Missing snowboarders last winter???

I'd like to reaffirm Scotsman's point-that the true hero's are Megan and David, and the timeless nature of the love they and others felt for the lost parties was the real lesson of this situation. I can only feel, after witnessing their efforts and determination, unfortunate to have not known Kevin, Devlin, and Phillip in life. The esteem with which their surviving loved ones obviously held them in speaks volumes about what they meant to the world, and the magnitude of loss that their departure was.

Nevertheless, during a weekend in which one of the other headlines in the Seattle PI this morning spoke of "5 dead in separate weekend shootings", I think we all have had a real visceral reminder of a few things-

1) The opportunities we have to do good in the world, and how valuable those are.
2) The importance of brother/sister hood in our little sub culture we call backcountry skiing.
3) The value of each day, and the loved ones who make those days.

I'm honored to have been given the opportunity to participate, and my thoughts are with the families. If you ever have the opportunity to visit the basin, and I hope you do, I hope you'll see it as a unique and beautiful chapel from which to depart this mortal plane. I can only hope when my time comes I'm as surrounded by what matters to me.

All through work today I thought.  I could not do much else.  I thought about the mountains, pure and unbridled.  They call to us, and we answer.  We seek refuge there.  The necessity of the mountains to our souls, as important as blood to our viens, is never fully understood by those who do not hear the call.

Someone I consider to be a close friend once told me that when high in the mountains, seeing a hawk represents the soul of someone whose life was taken by the mountains, but whose soul was a part of them.  Scotsman could hear the hawk's cry - we all wanted to know what it was saying.

Kevin, Phillip, and Devlin were moved by the same passion that engulfs our souls.  What I find to be amazing is that through them, posthumously, a group of individuals with the same goal and the same passion were brought closer.  Much closer.  I want to steal Joe's words, that

there is a sense of bonding that may never be spoken by the searchers, but forever felt by me.  I have now made several lifelong friends in one day that would have taken me a lifetime to make.

Three families and numerous friends found closure.  Three hawks can now be seen in the sky, soaring and screaming, "The mountains are our home!"  The spirit of the mountains cannot be silent.  It rumbles through the glaciers and whispers through the wind.  It screams through the birds and babbles with the streams.  To me, it becomes most appearant when it is felt as the border between life and death becomes very, very, real.  And yet surreal is that which brings people together and allows us to cry in joy and pain, experiencing our very mortality with a spirit that is immortal - seen in those present, and fueled by the spirit of Kevin, Phillip, and Devlin.  We will learn from you and remember you.  Every time I am in the mountains, I will feel your spirit.  Thank you.  Thank you to Dave and Megan, friends and family, for being strong and being sources of inspiration.  The love displayed by all of you for these three has been etched into my heart and soul as that of the purest kind.

I want you to know that Devlin is Irish galec meaning "man of the mountains".  I am planning to take him back up to his cathederal.

And their spirits will be ever-present as we continually head to the "houses where we practice our religion."

So I regret that I don't have a picture with everybody in it. I hope it is okay to post this picture as a way for us in the TAY community to send our thoughts to you, the family and friends Kevin, Phillip, and Devlin. Our hearts go out to you.

PICTURED [L-R]: The walkers - Me, zackalope, Andy, Marcus, russ, snoslut, jdclimber, Randy Beaver, Stugie. NOT PICTURED: The skiers - Joedabaker, Kyle Miller, Scotsman. ALSO NOT PICTURED: The ski patrollers - Paul and Lynn Baugher, Jen, Ben, and Allison.
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I also, concur that David and Megan's commitment, courage and strength were keystone to us searchers.
Once again, Thanks to all who volunteered and those who wanted to help, but schedules did not permit. Your intentions, thoughts and prayers transformed positive energy into a successful mission.
I had separate pictures of the Crystal crew, but none together.
Here are the skiers-
From Left Kyle_Miller and Scotsman 2nd pic Scotsman and Joedabaker

A letter from Dr and Mrs Carter ( Kevin's parents) sent to me the next morning.
Dear Joe,
My wife and I were informed that you had found the bodies of the three boys by Lt. Fajardo of the sheriffs dept. last night. We had been following your web site during the day awaiting any news. Although this is very painful it marks the beginning of the end of our long ordeal. Now we can lay Kevin to rest and begin the healing. The waiting all winter long with the prolonged foul weather has been interminable.

We are extremely impressed with the way your mountain community found a sense of connection with these men that you had never met. You have truly been your brother's keeper and we are humbled in your presence. I hope that you will convey our gratitude to the others on your website.

For our part, we felt the need to do something positive in Kevin's memory. Shortly after returning home from Crystal Mountain my wife and gathered together funds from friends, family and colleagues for a memorial project. Because of their generosity, we were able to purchase a long range avalanche transceiver, helicopter deployed and presented that to the local search and rescue community. It has been in service since April. Next season things will be a little safer for those of you who travel in the back country. In surgery we have a superstition of getting out all of the big instruments, even when we might not expect to use them, just to ward off the evil spirits. May this ward off the evil spirits and we hope it is never used.

We cannot say enough to thank you all for your dedication and courage on the behalf of strangers.

God bless you all,

Stephen and Loraine Carter

Wow -- thanks for posting that Joe. What a great gift to the community and a wonderful way to remember the lost. I think I'll be wrestling with Saturday in my head for a little while yet, but it was more than worth it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, but I hope not to...

She wanted to say THANK YOU!