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April, 2024

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Jackson Hole took a friend of mine today

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Gknow
Posts: 627 - Karma: 358
My friend Zephyr was a good friend from high school and was enjoying his first year at Lewis and Clark. Always a passionate skier, he never failed to bring positive vibes wherever he was.

Zephyr wanted that extra thrill and ditched his friends for one run at Jackson Hole.

He was riding new Sir Francis Bacons and was so excited when I saw him on new years to take them back out west. On his solo run he hit a tree and was left hanging there overnight. His buddies reported him missing, but they didn't find him till the next morning.

Vibes for his family, he was only 18 and the chillest kid ever...if there was anyway he wanted to go, it'd be on his skis. But it wasn't supposed to happen so soon. I couldn't name one person who wasn't a fan of Zephyr. I know that anyone who knew him will be hit with a bomb when they learn of the news.

Zephyr Rapinchuk, RIP...




Jan 12 2011 7:34PM
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tuna.
Posts: 2627 - Karma: 111
im so sorry, rest in peace.
Jan 12 2011 7:36PM
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S.C
Posts: 3068 - Karma: 2,281
RIP man
Jan 12 2011 7:36PM
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geet
Posts: 2436 - Karma: 6
R.I.P

that is terrible to hear
 +vibes to the family and friends
Jan 12 2011 7:36PM
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Stan_Darsh
Posts: 3057 - Karma: 185
RIP. damn that sucks.

a little confused though... "he hit a tree and was left hanging there over night": so like he was hanging upside down in a tree or what exactly happened? hit a tree and got knocked out?
Jan 12 2011 7:38PM
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dukedevil
Posts: 82 - Karma: -8
R.I.P 
+vibes to friends and families
Jan 12 2011 7:41PM
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Willard
Posts: 5117 - Karma: 429
atleast he was right where he wanted to be
Jan 12 2011 7:43PM
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Karma_Police
Posts: 2655 - Karma: 1,628
I saw this on TGR, tree wells are scary shit.
Jan 12 2011 7:49PM
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geet
Posts: 2436 - Karma: 6
most likely a well
Jan 12 2011 7:50PM
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emilyskis
Posts: 326 - Karma: 119
damn, rest easy. at least he died doing something he loved.
vibes to family and friends
Jan 12 2011 7:53PM
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304NordMan
Posts: 2980 - Karma: 521

Damn, that sucks. Too many deaths lately... Rest in peace dude.

Jan 12 2011 7:55PM
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SkiThe603
Posts: 5376 - Karma: 498
Dude that sucks a lot, plus vibes all around, sorry for your loss bud
Jan 12 2011 7:55PM
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Dwarftosser1
Posts: 2602 - Karma: 951
I hate hearing stories like this, +++++vibes
Jan 12 2011 7:57PM
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bryansbryan
Posts: 645 - Karma: 7
stuck in a tree freezing to death? i doubt that's where he wanted to be...

shit happens, always ski with a friend. scary stuff.
Jan 12 2011 7:57PM
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[evan]
Posts: 5628 - Karma: 119
Oh shit dude, that's awful. Tons of vibes to everybody that knew him. He sounds like an awsome guy. R.I.P.
Jan 12 2011 7:58PM
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Willard
Posts: 5117 - Karma: 429
I got trapped in a treewell saturday...passed out didnt think i was gonna make it but a friend got me out. If i was to go i would want to be on a mountain having the time of my life before it.
Jan 12 2011 8:02PM
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GolfingElephant
Posts: 659 - Karma: 473
Vibes to you and his family. Just gotta love the days you have.
Jan 12 2011 8:07PM
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iwasinthepool
Posts: 122 - Karma: 11
that sucks man
Jan 12 2011 8:09PM
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i.am.green.man.
Posts: 220 - Karma: 48
Vibes to his family and every one who knew him
Jan 12 2011 8:16PM
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thebeesknees
Posts: 3660 - Karma: 160
that's awful man vibes to you.  RIP
Jan 12 2011 8:17PM
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array.
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 202

so sorry man

S.I.P

Jan 12 2011 8:19PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 36710 - Karma: 110,904
Dispite the amazing amounts of snow that this winter is bringing, It is taking far too many casualties whether they are fatal or not. +Vibes to his family. Very sad news to hear. Never good to hear about shredders being taken from this world. At least he was doing what he loved.
Jan 12 2011 8:19PM
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triebby
Posts: 8670 - Karma: 2,189
Damn, super sorry to hear it man. Vibes and prayers to you and his family and friends. SIP.
Jan 12 2011 8:19PM
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rossiskier93
Posts: 781 - Karma: 103
shits scary. RIP and ski with a friend
Jan 12 2011 8:20PM
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coop-son
Posts: 783 - Karma: 28
Zephyr was a friend of mine as well. So damn positive, Worked with him, Skied with him, played lacrosse with him. Such a damn positive kid. Just saw him last week with those new bacons and he loved them, cant believe hes gone.
RIP and SIP ZR
Jan 12 2011 8:26PM
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heFF
Posts: 5786 - Karma: 4,457
vibes man..r.ip
Jan 12 2011 8:27PM
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TheQuailman
Posts: 7381 - Karma: 144

I'm so sorry to hear this, RIP, plus so much vibes to his family and friends.

