Johannes Mullegger
I write this post with heavy heart. Johannes (Hannes) Mullegger, a fellow North Shore Rescue Team Member, fell into a crevasse yesterday and passed away.
Hannes was on a ski tour with two friends on the Compton Neve. He fell approximately 100 ft. into a crevasse. The Armed Forces (442 Squadron) were scrambled and extracted Hannes, however, it was too late and he was pronounced dead at St. Josephs Hospital.
During the rescue, Whistler SAR was asked by NSR to be the lead team (if required), with NSR as a back-up. There was constant communication between JRCC (Joint Rescue Coordination Center), BC Ambulance Service and NSR. We spent last night waiting to hear if Hannes was going to be ok, or if we were going to be called in to help one of our own. Unfortunately, just after midnight we received the news that Hannes had passed away.
The last time I saw Hannes was a few weeks ago on the last rescue on Grouse Mountain. Hannes and I were carrying the Rope Rescue gear and ropes and setting up each rope rescue station together. Hannes' job was to drag the 300 foot rope up the slope - a difficult job, but a job he was built for and loved. Hannes was known as an unstoppable force, and was known by all on the team as someone "who would carry two kitchen sinks" if he was asked to.
Strong willed, an excellent mountaineer, extremely fit, and a friend that we at North Shore Rescue will miss greatly.
This is a great shock to North Shore Rescue, and our hearts go out to Hannes' family, his girlfriend and his friends.
We would like to thank the Armed Forces 442, SAR Techs and pilots for doing an amazing job, in a difficult night rescue, and to Hannes' two friends, Chris and Dominic, that were with him on the trip.
Hannes we will miss you. You will always be part of our team.
posted by John Blown at
9:23 AM
23 Comments:
So very sorry to hear this John; I did not know Hannes but I know how close a SAR team can be. I know every SAR members in the province is feeling some greif today.
By
Michael Coyle, at 10:53 AM
I've known Hannes for a few years. As an avid volleyball player, he would play beach volleyball with us in the summer and indoors in the winter. He was one of the nicest people I've ever met. A true team player. Never whined or complained - always willing to lend a hand. His pleasant demeanor and friendship will be greatly missed.
By
Anonymous, at 11:56 AM
Thank you John.
From the time I met him as an applicant to our team there was something special about Hannes. To the recent selfless Christmas Day rescue of two skiers in need, to the "dirty" work of shoveling snow at our Embassy base, to appearing on behalf of NSR at the Variety Club Show of Hearts telethon (which he admitted was not his thing), Hannes, demonstrated in spades what it meant to be a member of SAR.
There is no doubt he will be dearly missed by many. I will not forget that he died doing what he loved so much and being where he loved to be.
Mike G
By
Anonymous, at 11:59 AM
I also knew Hannes from his other passion, volleyball. It was always nice to play with him, as he obviously got such great pleasure out of playing.
As others have said, he was truly one of the most cheerful people I've known. We'll all miss him dearly.
Brad T
By
Anonymous, at 12:12 PM
I know another side of Hannes not mentioned here - he was also an extremely talented biological chemist and one of the most positive and high energy people you could ever meet. He would have gone on to a lifetime of great achievements I am very very sure. His loss is really a blow.
By
Anonymous, at 12:31 PM
Yes, Dr. Mullegger as he was known in his professional life. Thank you everyone for your comments. We are in the process of getting more information to determine what happened.
By
John Blown, at 12:35 PM
I have known Hannes more or less ever since he arrived from Austria. We went on numerous backcountry trips together. I remember how we often tried to race each other up a mountain. We played volleyball on Kits beach now and then. We used to have lunches in front of the SUB building where he would come with his bio-chem colleagues. He lent me money when times were tough, and was always there for me. We have not kept in touch since I moved to New Zealand. I have lost a dear friend.
By
mabe, at 1:28 PM
As a colleague of Hannes', I cannot express how big a shock it was for us. He was an amazing person, and truly a unique individual. As a fellow climber, He introduced me to the sport, and as a colleague, he impressed us all here with his objectivity and his scientific brilliance in Molecular Biology. I am truly sorry for your loss as fellow NSR members, and I hope that we all live life with the same enthusiasm as he did.
