from Outside Online NewsBig-mountain skier Doug Coombs was killed in a skiing-related accident in La Grave, France, Monday [April 3rd].
While details are sketchy, a news report from the French Web site Pistehors.com states that the two-time winner of Alaska’s Valdez Extreme Skiing Championships fell 600 feet over cliffs while skiing the Polichinelle couloir, in the Fréaux area.
And another report here:
from SkipressworldFrance (Ski Press) Twice world extreme champion Doug Coombs died in a ski accident at La Grave, France on April 3rd.
The 48 year old mountaineer and guide, who “took the sports of skiing and climbing to new heights” slipped and fell over a cliff while trying to help a fatally wounded friend, Chad VanderHam, who had just successfully completed training as a mountain guide. The two men plunged over the same precipice.
Coombs was one of four skiers, all Americans, descending the Couloir de Polichinelle, a severly steep chute with a 50° entrance that winds through and above precipitous cliffs. The descent requires skiers to negotiate three couloirs in all - each designated “no-fall zones.” Coombs considered this run to be “the most dangerous on a mountain riddled with peril,” and yet, typically for him, it was also his favourite.
Coombs and VanderHam had taken it in turns to lead. In the third and final couloir, VanderHam went first, but disappeared from sight after hitting a patch of ice near the bottom. Coombs, saw that VanderHam had fallen over a 450-foot cliff and shouted up to the other two skiers to bring a rope. He then skied down to the edge of the cliff and, while sidestepping in an attempt to get a sighting of VanderHorn, he slipped and fell, dieing instantly.
Friends and Family can leave condolences at http://www.dougcoombsmemorialfund.com/
I never skied with Doug Coombs, but his presence was felt by all the heli ski community in Valdez and around the world. He was a pioneer in Thompson Pass and his life was truly remarkable. To the community in Valdez, he was simply a Hero. To understand more about his life and legeacy, please read the comments at the memorial fund here.
A nice tribute over at The Anchorage Press.