April 13, 2013

Dear Kaya –

This is Rachel Emberger Harvieux, your mom’s really good friend from River Falls.  I have known your mom since we were about your age, and we have been having adventures ever since.  I have known you since you were born, and have been able to watch you grow when I have come to visit you, your mom, and your dad.

I’m writing this letter because your dad left this earth two days ago.  I don’t know how many memories you will have of your dad when you get older.  I wanted to record some memories I witnessed so you can have a sense of who he was and how much he loved you.  I hope this will bring your comfort during the moments of your life, now and in the future, when you feel this void.

I spent time with your parents when they were pregnant with you.  Your dad always had a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face when talking about what it was going to be like to meet you.  Since I had two kids at the time, we talked about the many challenges parenthood would bring.  While he admitted he wasn’t quite sure how to be a parent, he saw it as another adventure that he was excited to learn about and share with your mom.

When you were five years old, one of the worst things that has ever happened to me happened – I broke your arm!  I’m hoping you don’t remember too much about it and you told me your forgave me, but obviously, I still feel horrible about it.  Sorry Kaya, but I will never play airplane ride with you again!!!!  Anyway, when your dad heard about what happened, he left the class he was teaching immediately and came home to see how you were doing.  After snuggling and comforting you, he came to check up on me.  Rather than being mad at me, he gave me a big huge and was worried how I was doing.  That first night was pretty rough for you, and he spent the whole time consoling you when you would wake up.  This is the type of compassion and empathy your dad had for you and for others.

This year’s visit was much better – no broken arms!!!  However I still have a story to share.  This year when I visited, you were supposed to go to Alta Ski Camp.  For many reasons, you just didn’t want to go.  On the way up the mountain, you got carsick were getting yourself all worked up.  Neither your mom nor I could console you.  Finally, your mom called in the reinforcements – your dad, who fortunately was just up the road getting ready to climb a mountain to make the world safe for the rest of us.  He held you and talked to you.  He was able to get you to admit that you were faking being sick because you just really didn’t feel like going.  He was able to talk you into giving it a try.  He got you on the chairlift.  Your mom and I followed along behind you just to make sure you were OK.  Soon after you were cruising down the hill and having the time of your life!

My daughter is the same age as you are.  I can’t imagine what it would be like for her to not grow up with her daddy.  For the rest of your life, you are going to hear what a great guy your dad was and how he loved you so much.  This letter will hopefully provide you with further evidence of the love I witnessed.  May it bring you comfort.  The light and spirit that shined within him, also shines within you.

I love you and your mom Kaya.  May you find peace.

Rachel

Photo from the chairlift behind the "Powderson" Family's second home - Alta.  (Feb. 2010)

Memorial videos

For those of you unable to make it to the memorial service for Craig at the Albion Grill at Alta on April 18, we made some videos of the speakers. The links to the individual speakers are listed in order below:

Craig Patterson Memorial - Bruce Tremper, introduction

Craig Patterson Memorial - Lewis Patterson

Craig Patterson Memorial - Lauren (Patterson) Ralph

Craig Patterson Memorial - Roseanne Power

Craig Patterson Memorial - Geoff Lane

Craig Patterson Memorial - Jay Beyer

Craig Patterson Memorial - Chris DuRoss

Craig Patterson Memorial - Jay Dufus

Craig Patterson Memorial - Garrett Kemper

Craig Patterson Memorial - Will Kim

Craig Patterson Memorial - Chris Dunham

Craig Patterson Memorial - Tony Mazza

Craig Patterson Memorial - Cory Sullivan

Craig Patterson Memorial - Gage Neu

Craig Patterson Memorial - Liam Fitzgerald

Craig Patterson Memorial - Bruce Tremper, conclusion

The Desk

 Renae was cleaning up the desk in their office.  Among the "mess", as she described it, she found this stack of pictures and randomness.  Craig lost one of his best friends almost two years ago, also in an avalanche.  Sometimes when sadness creeps in, I imagine Craig and Kyle together somewhere, waiting for their loved ones, watching us all enjoying life, and getting as psyched as we all know Craig did for other people's adventures.  Renae thinks that this stack was left over from sorting through things for Kyle's memorial.  Maybe.  There sure are a lot of pictures of just Craig here.  Look how he has evolved!  I love these.  Sorry for the lack of order.  Enjoy!

This is Craig...in South America?  Our local famous guy advertising for Voile.  Looks like an Ecuadorian volcano to me.  We aren't sure.

College?

Craig in college

A special night :)

A special girl. :)  The living legacy of Craig that we all feel so fortunate to still have to hug, squeeze, and love.

The self portrait.

Craig in Colorado.  God, I love this smile.

Craig and Mia

Kyle

Craig at Prom

Craig and Kyle

Craig in high school or college?

