Fatal Accident - Kellen Sams: Climber/Adventurer/Skier and Friend

I am sad to report the loss of local Colorado Springs climber, Kellen Sams He was taken from us on Thursday, Feb. 11th. He was killed in an avalanche on Cirque Mountain in the San Juans, while B.C. Skiing.

Here is the article- denverpost.com/ci_14390203

Kellen met many of us climbers at a Springz Beer Night or two and made some very soild partners and friendships from those wonderful nights. He made quite an impact to all that he met and was a great outdoor spirit, climber, skier, adventurer and friend. He loved what he did- for recreation and for work- and it showed in every minute that he lived. He was a young man, 26, who was taken way before his time, leaving behind his family and beloved girlfriend Jane.

I recieved the news Sunday night upon return from vacation- thus I apologize for the late posting. His family held a memorial earlier today at the Garden of the Gods. It was an amazing event and the diversty and depth of attendees was a great reflection of this great young adventurer. From many CO. towns and all the way from VT., those who's lives he touched came to say farewell. It was another reminder of the strength and continuity of how the adventure we all love brings us together as one. Godspeed to the healing of his loved one's and thank you for opening the memorial to us all. Kellen will be missed.

Let this also be a reminder to us all the any one of us could be in the same place. Do what you love, enjoy your adventure, be safe- but never forget that mother nature's ever reaching arm is always there.

Thanks for the good times Kellen.... We will see you again at the summit one day. R.I.P. Friend- you will be forever remembered.

• *Springs Climbers- Look for a Climbers Beer Night Rememberence in the near future.**

I attended a memorial service for Kellen last night at Green Mountain College in Vermont. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Kellen, but attended because so many mutual friends were going.

The memorial was touching; friends and family told stories and shared memories of him for two hours while a slide show ran in the background. His friends, as sad as they were, focused on telling typically outrageous stories of Kellen's outdoor exploits and misadventures; of how gracious and generous he was as a friend; and most of all how much they'll miss him. Jane's father spoke at length about how he knew Kellen, and how much he and his daughter will miss him very much.

RIP peace, Kellen. I hope you're shredding the rad right now up in the heavens and climbing some awesome new lines.
Nate

Shane & all -- my best to you guys down there in the Springs. It is eerily fateful that Kellen offered his part in such a good conversation about avy safety a while back.

That the mountains can be such an indiscriminate killer for such a passionate climber just takes the wind out of our sails.

My condolances to family and friends. All you back country folks please be careful out there!

Thanks for sharing that Nathan- the memorial here was the same.

His friends from Crested Butte, his co-workers, family and all his local friends shared some amazing stories of Kellen as well- it was more a celebration of a life lived, than the mourning of a life lost. Very moving- he was a great person full of passion and truly left everyone he touched in his short life with something great.
A trajic loss for our community indeed.

There will be a fund set up in Kellen's name, through his Facebook page. The details arent in yet, but the fund will go to the local outdoors group at Fort Carson that helps soldiers and their families experience and enjoy the outdoors. This group, I cant recall the name, is also where Kellen worked. I will post detail's as soon as they are availiable.

His family is also opening hid FB page as a memorial. They would love for anyone who would like to leave/share thoughts there as well. I dont think they are aware of MP, but I will let them know of the post here as well. Thank you all for your words and support during these hard times.

I didn't know Kellen well, I climbed and drank with him a couple times. One thing you would get from even the smallest encounter with him was his knowledge of the many sports we all enjoy, from ice/trad/sport climbing, skiing, biking to rafting. He was very well informed in all of these aspects. His accident just shows that you can be doing everything right, text book even, and things can still go wrong. There is no way of taking all of the risk out of the things we love to do. I have heard many people on MP say these things before, but it really hits home when something bad happens to someone so experienced and knowledgable. I had a good time last night talking with some of his friends and family as we toasted beers in his memory. The Springs community as well as the climbing community as a whole has suffered a big loss with his passing.

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of a fellow climber/skier. I think of the number of times I've been lucky and how others are unfortunately caught...

My condolences to family and friends. Kellen, I hope you're skiing bottomless pow right now.

I worked with Kellen instructing rock climbing at a kid's camp in 2002 and we have been friends since. I had the good fortune of hanging with him both in the east and the west- first person I ever climbed Cannon Cliff with. He was a joy to be around both on adventures and in day to day life. He will be missed.

The big trip for the kids camp was taking them out to Acadia for 4 days of climbing. We would try to hit Otter Cliffs super early or on a bad weather day so that we didn't get in anyone's way. One day we were getting things out for lunch at Otter, and a seagull picked up a full loaf of bread and started to fly out to sea. I looked up and thought, well, there goes our lunch. About ten feet before the cliff edge, Kellen made a punching motion towards the bird, who was a about 30 feet away, and said "bow." The bird immediately dropped the loaf and flew away.

