Galvin doing what he loved in the place he loved. [Photo] Courtesy Mountain Rescue-Aspen
On April 8, outside of the Aspen Highlands backcountry gate to the out-of–bounds zone Maroon Bowl, an avalanche broke above Mountain Rescue-Aspen member John Galvin and his skiing partner. While Galvin’s partner was swept farther downslope and remained on the surface of the slide, Galvin was taken into a stand of trees where he suffered trauma that took his life.
Galvin, 57, was no stranger to avalanche safety and backcountry travel, and while the incident that occurred on that April afternoon ended in tragedy, his fellow Mountain Rescue-Aspen members remember the legacy of successful rescues, compassion, dogged determination and a passion for the backcountry that Galvin left behind.
Galvin, lower left, with his fellow MRA members. [Photo] Courtesy Mountain Rescue-Aspen
Galvin volunteered for MRA for 30 years, a position that demanded time, energy and expertise, all pro-bono. “We are a volunteer organization, and we have the salaries of zero,” explains MRA member of 38 years, David Swersky. “We never charge for rescue, because we don’t want people to worry about calling for a rescue. So even if what John had done was a full-time, paid job, it would have been impressive—but it was all on a volunteer basis.”
Dana Underwood, MRA member of four years and close friend to Galvin, reiterates this sentiment. “He was such an extraordinary friend, person and rescuer on one of our country’s top SAR teams. He had a heart bigger than any mountain he climbed, and he dedicated his life to wanting to save others.”
Galvin, standing looker’s right, served many missions in a Black Hawk helicopter for MRA. [Photo] Courtesy Mountain Rescue-Aspen
“I met John 31 years ago,” Lofland says. “We were climbing partners, and I probably have 500 days skiing with John, mostly in the backcountry, some in the frontcountry—but definitely all over the Elk Mountains where we live. We even did some 14ers together. He telemarked exclusively and was a very accomplished tele skier. We performed a couple hundred rescues together.”
Galvin takes a moment to enjoy a sunny day in the mountains. [photo] Courtesy Dana Underwood
Underwood summarizes her relationship with Galvin as, “a very close friend, companion, confidant, mentor and teacher and a great encourager and my very favorite partner in crime. He was an awesome and dedicated father to his kids—he talked most about his kids, his family, mountain rescue and then what peak he wanted to climb and ski next. He was super funny; he had amazing one-liners with quick wit, sarcasm and truth. He was humble, an advocate for a strong team mentality and he believed everyone’s role on a team was important.”
To honor Galvin’s tastes, MRA retired his locker and turned it into a bar serving fine tequilas—one of his many loves. [Photo] Dana Underwood
That sentiment will surely be shared by the Aspen community and the Mountain Rescue family he was such an integral part of. Galvin is survived by his three sons, Nikolai, Sean and Kelly. There will be a community celebration held in Aspen in August. As August nears, visit Mountain Rescue-Aspen for further event details.
Johnny was a great friend he will be missed by all RIP buddy
One of The Great Ones, John is missed and will never be forgotten to all those who were lucky enough to know him. RIP
I will probably be severely scorned for the following comment .
But from a flat lander from Texas that only gets the privilege to come to your magnificent state once a year, is it absolutely necessary to push the envelope so far? I so respect the immense talent & sheer physical ability to do what ya’ll do. Maybe I would change my mind if I were to experience the high’s of being a great powder skier which I am not. I ski past the Black Diamond runs & they always seem to be empty. Do these inbound run’s no longer give the thrill? I would be proud to even be able to ski most of them. Is it asking too much to advocate to the inbound run’s only? Just saying. My condolences to the family of this very giving, unselfish man.
6 “I’s” in a condolences page…..wow…you sure are something Bruce.
Thanks for your boundless service and passion John!
Susan and I will really miss you, We already miss working with you at the Enclave, and hearing about mountain rescues from you. Your knowledge of the Enclave buildings is irreplaceable You were ” one of a kind ” Johnny boy. Rest in peace.
Goodbye John. You are now a star in heaven. You stayed full of life with a big heart. From Chicago.
John Galvin was a special guy. He was a great student of Mt. Rescue techniques and one you could trust to hold your rope. My last mission on the Aspen team was John and I retrieving a fallen climber on the Maroon Bells. Very little conversation was needed to manage the anchors and ropes, package the victim, manage the helicopter long line body extraction, and climb up to our own one skid extraction point. He was completely professional when needed and you didn’t have to check his knots. He was great friend and is missed.
He was a great friend and I miss him.