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On Friday, news outlets from around the world reported that three world-class mountaineers who were climbing Alberta’s Howse Peak on Tuesday, April 16th were caught up in a large avalanche, that carried them to their likely deaths. Those mountaineers were 28-year-old Austrian David Lama, 36-year-old American Jess Rosskelley, and 35-year-old Hansjörg Auer.

Loved and admired by many, people from all walks of life have paid their respect. A few of those messages that have been shared on social platforms can be found below.

 

 

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We have learned that three members of our Global Athlete Team @davidlama_official, @jessroskelley and @hansjoergauer were presumed caught in an avalanche on April 16th in Alberta, Canada. They are missing and we are waiting for additional information as the search mission continues. David, Jess, and Hansjörg are valued and loved members of The North Face family and we are doing everything we can to support their families friends and community during this difficult time. We will continue to keep you updated and ask that you keep our athletes and their loved ones in your hearts and thoughts.

A post shared by The North Face (@thenorthface) on Apr 18, 2019 at 2:53pm PDT

 

 

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David lebte für die Berge und seine Leidenschaft für das Klettern und Bergsteigen hat uns als Familie geprägt und begleitet. Er folgte stets seinem Weg und lebte seinen Traum. Das nun Geschehene werden wir als Teil davon akzeptieren.⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ Wir bedanken uns für die zahlreichen positiven Worte und Gedanken von nah und fern, und bitten um Verständnis, dass es keine weitere Stellungnahme von uns geben wird. Vielmehr bitten wir David mit seiner Lebensfreude, seiner Tatkräftigkeit und mit Blick Richtung seiner geliebten Berge in Erinnerung zu behalten. ⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ Die Familien von Hansjörg und Jess schließen wir in unsere Gedanken ein⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ Claudia & Rinzi Lama⁣⠀ ____________________________________⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ David dedicated his life to the mountains and his passion for climbing and alpinism shaped and accompanied our family. He always followed his own path and lived his dream. We will accept what now happened as a part of that.⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ We appreciate the numerous positive words and thoughts from near and far. Please understand that there will be no further comments from our side. We ask you to remember David for his zest for life, his enthusiasm and with a view towards his beloved mountains. ⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ Our thoughts are with Hansjörg’s and Jess‘ family⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ Claudia & Rinzi Lama

A post shared by David Lama (@davidlama_official) on Apr 19, 2019 at 7:00am PDT

 

 

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A post shared by Hansjörg Auer (@hansjoergauer) on Apr 20, 2019 at 11:58am PDT

 

 

 

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Finding the light through the dark today as our mountain tribe lost three beloved members of the family. We again face the great paradox of pursuing one’s dreams in the mountains…something that gives us so much life and yet also takes life away. It never makes sense…yet we understand. You will all be deeply missed… Reflecting on how fortunate we are to have witnessed and felt the greatness, talent and humanity you all shared with us. With my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of @jessroskelley @hansjoergauer and @davidlama_official.

A post shared by Jimmy Chin (@jimmychin) on Apr 19, 2019 at 11:33am PDT

 

 

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I will walk by your side forever.

A post shared by Hadley Hammer (@hadhammer) on Apr 8, 2019 at 9:26pm PDT

 

 

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We all go to the mountains because there is some innate part of being human that seeks challenge and there is endless challenge to be found in our wild places. I’ve always seen mountains as a blank canvas that lets me be an artist by choosing my unique path when amongst them. It’s freedom in its purest and most simple form. But, like many things in life, what you originally set out to do isn’t always where you end up. It’s the unexpected adventures along the way that create the true magic. There’s so much more to this passion than just the climb or the ski, there are the human connections created along this journey that have been some of the deepest and most profound friendships of my life. There is also tragedy. The mountains are both majestic and fierce. They give so much and they take so much. It is with profound sadness, frustration and even anger that this week we have lost so much passion, kindness, ingenuity and unadulterted talent with the passing of these three human beings. *** My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of David Lama, Hansjörg Auer and Jess Roskelley. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

A post shared by Hilaree Nelson (ONeill) (@hilareenelson) on Apr 19, 2019 at 8:25am PDT

 

 

