Mike Cavanna died one year ago today, buried inbounds at bridger after the record snowfall which included the 71 in 24... There is a plaque now on the cliff he was discovered below, I've shown it to my wife and a few others I've skied with. I wasn't here for it but I knew Mikey over the years as a permanently positive guy who brought out smiles in everyone he met. His happiness was infectious.
Lots of folks thought of ya today Mike, we miss you buddy.
I remember last years storm. I remember shooting for two days straight during it, getting some of the best turns I've ever had and some of the best footage I've ever shot. I remember the excitement, the bottomless snow, the great vibes from all our freinds on the hill.
And I remember finishing the last powder day up at the Grizzly Ridge, where a friend came up and asked if I've seen Mikey in the past two days. I remember going to his truck in the Bridger parking lot, which was buried in snow, to look for any clues of where he was. I remember the terrible thought I had after seeing his shoes and wallet still in his truck, two days later after he parked it there: the thought that our friend is probably dead. And I remember seeing one of his best friends looking like pale death after that point, and wondered what to think or do.
I remember sending my Utah friends home, as we were not going to shoot any more. I remember buying a new probe pole that night, wondering if I was the one who was going to find him the next day. I remember getting the phone call much later that night, from a friend saying they found Mikey finally.
I remember skiing the chute he died on days later, with his best friend who hung Mikey's feather in a tree. I remember me leaning against a tree while crying like a bitch as he did this. And I remember jumping the cliff, the cliff I thought I'd never ski off again, with him and with Mikey in remembrance. I remember later in the day lighting a flare with fez and a bunch of Mikey's friends where he died, thinking about how I skied within ten feet of him a few days ago and not knowing he was even missing, never mind RIGHT there. I remember while we lit the flares someone special to Mikey desperately trying to climb their way up the steep ski hill to us, just to be with us and more importantly, with Mikey.
Most importantly, I remember Mikey and his laugh, and how positively he affected all of us. All we have now is our memories. Thanks Mikey.
RIP Mikey. I never knew him what happened still struck very close to home. His cliff was the first cliff I ever dropped back in highschool. I'll have to make a stop there this year and say a prayer for him.
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