8 missing in avalanche near fernie

[Sunridge Sledhead]

Even with the high avalanche conditions in the West, what are the chances of such calamity? The perfect storm...err loaded mountain! Good grief!!! So sickening sad!!! My heart has hurt since the second all of these slides have been occurring!

May God take care of those who have passed....and especially comfort those who grieve with shattered hearts and minds!

 

[Coxy]

RIP Gentlemen... Another set of thoughts and prayers going out to family and loved ones. wow

 

[redlineguy]

News is slow, I just saw this on the News about 30mins ago, I have not been on here so this is all new to me. SAD is all I can say.






.

 

[Rogie1220]

I knew Warren Rothel and had rode with him before. Our group of riders have been in the Harvey Pass area before. i am away on holidays in mexico but a friend texted me about the avy so i have been checking the SW site to find more out about it and then Warrens name pops up as one of the unlucky ones.... My condolences to Warrens family and to all the families and friends...its a real sad day in the sledding community when this happens....

 

[apache]

R.I.P boys
this is a sad time for all of us.

something to note:

local avi advisory was not on "Extreme", not even on "High". makes you wonder how accurate those reports are...

 

[chris27]

Unfortunately, I agree that the only way to prevent such terrible events is to avoid when it is known to be unstable out there. I am an occassional sledder and I want to believe that there are 'safe areas' even when the risk is high, but.. even to reach the 'safe' areas you must cross unsafe ones sometimes...

 

[Retired in Canada]

Go take a hike i've heard the same BS on this forum for years.

OT

Steve you ornery s.o.b. I see you're still here with your unique habit of getting under peoples skin, lighten up a bit....maybe somebody will ride with you again.
I haven't been around this board for over 8 years, been retired living in Canada.
I used to live very close to you, always had breakfast at Fish Creek, (can't remember her name, was it Nora ?) before riding near your place.....who am I ?.....not going to say, left the forum and sledding when I lost my 2 best friends at that time, we'll leave it at that....I'm sure you'll figure it out.

Figured I'd join the forum after hearing of this horrible tragedy and express my deepest most sincere condolences to the families affected......to the riders...may they rest in peace.

 

[hotshot]

My heart and prayers go out to those that were involved in this terrible tragedy. The good Lord only knows what the survivors and their families are going through. I will be praying for them.

 

[hotshot]

OT you have no class!!!!

 

[Madtown]

Very sad situation indeed. Plus I had no idea how many deadly avalanches had already occurred this season. Very sobering story about season so far.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationw...na-avalanche-deaths30-2008dec30,0,56304.story

 

[Remmy]

OT, you're a respectable guy, show some class.

 

[JROD]

My heart goes out to all the families and survivors affected by this tragedy. Words can never explain what these people are feeling right now and few of us on this forum can even come close to comprehend what they're dealing with.

Avalanche training and gear lowers your risk of such an accident but doesn't guarantee anything. I just hope that we can all remember that these things can happen so easily and to such great people despite any kind of preparation. There should be NO FAULT put on anyone! Many situations that we put ourselves through every day require some sort of risk but normally we don't choose to put much thought into it until a tragedy happens.

Don't let the memories of Warren Rothel, Thomas Talarico, Kane Rusnak, Danny Bjarnason, Leonard Stier, Michael Stier, Kurt Kabel and Blaine Wilson die in vain. These men were doing what they loved and risked their lives to save a fellow "brother". They are all heroes in my book! When my day comes, may I be so fortunate to be doing what I love most in life.

God Bless! Here's to our lost brothers

 

[jims68]

So Sorry!

Thoughts and Prayers to all involved. Victims, survivors, family, friends and everyone who helped out to find these guys. Only time friends and family will help right now. Keep close to each other and talk. The only thing I would like to add that I was told by a old mountain man back in 1984 was "These mountains are not your friend! Respect them for they do not show respect!" I thought he was full of it because a bunch of kids were renting sleds from him after we had wrecked or in my case blew up our flatlander sleds. Learned alot over the years and was in my 30's before I realized what he meant. I look back now at some of the things I have done and WOW what was I thinking. You have to really have your head screwed on right to pick out even 20 or 30% of the signs something is wrong with a situation you may be in let alone be having any kind of enjoyment! I have learned to trust my instincts and or gut feelings more and more the older I get. My gut right now just feels sick for these guys and rightly so. Never second guess yourself and or others unless you were there! The three that lived through this will need everyones help from here on out because they will live with this forever! Also call goes out to my buddy Al that was hurt out in Yellowstone this last weekend. Just found out today he was going down a hill and hit a hole from someone else previous getting stuck. He stuck the sled and had one of his feet stuck in the sled. Broke in six places and had to be helied out. See you when you get home Al and take care!

Jim

 

[Wade]

Go take a hike on you BS bus example....If your going to play with fire your going to get burned.

Mother Nature takes NO prisoners

OT, didn't you learn anything, the last time you did this? It was about 8 or 9 years ago wasn't it. Someone (no reason to spell it out to you), threatened to beat your azz if you showed up at the picnic. Give it a break dude, you may have some valid points in your own mind, but no one wants to hear it right now. Geeze..........

 

[Grizzly Adams]

No soapboxing after tragedy

Firstly Sincerest regards to all involved and related. Safety in the alpine is serious and as such should not be used as a soapbox for flamers to vent silly ideas on. Please let me know when OT passes on so I can moon his funeral procession. Some errors in judgment were made, however anyone who has sledded or lived on this orb can attest, we all have taken risks in the quest for pleasure. Sledding involves an assumable level of risk. One of my best buddies grew up in sparwood and is there now dealing with traumatized relatives. Another solution for OT, send him hunting with Dick Cheney. They both need to go IMHO. Peace Grizz out

 

[revthred]

Hey OT, as with most of your posts, you don't know when to shut up. Now would be a good time, you should be ashamed of yourself after the tremendous outpouring of support from SWers when you suffered your loss. Even those that think you're a knucklehead took the time to pay their respects with sincere condolences. If you've got an axe to grind make a seperate post about it but don't piggyback on a post that should be about encouragment during trying times.

It couldn't have been said better!

My thoughts and prayers to the family. Hopefully when they get on here to read the supportive comments they will be able to look past some of the Monday morning quarterbacks.

 

[revpilot]

To the Monday morning quarterbacks

Like FN OT

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Teddy Roosevelt

 

[Remmy]

All right guys, lets take it easy from all fronts.

Death is certain to everyone on this planet. Sometimes it's stupidity but most of the time it is fate. We all have an appointment at some point...and we all make mistakes. Nearly all the deaths in this tragedy were by heros who put themselves in harms way to help out a brother in need.

 

[VIXEN 23]

I was in Fernie riding when this very tragic event occured... I cannot describe the deep feeling of loss and sadness I felt when we all found out. There were many tear filled eyes in our group... for people we didn't even know. We are part of something special, we take care of each other and stand behind our sport with a passion and commitment very few have. Here's to all my lost brothers...and my heart goes out to all their families and friends.

 

[Trukker]

Omfg

You know what OT I have been pretty reserved on this website and I pretty much show all the respect for you.but right now shut your trap cause your just being a azz!Do you not realize what these people have gone through!