Graeme left the mountain today - on to new adventures and travel. He sold his home here, but has keys to at least one other when he comes back to visit.
Graeme has served on various boards over the years, including the Mt. Baldy Community Association which preceded the formation of the Strata.
When the BC Winter Games were held here in 1985, Graeme was Sport Chairman for the Cross Country Skiing - from creation of the trails right through to and including the event.
A tragic accident in the '70's left Graeme with one leg that doesn't bend in the middle. When he came home, he took up downhill skiing again. The disabled skiing manual was written for people missing a leg. Graeme devised an adaptation for his stiff leg. He wore a cross-country boot, and a cut off ski to support the leg behind him. Sylvia and I took turns on one ski with the outriggers, so that we could do the falling, and convey the technique to Graeme. Within a week he was back on the "big hill" (can't say the Eagle, as it was still the Baldy Tee.)
In recent years, Graeme has stuck to cross-country skis and snowshoes. He has put countless hours into trail work and signage, and built "Gilly's Hut" out of recycled materials for all to enjoy.
Graeme's departure, in some ways, is an end of an era. He has chosen to move on to warmer activities including golf and travel. We wish him well. We know he'll be back to visit, he has a lot of friends here.
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