Siegi Uhl

Ich hatt' einen (Berg) Kameraden Einen bessern findst du nit.... I was saddened last year when I heard that my old Bergkamerad, Siegfried Uhl, had died. In 1977 I first met Siegi at St. Martins Hutt'n on the Grassberg where he was playing guitar and singing. To me as a young American, this vision of Bayern met my expectations! Two songs I enjoyed hearing Siegi sing were "Kuckucks-Jodler" and "Wonderschönes Loisachtal (Di' werd' i' nie vergessen )". In addition to being a singer of traditional songs, Siegi was an accomplished wood (mask) carver. I still treasure the mask of "the young man" that "der Siegi" gave to me. Two days after I first saw Siegi at St. Martins am Grassberg I was formally introduced by Shaw Ansen (an American living in Garmisch) -- Siegi had agreed to lead me on the paths up the Grassberg to the Koenigsstand, Scwartzwand, and other scenic paths. My greatest times in Garmisch were spent at St. Martins with Siegi and the other St Martins Stammtisch members. I fondly remember him leading us on a climb at the Sonnenspitz Breitenkopf hütte in Austria. Before that, Siegi had recently climbed Mont Blanc! He was my ideal image of a classic mountaineer! I did not know many people during my brief six-month stay in Garmisch -- but I knew Siegi, and my life is all the more complete because of his, and the Familie Uhl's kindness. He once told me that he was a Matrose and participated in the Battle of Narvik in 1940. At that time I was unaware of the severe times of Narvik! Siegi didn't speak much English, and I very little German. But I clearly remember him telling me: "It's nice to be a Preiß, but it's higher to be a Bayer" I have a fond memory of the Familie Uhl, and I now send them my heartfelt consolations for the loss of this kind man. My best wishes to Frau Erna Uhl and their children Martin, Barbara, and Thomas. Requiescat in pace, dear mountain-friend!