snow conditions and increasing “The mountains were Chris’s avalanche danger. spiritual life, they were his place An autopsy revealed of refuge and his place of soulSpurgeon—who hadn’t worn a seeking.” helmet that day—was killed Skiing wasn’t Spurgeon’s only instantly when his head struck a outdoor interest. He was an avid talus slope during a slide that hunter who trekked deep into the swept him some 800 feet. backcountry on his own for elk or It’s essentially a story that could deer. In 2004, he placed first in the happen to even the most experi20-mile Bridger Ridge Run north enced backcountry skier, and for of Bozeman and did the same in Chisholm, the persisting mystery the Devil’s Backbone 50-mile around Spurgeon’s final moments footrace in 2006. He also planned makes it difficult to find closure. to race in the 100-mile Swan Crest Run on July 30 this year. Chris Spurgeon, 1973-2010 He could have competed with the best professional athletes, but Story, for his part, remembers that flew in the face of his very a moment from the Gray Wolf trip. nature, Chisholm says. Bragging The group was discussing snow rights, first descents or making a Colin Chisholm quality—which Story and mark didn’t interest him. Spurgeon on Gray Wolf Peak two days before his death Chisholm agree was particularly “He didn’t participate in the skiing a steep, narrow chute in the poor that day—when Spurgeon weighed pissing contest. If these guys over here Lantern Lake couloir, northwest of Lolo in. As long as you’re skiing on snow, it’s are going to see who can piss the farPeak’s north summit. On the day he died, good skiing, he said. thest, Chris is going to turn around and the National Water and Climate Center That was his philosophy, Story says. walk and piss by himself. I just loved recorded the highest temperatures in the “That was his bar for it being worth that about him.” area all spring. Precipitation levels had going out.” The exact details of the accident itself increased in prior weeks, likely impacting Alex Sakariassen died with Spurgeon. He was killed while
Montana Headwall
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