 Kachemak Bay State Park

Craig Memorial Slide Show

Jay Beyer was asked to assemble this slide show from friends and families photos.  It shows the amazing life that Craig had.
Thanks Craig!



Craig Patterson Memorial Slide Show from Chad Brackelsberg on Vimeo.

If you are having trouble viewing the video, here is a direct link to the video on Vimeo.

Tarantulas & Composting

We first meet Craig, Renae & Kaya at the neighborhood Pre-School. We would bump into each other at drop off and pick up. We did the occasional play date with Kaya and bumped into each other in the neighborhood from time to time. 

We held an annual Easter egg hunt, Summit Park style (we're we would bury the eggs in the snow). One year Craig brought Kaya up for it. He gave me lots of insightful information on high altitude composting and we were stoked to know he was a avalanche forecaster. My husband and I, were starting to explore the back country and that particular year, we geared up with some nice split boards. We planned to do some avalanche awareness courses and we're blown away that Craig offered to take us out. We both we're left wanting to know more about this jolly character who seemed to share similar interests. He offered to take my paper plates out of my recycle to put them in his compost and from that moment on he gained brownie points then and there and I thought instantly "what a stand up guy". 

C & R invited us to a few home BBQ's which we were unable to attend for one reason or another (bummer).  Craig mentioned that we should get together sometime soon, unfortunately for us, not soon enough, I'm sorry to say. 

The beginning of this school year, I started a Girl Scout troop with another friend in the neighborhood. Quite often, Craig would pick up Kaya after a meet. If my husband Bill was home, the two of them would talk it up. The last meet, I saw Craig, we had invited Kim and her cold blooded creatures over for a demonstration for the girls. When he walked in, Kaya was holding this massive tarantula in her hands. Kaya held up this hairy spider with much delight and said "look Daddy, look what I've got". He literally turned grey and started twitching. I went up to him later and asked him if he would like to hold one of the snakes and he turned to me and said "I think I'll pass, I'm a mammal kinda guy". He still oozed enthusiasm and was happy to show Kaya he approved so he made his way over to a not so scary fat bullfrog that wasn't getting a whole lot of attention.   I would often notice how  attentive he was with Kaya.  She would bounce over to him and talk about what she had learnt and done at the meet.

 

Renae and I have gotten to know one another a little more since our worlds have collided into the Art Room at the school. The wonders of the universe presents itself in the timing. Our timing was edging nearer and I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to be touched by Craig and even more humbled to know Renae and Kaya. Craig's two amazing, intelligent, beautiful girls. It's an absolute pleasure knowing Renae and I hope my family can help her and Kaya on their path in life, light and love. Cheers to Craig, celebrating a fortunate life and here's to many more.

Belinda

 

Memorial Eulogy written by Roseanne Power

Memorial eulogy written by Roseanne Power:

April 18, 2013 - Albion Lodge - Alta, Utah

I am Rosanne Power, Renae’s mother and Kaya’s Grandmother.  I am speaking on behalf of Renae’s dad, Craig, Renae’s brother and sister, Brandon and Erin.  We are feeling a most confusing mixture of pride and sorrow.

Today I want to focus on how proud we were of Craig’s wonderful parenting skills.  When he came through the door home from work he just seemed bigger than life.  He seemed to light up the room.  Tall, handsome, rugged with his effervescent smile, Kaya would run into his arms and he would throw her up in the air.  She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged and hugged her DaDa.

Craig adored his little girl.  I heard him time and again say, “Kaya, you are sooo cute!  “Kaya you are adorable”  “Hey, Pup, I love you Pup!”

I remember sitting at the counter and Kaya asking a question about the plumbing work he was doing.  Craig took the time to give an explanation.  Kaya just soaked up every word he said and would later repeat what she learned from her DaDa.  Not only did these lessons happen around the house, but on hikes or river trips I’d hear him explain things about the stars and all kinds of nature.  He was a wonderful teacher.  He taught her to respect Mother Earth and why that was so important.  I remember thinking what a smart girl Kaya would be from all the knowledge her DaDa was eager to impart to her.

And on the ski slope  -  I thought how lucky Kaya was to have two expert skiers teaching her to ski.  Craig would say, “Keep those poles out in front of you like this.”  Skiing backwards he would say, “Kaya, I like the way you ski so smoothly and effortlessly.”

Then discipline – of course Kaya’s grandparents think Kaya is perfect but Craig and Renae seemed to think discipline was necessary sometimes.  I remember Kaya asking Craig “why?” one time and he explained because I’m your daddy and that’s my job.  Renae and Craig never raised their voices.  One of them would say, “Kaya, we need to have a talk.”  One of them would take her aside and explain what she was doing, the behavior they expected and why.  Kaya might have some input into the conversation, but in the end understood.

