R.I.P. (one of ours)

[gravitylover]

Aww shit. I missed that one in '01. Sean was one of my best friends. So much time we spent together... Aldo, you probably remember him, he was the HUGE dude that worked the door at BW's. He was like 6'5" and 300 pounds. FUCKITY FUCK I think now I need to go smoke another one. Man great day for me huh...

[Dr. Gaper]

http://www.steamboatpilot.com/sectio...ad/story/27710

Gebhardt was in the backcountry with his brother, who was visiting, "

[Stoysluttie1]

Sorry to hear that.

[splat]

what a bummer.....

Second or third eight minute death I've heard about lately. We need to remember to get those hands up in front of your face once you go under and keep building an air pocket and moving your head until the snow has totally settled if you end up buried. And try to keep your mouth closed.
Tough to do, but it could make the difference.

[EPSkis]

Dam, GL - Sorry to hear about this.

RIP, Michael.

[Darkside]

so sad, be safe everyone.

[watersnowdirt]

Sad news. So sorry to hear that.

Condolences to friends and family.

[gonzo]

23456789

[killclimbz]

My condolences to friends and family.

[laseranimal]

damn

RIP Mike

[Trackhead]

Condolences to friends and family.

[ak_powder_monkey]

8 minutes...sounds like they did everything they could with 1 shovel.

8 minutes is fast, sounds like they did everything right, and he still died

[freshie247]

condolences!

[summit]

condolences

[Endlessseason]

So sad. RIP.

[G]

Sorry to hear.

[rossibandit]

my condolences

[bagtagley]

RIP Mike

Sorry to hear it, gravity. My condolences to all that knew and loved him.

[Hicks]

Condolences!

[AltaPowderDaze]

sorry to hear that your friend moved on, gravity. it would seem that the good do die young and you'd better believe that there is a place they can still do all the things they love. mourn for the family, not for your friend. he'll still be with you if you let him.

[Rdy2ski]

Damn...so sorry. Hard to ever know what to say, when someone 'leaves' us.

My heart feels for you, Mikes family and many friends.

[Lance_K]

Positive thoughts go out to his family, friends, shop co-workers, ski-buddies.

Go make some turns for him- everyone be safe.

[Yeti]

Condolences to all. RIP Mike.

[xboat]

sorry to hear that gravitylover. i'm sure some of my friends in town knew him, also. ++++++

today's update -

http://www.steamboatpilot.com/section/news/story/27717

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center is investigating the avalanche that killed a 26-year-old Steamboat Springs man Monday.

Dale Atkins of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center said the center sent someone to the avalanche site on Soda Mountain on Tuesday and is hoping to interview those involved. The center tries to investigate all avalanches where fatalities, serious injuries or close calls occur, Atkins said.

On Monday afternoon, Michael Gebhardt died when an avalanche swept him down a southerly facing slope on Soda Mountain, which is northwest of Buffalo Past.

Gebhardt, a professional ski tuner at Extreme Tuning and an experienced backcountry skier, was with his brother and two friends, who were using snowmobiles to access untracked skiing terrain in the area.

Atkins said it is unusual for avalanches to occur on southerly facing mountains but noted a break was reported in the same general area last year in March. The slope where Gebhardt went down is known as the Flume of Doom.

"Avalanches in midwinter are fairly unusual (on southerly facing slopes). Most tend to happen on northerly and easterly facing slopes," Atkins said.

Officials with the avalanche center hope to talk to those who were involved in the incident to determine their level of experience and find out why they chose to ski that slope. The center also will look at snow cover and weather conditions in the area.

"In every accident, there is a lot of information that can be used. We try to find the lessons learned and pass it along," Atkins said.

Also on Tuesday, Routt County Coroner Rob Ryg said Gebhardt died of suffocation. Reports indicate that Gebhardt died quickly after being caught in the avalanche.

Gebhardt was buried in 3 feet of snow, and it took about eight to 10 minutes for the group to dig him out. His friends attempted CPR.

Ryg said no autopsy would be done. Gebhardt will be taken home to New York for a funeral, a representative from the Yampa Valley Funeral Home said.

A memorial fund to help the family with the cost of the funeral has been set up in Gebhardt's name at Wells Fargo Bank, his neighbor Jeanne Heffley said. Donations can be made at the Steamboat Springs Wells Fargo Bank. For more information, call the bank at 879-0550.

[VC]

R.I.P Mike