Walker John Osborne

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Biografie:
John Osborne Walker (1880- 1967)
J. O. Walker who died in July last had been a member of the Alpine Club for sixty-one years, having been elected in February, 1906.
His list of climbs (including many in winter on ski) runs from 1899 to 1960, with hardly a year missing (except for war years) until after 1955·To list all his ascents is impossible; he was never a' centrist', but ranged over most parts of the Alps, though it is fair to say that the Oberland, in its widest extent, appears to have been his favourite area until the later 1930s, when the Engadine took first place. But any one season was likely to find him in several districts. The Dolomites figure least in his record one good season (1926).
A few details may be recorded: in his first season of 1899, after making a round of the principal peaks in the Diablerets region, he went on to make a guideless ascent of Mont Blanc; not until 1904 did he climb any of the Chamonix aiguilles; he started that year in the Graians, and after climbing the Grand Paradis he proceeded to the Mont Blanc range, where, amongst others he accounted for the Aiguille Verte and the Charmoz traverse. In 1909 he chose Norway for his climbing holiday, and in the brilliantly sunny year of 1911 he was in Skye. In 1924 he again visited the Graians, going on to conclude the season with an ascent of Monte Viso.
Business calls, to Ceylon and South Africa, in 1919-20, and again in 1933, gave him opportunities to make ascents of Adam's Peak, Pedrotallagala, and of Table Mountain.
In 1925 he was in the Dauphine; and in 1948 he renewed his acquaintance with South African mountains, whilst in 1950 and 1954 (the centenary year of his firm) he was back in Ceylon and managed several peaks. In 1947 he had been in the Lake District with Colonel Westmorland, and in 1952 he had a series of ascents in Scotland with Hadfield and Oulton. His last mountain visit of all was to the Cairngorms in September, 1960.
I was fortunate enough to have several seasons climbing with Walker, who introduced me to the Alps. Apart from being competent and safe on both rock and snow, his knowledge of wild flowers and butterflies allied to his love and understanding of the mountains made him a most delightful companion.
At the turn of the century he was one of the moving spirits of a party that every year arranged to meet for a few days' climbing, at Easter and in the autumn, either in North Wales or the English Lake District.
Apart from mountaineering his greatest interest was in cultivating unusual orchids from all over the world, for which he had received several silver medals from the R.H.S.
He was a scratch golfer, keen fisherman and an excellent amateur photographer. He will be greatly missed by his many friends.
DENTS F. PILKINGTON.
Quelle: Alpine Journal Volume 73, 1968, Seite 138-139


Geboren am:
1880
Gestorben am:
1967