Our last day with Craig was on the slopes at Alta.  Kaya and Renae skied on some side trails through the woods.  We were with Craig down below and I’ll never forget the expression on Craig’s face when he saw Kaya come flying off a big jump.  He said “I can’t believe she did that!”  Kaya wasn’t hurt, but was upset that she fell. Craig, in his ever enthusiastic manner told her “That was awesome!  Don’t ever worry about falling.  That’s how you get good.  Jump up and try again and again!!”

Then later, Kaya couldn’t understand why she couldn’t go in the bar area and we got to hear Craig’s explanation about rules in life – things I never would have thought to say.

So, I stand here today very thankful!  Thankful that our granddaughter had TWO incredible parents to lay the foundation of her life that will undoubtedly lead to a most amazing woman.

I’d like to close with asking you to think of all the employees known and unknown to you, who like Craig quietly go about the business of completing their appointed jobs with courage and dedication.  Let’s pledge to honor his memory by feeling and showing gratitude to all those who perform dangerous jobs.  Wouldn’t it be lovely if one of his legacies would be ripple upon ripple of gratitude and appreciation toward those who are willing to take risks in order to keep the rest of us safe?

A Great Dad

Dear Kaya,

Though I didn’t know your dad well, I still wanted to tell you a story about him that originated from one of the first times your mom and I worked together at the clinic. It was a slow day, and as we sat in what we called the “doc box,” I took the opportunity to learn a little about your mom since she was relatively new  to the clinic and it was one of the first times we had worked together.

“Tell me about your family.” I said. 

“My husband Craig in an avalanche forecaster and I have an infant daughter named Kaya,” she responded. 

“Who takes care of your daughter when you are working?” I asked. Having raised two children of my own, I was well aware of the challenges of childcare when one is in medicine. Evening hours. Weekends. 

Your mom replied, “Craig watches her a lot. He is a GREAT dad.” 

The Karma must have been strong between your mom and dad, as he called just as she finished stating the words “he is a great dad.” When your mom hung up, she offered, “That was Craig. He’s driving to Denver today with Kaya. He wants to show her off to his friends.”

“Oh,” I responded.  “Who else is with him and Kaya?” I was remembering car trips when my kids were infants like you were at the time. Diaper bags. Formula. And that portion of any extended trip spent dealing with a crying infant in a rear facing car seat in the back of the vehicle. I had never attempted a long car trip when my kids were little unless I had at least one other person in the car. And two extras were even better.

Your mother’s face beamed with pride. “He’s alone. He really LOVES his daughter.”

I could only mutter “Wow!” in response. A few seconds later, I added, “He is MUCH braver than I was.”

It was time to see patients again, but my minds eye kept picturing you and your dad barreling across Wyoming. Though I loved hearing your mom’s description of your dad and you, I remained both concerned and in awe.

An hour or so later while back in the cubicles during another lull, your mother received another phone call.

After telling your dad to drive safely, she hung up and turned to me. With an ear to ear grin, she reported, “Guess what? Craig is on his way home now. Kaya started to cry and he realized the long drive might not be such a good idea.” In my minds eye, I added a new descriptive term for your dad. He was a SMART dad.

So, in summary, I wanted you to know three things about your dad:

• That even when you were at an early age, your dad was smart, realizing that with kids, you have to be flexible and adaptable.
• That your dad was a GREAT dad. As your mom described, he was so excited to have you he wanted to show you off to all of his friends, even those far away.
• And finally, that your dad REALLY loved you. He cared for you from day one and would do all of the difficult childcare stuff. Your mom told me his face lit up every time he looked at you, and he melted when you smiled back at him.

Best,

Winnie (Dr. R. Winn, one of your mom’s partners at work)

my trash collector

     In case you didn't know, Craig was ecologically minded.  Sometimes to a fault in my opinion. ;)  When I ski toured with him, I often brought fresh fruit; bananas, apples, oranges, etc. to snack on.  The first time he saw me discard an apple core in an unacceptable manner, I incurred his wrath.  I got the classic Craig lecture.  I argued that it was organic and that some creature would be STOKED to find it.  I refused to pack it out just to get his goat. Craig couldn't abide.  He retrieved the core and put it in his pack, pretend grumbling.  From that day on, when we toured I made sure to conspicuously leave my apple cores or banana and orange peels on ridge tops for Craig to haul out.  It was just a playful thing between us.  Much love Craig.  
Jon Page - Alaska  

Puja

Today we are in kumjung in the Khumbu.  Obie and i are near the end of our trip, having left Scott at Everest Base camp a few days ago.  We only heard about the death of Craig last night.  It was hard to decide what to do, whether to return urgently to the US.  It is complicated by the fact that Obie (6) and I are still 1.5 days walk to lukla airport then 36 hours travel back to Utah.

