Tell us about Chad Vanderham

[Treepinner]

Just as happened when Alex Lowe died, nearly all the talk was about him and Dave Bridges, who also perished, was barely mentioned. So far, lots has been said about Doug and very little has been said about Chad. Those of you who knew him, what was he all about? Photos? Stories?

[H-man]

Thanks Treepinner for KIR. Chads loss is just as important. I wish I could contribute.

[FrankZappa]

Thanks Treepinner for KIR. Chads loss is just as important. I wish I could contribute.

What H-Man said.


Condolences to his family. RIP.

[s.]

Here is a some info about Chad Vanderham written by a very close friend of his. Chad has an amazing network of friends that are still trying to understand the loss of this truly amazing and inspirational friend.

Chad VanderHam grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and began ski racing at a young age. He was instantly drawn to skiing and the outdoors. Chad followed his passion to explore the high peaks throughout his life. In 1993 he moved to Colorado and attended Colorado State University where he received a BA in Economics but all along he kept his focus on his true calling, powder turns and a beautiful line. While working on his degree, Chad began to explore the European Alps and found a second home in La Grave, France. While in La Grave, Doug Coombs became a close friend and mentor to Chad and soon he honed his skills for ski mountaineering and guiding. On March 11th, 2006, Chad realized a dream and achieved his AMGA Ski Mountaineering Guide Certification and Aspirant Guide status.

Chad had an amazing quality of modesty, kindness, and an open approach to everything in life. He was constantly educating himself, encouraging others, and pursuing new ventures. He never missed an opportunity to share his skills and knowledge and enjoy the each present moment. We learned so much from Chad about enjoying each day and making the most of every situation. He will be dearly missed and remembered by his loving family and friends. His legacy will live on through each of us in all our future endeavors.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends and to Emily, David and their family and friends. We will carry on Doug and Chad's legacy.

[Xover]

On March 11th, 2006, Chad realized a dream and achieved his AMGA Ski Mountaineering Guide Certification and Aspirant Guide status.

that F'ing hurts ... deep
so much to live for ... so many peeps to show his love to
RIP Chad and prayers for your family and friends

[natty dread]

I didn't know Chad too well, but I consider him a friend.

I first met him at the Coombs steep camp in La Grave, in 2000 I think. It was his first extended stay there and Doug took him on as an apprentice of sorts, kind of a tail guide and videographer. I remember Chad would hang precariously from ridges and rocks to get the perfect angle to shoot his videos of us. His narration was priceless and an excellent reflection of his character--his words were sparse, but incredibly funny in an understated sort of way, and his words reflected his deep love and awe of the mountains. I am so glad I still have a copy of his video. His stoke was evident when someone flashed a line and his groans of empathy equally so when someone took a fall (which luckily was rare in our group). While shooting us in La Grave, he had a habit, conscious or unconscious, of often panning the camera toward the peak of La Meije. Each time he did so, he would say with unbridled enthusiam, "La Meije, there it is!" before panning back to the skier in the couloir. He did this literally 10 or more times during the course of the video and it became a running joke among the skiers in our group. His love for the mountains was always evident.

Chad was humble, kind, sensitive, super intelligent. He was the kind of guy whose respect you really wanted to earn, even though he didn't place any demands on you, he was a natural guide personality. He was a listener, he was mellow, he was a student of people and of the mountain environment, an observer, the kind of guy who didn't always feel the need to put in his 2 cents--but when he spoke up in his laconic way, you perked up and listened. He loved to learn new things, both mountain-related and not, and his dedication toward his life's calling was awe inspiring to me. It is no easy path to become an AMGA guide, but I knew he would make it, even then. He would have been one of the great guides in the alps, I am sure. It almost goes without saying that he was a gifted skier, with a fluid, rock solid style regardless of the terrain or conditions. It was a beautiful thing to watch him ski.

I hung out with Chad more as a buddy and less as a "client" on my second trip to la grave a few years later. We ate good cheese and bread together in his place in la grave, we had safety meetings together, we talked about life and love. He was living his dream. I wish wish wish I would not have put off my planned extended stay in la grave--it was always next year, next year. Unfortunately the last time I saw him, we could not ski together because he was recovering from frostbite after a mishap during a tour--he got caught in a storm and spent a night on the mountain, if I recall correctly. He could barely walk and couldn't ski for a good month, but he remained positive and used his time to study the french language textbooks and mountaineering related stuff. Now I will not have the pleasure of skiing or being with this rare, wise-beyond-his-years human being.

I didn't know Chad too well, but I am devastated by his loss. If I feel this way, I can only imagine how his family and close friends are feeling. If those who loved him are reading this, please know that knowing him made many lives better. My deepest condolences.

