Trust you and family are well.
Cory’s memorial was a wonderful tribute to him.
Re your reference to Mita Burden. I was involved in the incident (hasty search, probe line, cpr). There were indeed many similarities to Cory’s accident.
Of late, I have become very active with the Aspen Poets’ Society and recently found this poem from December, 1972.

Avalanche

Why do we hope?
Why does the avalanche run?
What can we be
To seek, have fun
Lose friends; watch one weep?
Over a soul, was never his to keep
Nor mine, or hers
As I see it
Was as if she took a fit
Which wasn’t her
Angry or otherwise
Agitated
I believe it was something fated
Or at least in God’s mind
In any case
Was fate unkind?
Mita lived for life
And love
And snow
What we reap
Is what we sow

Though it has been forty years since I last sat at your feet and learned from you I want you to know that I carry your lessons and stories with me every time I hit the back country. And I use them all the time. Little things like “the safest way to cross an avalanche slope is not to cross it at all” or “in the winter you never let yourself get cold” are Lou-isms that have helped me and others return safely from many an outdoor adventure.

Thank you again for helping us understand what happen to Cory. It doesn’t ease the pain of the loss, but it does help put to rest some of the mystery as to why it happen.

Much love to you and your family,

David Clark