Table of Contents
- Pete Cleveland: The Ageless Climber of the Midwest
- The Final Climb That Ended a Lifelong Passion
- His Routine: Climbing Weekly, Walking Daily—Even at 84
- How the Climbing Community Is Honoring His Memory
- Why Wisconsin’s Climbing Scene Owes Him So Much
- What Pete Cleveland’s Life Teaches Us About Aging and Adventure
- Sources
Pete Cleveland: The Ageless Climber of the Midwest
Pete Cleveland wasn’t just a climber—he was a fixture. For over six decades, the Wisconsin native scaled bluffs, taught newcomers how to tie knots, and quietly shaped the rock climbing culture across the Midwest. Even at 84, he showed up at Devil’s Lake State Park nearly every week, chalk bag in hand, eyes fixed on the next route.
“He didn’t see age as a limit,” said his son, Mark Cleveland. “He saw it as just another number to climb past.”
The Final Climb That Ended a Lifelong Passion
Cleveland died last week after a fall while climbing near Baraboo, Wisconsin—a region he helped put on the national climbing map. Authorities say he was solo climbing, a practice he’d done safely for years, when he lost his footing on a familiar route.
Though tragic, those who knew him say it was the way he’d have wanted to go: outdoors, active, and doing what he loved most.
His Routine: Climbing Weekly, Walking Daily—Even at 84
What made Cleveland remarkable wasn’t just his longevity in the sport—it was his discipline. According to his family, he walked at least a mile every single day and climbed weekly, rain or shine.
“He’d say, ‘If I stop moving, I start rusting,’” Mark recalled with a laugh. “And he meant it.”
Friends describe him as lean, sharp-eyed, and endlessly curious—often the first to scout new boulders or encourage young climbers to “just try the next move.”
How the Climbing Community Is Honoring His Memory
Within hours of the news spreading, tributes poured in from climbers across the country. A makeshift memorial of climbing shoes, chalk bags, and handwritten notes appeared at the base of East Bluff at Devil’s Lake.
“Pete taught me my first lead climb in 1998,” wrote one Instagram user. “He never raised his voice—just showed you how, then stepped back and trusted you to do it.”
Why Wisconsin’s Climbing Scene Owes Him So Much
Long before climbing gyms dotted every city, Cleveland was advocating for access, safety, and stewardship at Wisconsin’s natural crags. He helped establish early climbing ethics in the state and mentored generations of outdoor educators.
Devil’s Lake, now one of the Midwest’s premier climbing destinations, owes much of its respectful, community-driven culture to pioneers like Cleveland.
What Pete Cleveland’s Life Teaches Us About Aging and Adventure
In a world that often sidelines older adults, Pete Cleveland was a living rebuttal. His life challenges the myth that adventure has an expiration date.
“He proved you don’t have to slow down—you just have to stay smart, stay humble, and keep showing up,” said longtime friend and fellow climber Lisa Nguyen.
As the climbing community mourns, many are vowing to honor him not with sadness, but with action: by tying in, heading outside, and climbing one more route—just like Pete would’ve wanted.
Sources
The New York Times: 84-Year-Old Climber Who Died in Fall Was an Avid Mountaineer
Devil’s Lake Climbers Coalition: In Memory of Pete Cleveland
American Alpine Club: Remembering Pete Cleveland
