Seattle PI article

Of course, we are honored to have you!

-Bill

This is Devlin's mother  Was just wondering if any of you mind if I keep in touch with you all as one son was taken, but I have many new friends and sons in my heart.  I want to keep an eye on all you are doing and enjoy it for myself and my son through you.  Please let me know if this is not what you all want as I don't want to cause any problems.

Without a doubt, loggerdogger. Welcome to the family.

...Was just wondering if any of you mind if I keep in touch with you all...

Not only are we honored to have you but we're honored that you have continued interest in the common passion we have with your son. 

Should you ever want to tagalong with any of us or further delve into any of the whys or wherefores, please do not hesitate to suggest it.  I for one, and I suspect many others, would welcome the opportunity to help you come to understand the beauty and serenity that drew your son to the mountains.

We welcome you as part of our community.

Welcome...we take care of each other here

Paul Baugher of the Crystal Mountain ski patrol e-mailed me a copy of the final report on the Union Creek Avalanche. The final report is publicly available in at least one location already:

www.nwac.us/documents/accidents/2007_200...ccident_12-02-07.pdf

I thought the following paragraph, under "Search and Recovery Comments," was noteworthy in light of the role TAY played in the search:

Due to the popular nature of the area, information of their last seen points was eventually garnered from members of online ski forums who had seen the group while touring near Bullion Basin that Saturday. In future situations, these online communities should be considered as a valuable source of information in calculating a last seen point or other valuable clue. In retrospect, had the information from these witnesses been combined with the exact hut location and potential exit routes explained by their friends, it may have narrowed the search area closer to their eventual found location. In practice it is very difficult to combine these distant sources of information during a search, but every effort should be made to do so. 

Perhaps the only “silver lining” to this tragic event was the determination and depth of effort that went into the search and recovery operation. An exhaustive effort was made in December with over 30 individuals representing law enforcement, ski patrol, mountain rescue, and others. As the snow began to melt in June, members of the ski patrol and other individuals made periodic search attempts in the area. The highlight was the remarkable effort of a group of local backcountry skiers. These selfless individuals organized themselves through a website and used good skill (and some luck) to find the camp location. The group cared for friends of the victims at the site and worked very well in coordinating with ski patrol and law enforcement to bring a swift and efficient resolution.
Thanks to everyone who participated in the search efforts in December and June. After more than 6 months the friends and family have some closure and we can finally put an end to a very unforgiving avalanche season.

Way to be TAY!