Doug Coombs
Posted on | April 24, 2006 | No Comments
3rd. A big part of my life is gone with Doug. I struggled this winter, through
each avi cycle and dry spell. Was I so stressed because of what was about to
come to pass? Doug died, and I was in shock, still am. He was perhaps the one
mountain person I compared myself to, to see where I was at, as regards to
picking my lines down mountains. When I Guided with Doug, here in Verbier or in
Greenland, every day was an extra challenge, where at the end of a run Doug had
picked, or I’d picked, we’d be so amped about our line. Huge smiles and high
fives to the line that passed through an impossible slot. Doug had a special
feeling for route finding and the changing mountain conditions, which does not
just come to everyone, no matter how long they have been in the hills.
I could no longer ski in Doug’s
presence. I fell apart! Doug skied like no one else on the planet. Really, I’m
not making this up. He really had a touch that was unique. In nice snow he
looked good. But when we skied some funky couloir on old avalanche debris, he
made it look like easy boot top powder! How could I keep my form when Doug just
waltzed through the most difficult conditions as if it were
nothing!
I can’t write right to honor
Doug correct. Too bad for those that didn’t get to ski or hang out with him.
target="NewWindow">Mark Newcomb did write about Doug which really
describes him the way he was. I will never forget you and the intense feelings
you provided. Take care bro and see you…
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