March 16th, 2010

So proud of all of you!

Time keeps ticking, but the thoughts and emotions of this
catastrophic event remain ingrained in my mind, and I am sure all of yours as
well. I can’t speak for all of you
who were up on Boulder on Saturday, but I know it keeps training through my
head, and each pass this train makes I seem to be able to piece something else
back into some sort of timeline. The
mind works in mysterious ways, and I’m sure the slow pace is for the best.

As I think more and more of what exactly happened, I can’t help but feel how
proud I am of each and every one of you. Many people think of the snowmobile community as being behind the times
as far as education goes, but if this incident isn’t an argument for the
complete opposite, I can’t imagine a better example. The uneasy feeling of what outcome may have developed if
this same tragedy happened only years ago. Hearing the direction that came from so many people to get
their transceivers out was a moment I can never forget.
There will always be people watching the news, and reading papers judging each
and every decision made both post and prior to the incident, but these people
were not there, and did not see what happened. For those of you who were there, I truly believe you did the
best you could have done!
Technology played a large role in saving so many people, but let us not forget
technology is no use without the skill and dedication of everyday people saving
the lives of complete strangers in this time of need. Education has been a big push over the past few years for
not only snowmobile governing bodies, but also general recreational backcountry
enthusiasts and it was put to the test on this day.
The companion rescue efforts were second to none, but in no way can we forget
the many professional men and women who assisted from all across, British
Columbia. Search and Rescue teams,
ski resort staff, CARDA dogs and trainers, RCMP, cat ski and helicopter ski operators
and of course pilots among so many others who assisted in this time of need
stepped up and made a HUGE effort for strangers.
As I write this I can’t help but think of the two men who were lost last
weekend and to the many people who were injured.
Like you I would give anything to go back in time and somehow fix the events
leading up to this tragedy, but since that is not realistic I can only be left
thinking of how impressed I am with the organization and promptness that all of
you showed in your rescue efforts both professional and not.
Although words hardly seem to scratch the surface, I wish my deepest
condolences for the families who have lost, and to the many of you who were
injured.
Like I said at the start of this article, time keeps ticking, but the event
will continue to stay with us.