[Dexter Rutecki]

I only knew Chad from the 10 days I spent in La Grave, but he was the first and last person I spoke to while there--picked me up in Grenoble, and I saw him as I waited for a bus to Cham as he ran through the village between runs (doing something for Skierslodge, I think).
After Pelle Lang convinced me that I had to stay beyond my intended time because the snow was so good, Chad skied with me for the last three days I was there. Even on the day with another two feet of pow that we ended up spending a morning babysitting a German skier girl who was sitting in the snow more than she was skiing it, he was good natured and encouraging, just as he was off the hill. Essentially he was my guide for several days in La Grave, and brought me to the coolest places I found in that most incredible of all ski areas. I've often thought about Chad since then, and hoped for another chance to ski with him.
There were a few shots of him in Powder years ago, I'll try to track down the issue.
Just an incredibly nice, fun, and positive person. And a ripping skier who had been taken under Coombs' wing. I remember Pelle paying him the compliment of being 'very good, very safe.'

[natty dread]

I remember Pelle paying him the compliment of being 'very good, very safe.'

Coming from Pelle Lang, who is the MAN and a person more prone to understatement than anyone I have ever met, that speaks volumes.

[hop]

Never met the guy that I can remember, but when people like Pelle, Glisseur, and Nacho say good things about people I don't question them.

While Glisseur and Nacho were here in WA in March we often talked about La Grave, Doug, Chad, and everyone else there. That place and the people that call it home are unique in this world.

RIP.

[NEngineer]

This website has many pictures of Chad Vanderham and Doug Coombs.
http://www.highandlow.nu/galleri/ski...kierslodge.htm

RIP

[natty dread]

bump
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[Monique]

I'll repeat what I posted in the other thread: If anyone finds out about a memorial fund for Chad, would you please post that information? I would like the chance to make sure Chad's family knows both men are remembered and honored by the ski community.

[Minotaur]

Author's note: I'm really sorry for having to do this again, as there are multiple threads going on to the recent tragedy where this was initially posted, but some kind people have asked me to post thoughts on Chad on this specific thread. This is also the thread link that is being shared amongst friends of Chad who are looking for comforting thoughts. Again, my sincere apologies for the redundancy, I just want to share some thoughts on the person that Chad was.

I found this forum while looking for more facts about Chad Vanderham and Doug Coomb's deaths, and I thought that I would share a few words and pictures on Chad.

A long-time acquaintance of Chad, we solidified our friendship last September on an excursion into the Rockies with one of his closest friends from college (a close hometown friend of mine). Chad, an only child originally from Minnesota, was a straight-shooter and a very intelligent fellow, a very good guy. He was always up for an informed discussion on whatever the topic, even if ended with us being at odds on the subject. He was the best I ever skied with, and one of the safest climbing partners I'd ever had the pleasure to scramble with who had a determined hunger to expand his already solid guiding abilities. During traverses, he had me on belay when there was any exposure to falling in the least bit, even if it was the simplest series of horizontal steps. I had complete confidence in his technical and guiding abilities, and oftentimes during the trip commented on what a privilege it was to be in the company of such fine qualified fellows and have them looking after my own tail end.

While Chad (and Doug's) death is tragic and I wish it never happened, he passed doing what he loved the most at a place that he considered his second home, La Grave, a location he had been frequenting for years - he was no neophyte in the ways of the mountain.

Rest in peace, Chad, it was an honor to have spent time with you while you where on this earth. You, your family, and all of those touched by your loss are in my thoughts and prayers.







"Once in awhile you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right...."

[KevinDineen]

Here's a pic of chad Powder Photo Editor Dave Reddick took a few years ago:

[hop]

that was the pic ("steep camp veteran Chad Vanderham quietly sipping xxxxx in the corner of the bar....") I was thinking of as soon as I heard this news, along with the article (by Keith Carlsen about Doug's Steep Camp) it came in. I remember Keith Carlsen writing that he was above a line "quaking in his telemark boots" and "having chosen the wrong tools for the day", and both quotes were foremost in my mind when I arrived in La Grave with just tele gear the first time.

[biggins]

Bump to keep this on page one

[pitt5525]

I only had the opportunity to ski with Chad once or twice when I was living in Colorado. I met him through S. while they were at Colorado State. I was a student down in Boulder and true to the many who had gone before me I was more dedicated to the study of barley, hops and water and the exploartion of the state many ski slopes.
On the one day that I got to ski with Chad he was very much like many of you have already described patient and offering solid advice on how to become a better skier. I am from Tennessee and for any of you who have ever visited the state it is not exactly one of the better states for skiing, so I was a neophyte when I met Chad. I learned more about skiing and enjoying the alpine environment in that one day with Chad than I did on any of the other days I have spent on a mountain.
I envy Chad for the way that he lived his life. He knew what he loved and he didn't let anything come between him and the pursuit of what made him happy that is a courageousness that should not only be admired but mimicked by more people.
I only new Chad for a few brief periods in my life and I will say that those are times upon which I look fondly and Chad contributed in many ways to the happiness of those times through his graciousness and generosity.
To the many of you who knew Chad much better than I, you have my deepest sympathy.
To Chad and Doug, I hope that you have moved on into the next world and found a place where you can ski steeper and deeper than this world would permit unhindered by the mortal coil.

