I was 14 or 15 years old when Lance took me for my first legit ski tour. We were on skinny skis with free heels and of course, I thought Lance was the shit cause he absolutely ripped on that light gear. I remember an alpine start and cold hard conditions. To say I was stoked at the time is an absolute understatement. I was finally gonna ski in the big mountains and with Uncle Lance to boot!! It was late March I believe and what we thought to be perfect conditions to ski off the summit of Elephant. Unfortunately, we had a rain on snow event and the conditions transitioned from bullet proof to verglass (almost like water ice). We switched from skinning to booting as my voile snake skins were no longer gripping and we didn't have ski crampons. We didn't talk much, we just climbed. Lance lead, pummeling tinny little steps into the verglass that I could get a little purchase in with my leather telemark boots, (which I of course bought off of Lance at a heavily discounted nephew price;). I remember as it got steeper and steeper I became more and more puckered, but there was something about his confidence and strength when boot packing that made me think we were all good. We gained the ridge line to the summit above a steep east facing bowl. Lance made the call that it was to sketchy to go to the summit without crampons and ice axes. We looked down the bowl and hacked at the snow surface, sending chunks of verglass tumbling down the face with the sound of broken glass. That sound, scared the shit out of me! Lance, always the lover of good loop, decided we would traverse down the ridge line instead of down climbing our up route. We had a vertical wall of rock dropping from our left into the Ramsey Creek drainage and the steep verglass covered bowl to our right. I matched his every step smashing the heel of my boot into the steps he had beat in. It felt like forever to descend back to tree line where the snow changed and the heat of the day softened the snow enough to finally transition to skiing. I still remember those first timid turns as there was no way at the time I was going to match Lance's perfectly executed hop turns at the start of the run. Then he quickly switched to perfect snappy tele turns. I of course wrecked and slid like a turtle on my back in a full slide for life until I was able to get my skis beneath me and self arrest. We finally made good time and slipped back down to the valley bottom and slogged a few miles back to the car. My very first ski tour was complete, and ignited a passion that has lasted ever since that day. There are a few things that stood out to me about that day, first was how extremely patient Lance was with me and second, was how unflappable he was. He didn't show the slightest bit of nerves which is exactly what I needed when pushed out of my comfort zone. He did that to me climbing, mountain biking and skiing for years when I was young. When you did stuff with Lance during those years, you knew it was gonna hurt and you were gonna bonk. The guy was an absolute animal during the 90's. 

This is only one tiny story of many that myself, my brother and our friends had with Lance in the mountains. I owe my entire life trajectory to Lance and the mentoring he did for us in those formative years. He showed me that the regular 9-5 work life was a choice and there was so much more you could do in life. He would always say to us when we were in high school, "I can't wait until you guys are skiing 7 days a week." He knew the path he had set us on. He knew that the relationships you make in the mountains are deeper than you can make in most places. The spice of traveling in the high country, especially in winter makes for deep bonds and gives one so much appreciation for life. We are insignificant in the mountains, especially in winter, that is part of what makes sledding and skiing backcountry so damn special. I can't thank Lance enough for all that time he spent with us when we were annoying little shits. He drug us to all kinds of high, remote places in the Cabinet mountains during summer and winter. He taught us to suffer physically and learn to love it. I'm so lucky to have spent so much time with that guy years ago. There were so many adventures, even more laughs. There are always regrets when you lose someone that was close to you. My regret is that I didn't tell you how much I owed you for the path you put me and how much I love that path. I love my life and I owe a lot of that to Uncle Lance. The mountains and the woods are where it's at. That's where you will forever be, not a bad place really. We'll miss ya and I'll burn a belt for ya!

What an incredible turnout for Lance's celebration of life and hot dog burning festival! He and his family are truly loved. 

Matt and I send our thoughts and prayers to you all as we will forever miss our truly epic pal. 

We were visited by a huge great horned owl in the yard a couple nights ago. Just stayed up in the tree talking and looking down on us for the longest time!. Then last night on the way home from the party , a huge crazy owl shot out of the ditch in front of our truck, made a smooth bank turn , spread his wings as wide as our windshield and skimmed his belly against the glass like ......"WATCH THIS! " then he flew off into the sky behind us. 

I thought....that was some skilled yet risky and beautifully executed flying!! Reminded me of someone!😍

From now on, when we see one of these great majestic birds, we will remember our dear and beloved friend Lance.  

Watch for the owl!

Truly, Matt and Jenny

  I truely wish I could somehow fill the viod, for all who are concerned, after such a tragic loss. 

  Lance was a 'snow-man.' From the time he was very young he loved to be outside playing  in and exploring snow. He loved to ski and to snowmobile. He loved sharing the beauty and tranquility of nature with friends and family,  and if there was a chance to 'play' in it- then all the better. 

   He perished doing something that he loved to do,  out in the natural world; 'playing.' 

   Honestly, for me; that, as strange as it sounds,  is a bit of a comfort. I hope it is for you and your family as well.

            He will be greatly missed.

With utmost sympathy and condolences-

Jim Buti