Jeff Ipsen Memorial Fund Charities

"The Summer Music Academy at the University of Colorado Boulder, College of Music, is an exciting opportunity for high school and middle school band, orchestra, and jazz musicians, as well as high school singers and pianists from Colorado and around the country to receive world-class instruction in a one-week summer session"

Jeff graduated from the University of Colorado in 2008 with his conjoint Bachelors of Science and Master’s Degree in mechanical engineering. Music was also a huge part of Jeff’s life, that is why we wish to help give back some of the gifts that Jeff gave us, by sponsoring an underprivileged youth and sending him/her to the Summer Music Academy at the University of Colorado.

"Lutheran Valley Retreat is a year round retreat and summer camp facility tucked away in the Pike National Forest. We are located 1.5 hours from Colorado Springs and 2.5 from Denver. When at LVR, you will be at a place where focus is on God and building your relationship with Jesus Christ without interruption."

Jeff’s Christian faith was a central role in how he lived his life. When we were children, we would often go to summer camp at Lutheran Valley Retreat. As a family, we aspire to help make this excellent summer camp a reality for an underprivileged youth whom of which might not have the opportunity to do so without our scholar ship fund generated from the, “Jeff Ipsen Memorial Fund.”

"SCRG is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization incorporated under section 501(c)3 of the IRS code.  We operate under the statutory authority of the Summit County Sheriff's Office, and our mission is to fulfill the Sheriff's responsibility to provide backcountry search and rescue services to the county."

The Summit County Search and Rescue group were the first responders to our distress call on March 30, 2012. They were an excellent group of volunteers that helped us all get off the mountain on the dreadful night. The professionalism and support they continue to show to us is miraculous. Sponsoring them through the, “Jeff Ipsen Memorial Fund” will be something we will do as long as the fund exists.  

"Friends of Berthoud Pass (FOBP) is a grassroots collecitve of backcountry enthusiasts commiteted to preserving teh legacy of public recreation at Berthoud Pass through safety, access and education. Founded in 2003 by ski patrollers and backcountry riders, we are a non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt charitable organization managed by a volunteer executive board and supported by a diverse and active member base. Our funding come from generous donations by our members and our local retail partners. Membership is by a suggested donation of at least &25 per year. Lifetime membership is granted to individuals who donate more than $500."

In Jeff’s memory, we would like to show our support by donating a portion of the, “Jeff Ipsen Memorial Fund” to Friends of Berthoud Pass because their mission promotes and protect those whom wish to venture into the backcountry. Though their mission, we hope to save lives while still enjoying the gifts of backcountry skiing.

"The CAIC is a cash-funded program of the Colorado Geological Survey under the directorship of the State of Geologist Vince Matthews. Funding come from donations, contributions, and the Severance Tax fund. If you would like to help support the CAIC, please visit our Supporter of the CAIC page. The CAIC has 4 offices that issue backcountry avalanche forecasts. The main office is in Boulder, Colorado located with the National Weather Service. Field officers are located in Breckenridge, Aspen, and the Northern San Juan. Staff at the CAIC-Boulder forecast the weather and avalanche conditions for all zones. Field office forecasters concentrate on the snowpack and avalanche conditions within their zone. The CAIC works closely with the Crested Butte Avalanche Center."

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center provides vital information regarding snow and weather conditions. The information provided by them can be used by a knowledgeable backcountry skier to better predict avalanche conditions and prevent serious injuries or fatalities. We hope that in sponsoring this organization, we will prevent accidents like Jeff’s from happening in the future.

Jeff Eulogy

After numerous requests, I have posted the eulogy I presented at Jeff's funeral.     

                I had often dreamed of Jeff’s wedding. Even on the day of the accident I found myself rehearsing my speech that I would give at the reception. With him sitting next to me, blushing with embarrassment, smiling with flattery, and crying with tears of laughter. But instead, I speak today to ensure, that even though he is not sitting beside us, he fills the voids between us, offering up subtle words of encouragement and comfort. His body is no longer with us, but his spirit burns as strong as ever, and what a spirit it is to have on our side!

