guides, Jim was 64 years old and died from complications due to an enlarged heart.

Jim was a man of unmatched pedigree. His parents, John and Ede Ebert, were accomplished climbers who founded one of the most prolific climbing and mountaineering clubs in the world (Iowa Mountaineers, Inc). Jim and his siblings spent the days of their youth in some of the world’s most beautiful places, learning from mountaineering elite. By his early twenties it was obvious that Jim was on a path to climbing and mountaineering greatness, less obvious was how his greatness would ultimately be defined.

Jim, like many others, was entranced by the sweet taste of glory at the top of the mountain, the bottom of the canyon and the end of a killer climb. But what distinguished him was that while many of his peers pushed their own personal limits and searched to find the next great taste, Jim committed his life to sharing that taste with others. He, no doubt, had the physical tools and elite education to become a legend on the rocks and trails. But Jim believed that the most stunning panoramas were more beautiful when shared with others. For thirty years Jim instructed, guided and trained thousands of people in all manner of outdoor adventure, while maintaining a perfect safety record.

He developed the Iowa Mountaineers into the most active mountaineering club in the world, offered the Nation’s First Outdoor Top rope Instructor Certification Course, instructed the US Military in rock climbing and winter survival skills, led hundreds of first ascents and first American ascents and was even a professional Adventure and Wildlife photographer and film-maker.

Those fortunate enough to have known Jim will be forever imprinted by his perpetual smile and inspired more by his heart’s ability to move mountains than his feet’s ability to climb them.