Doug Coombs reportedly killed in avalanche

[teledave]

teledave - do you man Chris Leveroni, or is there a Mike Leverino. Either way, thanks for sharing your encounter with Doug and Em.

Pretty sure it was Mike Leverino, but that was a lot of beers ago. Does your man fit the description, JHMR instructor in winter of 94/95 & Extremes judge? I could easily be mistaken.

[cololi]

Wow, this sucks. I am latefinding out the news, thoughts and prayers.

[Baconzoo]

Chris Leveroni, Wow that name brings back memories....

The accounts told above of Doug's actions and death have shattered me once again. Time to leave work early and morn.

He would have done that for any of the hundreds of skiers/riders he shared runs with over the years. It's just the fucking odds that caught up with him.

[Knockneed Man]

I haven't responded to this yet, as I didnt feel I could add anything other than the good thoughts and prayers that I have already and continue to send. I never had the pleasure of meeting Doug. I only knew him through the pictures that covered the inside of my high school locker years ago, and the stories I would read that made me move to the mountains.

Now, after having a couple of days to let this sink in, I have found some personal irony in my reflections. I usually consider such a tragic accident to be another reason to tell myself to play things safe... You're not seventeen anymore... maybe back off a bit. I'm finding though, that every time I re-read this thread, I just want to ski more, better, harder... Climb bigger, more remote...I crave adventure more... And it's all because of how damn inspiring Doug is. Rembering Doug and his monumental feats, really makes me want to seize the day in the way he would... and enjoy every second of it. Only he could make me percieve such a horrible moment as losing a hero, as the climax of inspiration.

-Z

[swiss]

@Black Market

All this coresponding to the information I have with one correction. The LAdy Christina Blomqist is a Swedish Citizen.

[Larson]

Thanks to all who have so spoken kindly about Chad, he was a close friend of mine. Chad truely was a great person, and an extreamly kind & selfless individual. I've known Chad since we were in highschool and we shared many great adventures together in MN and CO. Like others have said, Chad died doing what he loved.

You will be greatly missed my friend, but never forgotten. Chad is remembered by his parents and a fiercly loyal group of friends around the globe. My condolences also go out to the Coombs family.

Nels Larson
Boulder CO

[Magoo]

Now, after having a couple of days to let this sink in, I have found some personal irony in my reflections. I usually consider such a tragic accident to be another reason to tell myself to play things safe... You're not seventeen anymore... maybe back off a bit. I'm finding though, that every time I re-read this thread, I just want to ski more, better, harder... Climb bigger, more remote...I crave adventure more... And it's all because of how damn inspiring Doug is. Rembering Doug and his monumental feats, really makes me want to seize the day in the way he would... and enjoy every second of it. Only he could make me percieve such a horrible moment as losing a hero, as the climax of inspiration.
-Z

Interesting thoughts. I, too, share these feelings of being inspired to explore and expand my limits. In reading the experiences that so may had with Doug -- his ability to get you to go bigger, have more fun, learn more, and challenge yourself to a higher level -- I'd think that the ultimate tribute to him is to continue to pursue our lives and experiences to the highest level that we're able.

[enlosandes]

Since we are sharing stories now, here's a couple.

In 98, I was in Valdez doing the heli skiing thing. Our group skied Kiwi, a beautiful classic Chugach face. We got to the bottom and were basking in the moment, having a safety meeting, waiting for our heli to pick us up. Another group came down a few minutes later and Coombs nailed the run, obviously and skied up. Me, being the smart ass as always said "Sorry Coombs, we already got it". Doug just smiled and laughed. Here is this chubby smart ass guy talking smack (light heartily of course) to the guy who pretty much pioneered heli skiing in the area and he just smiled.

Another time, I was skiing down the Hobacks at Jackson on a hero day trying to keep up with the man, and when we got to the bottom, the road to the rope tow, he clicked my pole and with a big permagrin said, "that was like a heli run".

