OK here's the deal....

[Idaho Slim]

I for one know exactly what Dave means.



Davey, I think you know I consider you a friend, a term I do not use lightly.

 

[Beels]

I read ya loud and clear Dave. Loud and clear.

and Dave, we've ingested too much poison fluid together to not be friends.

 

[AZ800]

That's too bad Dave.
Kind of know what you're going through.
I haven't lost any friends on the hill, but in the span of about 3 years, had 2 good friends taken from this world. One, along with his fiance, killed by a drunk driver and I was there to witness it. Was in the truck behind them. They wouldn't have even been there had they not been helping ME and my family during a move!
Other guy, he alwyas gets a moment of silence and a shot of Jack when we're out riding....was a great riding buddy. At least he died doing what he loved while on a fishing trip in MN.

 

[EZmoney]

Well that hit home, I sat here and was lost for words for some time thinking if it was one of my Friends or myself in one of those pics. As i was thinking on what to even say i heard a little voice and was my little girls saying,"daddy were awake".. I need to come home to them. I have no problems using my judgment on hills even if the avalanche forcast is low its not always right.Im sorry we lost these guys.

 

[defysgravity]

Thanks for the post Dave...
It seems I always get in that mode of go, go, go...and don't take the time to take a breath, step back and cherish right now.

 

[CoyoteGirl]

Damnnnnnnnnnnn Dave... way to make a girl cry! You are far from grumpy btw, I've had lots of laughs with or at you....

I like your post... I think putting FACES with the names will make peeps think a little harder about things.

and Dave, we've ingested too much poison fluid together to not be friends.

I was thinking "we've ingested too much poison fluid together to be alive..." lol

 

[Beels]

I was thinking "we've ingested too much poison fluid together to be alive..." lol

You're not far off. The night the pic was taken of Animal and DaveB almost did me in.


I can honestly say that Animal's death opened my eyes and many more. It doesn't hit you hard until it's someone you know, instead of just the "name in the paper." It changed the way I ride, and I think I speak for everyone else I ride with.

 

[F-Bomb]

Dave..."AHHHHH WEINER DOG!"[/SIZE]




Hope that helps a little...always has for me. Hang in there buddy!

My thoughts along these lines......

The day in McCall when a couple hundred of us broke bread together and shed alot of tears with Animals's surviving spouse and children was the day my entire view of snowmobiling changed. Every Christmas since when we all pitch in to show our continued respect and love of our fallen friend I'm reminded of the risk we take and how our behavior effects others.

Oh the lessons I've learned! Used to try to stay out of harms way because I didn't want to be DEAD. New light when you realize it ain't really about you (you're just dead)! *****ing and baby sitting is just too tiresome...it's just easier to not ride with people that don't have that same respect for their friends and family. Stay safe gang..Dave can't take much more! (neither can many of us)

 

[TIM]

keep your chin up buddy.

 

[deaner]

Thanks for the post. Putting a face to the names sure makes it more "real". Hopefully we can learn from these tragedies so none of our friends and family have to go through this kind of pain. RIP Revdawg

I think you've got more friends than you realize Dave.

 

[Insaneboltrounder/sjohns]

Took me a day before I could really write anything that made sense. Man Dave... you have known too many that didnt come home. I didnt know Animal or Chaz or Chad personally but reading about thier passings recently in the mountians was a punch in the heart. I cant imagine the long ride home with a empty seat in the truck.

I hope these deaths at the minimum may save a death by making all of us think harder about what we do in the hills. I know the riding I do has changed mainly because the more I know the more afraid I get. I ride more creek bottoms and gulleys , more trees and less big slopes and chutes. I wear a avey pack and own the best beacons. These give me zero confidence but give me a fighting chance if i do mess up and everything goes wrong.
I ride because I love the feeling , I ride with the people I do because I trust them with my life and value thier lives. That includes many of the people in this thread. Please guys , never make me come home alone and Ill do my best to do the same for you. sj

 

[Bounty Hunter]

Thank you Bounty Hunter

 

[Sunridge Sledhead]

Animal, Wayne, Glen, and Chad

4 tragedies and lives ending way too soon!

5 years ago, January 8th, I woke up and was on top of the world! I was with some of the best friends a man can ever hope or pray for! The Idaho peeps had made it the day before and we had a great ride that day and some fun poker that night. I rode my sled without any thoughts or cares in the world! The word "avalanche" was just that....a word! It was something that happened to other people, not to me and my buddies! About 10:00 a.m. that morning my life changed in more ways than I can do justice in typing in this post. Suffice it to say....some of the things I experienced that day I have yet to talk to anyone about. Animal taught me a lot while he was here....about friendship and love of family. However, through the tragedy of his death I have learned a lot about myself, I have developed the closest friendships of my life, I am more safe, prepared and aware when I ride, and I believe my capacities in many positive areas of my life have increased. Hundreds of you and your stories and laughs on this site have become part of some good memories! It crushes me every time I hear of another avalanche fatality. PLEASE be safe and do not be the next victim!

Thanks DaveB!

 

[steel town]

Your post sent chills up my spine Dave. I witnessed a slide early this winter that could have claimed the lives of a few friends. Needless to say I went out and took a refresher course (AST1) as soon as I could.
I find myself being the "party pooper" of the gang when out on the hill, but if that's what it takes to keep us all alive and safe I'll do what I have to do.
Godspeed to all of our fellow fallen brothers.

 

[POLZIN]

Heres to those who leave us with something worth remembering

Great post Dave!

 

[CoyoteGirl]

:The word "avalanche" was just that....a word! It was something that happened to other people, not to me and my buddies!
Thanks DaveB!

That seems to ring VERY true as how (too) many feel. As you did, I did...

It is slowly changing, unfortunately people have had to die for it to do so...

Please guys , never make me come home alone and Ill do my best to do the same for you. sj

This needs to be the new slogan for mountain riders. THAT statement says it all to me. That statement should be expressed every day you ride....

I might print that up and hang it in my trailer!

It is very refreshing to read these heartfelt comments from such a normally rough and tough crowd!

 

[DaveB]

I agree, B.....SJ's statement says exactly what I was trying to get across.

 

[Scott]

Great post Dave.

Well done.

 

[xrated]

great post Dave.

your right, we all NEED to be safe for someone else. Whoever is waiting for you at home and whoever is sharing the ride with ya.

Every time I ride sleds or bikes I can hear my oldest daughter in her pipsqueak voice saying, "Daddy you be careful"

 

[priest lake rmk]

Great post Dave. I too have lost some friends to riding. After hauling Robs body out last year I truley have no desire to snowmobile ever again.