Avalanche

drew562

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https://www.avalanche.ca/map?panel=fatal-accidents/fatal-recreational-accident-willmore-20200213

Been waiting till I had a news report or something to post. This incident was my uncle and cousin last Thursday. My uncle was the the one that didn’t make it. It was a shock to say the least! My uncle was an experienced mountain sledder with well over 20years of riding. He was the guy that you wanted to be with up there, you just felt safer being with uncle Dean. It was always great riding with him. The crazy thing was he was up there for a memorial ride. It was 3 years to the day that he was up there trapping with his best friend (it’s a registered trap line and that’s the only way you are allowed to ride there) and his friend had a heartache and died in his arms. And my cousin led the search and rescue in to help with that situation. So they went in there to pay there respect and set a wolverine trap. They had just stopped at the spot and paid there respect and continued on to set a trap. They came to this area and Dean stopped and said they need to turn around as he didn’t like the snow. As they turned the avalanche hit them. Both were buried but Matt was able to get his hands moving and free himself. He didn’t get to Dean in time and cpr didn’t work. Then he spent the night waiting for search and rescue at the cabin. My uncle will be missed by anyone that has ever met him. It’s been a rough weekend to say the least. Spent it with my cousin and family wondering what and how this can happen.

First off so sorry for your loss.
Your uncle was good friends with my friend Lance Tkachuk. They go way back. Hinton area. I was going to ride with him at the end of the month in Revelstoke. Last couple months Lance has been talking about the two guys coming. Saying I Can’t wait for you to meet dean. Telling me to Make sure your here that weekend. Lance isn’t easily impressed so that tells me uncle dean was the man. Very sorry Neil.
I too have lost loved ones to an avalanche.
 

neilsleder

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First off so sorry for your loss.
Your uncle was good friends with my friend Lance Tkachuk. They go way back. Hinton area. I was going to ride with him at the end of the month in Revelstoke. Last couple months Lance has been talking about the two guys coming. Saying I Can’t wait for you to meet dean. Telling me to Make sure your here that weekend. Lance isn’t easily impressed so that tells me uncle dean was the man. Very sorry Neil.
I too have lost loved ones to an avalanche.

Did Lance ride ride with a Terry in McBride? Dean was telling me he was going to Revy and that I should take Matt’s spare sled to go with him. I wish I could! I just called and booked a room for his funeral. The lady asked me if I was there for Hintons famous elk hunters funeral. Dean is known for his big elk that town. The lady said she hasn’t seen a person affect more people there ever. We all lost a true hero Thursday!
 

drew562

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Did Lance ride ride with a Terry in McBride? Dean was telling me he was going to Revy and that I should take Matt’s spare sled to go with him. I wish I could! I just called and booked a room for his funeral. The lady asked me if I was there for Hintons famous elk hunters funeral. Dean is known for his big elk that town. The lady said she hasn’t seen a person affect more people there ever. We all lost a true hero Thursday!
Not sure about terry. I have only known lance 11yrs. Lance lived there 15-20 yrs ago. He Also lived in Valemount for 8-10 yrs. They hunted and rode together lots. I will find out more and share some stories with you
 

HotShotHarry

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This accident was a shocker for sure. Lots of people in town affected by this. Dean most certainly was an avid outdoorsman and very knowledgeable about the backcountry. RIP Dean.
 

High Velocity

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He was a very good friend of mine and I’ll miss him dearly. I have great memories of quadding, hunting, sledding and boating with Dean. Rest In Peace my friend.
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neilsleder

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neilsleder

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Yes, he was, and if you hunted with him, you had better be in shape or you’d be hurting the next day, like me. The man was a machine.

Never hunted elk with him. But hunted moose, shot beaver on the river. Always amazed me hunting with him, he would drive so fast through the bush you couldn’t even keep up. He would slam on the brakes and say I think there was a moose leg back in the bush, and sure enough there would be one there. Or when he head shot a grouse at 350yards.
 

Lem Lamb

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Same here brother...

Condolences to friends,,, and your family...

Your thoughts are in our harts and mind..

Pal Don and family
 
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