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Interesting place to be to receive the news of our passing friends. Biking up, mulling over thoughts of Dave and his family, and just reaching this point, learned of David, Jess and Hans. Thinking of their family and loved ones, and so happy these four shared their light and passion with us all. I feel each had a unique way of living that will always inspire. Thanks for being who you are 🙏🏼🙏🏼 photos thanks to @_claytonboyd_ & @eye_b_long

A post shared by John Collinson (@johncollinson) on Apr 19, 2019 at 10:11am PDT

 

 

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It hurts to feel the crushing magnitude of losing people you not only really care about, but also that are such iconic figureheads of our community. My heart breaks and I am praying for the direct family members and loved ones involved. Jess was one of the most driven, positive, humble, goofy, and kind friends. He accomplished daunting mountains with a smile and inspiring ability to encourage you to see no limits, too. Despite the magnitude of his accomplishments, he wasn’t “above” anyone. He was a genuine, radical guy and husband to an equally inspiring, kickass woman, @alliroskelley David Lama- who in our direct community doesn’t have a story…? Soft spoken, genuine BADASS. Footsy (@magmidt 😭) It’s been some time since the three of us hung out together but I will never forget how you have always been the number one climber I have looked up to’s career…the childhood prodigy turned all-rounded mountain climbing technician. He was the guy that could probably come back from a long expedition and still fire 5.14’s like he never left the gym. Hansjorg; an Austrian legend, I didn’t know you as personally so well but man, your accomplishments were so damn legendary. It’s so hard for me to wrap my mind around this except for the fact that the mountains are at once beautiful and merciless. These guys knew what they were doing in the mountains. They were straight legends. That’s what is terrifying to me. It doesn’t matter who you are or what your resume is: extremely unlucky circumstances can still happen. 💔.

A post shared by S A S H A • D I G I U L I A N (@sashadigiulian) on Apr 18, 2019 at 9:23pm PDT

 

 

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I didn’t know @jessroskelley well, and we never talked about climbing. We did talk about our over the top love of our dogs and whether or not it’s normal to poop in front of your significant other (he’s still wrong, it is). ⁣ ⁣ Jess had the coiled energy of a wind up toy just before the pin is released. One night over dinner in Puerto Rico, he suddenly looked at me and asked: “Can I…I mean is it weird if I … can I squeeze your stump?”⁣ and then we were bonded. ⁣ Jess, along with @davidlama_official and @hansjoergauer , will be missed. My love to their friends and families.

A post shared by Mo Beck (@mo.in.mountains) on Apr 19, 2019 at 7:12am PDT

 

 

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🖤💫🙏🏻 no words.

A post shared by M Λ T H I S (@mathis_dumas) on Apr 19, 2019 at 2:50am PDT

 

 

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No sabemos ni como empezar este texto, son momentos tan duros que no nos salen ni las palabras. La pérdida de Hansjorg Auer, David Lama y Jess Roskelly es tan grande que nos hemos quedado vacíos. Son tantos los amigos perdidos en la montaña qué se nos encoge el corazón. Muchos ánimos a las familias y amigos. Conocíamos a Hans desde hace mucho tiempo. Le queríamos y admirabamos mucho, era una gran persona , muy entrañable y fuente de inspiración para muchos de nosotros, con el cual tuvimos la suerte de haber compartido mucho tiempo y aventuras. ¡Siempre estarás con nosotros! Tus latín brothers Eneko & iker. We do not know how to start this text, they are such hard moments that we do not even get the words. The loss of Hansjorg Auer, David Lama and Jess Roskelly is so hard that we are left empty. There are so many lost friends in the mountains that our hearts shrink. Many encouragement to families and friends. We had known Hans for a long time. We loved and admired him very much, he was a great person, very fond and a source of inspiration for many of us, with whom we were fortunate to have shared a lot of time and adventures. ¡You will always be with us! Your latin brothers. Eneko & iker

A post shared by hermanospou (@hermanospou) on Apr 19, 2019 at 1:46am PDT

 

So sad to hear the accident of Hansjörg Auer, David Lama and Jess Roskelle. 3 of the most cutting edge alpinist of the last years 🙏 https://t.co/oXhebg244Y

— kilian jornet (@kilianj) April 18, 2019

Read Next: Hansjörg Auer: No Turning Back