[Glisseur]

Just came down to the village after a small memorial gathering at the top station here in La Grave. People here are sad but we're all strengthened by the enourmous passion both Doug and Chad felt for the mountains.

Our first run today was an epic run down Pan de Rideau, one of the LG classics, probably the best run I've ever had there. It was untracked, perfect snow, perfect weather and a strong emotional experience. We left one of Doug's headbands at the top, one saying "Steep Skiing Camps Worldwide", something that brought those two men together in the first place. It was a beuatiful tribute to our fallen friends.

RIP Chad, you're already missed

[Schmear]

Powdermag just posted its older feature about Doug and Emily's steep skiing camp at Verbier. Chad is mentioned several times in the piece. A good (re)read:

http://powdermag.com/coombs-verbiercamp/

[meeker]

Thank you all for posting stories and kind words for Chad. It means so much to all his family and close friends to hear your adventures with him. He was truly one of the best individuals I've been honored to call a friend, climbing partner, and teacher. He never missed an opportunity to learn and experience life. I miss both him and Doug... it's unreal.
There has been a memorial fund set up in Chad's name through the American Mountain Guide Association. This fund will help future aspiring ski guides seeking training and education. Please see the information below or call the AMGA with any questions (303-271-0984).
Keep up the stories and pictures. I love it!

The Chad VanderHam Memorial Fund
C/O AMGA
PO Box 1739
Boulder, CO. 80306

Checks should be made out to the AMGA with a note that this funding is for The Chad VanderHam Memorial Fund. This is a tax deductible donation and a letter will be mailed to you from the AMGA for tax purposes.

[natty dread]

Another bump for any of chad's friends or family who may visit this site...

[Red Squirrel]

I feel obliged to post here. While I never knew Chad, I just got a call from my aunt back in Minnesota - she told me a bit about his life. Apparently she is a close friend of Chad's parents. Firstly, she had only the best things in the world to say about him. Secondly, I understand that his father has been in poor health for sometime. That coupled with the events of recent would be too much for many families to bear. I'm sure that any support any of you can show for his family and friends, be it in donations to his memorial fund, kind words written here or in letters to his family, or just positive thoughts/vibes, would be most appreciated.

[Glisseur]

I'll spread the news of the memorial fund. You have no idea how missed he is around here. Positive vibes to all his friends and family from all of us here in La Grave.

[natty dread]

I'm sure that any support any of you can show for his family and friends, be it in donations to his memorial fund, kind words written here or in letters to his family, or just positive thoughts/vibes, would be most appreciated.

If you or anyone has access to his family's address, please PM it to me. I'd like to write them a note. Thanks.

[DeepinCO]

First, I just want to thank everyone for sharing their stories about Chad. While it can often be difficult, the fact that he touched so many of you around the world speaks volumes to the life he lived. You should all know that his friends and family are reading all of them...please keep 'em coming!

I met Chad at CSU when we were both freshman there...I recall going to parties with him and he would always come prepared. Backpack full of Bush cans and his own koozie...he never needed a thing from anyone...anyway, Chad and I both grew up ski racing at the same races in Minnesota and Michigan but had never met...I remember the first time we got out skiing together at A Basin...We both kind of pushed each other all day skiing hard, droping little rocks and taking some pretty nice lines for two kids from the Midwest...then I remember Chad “stepping it up a notch”.. He dropped a 25 footer in one of the alleys which was big for us...in classic Chad fashion he was embarrassed by all of his crew hootin' at the bottom. I think it was later that season he went to one of Doug’s Steep Camps…the rest is of course a classic tale of hard work and dedication that culminated in his guiding certification this past winter.

Chad's love of the mountains and dedication to them was monumental. Like his mentor Coombs, he worked his ass off to spend his life in the high peaks. Most importantly, Chad learned well the lessons of humility, beauty and grace that the mountains can teach us all and applied it to everything he did, in the mountains or not. I think the greatest compliment I can give is that his life was a testament to the Mountains he loved so much.

His loss has been incredibly hard on all his friends I know, but my heart goes out to Donna and Gill his parents. May you find solace in the fact that Chad inspired and touched so many of us.

Please support the Chad VanderHam Memorial fund at www.amga.com

Rafe
Breckenridge, CO.