Laura Fletcher
Laura Fletcher had a glowing smile and an unforgettable sense of humor to match. She absolutely loved laughing, but it is her encouraging presence and consistent understanding that will be missed most.
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Laura Fletcher had a glowing smile and an unforgettable sense of humor to match. She absolutely loved laughing, but it is her encouraging presence and consistent understanding that will be missed most.
Laura was a master of great climbing excuses, and she loved to comment on the days when the gravity was too high, or the air was too humid, or “We ate too much pizza last night.” The effect was always to encourage those around her.
As a sophomore, Laura chose to finish her high school career by home schooling. At the end of her junior year, she enrolled at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis to pursue a career in nursing. A scientific thinker and a top student, Laura became a Certified Nursing Assistant. She loved being able to care for patients.
Laura began climbing in February 2007 at a local gym. Once she went climbing outside, her new hobby changed into a lifestyle, and she spent most of the summer taking trips to the Red. When school started again, she drove down to the Red almost every fall weekend.
Her favorite style of climbing was on “Red River slab routes,” which really means vertical. Such lines included Whip Stocking (5.11a) and Random Precision (5.11b). Most of all, she enjoyed being part of the climbing community. Laura was selfless and humble and will be dearly missed.
—April Schafer