So we decided to have a puja for Craig here in the Himalayas.  We went up to the kumjung monastery to find that it is a special day and that 50 Lamas were here for a special puja to bless the village.  We went into the Monastery and listened to the Lamas chanting.  I showed Craig's photo (on the iPad) to the Rinpoche - or head Lama - and he asked for Craig's name and said he would include him in the puja.  This means that his soul will be purified and I feel fortunate to be here on such an auspicious day.  Especially after trying to decide all night what to do because the logistics of leaving early would be complicated.  On the same day Scott's team was performing their puja for luck and health on Sagamatha/Mt Everest.  The visiting Lama also included Craig in his prayers.

Craig has been my friend for 10 years.  I met him when he was working at BD in warranty.  Early on we taught an avalanche class together with Kowboy.  We ended up teaching together a lot and became really good friends.  He is 9 years younger than me but had maturity beyond his years.  My favorite story is us working together on an Avy 1 in march 2006 and driving down the canyon together discussing children.  He was not yet 30 but I was nearly 37 so felt like the clock was ticking.  We and our spouses (Renae and Scott) seemed on the same page that we'd wait.  The classic thing was that both Renae and I were already pregnant and Kaya and Obie are only 2 weeks apart in age.

Craig was intense and passionate about everything he did.  We had lots of great chats.  The work and the kids connected us and I became friends with Renae as did Scott. We started to do family camping trips in our VW vans and dinner parties with heaps of wine.  It seemed like we had so much in common and always had plans for more trips.  Craig was practical like Scott.  Craig ripped out our kitchen wall when Scott was on everest in 2010.  He and Scott coordinated so that Scott did the finishing work after he got back.  It was perfect.  I am happy that we have a piece of Craig in our house!

I have lost many friends in the mountains but Craig's death is particularly devastating because he was in my life a lot in recent years and we had become really good friends with a lot of mutual respect.  We would communicate even when I was in NZ and we had been figuring out how to get the Power-Pattersons to come and join us there for a season.

In the confusion of such a senseless loss, at least it feels appropriate to farewell him in two parts of the Himalaya on an auspicious day in the village where they call Sir Ed Hillary 'our father'.  A place that i am sure Craig would have loved to visit and where a learned Monk has played a part in freeing his spirit.

Kia Kaha

Anna Keeling, Scott and Obie Simper

The Best of the Best

I've used the phrase Best of the Best many times this past week.  He was the complete package, tall, handsome, smart, athletic, rugged, upbeat, happy, loving, doting father, loving husband, and despite all that--humble.  He was like the golden retriever in the park; everyone wants to gather around that beacon of unconditional love and energy.  You can see why Renae fell for him.

I loved skiing with him.  It was like our brains were connected; we hardly needed to talk because he always saw the snowpack the same way and we automatically made the same terrain choices.  He was always my first call when I was choosing avalanche instructors for one of our classes.  I remember thinking several times that I would love to see his application in the pile if we ever had an opening at the Utah Avalanche Center.

Like most people, my only regret is not spending more time with him.  I should have taken the advice of my 96-year-old mother-in-law from the Czech Republic who has lived with us these past 10 years.  She was not only a broze medalist in gymnastics in the Olympiad, but survived the Nazi invasion and later the Communists.  Probably 10 times per day she will look out the window or look at a flower and say in her thick accent, "Look zee beauty."  And every time I head out the door, she says "Enjoy every minute."

I was very honored to be asked to be the MC of his memorial as well as using my photo in his obituary.
Here is a panorama photo I took of the memorial from the podium.  Zooming in on my big monitor, I conservatively counted over 300 faces and there were many people back in the shadows I could not see.  Should we all be so lucky to have so many people at our memorial.  Such is the trail he left in this world and the ripples in our pond will spread outward through many people for a very long time.

 If you want a full resolution version of these photos, you can download a zip file from my Dropbox folder at:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xhtubo8i4rfcw19/Craig_Patterson_memorial_pano_and_obit_photo_by_Bruce_Tremper.zip

Bruce Tremper

Tears Can Sing and Joy Shed Tears

I met Craig during his college years. We were in the same Geology class, shared an interest in similar music, and, as I would later find out, shared an interest in climbing and mountaineering too. At the time, I worked as an instructor at Miami’s climbing wall and he would come in several times a week for bouldering and sport climbing sessions. Always in his patchwork pants, Craig was tall and rangy with big inviting eyes and a smile that almost always revealed his tongue; his body and his attitude built for climbing. He cared about technique more than most people, asked a lot of questions, and (like all of us) fell over and over and over learning the craft while (unlike most of us) rarely getting upset with himself.  

While our relationship was built at the wall, Craig’s kindness and generosity extended our friendship outside of the Rec Center. He helped me with my homework, introduced me to people, and invited me to potluck dinners and concerts. My life was better, easier and freer when he was around. Craig was fun.

