Celebrating the Life of Rusty Baillie

Saturday, May 30 | 6:00–8:30 PM Coeur Climbing Company

The climbing community is invited to gather at Coeur Climbing on May 30th to celebrate the life of Rusty Baillie, a legendary climber and a true fixture of the North Idaho and Eastern Washington climbing scene. The gym will be open for climbing until 6:00 PM for those who want to get on the wall before the service begins. Starting at 6:00 PM, the walls will close and the evening will shift to an afterhours celebration — stories, drinks, and time spent honoring a man who left a lasting mark on the sport and on this community.

Rusty Baillie passed away peacefully at home in Idaho in December 2025, at 85 years old, surrounded by his family.

A Life on the Rock

Rusty's climbing resume is the stuff of legend. Over the course of his career, he put up first ascents on some of the world's most iconic routes — the North Face of the Eiger in 1964 with Dougal Haston, the Troll Wall in Norway, the first solo of Polar Circus, the Dragon Route in the Black Canyon, and the Old Man of Hoy with Chris Bonington, among many others. In 1964, he and Barry Cliff summited both Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya in a single push — 308 miles by car and two major summits in just under 22 hours.

He climbed alongside the greatest names of his generation: Harlin, Robbins, Whillans, Tom Frost, Joe Brown, and more.

A Local Legend

For those of us in North Idaho, Rusty's legacy is much closer to home. He spent the majority of his most productive climbing years here, and his contributions to the local climbing scene are lasting. Most notably, he played a significant role in developing the climbing routes at Q'emiln Park — the beloved Post Falls crag that serves as the community's go-to outdoor destination. Every climber who ties in at Q'emiln is, in some way, a benefactor of Rusty's work.

Whether you knew him personally, climbed with him, or have simply enjoyed the routes he left behind, this evening is an opportunity to come together and honor what he built.

Join Us

The service is being organized by Rusty's family and friends, and is open to the public. Coeur Climbing is proud to provide the space.

Rusty is survived by his wife of 60 years, Pat Baillie, and their daughters and families: Sheila and Randy Hughes (Tristan and Colin) and Rowan and Greg Hill (Jessie and Indigo).

Come share a story, raise a glass, and celebrate a life well climbed.