Tell us about Chad Vanderham

[DeepinCO]

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[zion zig zag]

I spoke with a friend of Chads today, his face lit up while telling me a story about him. Sounds like he touched alot of lives. Condolences.

[Monique]

Bump for memorial fund link.

[warthog]

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/2.../NEWS/60406002This is an article from the Summit Daily.

You have to register- it is free. Really good article.

My buddy Frank was skiing with the guys quoted in the article, last week or the week before.

Are some of the new guys posting here those guys?

[skiclimber]

I have had the honnor to ski with this man on some of the biggest lines of our lives: When it came to partners, hands down there was no discussion: Chad was the man and the best partner in crime you could ever ask for: never said much about his skiing or what he did; didn't seem too care either because he was too busy thinking of the next adventure; He loved life and the mountains like no one else; His composer in the mountains was unmatched. attention to detail in such a calm demeanor even when things were going up the river: He had the head and the skills to solve any mountain situation. My best days ever have been just him and I with enough rope to climb el capitan hunting for coulouirs: We would drop into places we werent sure went and look at eachother scratching our heads. I remember saying to chad do you think it goes; and he would say "we got rope": this became a regular phrase out of chads mouth whenever we went looking for new lines.

I first came to la grave 3 winters ago because of doug and chad: I met chad in college and like him just wanted to ski: He convinced me to check out la grave, and three winters later I am still here: He showed me around this mountain my first time here and I instantly felt like I was in the hands of the best guide skiing might have ever known. So calm and graceful as he moved through the Mountains: always knew were he was and new the line like he was holding a polaroid. His soft spoken demeanor and calmness made you feel safe even though You felt like it was time to check your shorts: he only would say a few things here and there; but when he spoke you listened:

I owe so much of my life and career to him, I have equally learned as much from Chad as I have learned from Doug. Chad had so much too offer; I started the AMGA ski program with him in 2001 and we quickly shared the common theme of just wanting to ski the good line and screw all this guide crap. I think it was on this course as chads tent and cook partner that we started our true friendship and ski partner relationship: We spent the next 4 years finishing the ski program together and prepared for our exams and courses together: I am so glad I was able to take our first trip to valdez together as course partners and friends: I dont think I would have passed my exam if I did not have such a dedicated and motivated partner to train with:

Here in La Grave the town is still shocked and the vibe is not the same.
This mountain will miss chad dearly; as will all the boys in Summit that knew him and had a chance to see his grace and beauty on the mountain. He is truly one of the best skiers I have ever known; Unfortunatly the ski world never got a hold of this guy; but that is how chad wnted it: Chad never got caught up in the scene; he was just trying to be the most elite skier he could and just improve his personal level for himself: Most people I know back home never gave this kid a second look because of the duct tape on his shreaded gore tex and his overly patched and stitched pack. If they only new they were standing among a legend in the making; a true jedi master on skiis: This was evident in how often he skiied and in all conditions: about 2 weeks ago we skiied about 6000 vert of breakable crust together; when asked about the conditions he said with a sincere smile "it was very good breakable crust" These comments and his sincere conviction will be sadly missed:

I am not on my cpu now; and the french keyboards suck; when I get to my laptop I will post some more photos:

Thank you everyone who has posted here and all the best to the VanderHam and Coombs Family and the boys back in summit; I wish I were there:

Joey V.

[Xover]

skiclimber,

thank you for taking the time to post those very heartfelt words. i am truly sorry for your and all his family and other friends loss. thankful for you that you got the chance to spend time with him and learn from him during this lifetime. even though i never got the blessing of meeting chad, nor do i know you, your post has more than motivated me to give to his memorial fund.

please don't go away; this place needs more genuine people like you on a regular basis.

[Mulletizer]

When I heard that Doug had died with one other person I immediately thought of Chad - the two were very often to be found together, skiing lines other people didn't even know about and acknowledging questions about where they'd been with a wry smile and a "we were skiing the pow over there" with a vague wave over their shoulder. Tragically, when I heard that someone else had gone with Doug I knew it would be Chad.

Chad was a person who always had a friendly greeting for you if you met him on the lift or in town. Conditions were never bad if you asked Chad, his enthusiasm for skiing was always awesome and utterly infectious.

I first met Chad at La Chaumine, soon after I arrived in La Grave the first time I lived there. A film he'd taken for one of Doug's camps was being shown and, as Natty described, he was getting a bit of a ribbing for his wry commentary, taking it with his quiet smile and responding with comments that had everyone present in stitches. Later I would often find him hanging from the most unlikely spots, trying to get the best angle he could for the film he was shooting.

Chad was a kind and gentle man. Whether he was quietly nursing a drink in the Pub or at La Chaumine, waiting for the horrible frostbite to his feet to recover or heading out to ski a huge line off one of the glaciers he was full of positivity, encouraging words and enthusiasm for the mountains. As many have mentioned he was a natural and excellent guide. He will be terribly missed. My heart goes out to all in LG at the moment, to Chad's family and friends.

It has been a privilege to call Chad a friend. I hope you are making turns on the other side, Chad.

[skiclimber]

Sorry , I am cpu iliterate . I usually avoid threads and forums , but this one is quite important to me. I would like to post photos of Chad on his last run and some other ones I have of him sending the goods. I have a photo of his last turn in the coulouir as well.

I do not know how to reduce photos and post them etc.

If anyone wants to talk me through this procedure email me at joevallone@hotmail.com

Thanks,

This is quite important to me

[s.]

We are thinking of you.
bump

[skierX]

would like a better understanding of this accident.
was this a heli run?
did they climb the route that was to be skied?

[natty dread]

would like a better understanding of this accident.
was this a heli run?
did they climb the route that was to be skied?

Read this thread and the links within.

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50557

[good4nothing]

After reading Matt Farmer's account of the accident, I thought this deserved a bump for relevance. Both of these gentlemen will be exceedingly missed.

RIP

[skifishbum]

Thanks skiclimber,
RIP CV

[Xover]

Does anyone have a link where we can Paypal $ for the CV Memorial Fund?

Don't have a problem with a mailing a check; just wanted to ask.

Thanks.

[leswims]

I knew Chad back in high school where we ski raced together. I remember him always having a positive attitude and a smile on his face. After hearing the news I went through some old pictures and found this one of Chad. It is exactly how I remember him, happy go lucky, with a few beers in him after a long day of skiing.

He was a great guy and will be missed by many.Attachment 13400