Doug Coombs dies in La Grave avalanche

PS. Phil and Greg are over in La Grave right now.  I wonder what the vibe is over there.

<br>They wouldn't have been skiing with Doug would they? The pistehors site mentions another American, age 32, who died with Doug. It sucks no matter what, but I hope it wasn't one of our own.<br>

From some of the other sites it says the other skier was named Chad.<br>Very bad news, RIP to both of them and condolances to their families.<br>

Unbelievably sad news!  Doug was such a nice and super enthusiastic guy.  I had the pleasure of climbing with him a few years ago.  The thing that stands out in my mind about him is that he had more energy than anyone else (than just about anyone I ever met in fact).  He always wanted to do the more sporty route, and on the hike out he went down the trail at mach 2 with a full pack.

Information on the Doug Coombs Memorial Fund can be found here .

Friends from the 2006 La Grave Camp have started sending me pictures of Doug from this year. If you'd like to see 'Doug just being Doug', go here .

<br>They wouldn't have been skiing with Doug would they?  The pistehors site mentions another American, age 32, who died with Doug.  It sucks no matter what, but I hope it wasn't one of our own.<br>

<br>I doubt they'd use guides...it was not in their plan.  The American mentioned in the report was not a client, but a guide/friend of Doug's.<br><br>Edited to add: I just heard from Phil. They're in Verbier right now, waiting out a dump so they can finish the next chunk of the Haute Route. They'll probably hit La Grave next week. They haddn't yet heard about Doug and Chad in La Grave.