Nestled between Christmas and New Years during the winter of 2000, Craig, Brent Coyle and I planned a climbing trip to the White Mountains. I will never forget that road trip, the soundtrack to our travels and that climb. Craig and Brent had mostly learned to climb indoors, with the occasional trip to Red River Gorge sprinkled in, and I hadn’t walked up a mountain all day in the snow since I started at Miami. Craig was looking ahead to graduating college and was figuring out his plan for the future. Brent was wrestling with family relationships and I was facing the inevitable departure of my first love. We were all looking for the proverbial Freedom of The Hills. We all needed it. We geared up, with Craig and Brent buying their first axes and crampons. The travel from Ohio to PA, then onward to Conway, NH was filled with chatter, advice and continuous music. “…Who does Lovin’ Cup better, the Stones or Phish? …Why does Donna have to ruin an otherwise excellent Grateful Dead song? …Here’s another way to look at your situation…” We passed the time as ridiculously as possible. We drove non-stop through rain and, once we hit Massachusetts, snow. As we would find out, NH got dumped on.  Fortunately, the sun was out and our trailhead parking lot was plowed by the time we pulled up to it. When we slung our packs on, we had little idea what we were getting into. The snow was deep, the blazes hard to rely on, but the beauty all around made the trail breaking easier. We would stop often just to gawk at the snow pack, the pines, and frozen waterfall after frozen waterfall. We pushed hard on our approach and as we gained elevation we came to know first-hand the fabled harsh winds of the White Mountains.  Travel got slower and we got much, much colder. We took in the sunset wordlessly; moving—stopping—moving.  We spent the better part of the final 4 hours of the approach together, but each alone at distance moving at his own pace.  Head lamps on, we pitched a tent in the dark at a protected site.  We were famished, freezing and exhausted. We hardly reflected on our impressions of the approach. It was summed it up with something akin to “There’s no use trying to express in words what words will knowingly fail.” We had all been testing our mettle that day and each of us traveled with various degrees of burden and freedom. We set all that aside; there seemed little point in analyzing it. The night passed with hot drinks and a hot meal, games of buck-euchre, and a whole lot of making fun of each other. It felt like 22 should feel.  Joyful, hilarious, audacious, free.  The next day the winds died down and we crested the Franconia ridgeline early in the morning. We traveled the line from Little Haystack to the Notch. These were Craig’s first summits.

I always believed that we would meet up again, climb again, get a beer and tell our stories; that our paths would cross and we’d pick up right where we left off. I regret so much that we won’t have that day. It always made me happy and nostalgic when I would hear that he was on the AT, that he was mountaineering in Alaska, that he was skiing in some far flung place, that he was a husband and father.  Craig had a great reverence for the beauty and rhythm of nature. More importantly, he saw the beauty and potential in other people, as he saw it and realized it in himself. He was smart, funny, interesting, curious and gifted in connecting with people. Few among us have the passion and guts and orientation toward life, service and community that Craig had. He led a thrilling and purposeful life. I am so thankful to have been a small part of his story.

I want to pass this song along to Craig's friends and family. He introduced me to a lot of good music. I introduced him to Bruce Cockburn. I recall he liked this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sc_ErYggtc

-Micah Vieux

The Welcome & Skiing Consultant

When Ann and I moved to Salt Lake in 2006, Craig and Renae were the only people we knew.  A few years prior we’d met them very briefly at a mutual friend’s wedding and Craig and I had subsequently exchanged emails about skiing in South America.  The picture above is one Craig sent that was mixed in with several others documenting various lines to ski from a trip he and Renae had taken the year prior.  I have no idea what Craig was talking about here but I can only imagine he was describing something in only the way Craig could.

With only a minimal introduction and handful of emails, Craig was amazingly welcoming, warm, and genuine.  He didn’t need to do this.  Often when people are established in a place or experts, little effort is made to welcome those who are not.   Craig always had genuine interest in you and your plans.  He’d also provide enthusiastic advice about almost any topic.  It was through Craig that we eventually met many other people here and these friendships are an enduring legacy of Craig and something for which I will always be grateful.

This picture is of one of my first tours in the Wasatch with Craig.  It’s not a good picture at all but here Craig is sharing information about a route with a total stranger.  Two things stand out about it to me.  First, the guy Craig is talking to is smiling.  It was hard not to smile while around Craig, but he also had a way of explaining things that didn’t make you feel like a newbie.  Second, Craig was using his hands and arms to explain how the route worked.  This was often part of how Craig would enthusiastically explain just about any topic.   The other memory from this tour was how tiring it was too keep up with Craig.  I recall being happy to see the car as I felt close to exploding.

Thank you Craig.  You will be missed.

