Louie Stur was an icon and inspiration to many people in the Sun Valley area.
Not only did he bring an elegant European class to his position as manager of the Sun Valley Lodge, he also pioneered soaring and rock climbing in the area.
In an interview I did with him, he told me he became inspired to climb in the Sawtooths after soaring over them in a glider. In fact, one route – the Stur Chimney, on Mt. Heyburn – is named after him. For many of us that got into rock climbing in Sun Valley, this was our first “real climb”. Probably a 5.6 or 5.7 – not real difficult, but challenging enough that you want to have a rope on.
He died doing what he loved – climbing. This memorial plaque on Baldy stands as a reminder to a warm and inspiring man.
I am grateful to have met Louis and shared some time with him. He was a wonderful, warm and special person. Everyone who knew him will always remember him with warmth, a smile and a passion for the mountains of Idaho and beyond.
Louie’s gentle advice made my ’65-’66 stint in Bell Service at The Lodge a learning experience I will always cherish – sail on, Buck