This was in the latest Boealps Newsletter. I thought you might like to read it.
A Remembrance of John Miner, Jim Andrues, and Russ Howard
by Rick Wire
For the past 20 years, John Miner had been
coming to the spectacular Canadian Rockies to ice
climb. He had climbed all around the world but
loved this area best. For those of us who chose to
go with John on this annual trek north, great
climbing and even greater camaraderie were the
rewards. Jim Andrues was a regular on the trips
for the last 7 years. It seemed that as soon as 1
trip was over, the planning would start for the
next year. It was a special feeling to be invited.
This year, five of our teammates (John, Jim, Rick,
Kenny and Mike) went and two other climber
friends (Micah and Russ) joined them.
On Thursday, February 12, our teammates left
from the David Thompson Resort in different
directions to spend the day on two different
waterfall climbs. A cold, sunny, beautiful day for
climbing. Rick’s team finished the day early and
were back at the DTR by late afternoon. As
darkness came, Rick, Kenny, Micah and Mike
became concerned that Jim, John and Russ were
not back. They knew where they were climbing
and Rick and Kenny headed out around 7pm to
look for them. They found John’s car and their
tracks leading to the climb named Midnight
Rambler. They quickly moved up the trail noting
the tracks were only pointed uphill. As they got
closer to the climb, Rick said the tracks suddenly
were covered up by a strangely textured snow.
Within a few more steps, their headlights
illuminated the debris zone. Perhaps only fellow
climbers can relate to the terrible feelings Rick and
Kenny felt then. They quickly called out and
searched the area. They wouldn’t know till the
next day how huge the debris field really was.
They found a helmet - then a rope. They followed
the rope into the packed ice. They knew their
friends were under it. The chopped at the ice with
ski poles in vain – it had set hard. The realized
they needed help and got to the Saskatchewan
ranger station as fast as they could.
Sometime during that beautiful day, an
unanticipated inversion had settled on the valley
warming the upper slopes. Down below where
our friends were climbing, it was clear and cold
and I’m sure they were having a good climb. A
snow field high above and around a blind corner
loosened and avalanched down the gully they
were climbing. They would have never seen it
coming and would have had only seconds to react
as it came their way.
A search effort by the great rangers from Parks
Canada began soon after. Later that night, a dog
team found our friend John who had been buried
a little more than a meter deep. After searching
and digging, the ranger teams were exhausted.
They halted the search around 3am. At first light,
they were back at the scene. Within a few hours,
they had found Russ and finally Jim.
Around 9pm, that night of the 12th, I received a
call at home from Rick’s wife, Lisa. Her strength
and composure was amazing and I truly thank her
for this. Within minutes of hearing the news,
through tears and hugs we—I and Jeff, my
partner and TMRU member of 23 years—knew
we had to notify our good friend and fellow
teammate Tom of his brother John’s fate. As Jeff
made that call, I called those on our team who
were closest to John and Jim. After the initial
shock and more tears, Jeff and I looked at each
other and said, “Let’s go.” I called the folks I had
just told the crushing news to and within minutes
we had seven of us ready to head North.
Twelve hours later, we met Tom and his son Jason
at Lake Louise. The RCMP there were kind and
professional and welcomed us into their offices.
We finished paperwork and arrangements and
headed north to meet our grieving teammates.
I had been in cell contact with our teammates at
the ranger station and fellow MRA members. I just
didn’t want our MRA teammates to hear this on
the news. Our members at home started a callout,
letting our friends and teammates know the tragic
news. Much work and support was done by the
members back in Washington.
In the early evening, we finally met up with Rick,
Kenny, Micah and Mike. I cannot say enough or
thank the folks from Rocky Mountain House Mtn
Rescue Team. When we were in great need, they
truly rescued us. We arrived to a warm meal and
accommodations in their homes. They surrounded
us with protecting, warm compassion as we sat in
Yvette and Scott’s living room and cried, laughed,
talked and told stories. They let us share our grief
in a comfortable, loving place and we are ever
indebted to them.
The next morning we went as a group to the
accident site. Overwhelming grief and tears; a
memorial placed—including an MRA cap. The
healing would begin; it was time to go home.
Our team divided up drivers, we had Russ, John
and Jim’s cars to get home, and started the long
drive west. Jeff and I accompanied Tom and his
son Jason, to Banff to meet with the head ranger
of the recovery effort and then to Calgary to pick
up personal effects and finish arrangements. We
are headed back home for a week of memorials
and life celebrations for our friends.
In closing, I’d like to say a bit about our friends
Russ, John and Jim. I’m sorry I did not get to know
Russ; he worked with John. Everyone talked highly
of his easygoing, great personality.
John had been climbing it seemed his entire life. A
career police officer in Redmond, John was
devoted to the Boy Scouts of America and
Tacoma Mountain Rescue. He was an operations
leader and lead instructor for many of our
trainings. At first meeting, John seemed stern and
professional. That was merely a cover for his
excellent sense of dry humor. His stories of
“speeding ticket excuses” were looked forward to
at our meetings and no one could tell them like
John. He also had a deeply compassionate side
and was in all ways a true friend.
If we took a poll on our team of “most liked”
member, Jim would win hands down every year.
A kinder person I could not imagine. An
experienced and rock-solid rescuer, it always felt
good to know that Jim was on a rescue. Jim never
said cross words and never complained. Truly a
happy soul.
Both John and Jim were the type of friends you
could call in the middle of the night for help. I
know this because I have made those calls to both
of them and they came with no questions asked.
They were two of our most respected and loved
members. They are missed already.