By
Anonymous, at 2:20 PM
The International Committee of the Mountain Rescue Association is saddened to hear of your loss and extends its sympathy to all the members of NSR on their loss.
By
Anonymous, at 2:35 PM
This is very sad news. My sympathies for the friends and family of Hannes. I only got out with Hannes on one ski trip, but he was an easy going, good guy and a solid trip companion. I think Hannes really had a good head on his shoulders regarding mountain travel and this accident really strikes me as tragic.
By
matosan, at 3:21 PM
Terrible news. All my best to his friends and family. May his spirit soar in the mountains.
By
Anonymous, at 5:04 PM
dear friends in canada!
as a longtime traveler, friend, skier and climber even in british columbia let met send my condolences. on our website of austrian mountain rescue services we have reported the sad news and linked your blog: i have not known him, but as freaks for canadian mountains (seems both of us) we would have had to talk a lot down here in salzburg.
see our report down here:
http://www.bergrettung.at/News-Detail.256.0.html?&cHash=070b3b798b&tx_ttnews[backPid]=255&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=741
gerald lehner
public relations of austrian mountain rescue services - federal forces (volunteer)
austrian broadcasting corp. ORF
landesstudio salzburg - austria
nonntaler hauptstrasse 49d
european union
email: gerald.lehner@orf.at
By
Gerald Lehner, at 1:55 AM
Dear John!
Thank you very very much for your post.
You really hit the nail on it's head and together with all the other posts there is little more to say about hannes.
I thought that I could handle his demise the rational way. Experience of the special, calculating the risk, and stuff like this. But your post really made me cry!
Indeed! Hannes was able to carry two kitchen sinks if you asked him to. (one for himself and the other one for his companion! And maybe a third one in spare! You never know what might happen ;-)
We (his family) are sitting here looking at hannes' children's pictures and web-albums through which hannes gave us the chance to participate in his 'adventures'.
All about the mountains. Some kind of addiction - Collector's theme.
He was aware of the risks. Allways trying to minimize them.
We ware aware of them, too!
But...
We never imagined that it would happen this soon!
Everybody who knew Hannes personally, is aware about the loss we are facing. But we also know that Hannes would never want us to lament.
So let's bring up a fine bottle of red wine, and let's wallow in memories.
Hannes will allways be with us.
So, John. Thank's again.
And a very very big thank you to all of you who support us, and help to get things organized.
Clausi by proxy of Vroni & Karl, Julia & Ronny, Riki, Wolfi & Claudia and the rest of the family
By
Julchen, at 1:41 PM
I was listening to a song today which made me think of Johannes and peers at NSR. God bless.
By
Anonymous, at 2:32 PM
I am among the shocked, surprised, and saddened to hear the news. From the comments left here, I wasn't the only one who was witness to the wonderful person Hannes was. I knew him as one of the people we would call on to play with our group of friends for volleyball. He was always fun and there were always smiles around with him. Last time I saw Hannes was after we played a series of volleyball games at Kits beach. Our legs were dead, I couldn't wait to get home and soak in a tub. Not Hannes, he said he had to go and clear the Grouse Grind. I thought he was kidding, but he said it was his turn, which meant doing the Grouse Grind basically in the dark after playing a marathon of volleyball games. Seeing the comments here, I figure he went up that hike with a few sinks to boot! We will miss you Hannes.
By
Alex R, at 7:20 PM
We are sitting here not being able to understand that Hannes is not anymore. For about 4 years - since his arrival in Vancouver, until we left to Germany – we spent a lot of fine time with him, Anne-Marie, and our common friends; at work at UBC, in Vancouver (sometimes drinking lots of beer and having fun), and in the mountains. Hannes was a great companion, always positive and cheerful, adventurous, extremely fit, and always with a big smile on his face. He is sadly missed! Our thoughts in these sorrowful times are with Anne-Marie (be strong!), Hannes family, and his friends. Hannes’ spirit will live on, and he will not be forgotten.
M&M
By
Anonymous, at 12:02 PM
well, i couldnt belive it. unfortunaly we all have to deal with it. i know hannes for about 25 years and i second all positive comments here. he was one of the best guys i ever knew. what i didnt know is, that he had so many nice friends in canada. we all will miss him badly. thanks for this blog and all condulences, we will never forget him.
ferdinand
By
Anonymous, at 2:48 PM
Dear Hannes,
This is my last mail of many we could exchange over the years.