I was at Jackson today and saw him lying on the ground and like 9 patrollers sorrounding him. I thought it had just happened.  Basically he was like 25 ft or so down from a catwalk and nearby, maybe 5 or so feet below the catwalk was a skinny tree stump thing that was about 4 or 5 feet tall.  He must of tried to tap the tree stump or just launched off the catwalk without seeing the tree and somehow hit his head.  Whats strange is that it seems to be a pretty high traffic area and there isn't too many trees or anything else nearby.  Then again its been pretty foggy/poor visibility up there today and yesterday.

Hopefully this serves as a reminder to always ski with a partner and to always wear a helmet (not sure if he was wearing one or not).

RIP

Jan 12 2011 8:28PM
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.jersey
Posts: 1925 - Karma: 9
vibes man, RIP
Jan 12 2011 8:28PM
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ReignMan
Posts: 1852 - Karma: 226
VIBESSS
Jan 12 2011 8:30PM
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NickMartini
Posts: 7761 - Karma: 8,356
So sad, RIP. This is an example of poor snow safety, ride with friends!
Jan 12 2011 8:31PM
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jeremy.g
Posts: 4931 - Karma: 459
bummer man. vibes
Jan 12 2011 8:31PM
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basedjase
Posts: 2510 - Karma: 640
Gahhh i hate reading about such sad things. He's in my prayers. Vibes dude.
Jan 12 2011 8:33PM
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nickrdwd
Posts: 250 - Karma: 10
R.I.P Zephyr. I was a freshmen with Zephyr at L&C and he was an awesome kid. It was nice being able to know such a cool kid, he's going to be missed forever. I wish all of his friends and family the best.
Jan 12 2011 9:11PM
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McFellon
Posts: 1841 - Karma: 2,005
sorry to hear that. vibes.
Jan 12 2011 9:14PM
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Gknow
Posts: 627 - Karma: 358
The kid was awesome. Everyone here in his hometown is shocked, it was too sudden. Thanks for the vibes...it always sucks to see a fellow skier fall, but someone I knew...brings the horrible feelings way to close. Prevent this! ALWAYS ski with friends
Jan 12 2011 9:17PM
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yellav
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 1,217
heard about this earlier today, some of my roomates and friends grew up with zephyr. real tragedy, everyone really always needs to make sure youre skiing with a buddy and with proper gear if your going out of bounds.
Jan 12 2011 9:21PM
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jibking1212
Posts: 807 - Karma: 50
soo sorry man ..R.I.P
Jan 12 2011 9:41PM
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GorillaChop
Posts: 245 - Karma: 6
Fuck man, that is real.
VIBES
Jan 13 2011 12:48AM
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steep
Posts: 6063 - Karma: 297
damn that sucks, as mentioned, waaaaaaaaay to many deaths lately. vibes man
Jan 13 2011 12:53AM
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FridayFrothys
Posts: 338 - Karma: 209
So sad, +vibes, RIP
Jan 13 2011 12:54AM
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soulskier
Posts: 17805 - Karma: 3,821
:( vibes, prayers, whatever kind of spiritual currency your taking really and to the family/friends of course
Jan 13 2011 1:01AM
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Imagination
Posts: 2501 - Karma: 73
That's so terrible, +++ vibes to his family and those who knew him, RIP and SIP
Jan 13 2011 1:02AM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,270
holy fuck i know this kid. SHIT SHIT

i read zephyr and then lewis and clarke and hoped to god it wasn't him

he was the funniest, nicest, craziest kid. he used to race as an independent in our league and beat everyone but he was the most down to earth dude. first time i met him i rode up the lift with him, never having spoken, and by the end it was as if we'd always known eachother. he was able to befriend anyone in a non-obnoxious way. just a genuinely great kid, always making you laugh, always enjoying life and having an awesome time

i was lucky enough to share some mutual friends with him and get to hang with him a couple times. he's a guy that i will never forget.

RIP man, i can't believe this
Jan 13 2011 1:02AM
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Ldo6
Posts: 31 - Karma: -13
R.I.P. / S.I.P.
Jan 13 2011 1:02AM
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Mike.Records
Posts: 1311 - Karma: 756
What horrible news. I'm sorry for your loss. Sounds like he was quite a guy.
Jan 13 2011 1:24AM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,270
if anybody's interested, zephyr wrote a book on lost ski areas of new england. he was super passionate about skiing and also a really creative and artistic kid

http://www.blurb.com/books/1540653
Jan 13 2011 1:29AM
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Powdered_Donuts
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 187
So sad. RIP new pow skis, deep snow, he was in heaven even before he went im sure
Jan 13 2011 1:57AM
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Dr.D-Sag
Posts: 212 - Karma: 374
sad story RIP
Jan 13 2011 9:30AM
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athompson4
Posts: 20 - Karma: 10
RIP and ill keep his family in my prayers

+vibes
Jan 13 2011 9:51AM
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snomaster
Posts: 3338 - Karma: 5,686
that sucks so bad. but it's cool to see that his positive energy rubbed off on so many people.
I can't imagine a night search like that and then find him in the AM in the zone they were searching... that's a nightmare for sure.

wear a helmet, ski with friends, and tell others where you are going.
Jan 13 2011 11:44AM
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DADDYlongLEGS
Posts: 1574 - Karma: 47
So sorry man

RIP
Jan 13 2011 12:21PM
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