OK here's the deal....

[DaveB]

First, look at these 4 pictures from my extensive collection of bad pictures....

All these guys were guys that had people who loved them and had a buddy named DaveB. Animal, Wayne, Glen, and Chad were all remarkable guys who were always smiling and were always there when you needed a hand. They're not with us any more.

Those that know me know I'm just kind of an unremarkable grumpy person....pretending to be a little tough. Well, I can tell you, every time a person I consider a friend dies, it breaks my heart. I'm a mess here this afternoon.

I'm trying to do my part to stay in this life...avy bag, training, avy gear, ride smart, and I never go out when the danger is high. If I kicked off only my mom would realize it....I don't have a huge circle of friends. So if I can do my part....let's everyone do their part. People...I can't bear to keep doing this on a semi-annual basis. We all need to pull our heads out of the sand and start taking care of this life we have....people will miss us if we're gone. I'm doing it for my mom....what are you doing it for?

I dunno if this made any sense....

 

[SnowBigDeal]

Thanks for the post Dave. Good reminder to cherish those you love.

 

[CatWoman]

Great post, and some very wise words! This thread shows you are nowhere near being an unremarkable, grumpy person.

Thank you for it......and let's all learn from it.

 

[MARV1]

Shows you have heart and willing to share. Cherish your family and friends always. Make the most of your life and enjoy it. We will all have our calling.

 

[Coloaggies]

I miss Animal..........

Everytime we ride, there is a moment of silence for our friend Animal that was lost one tragic day. He is the reason why I ride more cautious in the hills because if it can happen to him then it sure can happen to me.

Cheers to all the Animal lovers

 

[DenverR1]

Good post and good reminder.

 

[Burr]

Great post Dave. You are a real man.When i looked at pictures and the story my eyes were wet. I am sorry about the loss of your freinds. Thank you for reminding us all to cherish are family and freinds and tell them how much we love them and care for them. We may feel silly saying them words at the time but that is much better than not being able to tell them when there gone.I hope your heart heals soon. I dont know you but i am sure you were a good freind back. After reading your post and makeing me think more you do have another freind.Thank You

 

[canucklehead]

I would miss ya Dave. I sure miss Animal, never had the pleasure of meeting the other three.

 

[Ryan-41]

Great post...Thanks for looking out for us!!!

 

[Gmiller]

Sorry for your losses.

I hope everyone who reads this and thinks i cannot happen to you understands that you are not invincible. Take the time to understand your gear, and check for avy forecasts online, it only takes a few minutes.

 

[PhantomCat]

Sad to hear your loses and your heartbreak You are doing the right thing though...we need peeps that we can talk with and you have a bunch of peeps on Snowest. It is good you are talking and I hope you know that we are always here for one another.

Thank you for this post DaveB

 

[rmk 700]

man i have never seen such a sad but educated post man. i learned from this and thanks for sharing and im so sorry for your lost. this is a wise post and im shure others have hopefully learned from this. avalanches are not rare... they can happen in a flash. i wouldnt want to lose any of my buddys to an avalanche. know your boundries. even though that hill looks fun think before you do it. im shure these guys did that but they were at the wrong spot at the wrong time. man im sorry once again for your loss.

 

[mtnpull]

It makes complete sense and thanks for a great post. We hear it almost everyday...be careful, watch the avy forecast, wear your beacon, etc, etc. We become casual and complacent. Sometimes it takes a real world reminder or a little wrenching at the heart strings for people to sit up and pay attention and really do the little things to keep them safe. Thanks for pointing out the big picture and reminding us why we need to stay on top of the little simple things. Good timing as well. Here in Utah the avy danger is rising right now. Again, thanks.

 

[DaveB]

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement gang. I'm not looking for anyone to feel sorry for me.....it's the wives, kids, girlfriends, parents and relatives of these guys that aren't coming home that really need our thoughts....and I really feel for them all. I want all of us to think about that stuff when we head out.

 

[ucandooit]

Thanks Dave, reading about Chads death on CAT today I'm still in shock. Ride safe my friends. Live to ride another day.

 

[Tree Boss]

I agree we all need to ride safe. Be smart and learn take some avy courses!! Our club is having an avy couse next weekend and I am looking forward to learning how to stay safe while me and my wife and friends are in the mountains doing what we love.

 

[djm]

DaveB you make loads of sense with this post! To all those hurting over these losses, we hope someone is there to help you carry the loss! You know you sledding family is hurting with you!

 

[ccoleman77]

For sure. I grew up a lot in the last few years in that sense. Everything from sledding to how I drive down the interstate great thread man... Green for ya

 

[smokindave]

Excellent Post DaveB,
This kind of chokes me up,I can not put into words how I feel, and how bad his family must feel.
There will be a lot of reflecting on this incident for a long time.

Dave

 

[amcf18]

Dave, thank you for that heartfelt and heart wrenching story... I see this stuff from a distance, and occasionally get to participate, but its a large part of my life.. I cheer for you guys when your out there, and cry when some don't make it home... You nail it on the head... It's a wonderful sport and thrill, and does have some risks at the best of times, but playing in those high danger zones isn't worth it.. Please play in the meadows when the danger is so high...I'm so glad to hear you knew those awesome guys, and can't comprehend the loss you and their families feel.. Oh ya, I would miss you too, shoot, I would have to go back to drinking at the Penholder when I come visit, how bad is that?.. Thanks for keeping us enlightened and entertained for all these years, and I hope your message gives that little voice in our heads more priority in the future.. Alan