[SFPowderJunky]

I just competed in the Taos Freeride Competition (and got my ass handed to me). At the opening dinner Elijah Lee, a sponsored skier, got up to announce a spirit award in honor of his brother who he watched get buried by an avalnche in front of him in the Cascade Mountain Range Near Mount Baker, WA. It was quite touching and scary to hear him speak. It motivates me even more to get proper avalanche training before skiing the backcountry. Even with a rudimentary knowledge, a beacon, probes, a shovel etc. I feel completely vulnerable out there. Anyway here is the link to the Tobias Lee story and I hope whoever reads it takes something away...
http://www.nwac.us/documents/accidents/2005_2006/Mt_Hermann_Fatality_04_18_06.pdf
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“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” - John Muir