                Jeff was a caretaker and my guardian. Having him around gave me the courage and motivation to push forward, far beyond the limits. Even at an age much too young to realize how blessed we were to have one another, he was still protecting me. In the summer time, we would often journey back to Quincy, Illinois to visit family. One of our favorite activities was to boat ride out to a remote island in the center of the Mississippi River. Because we were just children, we were not able to partake in the many adult activities that were going on, so we entertained ourselves in different ways. We would love to run up shore and float down the river, wrestling and swirling in the strong currents and undertows. One time I snuck away from the group and journeyed upstream by myself and swam out into the fast current. As I neared camp, I quickly realized that I was not going to be able to swim to shore before the island disappeared. However, my stubborn and determined attitude kept me quiet and swimming as hard as possible. I remember looking to shore and seeing a beach full of oblivious people, except for one small boy, about 11 years old, sprinting down the shore line in my direction. Using his big brother intuition, Jeff leaped into the water and used his superior swimming abilities to save me from certain disaster.

                Three summers ago, the pair of us set out on our second annual “Bro Trip” to do a canoe trip in Western Colorado and then climb the Maroon Bells. The canoe trip was a perfect success, but draining on the body. However, when it came time to begin the climb, my ambitious habits took over and I charged up the mountain as quickly as possible, despite Jeff’s wise words of rest and nourishment. On the summit, I started to feel uneasy and ended up suffering from severe altitude sickness. My balance weakened and I passed out numerous times, but every time Jeff was there to catch me, singing words of encouragement. After being on that mountain for 17 hours we finally reached the car, together.

                The reason I chose to share those stories with you is to help exemplify how courageous Jeff was, but neither of those stories compare to his heroic actions on the day of his death. As many of you know, we were with him for nearly two hours, while he was fighting with all of the strength of God. It wasn’t until first responders were on the ground and about 10 minutes away did Jeff finally take the hand of our Father. Despite his broken and mangled body, he waited to grab the hand of God because he was still holding on to me, protecting me, making sure help was there to catch me once again.  

                Jeff was the greatest hero I have, and will ever know. I cannot yet comprehend why God needed him, but I do know that God is good, God is just, and God is true. The reason for his accident cannot yet be seen, but that doesn’t mean it is not there. We all must listen and support one another on this difficult road we have ahead of us. Remember, Jeff is here, backed by the mighty power of God himself, protecting us and guiding us always. Celebrate his life and honor his memory. My love extends to you all and my heart is always open!  Brothers and sisters, I sincerely thank you for your support.  

On Friday, March 30 my brother (Jeff Ipsen), two friends (Tom Califf and Blair Dickhoner), and myself set out to climb to the summit of Buffalo Mountain and ski down Silver Couloir. The four of us met at the Buffalo Cabin trail head around 10 am and started the ascent around 11 am. It was a bluebird day with temperatures around 40 degrees. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day.

The skin/hike up was filled with nothing but great attitudes, jokes, girl talk, and determination. After three hours and about 3,000 vertical, we reached one of the most beautiful summits I have ever experienced. The views were so spectacular; we couldn’t help but give thanks to the Lord and smile in the midst of the magnificent creation. I remember sitting atop this mountain sharing a turkey sandwich with Jeff and said, “I could stay here forever”.  But the inescapable burning for adventure overcame the comfortable serenity of the mountain top. Subsequently, we strapped on our skis and skied through a series of small snow patches, followed by some unstable rock traversing. Finally, four hours later, we had reached the destination of the trip.

At 3 pm, the four of us stood skier s right, atop the 2,000 foot couloir with grins on our faces. The snow was still much harder than anticipated, despite our intended late start. But we continued none the less, just skiing with caution and taking turns to avoid multiple people from getting caught in a potential avalanche. Tom was the first to drop on our first pitch, and skied to a safe location. Blair, Jeff, and then my self followed, and even despite our caution, we all slid out at some point of the ski. The energy of the group at the checkpoint of the second pitch was as strong as ever, filled with the excitement of four avid skiers who had just tasted one of the most powerful couloirs in North America.