OK, those are my first hand stories. A very humble, cool guy, even to us regular folks. He will be missed and I send the very best to his family and close friends!

Here is a photo of Kiwi form that day.

[meatdrink9]

Do You Realize - that you have the most beautiful face
Do You Realize - we're floating in space
Do You Realize - that happiness makes you cry
Do You Realize - that everyone you know someday will die

And instead of saying all of your goodbyes - let them know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round

[filthyfrenchbum]

Wow. RIP, although i did not know the men, I had heard a lot about Doug and his amazing mountaineering experiences. This brings the number of casualties within the borders of France to 55. Devastating season.

[Karl Stall]

enlosandes, that is a great picture of kiwi - classic chugach run for sure.

Doug would love that picture, too. All these stories are wonderful and paint a true picture of a great man.

[elevens]

I met Doug a few times during my years in Jackson (93-96).

I was always like a deer in the head lights next to him, like a little kid standing next to his legend. Doug was the reason why I moved to Jackson. Watching him in the early ski movies made me dream of skiing in Jackson.

Our brief conversations never went beyond the casual hello until one day I was lucky enough to run into Doug at the village.

It was a mid Dec weekday (I forget the year but it was the winter that they opened the tram the too the top on the 1st day). The resort was pretty much empty. We were in one of those 6” to 8” everyday for a week storm cycles and I was lapping the tram.

Around 1PM I get in line next to Doug. We casual greet before the ride up and I kick in near him at the top of the bowl. As he shoves off, he gives me a little nod to follow and straight down the Bowl to the Hobacks we went.

His turns were so powerful, yet smooth and graceful and I remember thinking he is never out of balance. Something to this day I try to, but rarely achieve in my skiing.

I was sucking wind by the goat path entering into the Hobacks and was hoping he’d stop before hitting it the next 2500’. I was so wrong and Doug plunged right in to the Hobacks full tilt. I was trying my best to keep up and about half way down had to stop or else my quivering thighs would have exploded. Just as I catch my wind, I see Doug hit the cat track and look up. I push off and finish the run, continuing to suck wind all the way to the puma lift. Doug was waiting for me at the lift with a huge grin on his face. I couldn’t believe it; he waited for a flat land kid like me with only a few seasons under his belt.

We spent the rest of the day hitting everything and anything. I started out super shy but soon learned Doug was one of the friendliest and laid back guys you’d ever meet. I got to ski the afternoon with him and we talked about skiing and climbing and laughed at the fact that the mountain was empty. It was one of the best days of my life.

You will always be a Legend.

You will be missed and I pray for your friends and family.

Rest in Peace Doug.

[dipstik]

This is interesting:

pulled from www.nelsap.org (New England Lost Ski Area Project)

http://www.nelsap.org/ma/bedford.html



"Here’s a little secret - the talented Doug Coombs may have made his very first turns at Little’s, but you’d have to get him to admit it before mentioning it. A few years younger than I, he is a BHS grad also and lived up the street. But that is another story!"








sad news.....

[smitchell333]

Fuck.

Doug was a real pioneer in our sport.

He was a man who epitomized passion for glisse and life.

He lived on the edge for far longer than most of us ever could.

[davidof]

Wow. RIP, although i did not know the men, I had heard a lot about Doug and his amazing mountaineering experiences. This brings the number of casualties within the borders of France to 55. Devastating season.

If it was an avalanche as the French press are saying:

http://fr.news.yahoo.com/05042006/5/...bs-se-tue.html

then that is 56 victims. But so far it seems clear both men slid and fell (see Black Market's post above) so 54 avalanche victims in France this season. None of them at la Grave which has a pretty good safety record considering.

[jezzat]

I was truly shocked to hear of the death of both Doug and Chad in La Grave on Monday.

