RIP Norman Vaughan

[ak_powder_monkey]

lifted off alaskamountainforums.com

Norman Vaughan dies at age 100
Musher, adventurer dreamed impossible dreams, friends say

Beloved Alaska dog musher and world adventurer Col. Norman Vaughan died in an Anchorage hospital this morning among his family and friends -- just four days past his 100th birthday.

Vaughan was recently admitted to Providence Alaska Medical Center due to ill health, but he recovered briefly last weekend to enjoy a birthday celebration in the lobby, attended by more than 100 friends and hospital workers. "He died so peacefully," said Susan Ruddy, a family friend and an administrator at the hospital. "The big party last Saturday was a great send-off."

Vaughan's life as a sportsman, soldier and entrepreneur spanned the 20th century, but it was his buoyant example of how an active outdoor life doesn't have to end at age 70, or 80, or even 90 that inspired legions of admirers.

At 84, Vaughan was still entering and completing the grueling 1,100-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome as the self-proclaimed "oldest and slowest" musher in the world.
At 89, he climbed a 10,320-foot Antarctic peak that Admiral Richard Byrd named in his honor 65 years earlier during their historic 1928-1930 South Pole expedition.

Vaughan was assisted on his 1994 Antarctica expedition by his wife, Carolyn, and Alaska mountain guide Vern Tejas.

"I know how to dream big dreams," Tejas said later, "but Norman dreams impossible dreams. That's what I want to learn from him."

Funeral arrangements will soon be announced, Ruddy said.

here's to an all around badass RIP

[monoman]

Great man. A real inspiration to me.

MM

[truth]

RIP.

He lived a life worth living.

[skieurmalade]

isn't he the guy that said, "if I could do it again? Yep, I would. Same thing." ?

either way I'm raising a glass.

[col_surfer]

Along with Charlie Houston(age 97, still alive?), Norman Vaughn is one of the true inspiring people and examples of a real adventurer I`ve had the pleasure to meet. He will be surely missed. Alaskans have lost two great ones this year- Jay Hammond was the other. Wherever you are Norman, thank you for all those good memories of you racing in the Iditarod.

"Dream big and dare to fail" Norman D. Vaughn

[alpinepronghorn]

Sad news. We should all be so lucky as to live a life as full and long as Norman Vaughan. I remember hearing him speak when I was in elementry school: he was going back to Antarctica to make the first ascent of the mountain Byrd had named for him. That was '93 or '94 when he was 88, and he was hoping to climb it again this month to celebrate his 100th. Even then, I remember thinking that from anyone else, the motto "Dream big and dare to fail," would sound corny. But that guy really lived it, and did so to the last.

(edit: and yes, Houston is still alive)

[MeatPuppet]

Here's to guts and passion.

RIP Norman Vaughan.

[ak_powder_monkey]

Alaskans have lost two great ones this year- Jay Hammond was the other. Wherever you are Norman, thank you for all those good memories of you racing in the Iditarod.

Forgot about Jay, great man, one time I was hanging out with my buddies in halibut cove and Hammond was at the tillion's house and my dad went over there and drank cocktails with him, I wish I was old enough to understand

Norman live for quite some time here in Eagle River and every once in a while we'd see him at sleepy dog (a local coffee house) I can remember more then once my mom coming home "So I ran into Norman Voughan today," all nonchalantly (sp.) kinda cool.

Lately i've been second guessing my dreams of ski mountaineering you know what I just have to work harder to attain the strength I need the worst that happens is I fail. Thanks Norman