Patrick was born on Dec. 9, 1962, in Lewistown, Montana, where he lived until he was 11. During that time he was surrounded by his immediate family including his parents, Pete and MaryLyn Petersen, siblings Martin and Marla as well as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He moved with his family to Lander, where he discovered his love of outdoors, doing his first NOLS course at 13 years old and spending his high school years exploring the Wind River Mountains and the Tetons. After high school Patrick followed his dad to Alaska, where he assisted with his wilderness outfitting business. He later returned to Wyoming to pursue his passion for mountain climbing, telemark skiing and guiding. He worked for Jackson Hole Mountain Guides for more than 20 years, first as a guide and later in the Guides’ Jackson office.

Patrick was truly at home, and at his best, in the alpine environment. An accomplished alpinist, his ascents spanned the continent, including Denali’s Cassin Ridge in the Alaska Range, Mount Lucania in Canada’s Wrangell — St. Elias Range, and, closer to home, several notable lines in the northern Rockies in Wyoming and Canada. Two highlights that typify “the Patrick factor” include dropping and losing his pack, then salvaging old tents and abandoned equipment, and stitching that detritus together with dental floss to fabricate a replacement backpack on the Lucania ascent. Later he made what was likely the last illegal, broad daylight ascent of Telluride’s Bridal Veil Falls, just prior to the Access Fund securing an easement.

Patrick not only lived his “life on the edge” through his many outdoor adventures, but he also fell off that edge on several occasions resulting in injuries that limited his physical abilities and his ability to find solace in his outdoor adventures. These events took the “life on the edge” theme in a different direction as he struggled with alcoholism and an assortment of other health issues.

To the many of us who knew and loved Patrick, he will be remembered as an intelligent, witty, charismatic, complicated person, a force of nature and ultimately, a good man underneath the mayhem. He was dedicated to the people he loved.

There will be a gathering from 1-5 p.m. on June 24 in Jackson. For more information, check the Facebook page: Patrick M. Petersen Facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089764833409

Or email morbit99@hotmail.com