I feel so bad that it has taken me this long to learn of Chris Baxter's passing. Christ should be remembered as a great Australian climber and his contribution to Australian rock-climbing is massive. As a young bumbly I picked up fresh copies of ROCK and read cover to cover the news of the climbing community in Oz and overseas. He wrote about climbing when no-one else bothered. He has kept us informed throughout his life. His climbing exploits are a first ascent. Thanks for a richly lived life, Chris.

Lots of memories of Melon in his glory days. I will treasure them all my life. Just learned of this and feel terrible I didn't see him more recently. So long Cardinal - much loved old fox - rip

Despite his huge health challenges, Chris Baxter was a man who reached out and did all he could for anyone who needed help. I was privileged to have Chris's support and wisdom on Ecos magazine for the last 3 years, even as he battled his own major forebodings. Such was the inspiration of the man - and his sheer openess. I am indebted to Chris and miss his company. His example lives on with power. My sincerest thoughts go to his family and massive group of friends.

First of all my heartfelt condolences to Sue Baxter. I am so sorry for your loss. I had a great 4 years working at Wild Publications. Chris was a great boss, a friend and an inspiration. I am deeply sadden to hear he has reached the final leg of his journey. I am glad i got the chance to work with someone with such integrity, enthusiasm and such a great sense of humor. I loved being a part of the Wild team. Give Scallywag a pat for me CB.

Epic abseil off Scorpion. Endless banter and "Melon baiting" around the campfire. "If I wasn't so knackered...." RIP Chris.

To the memory of Chris Baxter Well done; rest easy old mate. You really did make a difference and so few do. Robin Hunt on behalf of hisGGS class of 1964 and the FB boys

"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them" We heard yours Chris, loud and clear.

It's with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of one of the giants in the Australian Climbing and Outdoor Industry this week. Chris was a great friend and supporter to Me and the management of Cliffhanger Climbing Gym from the very beginning 16 years ago. His positive attitude was always present. We'll miss your weekly climb and chat, that you managed to keep doing up till very recently. You'll be missed by all of us. Tim Bickerton and Staff Cliffhanger Climbing Gym

Thanks for all your support and encouragement from the very beginning. The climbing community will miss you. We'll miss your weekly climbing visits and chats. Tim Bickerton (and all the staff at Cliffhanger Climbing Gym)

There are more tributes to Chris on Chockstone

Thank you Chris. Your vision and descriptions of the "wild" has inspired me to push my boundaries and enjoy "Out there"...... Bruce.

Chris Baxter, through Wild, taught many of us to walk lightly on the land, and to leave the flowers and beauty of nature for others to enjoy as well. Many have come and gone on this earth, but I believe, those that offered or opened peoples eyes to beauty, will be remembered. When ever I am in some isolated sky filled location I will allways pour wine on the rock for you and others that understood, before I drink.

You were a gutsy guy Chris and a supreme optimist. I shall never forget you. May you rest in peace. Edward B Wajsbrem Old school mate

To Chris' family; my most sincere condolences for your loss. Wild magazine opened my eyes to the beauty of this wonderful country of ours and led me on many memorable journeys - both on foot and in my imagination. Chris did so much to promote environmental protection. Chris provided me with some of my first opportunities to publish my photography and environmental journalism Thank you so much Eli

Through Wild and Rock, I have been inspired to experince nature at its best and its worst. and loved every minute of it. But the best bit is my young kids pick up the magazines and ask me similar questions that I asked all those years ago. What a wonderful thing.

I never knew Chris Baxter but he had a positivie impact on my life. Scouting had started a love of bush, adventure and the environment but it was Chris (and Crew) and his magazine that turned the love into a raging passion. As a youngster I'd rip open Wild everytime it came in the post - always keen to see what was going on in the environment scene, to get ideas for the next trip, and to read what Chris had to say about things. The best bit about the old Wild was what it wasn't. It wasn't a mag for writers, or would be writers using adventure as a vehicle to get published. No, it was stories from adventurers who on the side had a crack at writing - it was real - and Chris and Crew seemed to understand that what made the mag different was that it was made for a community of disparate people who shared a love of bush, environment and adventure. It was this shared love that Chris and Crew managed to capture in the old Wild - a love that created 'a community'. From his editorials I caught glimpses of a driven man, a passionate man, an ethical principled man and a caring man. These things and his love of the bush, a love that 'dripped' from the pages of Wild, influenced me when I was young and continue to influence me now. Rest easy good man, enjoy the view, and thanks. Andrew Gallagher

Sadly he leaves us to spend forever wandering the eternal wilderness he so obviously was passionate about!

