10 years ago, a community of friends and family came together in the cold, crisp desert to mourn, and honor our friend,
@muppetbase . During his last flight, Matt ended up coming to rest close to 1000 feet from both the top and bottom of a red rock fin, deep in the heart of Paria Canyon. Matt had such a positive influence on anyone lucky enough to share time with him, and it was evident by how it was not an option anyone accepted to leave him up there. Justifiably, search and rescue crews couldn’t get to him without unreasonable risk to their teams.
Of the many days I’ve spent in that canyon, most were full of flying wingsuits, raging and laughing with best friends, creating memories that are some of the most vivid in my life… But, the time spent with my homie, the legendary
@ammonmcneely to play a small part in bringing Matt home has been a major part in defining both gratitude and humility in my life. That one day reshaped the foundations of my perspective. Simply put, I will carry those raw memories of getting Matt off that wall with me for the rest of my life.
For me, writing has always been an exercise in cathartic energy. Written reflection helps to put thoughts and feelings into action, when both fleeting conclusions, and unresolved questions are put to paper. But sometimes physically revisiting a place, breathing the air and seeing how much is exactly the same…. and totally different from how I remember it, is an important step toward working through beautiful and traumatic experiences.
Huge thanks to
@adamskolnick for going back to Paria with me a few days ago. I felt both Matt and Ammon strongly. And also massive thanks and respect for all the BASE and climbing communities who came together as a team to get our brother back to his folks. Love you all.
