Not flying related, I know, but for anyone that's enjoyed a ski movie in the last 10 years, this is a really bad day.

37-year old Shane McConkey, who called Tahoe home, was killed while ski BASE jumping off a cliff in Italy. "Ski" BASE jumping involves skiing off a cliff that's high enough to deploy a parachute and fly to a landing. There is no possibility of reserve. Read the story for more details.

McConkey was an icon in the world of skiing, and a stand-up, all-American guy who you could not help but admire and respect. He starred in many feature ski films over the last 15 years, even appearing on NBC's The Today Show to promote the big mountain skiing documentary "Steep."

I know our own AKTahoe1 here on BCP was personal friends with him. It's been a bad month for the two hobbies I love.

Story here:
http://www.theadventurelife.org/2009/03/skier-shane-mcconkey-killed-in-base-jumping-accident/

Zane, didn,t know you basejumped.

Tim

qmdv wrote:Zane, didn,t know you basejumped.

Tim

I don't.

I saw that posted on TGR, another shitty loss.

I think of guys like Sean Lunt, Sparky, and now Shane and all I can think to make sense of it is this quote from Blade Runner:
"The light that burns twice as bright burns for half as long and you have burned so very, very brightly"

I saw this video was posted in his honor:

Many of you may also recognize him from the wingsuit flying video that was so popular a few months ago. This is a more complete segment of that. His voice narrates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZchINzk43E

Been in South Lake Tahoe all week skiing....nice write up in the paper for Shane. RIP Shane.

Yep, sad days here in Squaw.I had the pleasure of knowing pane Mcschlonky for a long time.There is a big black hole in Tahoe at the moment,All the flags at the mountain are at half mast for him........He was a full speed guy till the very last second and he will be sorely missed all over the world.I saw him the day before he went to Italy,we were filming a commercial for Red Bull, he hopped out the 182 and looked back with a BIG smile on his face I snapped a photo of his ugly mug not knowing that would be the last time I saw him,Kinda fitting that he was airborn, balls out and smiling like the bad ass that he was. Party on my brother and say hello to all the other Tahoe folk you are partying with..............

I don't know who said it but it is true. "All me die but not all men live" Shane McConkey knew what it meant to live.

I am thankful for my oldest daughter who turn 21 today....Rob