The kids and I thought there must be some serious mojo in Kellen's "bow," so when they wrote an article about the trip back at camp, they spelled it "bao," to liken it to "tao." Kellen certainly had a good feel for "the way." May his bao continue to light our lives and journeys up. We'll miss you buddy.

Dammit! This year should not start off so bad.

I always think that there should be a whole book written about folks, stories from their friends and people that knew them. Fly free Kellen!

Our condolences to the family, loved ones, and friends of Kellen. I wasn't lucky enough to meet Kellen in person, but as a fellow skier/climber, and MPer, I just wanted to share a posting of his that I enjoyed.

This is Kellen's recipe he shared with fellow MPers that tickled me.

Kellen Sams wrote:Here's my recipe! It involves two of the best food groups EVER.

CHOCOLATE COVERED BACON
Step 1: Melt chocolate
Step 2: Cook Bacon (This is very important and should not be forgotten).
Step 3: Dip Cooked Bacon into Melted Chocolate
Step 4: Let cool
Step 5: Consume with glee

Kellen, I'll try your recipe, and I will consume it with glee (chocolate, and bacon just so happens to be my favorite food groups too), and I'll remember this recipe as yours, "Kellen's CCB." I'll find a special, beautiful, peaceful place outdoors to enjoy it.

Kellen also gave my boyfriend, and I (who were inquiring on MP re: skiing in Co.) some helpful info., and his recommendation of Crested Butte; we traveled to CB, and got the 2 for 1 lift ticket, and really enjoyed our time skiing at Crested Butte two weeks ago. John, and I both remarked how beautiful of a place Crested Butte is, and it was our best time of skiing.

RIP Kellen Sams~

Sounds good GiGi- Ill have to try it the next time out!!! (maybe, lol)

I also have to say- Im quite puzzled at the lack of views/response to this thread.....??? Usually, such a thread draws a lot of focus on MP, cuz we all can relate, considering we are all connected by a similar passion - possibly fate-, even if we didnt know the fallen.

Maybe Im just biased or expecting more since it hit so close to home? Or, maybe, some truer MP colors are showing? I dunno, nor does it matter, as its about Kellen- but the lack of the usual "MP voice of empathy" seems to be lacking.....weird.

Thanks to all those chiming in, its great to hear. It means the world to his friends and family. Thank you for your kind words..... :)

RIP. My empathy and love to those who lost such a light.

I have been overwhelmed by the love that has been sent to Kellen over the past few days. There were two large gatherings for Kellen, one here in Manitou Springs, and one in VT, where stories and photos were shared about who Kellen really was.

Kellen was the foundation of many communities: Our college (Green Mountain College, VT), Fort Carson Recreation where he worked, Outward Bound in Oregon where he was an instructor, Crested Butte where he lived, instructed at the adaptive sports center, skied like hell, and had the BEST costumes for the Al Johnson tele race. And above all, to those of us who climbed, laughed, and loved with him everyday, he was a good friend and most trusted partner in the mountains.

I was really saddened to hear about Kellen's passing last week. My condolences to Jane and to his family. I would regularly run into Kellen at Red Rock Canyon the past year or two. He was always friendly and I enjoyed talking climbing with him. I was planning on going out to Fort Carson later this spring to check out some cliffs he was hoping to get set up for his climbing program out there. I'm sorry I was out of town and unable to attend his memorial in Manitou. His loss is another reminder that bad things happen to good people too...

Jane Anderson wrote:Shane - Thank you for all you have done. You started this posting, have said wonderful things about Kellen, and told a GREAT (ahahhahah) story at the memorial. I really thank you for your kind words and thoughts. We will all miss him dearly. I do hope we will climb together in the future! (and i truly mean this!!!!!)

Your welcome Jane- Heal well and if you need anything at all, just ask.

As for climbing.......COUNT ON IT!!

Kellen was an excellent guy to share a rope with and I'll miss the opportunity for further adventures with him. He was equally great on a route, on a road trip, and in a kitchen. He was always thoughtful of others and never egotistical. I'll cherish the experiences I had with him and continue to quote his sound wisdoms often.

Favorite Kellen quote: "Guys are assholes, women are crazy"

What a great quote, thanks for sharing Phil.

RIP compadre, so sad....

This is very sad news. My deepest condolences to friends, family, the Outward Bound community and especially Jane for this loss. RIP.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Kellen, but by reading through this post it's obvious that he was an amazing person that touched many people's lives. My deepest sympathies and condolences to his friends and family.

Jane, we all love you over here and send strength to help you through this time. I'm sorry I only got to meet Kellen once. If you need anything call.
Tim

Jane, I met Kellen only a few weeks ago at the Loop for drinks with some of our mutual friends. I'm glad you had a good memorial at Garden of the Gods. I found out about it a little late, so I couldn't attend. Would you like to get together with some of us here in the Springs after work sometime? It would be nice to hear some stories. I still enjoy telling stories of my friend Joe that passed away in 2000. Take care and hope to meet you soon.

-Tim