Former Lafayette Man One Of Three Killed In Backcountry Avalanche
Chris Rudolph grew up in Lafayette but left California for the deep powder of Stevens Pass, Washington.
A veteran skier and former Lafayette resident was one of three people killed in a backcountry avalanche in Washington State Sunday.
Chris Rudolph, 30, grew up in Lafayette, and moved to Leavenworth, Wash. several years ago to take a job as the marketing director for nearby Stevens Pass ski area, a job friends and colleagues said Tuesday he pursued with passion. His family no longer live in the area.
On Sunday, Rudolph was with two friends, Jim Jack and John Brenan -- also expert skiers -- leading a "ski-media" excursion around Stevens Pass and popular out of bounds areas in the backcountry, a resort spokesman said. The area above Tunnel Creek Canyon Road, where they died, was one of their favorite spots to ski, he said.
Rudolph's passion for the sport and Stevens Pass was well known.
"I think it was the love of life that also took them to the love of adventure,” said Nancy Smith, director of the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce, told the Seattle Times. “It was always present. It was always present in their essence and their being and they just emulated the fun and exceptional spirit. And skill. Extraordinary skill."
The three men died when an avalanche swept them 2,000 feet down a debris-filled chute. A fourth skier was able to deploy an avalanche "airbag" she said saved her life.
A celebration of Chris Rudolph's life will be held Saturday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church in Moraga.
Michael Taylor
12:53 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Dam it. I thought it was Chris. Very sorry to hear this. Nothing but the best to his family.
Chris F.
8:09 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
I send my condolences to his family and friends. It was a sad story on the news this morning although they focused on the survivors gear.
I have Iost too many friends to the mountains, After watching the story on the news this morning and seeing the new balloon backpack that the survivor was wearing. I am going to purchase the balloon backpack for all my future backcountry adventures, I hope that anyone else that hits the backcountry will do the same. All of us backcountry/free riders and everyone else on the hills should be wear safety gear including Helmets, Beacons, Balloon Backpacks and streamers. I read a couple days ago that there is now a cell phone app that sends out an emergency distress signal with GPS location to everyone in your address book. We can never be to prepared no matter how good and safe we are.
Tim Davis
10:46 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
RIP brother.
Brian Rochford
7:59 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Chris was a great person who always had a smile on his face.
A celebration of Chris Rudolph's life will be held Thursday, Feb 23rd, 4-9PM at the Sleeping Lady Resort Salmon Room in Leavenworth, WA and also Saturday, Feb 25th, 2PM at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church in Moraga, CA.
Ahmed
8:17 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Blessings to this man and to his family...
Michael Taylor
8:21 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Thanks for the update Brian. I'm hoping Chris' friends will take some comfort in this gathering. I had a minor contact with him and enough to know he was highly regarded.
J.D. O'Connor
9:19 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Brian...
Thanks very much for providing Patchers with this information. We've had a number of online and offline requests for information on any future service for Chris. We'll add this to our story.
Lissa Sorensen
10:26 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
So sorry. So sad to lose a young life like this one.