Andy Paradis

an Ode to Craig

I wrote this a few days ago, and posted it to my own blog, before I knew about this one.  A stellar lad who will be missed greatly.
Tom D

It is with a very heavy heart that I write this, for this morning we got the shocking news that our friend Craig Patterson was killed yesterday skiing Kessler Peak, which Ash calls The Best Ski Peak in the World. 

Craig was a very impressive guy, on many different levels.  I first met him as one of the guys in the Black Diamond warranty department, and was always impressed at how positive his vibe was (not unlike Elmo, who was there with Craig, left for a period of time, and is now back) despite being the recipient of everyone’s problems.  As I chatted with him while waiting for my various gear to be repaired,  he was always keen about backcountry skiing and avalanches, but I didn’t think much of it; aren’t we all?

But next thing I knew Craig had a letter that was reprinted in its entirety in the “Avalanche Review”, the trade magazine for avy professionals (yes, there is such a thing; there’s a magazine for everything).  The letter was an eloquent complaint/request regarding the lack of mentoring in the avalanche world, and the fact that he was willing to make the sacrifice necessary to become a career avalanche professional - but was not really a ski resort type - but there was no process for bringing young enthusiasts such as Craig up into a world that was starting to look a little grey around the fringes.  It was a clarion call for these guys that they needed to tap into the enthusiasm of the prospective avy professional youth to bring them up into the ranks, and happily, that letter was a strong contributor to Craig getting a job as one of the Utah DOT avalanche guys in Provo Canyon.    

For several years Craig worked hard in Provo canyon, often regaling me with tales of epic skiing in Happy Valley that I should join him for.  Ash went down one morning to ski a line on Timpanogos  with Craig and his UDOT partner in crime Bill Nalli that is only accessible from Sundance’s lifts and still raves about the day.  While the schedule was challenging – especially for a new father – to get down to their office by 6am, and storms rarely worry about being convenient, Craig lapped it up and learned as much as he could, which – as a highway department guy – also added the concept of copious firearm training since circa-1950’s howitzers are used for control (Craig’s opportunity for a job came as the result of a misfire that went over Cascade Ridge and blew up a shed in a Provo backyard!).  Craig rose to the occasion to figure out a new way to calibrate the guns (or something like that) that raised the level on all the avy pros who fired them scary guns.  And every once in a while he’d post an observation on the Utah Avalanche Center’s site that was quite comprehensive, and sign it as “Patterson”, which then made people ask Ash if she had posted it, and she’d laugh because she would never have the experience or perceptiveness that Craig had. 

Craig also supplemented his income by teaching avy classes to newby – and experienced – backcountry skiers, and I remember at least a few days when I’d come upon a group huddled around a figure holding a block of snow in his hands and I’d bellow “don’t listen to a word that gumby says!” which would elicit some good guffaws because we all knew that Craig would always know more about avalanches than all of us ever would combined.  I’ve called avy education classes “backcountry skier factories” because they create more people who would be competing for lines in the Wasatch backcountry, but of course Craig didn’t share my cynicism and was genuinely stoked to be sharing his knowledge with enthusiastic students. 

Ash got to know him better via his summertime gig, which was buying auctioned homes in the Salt Lake valley and refurbishing them, and he tried to utilize Ash’s Green Building Center as much as he could.  Like our mutual fast friend Geoff Lane, I admired Craig for his ability to build house stuff as well as he skied and knew avalanches.  And Ash and I both came to really like Craig for his all-too-unusual ability to be super interesting, smart, and thoughtful yet also ask a ton of questions and being truly interested in what you were up to. 

As a summer activity Craig started running a few years ago, and quickly gravitated towards ultra-running; not really racing, per se, just running.  He’d just head out from his house and run for 5 or 6 hours on Wasatch singletrack.  Last year he decided he might as well try the hardest race around for a lark, and entered the Speedgoat 50k at Snowbird, billed as one of the hardest ultras in the country with over 10,000’ of climbing in only 30 miles.   As Craig recounted a couple of weeks ago at a birthday for our friends the Bracklesbergs, early in the summer he was running on relatively-flat Mid-Mountain trail in Park City when he bumped into Ash, who was riding.  Ash asked him what his program was for the day, and he said he was training for the Speedgoat.  Ash hesitated for a long moment, and said “What are you doing on the Mid-Mountain trail?  You gotta be going UP and DOWN!”  As Craig related, the rest of his training was done on burly trails with a lot of vertical with Ash’s words ringing in his ears, and it paid off by ending up about 30^th of 350 and right in the thick of things with some of the toughest and fastest guys in the country.     

And even though he had not been doing much mountain biking in lieu of trail running, for Geoff’s 40^th we had a big posse doing an all-day ride, and Craig – doing what I think was his first ride of the year that hot August day – did just fine with both the distance and the technical riding, without mising a beat. 

