brian 0 Posted January 22, 2003 Share Posted January 22, 2003 Tragically, one of the pioneers of snowboarding, Craig Kelly, was killed on Monday in an avalanche in British Columbia. For those of you not familiar with him, he was a four-time professional world champion and back-country guru. Basically, there's not a pro rider out there today who wasn't influenced by this man. After retiring from professional snowboarding, he remained on the Burton team as a product tester as well as a back-country guide. He was killed, along with six others, while giving a mountain tour in British Columbia. I thought some of you might want to know. Link to post Share on other sites
danz 0 Posted January 22, 2003 Share Posted January 22, 2003 sad story... http://espn.go.com/oly/news/2003/0121/1496488.html danz Link to post Share on other sites
brian 0 Posted January 22, 2003 Author Share Posted January 22, 2003 You can also read more at Transworld Snowboarding Be careful out there. Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted January 22, 2003 Share Posted January 22, 2003 Ironically, Craig Kelly was a strong advocate of backcountry safety. Several pictures of him and quotes appear in the Canadian Avalanche Association's book "Freeriding in Avalanche Terrain". According to a recent Japanese magazine that covered his trip to Japan last year, he had the CAA's Level 1 qualification and was working towards Level 2. Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted January 23, 2003 Share Posted January 23, 2003 If you read more on the story the sanowpack was considered in the mid range of danger. Nothing more to say. web page Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted January 23, 2003 Share Posted January 23, 2003 It'll probably take a while to find out what happened, but it sounds like there were two groups on the hill. The fatalities were in the lower group. From what the interviewed CAA guy said, it sounds like the guys were found relatively quickly (which suggests beacons) but they couldn't be dug out in time. Having so many victims on a guided trip certainly raises questions. Over in the States, another pro called Tristan Picot died early this week at Jackson Hole from avalanche-induced injuries http://www.transworldsnowboarding.com/snow/news/article/0,13009,405695,00.html Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted January 23, 2003 Share Posted January 23, 2003 What a nightmare. (Havent read the details yet, but....) these were experienced winter mountain people? Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted January 24, 2003 Share Posted January 24, 2003 Some people were buried between 3 and 4 meters. Link to post Share on other sites
barok 0 Posted January 24, 2003 Share Posted January 24, 2003 sux. . . Craig Kelly was one of my faves. Sucks that the people he was guiding died as well. Nasty business. Link to post Share on other sites
akibun 0 Posted January 24, 2003 Share Posted January 24, 2003 I'm so sorry and sad to here it the news. Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted January 25, 2003 Share Posted January 25, 2003 I hesitate to say this, but when a practitioner of a dangerous sport dies in the pursuit of their sport, it is isn't 'tragic'. That's hyperbole. Regrettable, sad, a bummer maybe. And beacons - aren't they just a means of ensuring that your dead body is found that same season rather than next spring? And, there's a saying about the best swimmers drowning... Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted January 25, 2003 Share Posted January 25, 2003 A good number of people were saved because they were wearing beacons. No one will find you in time if you arent wearing one. Link to post Share on other sites
oblivion 5 Posted January 25, 2003 Share Posted January 25, 2003 No, it is tragic. Link to post Share on other sites
Davo 1 Posted January 25, 2003 Share Posted January 25, 2003 I'd agree with the tragic definition- especially since the guy was a high-profile advocate for safe backcountry riding. I'm sure he wasn't knowingly putting his group at risk and this just shows how careful you potentially have to be. Link to post Share on other sites
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