Chris's passion for the outdoors led him to create both "Wild" and "Rock" and in doing so, he created a platform that people with similar enthusiasms could share. A small ad in "Wild" back in 1985 allowed me to live my own dream and earn a living by taking people bushwalking into the places I love. Without "Wild" and the many helpful suggestions I received, that would not have been possible. The Australian bush has lost one of its greatest advocates. Russell Willis, Willis's Walkabouts, Darwin

I only know Chris Baxter from my long term reading of Wild magazine. I have every issue of Wild since Chris Baxter's first edition. In the early days and well into the 80's the magazine, its ethos and passion for wilderness were obviously largely shaped by Chris Baxter. His editorials and contributions were inspirational, sometimes provocative, often wry and always human. Thank you for your vision and commitment.

The first publication of Wild coincided with the beginning of my love of bushwalking, ski touring and concern for our beautiful wild places. From day one you have fostered and supported these things strongly and I feel you, Chris and your magazine as part of who I am. Though I never met you, you will be sadly missed .

I have subscribed to "Wild " for twenty years or more. I feel I have lost a friend which of course I have. A chance meeting in a Clarence St outdoor shop in Sydney many many years ago. I heard him introduce himself at the counter so I approached him introduced myself and thanked him for all the wonder he had shown me through his magazine. He seemed to be pleased, gave me a big smile we shook hands and then I turned and left. He has now turned and moved on and I hope that he now and his family continue to have a big smile on their faces when they think of the wonderful legacy he has left all of us. Thank You Chris

I knew Chris at school and was involved in bush activities with him. Years later when I discvered WILD it was as if I were enjoying his company again. I am greatly saddened by his passing. He was a great Australian champion of climbing and walking. David Hunt Walwa

A true visionary in the field when it was not popular to consider the wild as a place of great peace a beauty. His drive and love for the outdoors will continue in all those who have been inspired by his work with Wild magazine. Deepest sympathy to his wife and family. May he walk beautiful fields and climb majestic mountains in his afterlife.

Sorry to hear the news. I never met Chris myself, but his name has been legendary in climbing books and stories of Arapiles' early days since I started climbing 15 years ago. Best wishes to all his friends and family. -Paddy

Sorry to hear the news. I never met Chris myself, but his name has been legendary in climbing books and stories of Arapiles' early days since I started climbing 15 years ago. Best wishes to all his friends and family. -Paddy

So you hunker down with a bunch of back issues of Wild magazine, looking for new walk ideas, re-reading old walks with a fresh perspective (they had sunshine, you had cloud and rain), sucking up the ads for gear, and reading the occasional feature on the pioneers of bushwalking in Australia. Was Chris a pioneer? I don't know. But apart from causing the mess of magazines next to my bed, he set up, with Brian, a way for me, via the pages of Wild, to dream about great places to go for a walk. The simplest pleasure. Never met the guy but his footprints are every-bloody-where!

To paraphrase another great pioneer of the outdoors, Chris's input to our wilderness environment will ensure that he will never truly be lost.

What a tragic and sad loss to adventurers everywhere. I don't anyone will ever really fill the void he leaves in the Australian adventurous community. Blue Phillips

A man many of us felt we knew, though we didn't ever meet. Chris did so much to inspire people's passion for wilderness and its protection. His philosphies on conservation were a shining light on what we all should be feeling and doing.

As a journalist passionate about the environment (rare in the 70's and early 80's) and climbing and trekking, I had been introduced to Chris by a mutual good friend, Tony Walker. I vividly remember talking to Chris about "Rock" and starting "Wild" , and, when he decided to go ahead, his great combination of enthusiasm and pragmatism about the project; then him ringing me in triumph to tell me he had secured some ads . And then again, in even greater triumph, he had a COLOUR Ad ! He was away, a great mag had been born and it wasn't much longer before he was knocking ads back in droves . Of course there were many speedbumps - even major obstacles - along the way, and he and his team virtually always overcame them. Chris was a fantastic human being - a pioneer, a man of immense personal and professional bravery and resilience. The world is a much diminished place without him. Simon Balderstone AM, Chairman, Australian Himalayan Foundation.

You were a legend and an inspiration to us all! You'll be walking on the Plains of Heaven now. Pip Brown Long time subscriber to Wild magazine