Paul Baugher asked me to post this statement.
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From Paul Baugher:
I want to personally thank all of you who took part in this search. You did a tremendous job and I am very proud of our patrol. We can finally close the door on this one and hope the family and friends can find peace. Below is what I am sending out.....
Paul Melby, a well known local expert skier was reported missing March 1, during a major snow storm. He was last seen skiing by himself a few hours before the ski area closed. A search began that night and continued for the next seven days. Over 130 dedicated friends and volunteers worked with the ski patrol in an exhaustive search effort covering over 2000 acres of steep challenging terrain, often in stormy conditions.
The search was suspended due to ongoing storm accumulations that increased the snow depth. Formal searching by members of the ski patrol resumed several weeks ago as snow melt would allow.
His body was spotted by an employee of Crystal Mountain who was doing work on the gondola towers, in a steep expert area with very tight trees informally called "Mine Shaft". This area is off-piste to the skier's left of Middle Ferk's run.
He was found in a position that confirms he'd fallen upside down into a tree well and suffocated. This is known as NARSID.
www.treewelldeepsnowsafety.com/
We wish to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers and professionals who put in many hours of tireless effort to return Paul to his family. Our thoughts are with all of "Melby's" friends and family as they finally get to say goodbye.
Best Regards,
--
Paul Baugher
Risk Manager, Boyne Western Operations
Director Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol
(360) 663-3062 winter office
(360) 825-9261 summer office
(253)508-1898 cell
paul@mountainguides.com