I was climbing Zuckerhütl, when Gerald Lehner from the Salzburger mountain rescue team called me on my mobile. I could not dare believe what he told me then.
I know that you loved the mountains, as we all do and yes we all need to climb up. One hilarious, not the only side of Nature. You also loved the work in the lab, with Nature’s little creatures and beasts. It was fantastic to have had you as a student. It was and still is particular for me having had you as the very first student in my young career, whom I could be fully responsible for. There was no effort, it was always fun and I do not know how to thank you for your work and passion on the hyaluronidase. All the hours after work, bouncing of ideas and creative thinking. What could we learn more from each other?
There at Zuckerhütl, cowering on the glacier, the first about you that came to my mind was that always when something went wrong, and you became annoyed, it was with this smile in your face, seriously, you were smiling while fuming at the wretched experiment.
I guess you also smiled down in this crevasse.
In April 99, you have been to the US; I believe it was for a meeting. From NYC you sent a postcard to the lab; you have made a snapshot of yourself on Time Square. It said on the backside: straying around for 3 days in street canyons metro stations, I give up. NY is too big for me. We pinned the card to the others and it was there till we left the institute for good. I put it up again in my lab in Innsbruck. It is you smiling again.
We will meet again some time
Thank you for your dear real friendship
Günter
By
Günter Lepperdinger, at 12:55 AM
I can still not believe that from now on, Hannes is only present in memory, and not any more in real life. I knew Hannes for more than 20 years, and liked him a great deal. Since he moved to Canada, I saw him only once in a while, but when we met, it was always inspiring and I always felt a little home in his presence. Hannes was one of the most authentic and free person I ever knew. I will miss him a lot and I feel so sorry for Anne-Marie and Hannes' family. Hannes, "may you always have the flasch!"
Pfluft
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Pfluft, at 1:55 PM
after nearly one week with this bad news, it is still hard to deal with this new reality. whenever he came back to austria for some weeks, old friends came together and we had really good times. i will miss him a lot and i feel very sorry for his family and for Anne-Marie.
hanne
By
Anonymous, at 4:30 AM
I have known Hannes about 12 years. We were roommates and friends during my last 3 years living in Sbg. I have never known anyone as easy-going and grounded as Hannes. He was a beautiful person and it was always a pleasure to be in his company; climbing, bike touring, camping, concerts, enjoying a meal or beverage. He was so good at being in the moment and sharing in conversation and adventure. I will miss him a lot and am sadden that I won't have the honor of seeing his smile or share space with him in person again. But the memories are good and I will savor them. I wish I could be there this weekend. But, I will be in my own nearby Sierras passing around a bottle of Ebenseer zirben schnapps telling friends and strangers of the one and only Hannes. He was always the first to lend a hand or raise a glass and Wir werden auf ihm brav zsammtrinken.
Love and hugs to Anne-Marie and all the friends in Austria and BC. You are all heavy in my thoughts.
Cayce
By
Cayce, at 10:52 AM
I was deeply shocked and sad when I learned about the death of Hannes. The picture that I am having about him right now is when he entered the lecture hall at one of the first lectures that we had at the university of Salzburg: he wore that brown leather jacket and he had that cunning and friendly smile on his face; and that is how I always thought about him, an extremely smart,friendly, open-minded and helpful person. I regret having lost a great colleague. I remember asking him once how an exam was that he took before I did it. He answered something like "Es war nicht leicht aber Zeit hast du wie Berge" [literally meaning like "The exam wasn't easy but you are having time like mountains (=you are having a lot of time)].
Gerald.
By
Gerald Burgstaller, at 2:38 PM
my deepest condolences to his girlfriend and his family.
i moved to abbotsford (60 kilometres east of vancouver) about a year ago. hannes' aunt hilde from pfandl, who i played with in a band, told me that hannes lives in vancouver, and hannes and i met only for one time last year in august. we both grew up in the same town (ebensee) in austria but a few years apart from each other and therefore never met in ebensee.
the weekend after the accident i thought it is about time to contact hannes again to meet him for a beer, but i found out the following monday about the accident.
very sad,
kurt engl
By
kurt, at 4:44 PM
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