Stevens Pass 2011-2012

I'm hearing that this slide was down near Skykomish, rather than up at the actual pass. Could just be faulty information on the news. Or maybe there was another one in the sidecountry as well? Still waiting to hear more right now. Hoping no one I know was involved.
 
Tunnel Creek Slide...

Chris Rudolph, Jim Jack, Johnnie Brennan are the names of the 3 that passed away.

Absolutely devastated. I didn't know the other two but Chris Rudolph was honestly one of the nicest guys I've ever met. Never once saw him without a smile on his face.
 
one of the worst days of my life. Lying in a hospital bed getting a spinal tap and I hear that rudolph died laying on the table.... so fucked.

So fucked on pain meds, sorry for ranitng.

Just.... fucked up. RIP Chris I wish I had a chance to thank you for everything you have ever done for me, and my friends. You are an inspiration to everyone around you, and it will stay that way.
 
Soo sad vibes to everyone. makes me glad i have a beacon and avaloung. Hope everyone stays safe. Seems like every year some one dies in tunnel. Never been there but im having my doubghts to if the terrain is really worth the risk. Rip to some great people. Anyone know if they found the bodies?
 
Bummed about Chris, the last thing he said to me was "Im glad that even an asshole like you appreciated the event" (L1P premier). I guess thats approprite. Fuck this is shitty. I really did not notice a lot of instability, and im sure Chris was thinking the same thing. He hand his hand in so many freeskiing activities in washington, things just wont be the same. I dont mean that in just the emotional sense, but the premiers, competitions,videos wont be the same.

Stay safe out there~
 
Heard the news coming back from baker today. Such a sad day, heard a snowboarder at alpy died as well... Vibes to everyone involved.
 
Sad day. Thought it was bad enough when we learned that there were fatalities in an avalanche, but once the word came down who was involved... tough to swallow. Pretty surreal. Chris was the epitome of a stand-up guy. He was beyond nice and exuberant, and one hell of a skier. Extremely sad.
 
Awful Awful news. Chris has done so much for me over the years as well. Devastated to hear about this. Chris has played such a huge role in stevens success over the last few years. Wish I would have made it back to Stevens before this.
 
saw a news cast station talking to a.ski patroler today. if you see somebody in a saga stormtrooper and black pants that was me
 
Understand that all three people killed that day had beacons on, and I know Chris used an avalung when in the backcountry. Between the three of them, Chris, Jim, and Johnny, shared more knowledge about backcountry skiing, and in particular the tunnel creek drainage, than most groups. All were familiar with the Steven's Pass backcountry, and the current snowpack. Johnny had been a member of the Steven's Pass ski patrol. At least three people had skied the slope that ripped. The slide that resulted pulled three skiers from their safe zone in a heavily treed area, that was not in the immediate slide path, and carried them 1500 vertical feet down the mountain.

Some times, the mountain will arbitrarily take you. It is a fact and a risk. May the three rest in peace, they will always be remembered and never forgotten.
 
My Dad sent me this text this morning and I hope all you guys can take something from it. I've been pretty upset but this seemed to help....

"There are two sources of inspiration in life...enthusiasm and tragedy" -unknown

When we lose people dear to us one of the things I do to honor them and comfort their families is to embrace those qualities and character attributes that made that person special. By emulating these qualities in our own lives we not only pay honor to those we love but we can perpetuate their essence and make them live on inside us forever. I encourage you to reflect on what made Chris such an outstanding individual and let this serve as an inspiration to you for change and self improvement.

 
Shit, the one weekend I am going to Philly is the weekend not to miss.

And may Chris and the others RIP. Only met Chris a couple of times but he always had a smile on his face and seemed like such a great guy.

-Jonas
 
i was on mobile and ment to continue saying, that they were reporting on the avalanches. so look for it in the news...
 
Met Jim Jack a couple times on the junior freeskiing circuit, a really nice guy who went out of his way to talk to you. May you RIP Jim Jack a long with the other lives taken from us this weekend.
 
I knew Jim Jack very well and have met Chris R. at least once. Both of them seemed like they were just so stoked on everything about life. I remember when I was 12 and first doing contests, Jim Jack would always be there giving me high 5's and just getting me sooo stoked on all the aspects of free skiing. He truly impacted hundreds of our lives with his passion and love for the sport. He was a genuine inspiration.

What a loss.

Love and passion for life is what these two men embodied and what we must continue to practice in our own lives! Keep the stoke going! Love the moment!
 
Schoening, I agree 100% with you. That is greatest thing you can ever take from an experience like this. I used to get kinda down and upset with pretty trivial things when I was in college. Then, my senior year the weekend before finals week one of my best friends ended up falling off a cliff on campus and dying. He sounded very similar to Chris, and was the type of guy that you always saw with a smile on their face, and would find fun in any situation he was put in.

I was devastated after the loss of my good friend, but much like your fathers advice I decided that was the person that I wanted to be. I wanted to find fun in any situation and live every day with a smile on my face. From that day forward I have done my best to live with a more positive attitude and I really notice a difference in how happy I am and my friends have noticed a big change as well.

My heart goes out to everyone that felt the loss of these three great people. They will be sorely missed. Let what made these people great change your life for the better.

Stay safe out there everyone!
 
was just watching kiro 7. and they showed the video of them skiing right before the slide happened. not sure if they should be showing it.
 
The MSM is going to try and sin their teeth into as much as they can on this one. Expect this tragedy to be armchair-quarterbacked until skiing powder is more dangerous than protesting in Syria, or we get another tragedy. The more the media and others try and stick their nose into this, the more isolated those who were effected will become. Today's front page story was disgusting. Everyone wants to be involved in this one; both trying to emphasize and analyze the event.
 
The fact that they didn't even mention Johnny by name was ridiculous. He had a wife and two kids.
The memorial/life celebration/get drunk and cry for Rudolph is Thursday, 5-9 at the Sleeping Lady. Chances are I'll be in the car tomorrow.
 
Closed today, anyone riding tomorrow? I am thinking about heading up from North Bend early AM and may possibly have room for 1 or 2. Could meet in North Bend or Monroe.
 
Get rad for Chris Rudolph.

Send me a SASE for a sticker pack, free as always.

ATTN: I Get Rad for Rudolph

5622 NE Hassalo St

Portland OR 97213
 
Ugh, I made the mistake of reading the comments on there, so much ignorance from people who know nothing about the sport.

It's hard to hear about how loved these guys were among the Steven's community. It sounds like they'll be sorely missed. My condolences to all of you that knew them.

It's a terrible tragedy and a harsh reminder of how precious life can be. Stay safe out there everybody.
 
avy danger for tomorrow. stay safe every one.

2784
 
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