Passing the TAY torch

I have decided that it is time for me to pass on the leadership of the Turns All Year web site to someone else. This decision has everything to do with me and nothing to do with other people or the Trip Reports forum. In fact, I think it is accurate to say that the forum must be one of the best behaved and least problematic forums on the internet, and that is due to the high quality of the people who frequent it. A culture has become established that expects quality posts and does not accept the incivility found on so many other forums.

Things have changed in my life and I no longer find myself obsessed with backcountry skiing. I have found it difficult to motivate myself to give the web site and the forum the attention needed to make sure they continue to remain as useful as possible, and I don't want that lack of motivation to harm them. Thus, I have been considering for some time how to proceed with passing on the web site, and how to find the right person to which to pass it.

My main goal in finding someone to take over the web site was to ensure that the qualities that make the site useful to PNW backcountry skiers (boarders too) would be maintained. This meant finding someone who is very much into backcountry skiing, who has been active on the forum for quite a while, who understands what makes TAY work for all of you, and who has the technical knowledge to run the web site.

This person is Marcus Engley ("Marcus" on the forum). Not only does Marcus meet the qualifications I describe above, but he has shown, as an "unofficial moderator" on the forum, that he has the people skills needed to keep the forum running in the way we have all come to expect. Marcus can elaborate in his own post, but I think it is safe to say that you won't see any drastic changes under his leadership, and those that he decides to implement over time will be well thought out and useful.

Marcus and I will be working together for some time to get him up to speed on the various aspects of running the TAY web site. There are a lot of details to learn. Marcus will gradually take over responsibility for different aspects of the site until he is in charge of everything. I expect that will occur sometime later this year, but I will remain available for consultation, as needed, for as long as is necessary.

I have had a fantastic time creating and running this web site. I learned a lot of new skills, met a lot of very interesting people, and had the satisfaction of seeing my idea for a useful web site become reality. Many people helped along the way and I thank all of you very much. Happy sliding to all!

Thanks Charles. First and foremost, thank you for running this fantastic site for so long, and for recognizing that its value is worth preserving as you move on to other interests.

I'll keep it brief here, but I wanted to emphasize that I love the TAY community as it is and don't see the need for big changes any time soon. The site that Charles started has clearly grown into an incredibly valuable local resource, thanks largely to the people that come here, and I'm not to going to do anything to tip that balance.

I've got a lot to catch up on in terms of site administration and I've already had a few generous offers of help, including Charles critical willingness to hang around as long as necessary. I know the rest of the community will continue moving along as it has for years and that stability will make the transition a lot easier for me. If anyone has any concerns, ideas, questions, etc, please feel free to put them here, or PM me at any time.

Thanks for all of your hard work, Charles! Marcus will no doubt do a fantastic job!!!

Wow. Big news. Thanks for the years of fantastic contribution to the community, Charles. I have very much appreciated the wealth of content here, the connections I've made thanks to the site (I'd have to stop to count to figure out how many people I now ski with who I would not even know if not for TAY...), as well as the example you have set in terms of what you describe as low tolerance for incivility. I have more than once pointed this site (and your leadership of it) as a positive example for some folks who help moderate another local outdoor oriented forum.

Marcus - thanks for being willing to take this on. Let us/me know how we/I can help!

Charles- thanks for your years of dedication to getting TAY up and running.  Its definitely become the go-to resource for backcountry skiing in the northwest; you should be very proud of what you created. 

Marcus- you got some big shoes to fill buddy! and its great you are up for taking over the reins.  Lemme know if theres any way I can help out....and I'll try to stay well behaved    

I have found it difficult to motivate myself to give the web site and the forum the attention needed to make sure they continue to remain as useful as possible, and I don't want that lack of motivation to harm them.

Sounds like Dean Smith's speech on retiring as UNC basketball coach, a sad moment.  I'm sure Marcus will carry the torch, just as Roy Williams is doing for the Tar Heels!   

Thanks Charles for a great ride, and Marcus for accepting the challenge.  We are all here for you, call on us if you think we can assist in keeping TAY so useful and civil.   Now for some fresh snow.....