Mammoth Ski Patrol Fundraiser

From the Mammoth Mtn. Forums. Fundraiser this Friday

MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN TO HOST SKI PATROLLER MEMORIAL
FUNDRAISER FRIDAY APRIL 14, 2006

Mammoth Mountain, CA – Rusty Gregory, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Chairman and CEO issued the following statement to the community today:

“The community of Mammoth Mountain is much larger than our family of 2,800 employees or the 7,000 full time residents in the Town of Mammoth Lakes. You are part of our community and I know you feel, as I do, that the loss of our patrollers in last Thursday’s tragic accident has broken our hearts and ripped at our gut. Many of you have e-mailed me wonderful ideas on how best to raise money and respectfully honor the memory of Walter, James and Scott. Instead of working on many separate small-scale efforts, I want to give us all one big idea that will raise a significant amount of money for the families and give us all something to focus on to ease the pain we feel. I have decided to contribute all --100% without any deduction or adjustment -- of this Friday’s gross ticket sales to provide financial support to the Rosenthal, McAndrews and Juarez families and to create a permanent tribute on the mountain to our fallen heroes. I encourage you to participate this Friday, April 14, in a day of solidarity to honor the memory of Charles Walter Rosenthal, James J. Juarez, John Scott McAndrews and to recognize Mammoth Mountain’s Ski Patrol and their brothers and sisters of alpine safety and rescue professionals world-wide who risk their lives so the rest of us may enjoy the wonder of our mountains.”

There are two ways to participate: join us on the mountain this Friday, April 14 or make a symbolic gesture through the purchase of a ticket for Friday online at MammothMountain.com and be with us in spirit.

About the accident:
On Thursday, April 6, 2006, four experienced Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrollers were inspecting the mountain after recent heavy snowstorms. The patrollers were fencing off a natural hazard, a deep gas vent, on Christmas Bowl run, east of Chair 3 when the snow around the vent collapsed. Two patrollers, John “Scott” McAndrews and James Juarez, fell into the approximately 6-ft hole, down 21 feet of snow to the earth. Two patrollers attempting to help, Walter Rosenthal and Jeff Bridges, descended into the hole. Members of Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol working nearby quickly initiated additional rescue efforts and were assisted by the Mammoth Lakes Fire Department and Mono County Paramedics. The victims were immediately transported to Mammoth Hospital. Mammoth Mountain Ski Patroller Jeff Bridges survived and Rosenthal, McAndrews and Juarez perished as a result of the accident.

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Great Job on Mammoth Mountain's part! Thank You!

RIP Good Friends

Wow, way to step up to the plate MMSA :smile:

Just a little bump since I received the same email this morning. I was at Mammoth the day that this tragedy occurred and I was just about to get on chair 5 when they closed the lift to restrict access to the upper mountain. This was only a few minutes after the patrollers had fallen. I wasn't aware to what was happening until a guy in the line behind me pointed up the hill at what was going on and explained what had happened. I managed to snap a couple of photos of the scene before leaving the lift line and heading down to the mill.

The vibe on the mountain was quite somber for the remainder of the day. At the top of 22 there were at least a half-dozen patrollers sitting in silence. I can't imagine what it must feel like to tragically lose 3 of your friends and co-workers in such a short period of time. The patrollers also deserve a lot of credit for showing up to work the following day after Mammoth offered to shut down operations to let them grieve.

Be safe out there everyone, there's already been enough tragedy this season.

+++++VIBES+++++ to the friends and families of the fallen patrollers.

Bump.
If your anywhere close, come up and ski.
You can also purchase an on-line ticket just for the cause.

bump..This season pass holder just bought a ticket; cool and easy way to support the cause. Hope school breaks and Easter wknd bring a record crowd on Friday.

Bump...
Get your asses up there- Mammoth is stepping up huge.