“I Ride with James” benefit

phavalanchecourse — More than 30 participants turned out this past weekend for a two-day avalanche course. Search and rescue coordinator, Sergeant Travis Mobley of the sheriff’s department, organized the course. The course concluded with hands-on training at Lost Creek on the White River. Well-known avalanche course instructor Mike Duffy, along with Beaver Creek ski patroller Doug Schofield, offered their expertise and instruction for the course. The demand for winter search and rescue in Colorado has greatly increased and the White River area has also seen an increase in winter recreation and snowmobile activity. The avalanche instructors were impressed with the experience and knowledge of the local search and rescue personnel who took the course. (Left to right) Tom Allen, Kenneth Thomas, Mike Sizemore, Josh LeBlanc, Zack Allen, Richard Schwegler, Zane Edinger, Luke Purcell, Mike Duffy, Doug Schofield, Michael Selle BLM employee and Marty Casey.

MEEKER I It was a year ago in February that 19-year-old Meeker resident James Sizemore was killed in an avalanche while snowmobiling northeast of Meeker.
More than 50 people, including teams from Summit, Routt, Garfield, Mesa and Moffat counties and members of the RBC Sheriff’s Office, the Rio Blanco County search and rescue team and rescue crews from the Meeker Fire Department helped in the search.
After the loss of their son, Mike and Kathy Sizemore created the James Sizemore Memorial Fund.
“We did set up the fund to assist search and rescue after all the help we received in bringing James home and we saw what it took to accomplish this kind of rescue,” said Kathy Sizemore. “The fund was to assist in getting needed equipment for search and rescue personnel so they are better equipped for a rescue of any kind.”
This Sunday, Feb. 19, will be the first annual “I Ride With James” poker and fun snowmobile ride. Proceeds will go toward the fund. Buy into the ride for $25, which gets you five cards. Additional cards will be available for $10 each after the ride. The rider with the highest straight hand will win the $500 first place prize. The second place prize is $250 and third place is $150. After the ride there will be all-you-can-eat chili, burgers and hot dogs on a donation only basis.
Meet at the Lost Creek trailhead at the end of RBC Road 8. The ride will begin at 10 a.m.
For more information, call the Sizemores at 878-3227 or 970-402-9453.

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