I have skied with them both here over the past 5 years or so and remember meeting them on my trip last year sharing the lift to the top of the mountain. Doug was a legend I remember looking up to as a kid and Chad was cracking guy and a great skier. I didn't know them well but always bumped in to them every year either on the mountain or in the bar. Its very very sad.

I have a friend who lives in La Grave and the report from the team who rapelled in to the line the next day to investigate is that Chad slipped on snow covered sheet ice at the top of the couloir and fell over the cliff below him. Doug went to investigate and fell just above the same spot.

They will be missed.

[Treepinner]

Another article. Nothing new about the accident but some info on fundraising:

http://snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/04679.html

[Michael Nugent]

Nuge here trying to contact those who knew and or looked up to Doug. Feel absolutely terrible. Doug defined American mountain guiding. Only man to link the world to places like the Ford Couloir, and La Grave. Doug died skiing. What am I doing? is it still cool? should i keep doing it the way Doug did it? are you going to keep doing it? Are there any real American ski guides left? "Where are all the rastamen that used to be down here in Babylon?" Joseph Hill. Doug inspired me to challenge myself in the mountains rather than do shitty things like shoot somebody (even accidentaly) or screw someone or get blown out wasted or breaking alot of property. He was a hard worker I am sure to accomplish this. I miss that alot and feel crappy. Respect and love to Dougs wife. There will be sun after all this rain. Love, Michael Nugent R.I. P.S....I am currently residing i Rhode island getting things in order to return to Bozeman in the fall maybe earlier. If any friends of mine get this i figured i might let you know

[seatosky]

The word 'legend' keeps getting used over and over in this thread. Probably because there isn't another word in the english language that could possibly fit any better. RIP.

[Cirquerider]

Please note a memorial fund has been setup at www.dougcoombsmemorialfund.com

Edit: I looked back and realized I was reposting the story from Jackson Hole News (see post 303). Deleted story, but thought I would point out the memorial fund.


From JH News http://www.jacksonholenews.com/
[B]

[bad_roo]

Unfortunate sig.

[Trackhead]

We spent the rest of the day hitting everything and anything. I started out super shy but soon learned Doug was one of the friendliest and laid back guys you’d ever meet. I got to ski the afternoon with him and we talked about skiing and climbing and laughed at the fact that the mountain was empty. It was one of the best days of my life.

You will always be a Legend.

You will be missed and I pray for your friends and family.

Rest in Peace Doug.

Nice write up.

[Natedogg]

RIP Doug and Chad. Thoughts to friends and especially family of both. Mr. Coombs is truly a legend and a role model for all who have heard his name.

[jezzat]

Thanks to all who have so spoken kindly about Chad, he was a close friend of mine. Chad truely was a great person, and an extreamly kind & selfless individual. I've known Chad since we were in highschool and we shared many great adventures together in MN and CO. Like others have said, Chad died doing what he loved.

You will be greatly missed my friend, but never forgotten. Chad is remembered by his parents and a fiercly loyal group of friends around the globe. My condolences also go out to the Coombs family.

Nels Larson
Boulder CO

Nels,

I met Chad the day he first came to La Grave some 5 or so years ago. He was stuck in a snow storm in Grenoble and was struggling to get a lift up the village, but finally managed it and walked in to the Skiers Lodge bar and dumped his kit. I was about 19 or so surrounded by a bunch or older guys that I didn't have much in common with. Needless to say we sat down and had a good number of beers late in to the evening talking about skiing and his side of the world (I'm from London).

I saw him last year on the lift and his room mate Joe was guiding me for the week. He was great guy and you could tell he loved that place more than anything. All those guys do. Its a real shame what has happened but I wanted to say that I met and knew him briefly and my thoughts go to you, his friends and familly. He was a top bloke.

All the best.

[skideeppow]

Dav had some good pix's of Doug IN Bella Coola from his trip this last month. I thought I would post the link here.
Nice words as well. The last three pixs from his trip report are of Doug and are pretty sweet.

http://skithe14ers.com/p-redcloud-peak.php