This was an automatic share from this Instagram post on August 20, 2017.

I remember first meeting Charley Mace back in 1993.

I was a freshman at Colorado College, and he was an illustrious alum back in town to share stories from his recent climb of K2. I was then - as now - awestruck at a person who could be so accomplished, and yet so humble.

As the years passed, I got to know Charley a bit better, eventually sharing a rope with him on climbs in our backyard, and eventually on some bigger trips like our attempt on Everest's West Ridge.

Throughout, Mace's humble, can-do attitude has shone through, a smile and a laugh at the ready whether we're dodging hail and lightning a couple pitches up in Clear Creek Canyon, sharing near misses in the Khumbu Icefall, or free forming it on a stunning day in New Zealand, like in this picture from The Remarkables. There are few people I'd rather tie in with, who I'd trust more in any situation, at any time, in any place, with the bond climbers share.

Thanks, Charley, for so many good times, and here's to a Happy Birthday and many more trips around the sun!