Peter Inglis, who died after a cornice collapse in the St. Elias Range in Alaska, was a Telluride (Colorado) ski patroller for over 20 years and a longtime San Miguel County search and rescue volunteer. In addition, he guided clients all over the world, from the Alps to Alaska, from China to India.

Peter was the founder of the Telluride Mountain Club, our small-town nonprofit. He would never admit that was the case, insisting it was a collective move or that he didn't do much. But that was kind of how he rolled: Humble Hard Guy. He was in fact the first president of the club, which he started as an avalanche awareness group in 1986 after a particularly dangerous winter, in order to spread knowledge and education.

He was an inspiration to all backcountry skiers. His expertise was extensive and unquestionable. He gently helped move Telluride Ski Resort toward accepting backcountry skiing, and also provided the Telluride Mountain Club with valuable ‘inside” information about how to be most effective in efforts to interact with the ski resort and the Forest Service. When the backcountry gates off the Telluride Ski Resort finally reopened, it had been so long since the zone was skied regularly that few people remembered the routes. Peter collected photos and helped disseminate information about safe routes and areas to be wary of, all in the name of community skier safety.

Peter Inglis set a very high standard in ski mountaineering, with technical ascents and descents on big mountains around the world. He was a lead guide for Mountain Trip, a guiding service based in Ophir, Colorado, and had over 15 ascents of Denali. His gentle, humble nature often hid his amazing skills as a skier, climber, and mountaineer. But once you saw him climbing in the mountains, moving quickly over snow, ice, rock, and technical terrain, it became immediately apparent that he was in his element and had a gift. As a guide he was constantly looking out for our local recreation interests. He fixed anchors, worked on the via ferrata, and guided countless folks on some of the grandest adventures of their lives.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Peter’s wife, Julie Hodson, and their families. PI will be truly missed by the many people around the world whose lives he touched. He was a pillar of the San Juan mountain community. Climb high and ski on, PI! We will never forget you and what you gave to our community.

– Telluride Mountain Club Board of Directors