Avalanche takes conservationist David Gaillard while backcountry skiing near Cooke City

Friend, student and advocate for wolverine, lynx, fisher lost at age 44-

I first met Dave soon after he came to Montana. He stood out. He was the happy red-haired young man in tow with Louisa Willcox, long-time friend of the grizzly bears. As the years went by, as everyone expected he grew in knowledge and stature as a conservationist.

In my opinion, he died the proper way, though he was too young — covered by a blanket of white that had fallen off a shoulder of Mother Nature near a corner of Yellowstone Park.

18 thoughts on “Avalanche takes conservationist David Gaillard while backcountry skiing near Cooke City

  1. Do you know if he triggered the avalanche? It says that he was cross-country skiing….

  2. “In my opinion, he died the proper way,” Really? I don’t think dying in an avalanche is proper. Avalanche danger can be mitigated with prudence. We don’t need people dying from them every year as just part of the western landscape.

      1. Those are interesting. Kinda like water wings that you inflate from a C02 cartridge when all hell breaks loose. As the avalanche heads down hill the person bobs to the top like a whole potato chip in a sea of small, broken chips. I’ve seen films with such equipped body dummies.

        Problem is many, if not most, avalanche deaths are due to blunt force trauma (being tossed into the trees, etc) so an inflating backpack like this could give you a false sense of security and lead you to temp fate with the feeling of impunity.

        Without getting TOO preachy, avalanche deaths are avoidable if you pay attention to what you are doing, and when and where you are doing it.

        1. Tis the season Jdubya.

          There seems to be this insane, human need to get out there and test the limits, while at the same time, ignoring the red flags and the real potential for dangerous situations and death, due to avalanche areas.

          My local sourthwest Montana news station has made a point of mentioning the potential for slides just about every night for the last couple of weeks.

    1. The article did say that the skier had triggered the avalanche. However, what constitutes a proper way to die is subjective.

      People take risks all the time. Specialy those who take to the outdoors and seek adventure. Even when warned of additional risks, people will continue to seek that edge, always pushing the envelope. Some pay more than others for doing so, knowing full well the potential consequences. Other times, tragedy befalls those who do all things right to reduce risk. No one knows when their time will be up. But,I know I would rather die doing that which I love doing, than some car wreck, being murdered, or such ugliness.

      The old saying that those who never do things because of their fear of dying, do not truely live, seems to speak to this tragic ski accident. At least he was doing what he really enjoyed and truely lived.

  3. I read this story in today’s Billings Gazette, it brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. Even the darkest times will give way to a ray of light. Ole dug him self out of the avalanche and walked back to Cooke City and now is reunited with Kerry and her children.

    http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/ole-s-ordeal-corgi-survives-days-after-owner-dies-in/article_4e52f6ba-8bd7-5148-acd1-575e43bb9868.html

    I have known Ole since the first days that Kerry had him. Kerry calls hime “Ole the super dog”. He has live up and beyond that name. I am going over and give Ole a big hug this afternoon.

    1. Wow!

      Folks, there are things going on with animals we just don’t know about. Our tech is not there yet.

  4. I couldn’t agree more, Ralph. He did die the proper way – doing what he loved in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I can only hope I’m so lucky!

    1. Thanks Chris Sonderegger,

      And on a personal note, I would hope for the same for myself too.

  5. I’d rather die in the backcountry doing what I love, among beautiful scenary, than in a car accident, wasting away by cancer in a hospital bed, or of a heart attack. Prefer to be 100 years old tho.

Comments are closed.

×