Super sad news - Carl Skoog dies :(

This is from ttips news<br>

10/21-- American climbing and ski mountaineering legend Carl Skoog was reportedly killed Monday in an accident on the South Face of 6,670m Mt. Mercedario in Argentina, according to a report in a local paper, Diario de Cuyo. The article reports that Carl fell while skiing down a 60 degree slope at around 4,000m. He was apparently unable to arrest, and hit his head on a rock outcropping. Rene Crawshaw, Skoog's frequent climbing partner, reportedly told authorities that they had just begun a third descent on the mountain (it's unclear but it would seem likely this was a third "stage" on the overall descent, rather than a yo-yo) when the fall took place. As this tragic story continues to unfold we will update as more information becomes available. The Telemarktips crew extends its sincere condolences to his brother Lowell, as well as the rest of the Skoog family, and his many friends.

<br><br>I usually am unemotional but this news is deeply saddening my spirit. I'm so sorry Lowell and family.

Wow. <br>Bummer. <br>My heartfelt condolences to all Carl's friends and loved ones. Words cannot describe how shocked and saddened I am by this news. The world is now going to be shy one hell of a good writer/photographer/ski mounaineer. <br>You're right, Jeff, it is definately, bad, bad news.

As news of Carl's death spreads on the web today, I thought I should post a short summary of what I know, based on my conversation with Carl's climbing partner, Rene Crawshaw. On behalf of Carl's family, I'd like to thank the readers of this board for their words of support. <br><br> <br><br><br>On October 17, 2005, my brother Carl Skoog died in a mountaineering accident on Cerro Mercedario (6777 m, 22210 ft) in the high Andes of Argentina. Carl was climbing and skiing with his friend Rene Crawshaw of Chilliwack, B.C. Their trip plan was to revisit and document the country described in the 1975 book by Piers Paul Read, "Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors," about a 1972 plane crash involving a Uruguayan rugby team.<br><br>Carl and Rene had already climbed a peak called Cerro Negro. That climb and descent went well. After climbing Cerro Negro, they established a camp at 14,500 feet on Cerro Mercedario. After some weather delays, they climbed the south face of Mercedario and established a higher camp at about 20,000 feet. They spent three nights at the high camp and during this period they made a successful one-day climb to the summit and back. Rene said that he and Carl were both doing well at altitude.<br><br>Around mid-morning on October 17, they began their descent from high camp. According to Rene, they were working their way down a 42-degree snow slope when Carl's fall occurred. The snow texture was uneven and they were side-slipping on skis at the time. Carl may have struck a hidden rock or other obstacle, but there is no way to know for sure. He attempted to arrest his fall but was not successful. He struck some rocks, and Rene thought he may have lost consciousness at that point. Carl ultimately tumbled 4500 vertical feet. Rene descended over a period of several hours and located Carl's body, confirming that he had died.<br><br>Cerro Mercedario is in remote country, and it took Rene 1-1/2 days to hike out for assistance. The U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires notified Carl's family on October 20 and on the same day a military party on foot and with mules left to recover Carl's body. The recovery is expected to take three days.<br><br>Lowell Skoog<br>Seattle, WA<br>

The Cascades have lost a true pioneer.  Our local hills will feel a certain emptiness without Carl.  A class act in the truest sense, my heart is with the entire Skoog family in this very sad time.  I'm sure that despite his passing in South America, Carl Skoog's spirit will live on in our corner of the world as well as the many other places his adventures took him.<br>We can rest easier knowing he died living the good life.

Dear Lowell,<br><br>Such sad shocking news  !!    <br><br>My deepest condolences to you, your family and Carl's other loved ones--it's so hard to lose a loved one suddenly without being able to say good bye.<br><br>   -Monika

Lowell - I'm so terribly sorry for you and your family. As I mentioned to some friends, I knew the name Carl Skoog through his photography well before moving to the Northwest. He had true talent.<br><br>My deepest condolences,<br>-s