But more importantly than his impressive athletic achievments and career drive was Craigs famously-friendly demeanor.  He and Geoff climbed and skied Denali together a couple of years ago, and they both love to talk about how the other climbers would slog past them daily with their heads down in grimacing agony and then would later remark about how much fun the Lane/Patterson camp was having!  He had that unusual combination of quiet confidence yet endearing humility that are the earmarks of a great mountain partner.  Ash and I were both surprised to read in the paper today the account of the “34 year old man” because the wisdom he displayed seemed to be well beyond those years. 

Craig had just gotten the dream job this season:  avy professional in the Cottonwood canyons, which meant not only a shorter commute but a coveted spot on one of the most well-respected and active avalanche teams in the world.  I bumped into longtime UDOT Avy guy Chris Covington earlier this season and said “you must be psyched to have Craig on your team” and he nodded gravely:  “yep, he’s a great addition.”

Craig, you have been an inspiration to us all in so many ways.  It’s hard to believe your big smile will only continue to exist in our minds, but there it will stay.  Renae, Kaya, and Geoff – your hubby, dad, and friend will be sorely missed, but very fondly remembered. 



(photo Bruce Tremper)

Daughters

I first met Craig back in 2006 when he went to work for UDOT in Provo canyon. He was "Stoked" about  his new job. I quickly learned that Craig was always "Stoked!" He was always happy about something.
 As I came to know Craig, during his first season in Provo, I learned that Craig had a new baby girl. So did I. This became our common interest and topic for lots of conversation. Each Fall, when I would run into Craig, we would ask about the others little girl. How is Kaya? How is Reagan?
Awesome,Awesome.. so much fun, so cute, kind of emotional,etc... and so it went for 6 years. I have yet to meet Kaya but I feel like I know her. It was always  fun to see how Craig would light up while telling me stories about Kaya, ( wide eyes and lots of hand gestures.)  I'm pretty sure that we did talk about other things like snow and weather stuff but I don't recall much about that. Just our girls.
   I missed seeing Craig around Provo this past season.  When I first heard the news, last week, my first thought was of Kaya.  I've had Craig on my mind alot this week. Thinking about his wife, daughter, family and friends. I've held my daughter tighter, every day...every day.
 I haven't been able to make much sense of all this, except one thing. That is; How lucky we are to have known Craig. He's like someone, that others, wished they could be. He's a great example of a good, happy, positive, caring, loving man. I do feel lucky to have known him.

Carey Pierce

   

Craig P.

It's been my experience throughout my schooling years that I tend to enjoy the subjects most which are taught by passionate, committed, awesome teachers. The teacher makes the difference! I met Craig this past fall along with Tyson, Rick, Dave, etc. at a UMA avy course. It didn't take long to become aware of the superior knowledge of our instructors and the overall "stokeness" surrounding us that weekend!

Throughout the weekend Craig's care and concern for the group's safety was evident. What I appreciated about him most was that he allowed the space for disagreements to be voiced, suggestions from all group members to be heard and his passion for the mountains was tangible. I loved the fact that Craig knew how to respectfully push the limit. He wasn't just out there to tell us how dangerous life can be but rather he respected risk and embraced it. I could tell right away that he was a guy that asked a lot of the same questions about life that I do. Most of our group that day was made up of Alaskan locals (or people with great Alaska memories) which I can remember Craig grinning about. 

Following the weekend I texted back and forth with Craig in order to pick his brain and secretly I wanted a buddy who was out living large to ski with!

Same Blizzard Katy J mentioned earlier. I too was a student of Craig's that day.  

Craig.... You are an inspiration to me man! Your love for life, your family and the world was contagious. You taught me to carefully and methodically respect mother nature. To forget the rat-race and follow what really matters. You taught me how sick the new prototype 2014 Carbon BD megawatts are gonna be (thanks to your suggestions to stiffen the tip up) and how to better balance risk and reward. You taught me that it is healthy to forget all the BS about snow safety once we've made up our minds to charge a sick line. You taught my wife Katie and I how to co-exist in the backcountry. To become one and grow closer together as a result of exploring the Wasatch. You, my friend, taught me a lot. Sometimes I wonder why my texts earlier this season didn't sound like this note to you. Why did I need to wait until you are gone to tell you all this?? I trust you're reading this and are looking down from above with a grin and nodding your head. Love you dude and look forward to seeing you again in the backcountry!!

Justin Libby- SLC

Passion for People and Wild Places

I first met Craig when he was working with Garrett Kemper in the Black Diamond Warranty Center. He was always incredibly upbeat and engaged with everyone who walked through the door. By strongest memory of Craig was when I mentioned an upcoming ski trip to Alaska with my wife and he was so stoked for us it was as if he too was going. He asked questions, shared ideas, and was truly thrilled someone else was getting out into the mountains. Craig had the most authentic love and passion for both people and wild places. Just being around him, you couldn’t help but absorb some of his enthusiasm for life, and be inevitably in better spirits than before you had crossed paths with him that day.

My heart goes out to Renae, Kaya, and the rest of his family and friends for their loss.
-Paul Tusting

He kept me laughing for miles

I met Craig in the middle of a foot race to the peak of Summit Park. He kept me laughing for miles; so much so, that at times I was more out of breath from laughing than actually running. Craig was as good of a person as they come. He had an overwhelming sense of being stoked about life all the time. In one of his avalanche courses, we found ourselves in the middle of a blizzard on one ridgeline after another and couldn’t be happier. In fact, Craig’s whole class was buzzing with energy, as Craig easily shared his excitement and passion for the mountains with everyone around him. Our hearts go out to his family and friends, and as we move forward with our grief, let’s carry Craig’s sense of adventure and enthusiasm for life with us. Much love, Katy J

Sweet Kaya

Sweet Kaya,

How I loved seeing you and your parents in Hawaii last fall.  Not only did I love seeing your mom (since we have been friends since we were 5 years old!), but I also loved seeing you again. (You were just a baby when I last saw you).  I enjoyed watching you and your Dad in Hawaii too .... such a special relationship.  You had just been playing and exploring for 2-3 days with him as your mom studied hard to learn new things at a conference.

When we went to the volcano, you two (you and your Dad) were always off together - exploring the volcano crater steam, telling us to be quiet as you looked for birds, and just laughing together...  It was so sweet to watch.

 I am thankful that I took a photo of the picture you made for us there - You drew it while sitting next to your dad.  I find it interesting that if you take a close look, you gave everyone of us our names and for your dad, well, you drew him first and wrote "Dad" instead of Craig.  I love it - sort of symbolic of the closeness that I saw between you during that time.

I am also thankful to have known your dad.  Even though we did not spend much time together, I knew him.  He had a special way of connecting with others - truly looking at you with those bright, wide eyes and being present, interested, sincere, and playful.  He allowed people to see the beauty of his soul.   I am thankful that you will carry this within... and as you grow, I look forward to witnessing the two of you still together.

So much love,
Nora Rodli

Snowflakes

Dear Kaya, 

When I woke up this morning the snow was lightly falling, as it does often this time of year in the Wasatch. Watching the snowflakes fall from the sky got me thinking of the life and memory of your wonderful Dad. A snowflake is unique, each holding its own significant worth; they are gracefully crafted and effortlessly beautiful; they make the world sparkle and are ultimately irreplaceable.

2009 New Years XC Ski, Beaver Creek Trail Uinta Mountains

I cannot think of a better way to describe the man your Dad was. He was truly unique and completely irreplaceable. His positive outlook, goofy nature and overwhelming glow overtook every room he entered. He was an attentive listener, genuinely interested in every detail of your life, no matter what the topic. He had a way of making sure that when he left your presents that you’d feel better about yourself, like somehow he'd secretly injected endorphins into your veins. When he left our presents last Thursday, his spirit was still active in the air, slowly finding its final resting place in each person that he has ever known.

Easter 2010 - Beaver Dam Mountains,  Utah 

A few of us gathered to grieve and talk about your dad that night. All of us were, and still are, devastated by this accident. There is no way of explaining why this had to happen, but try to find peace in the fact that your Dad was one of those guys who did not take life for granted. He lived every moment to its fullest, making every experience a positive one. There is no doubt that we are all better people for having had the chance to know him.

His excitable motivation allowed him to live 100 lives in his short 34, while his dedicated spirit allowed him to master just about everything he tried along the way. He was an expectational snow scientist, skier, climber, teacher and baker but most of all he was an exceptional friend to all, father to you and partner for your mom.

It breaks my heart that the memories of your dad will be few. Please be confident that those 6 short years that you had him were the best years of his life! He loved you dearly. Your birth changed him and forced him to grow-up fast, but he took on his new role as your Dad, devoting his life to you.

As I look back at the last 9 years that I knew him, I cannot think of a memory or find a picture of him with a serious face, let alone a serious stance.

Sawtooth Music Festival, Stanley ID, July 2010

Legs in the air, goofy look on his face, spirit in his eyes. 

2009 New Years XC Ski, Beaver Creek Trail Uinta Mountains

 I will miss the energy that he contributed to my life and yours, I will miss running into him skiing with you, I will miss the glow in his eyes as he watched you find easter eggs, and although he will miss so many events in your life from now forward, please know that your extended family is large and your support is deep. You are 6 years old right now and have no real idea how your life has just changed, but as you read this many years into the future I hope you can truly understand that you are the legacy of a wonderful man.

Easter 2010 - Beaver Dam Mountains,  Utah 

So as the snow flies throughout your life, remember your Dad; take a moment to look for the most unique, gracefully crafted, sparkling snowflake that you can find and know that your Dad is always with you.

With Love,

Jess Kirby