We discussed the order of the next pitch, and asked Jeff if he would like to go first. He responded with a grin and sarcastic remark, “Why, so I can steal all the fresh pow.” After a short laugh, Tom led the second pitch and stopped at the junction where another chute funnels into the Silver Couloir. Jeff gave a short, “Woop woop” and dropped in like a pro. About half way down this pitch he hit a patch of hard packed ice that his skis were unable to hold, and he went into a tumble where both his skis ejected. He was left with nothing but his stylish neon pink ski poles to stop himself. Jeff did exactly what he was supposed to do, and rolled onto his stomach, dug the toes of his ski boots in the steep and icy ground, and jammed his ski pole above his head in an attempt to self arrest. The snow was so firm and grade so steep, he was barely able to slow himself. Tom took off from his checkpoint, risking his own life and skiing like a hero, after my brother whom I last saw attempting a self arrest, speeding around a bend.

               Blair and I tried to stay composed and ski with proper avalanche precautions while we picked up Jeff’s skis and the one ski pole he was not using to self arrest. I was praying to the Lord that I would see my brother just around the bend, laughing at the fact of just overcoming certain disaster. But once I got around the bend, all I could see was Jeff’s other ski  pole stuck amongst the rock on the right side of the run. At this point, my heart dropped and my stomach rose into my mouth because I knew this was bad. I continued skiing down as carefully as possible to avoid any other accidents and praying to see them laughing around each upcoming bend. It wasn’t until I was at the bottom of the run when the couloir widens, did I see Tom kneeling over my motionless brother. My world flipped upside down and I bolted for the two of them.

                Even from a distance I could see that Tom had already called Flight for Life, stabilized, and secured my brother by positioning him perpendicular to the hillside on a compacted shelf and was supporting his neck. The wounds and distortions of my brother's body were stomach-twisting, but the joy in my heart to see that he was still breathing filled my body with a burst of optimism and adrenaline.  Tom immediately filled me in on the existing symptoms and gave me directions on what to do. Jeff’s right leg was bleeding profusely and was mangled severely.  We were directed by medical personal over the phone not to tie a tourniquet but just to apply significant pressure to the wound.  So I knelt beside my brother and took his left hand in my right while I applied as much pressure as possible to his right quadricep with my left hand. Tom was right beside me supporting Jeff’s head and ensuring his airways were open. Blair had arrived on scene and quickly wrapped Jeff in a space blanket, extra jackets, and the very hat Blair was wearing. He proceeded to then provide assistance and relief to both Tom and myself as needed and write down all vital symptoms to have ready for the medical personal.

                So there the four of us were, huddled around Jeff in the middle of the Silver Couloir, doing everything we could to keep Jeff alive. We had nothing but basic medical gear, prayers, and determination. Over an hour went by with us assisting each other as needed and communicating with the first responders. Jeff’s vitals seemed to be stable and all thoughts of failure were distant or obsolete. Then a blessing came from out of the woods. A man named Tim from the CAIC (Colorado Avalanche Information Center) aided our assistance and ensured we were doing all we could. He had more direct communication with the first responders and helped give us hope. Then after nearly two hours from the accident, Jeff’s breaths started to decrease. Within ten minutes, he went from 36 breaths per minute, to 24 bpm, to 12 bpm, then to 6 bpm. At this point, the world flipped once again, and fight or flight responses kicked in. All hands were on him supporting his head, pressurizing his wounds, and I proceeded to give him assisted breaths for what seemed an eternity.  But no matter how hard we tried, his lungs failed to respond. After about 4-5 minutes, his heart stopped. Tim started chest compressions and I continued applying breaths, two at a time between the 15 compressions. Medical personal were on the ground and coming as quickly as possible, but were just beyond a close ridge. Tom assisted Tim with chest compressions and after about 10 minutes of CPR, the first of the medical crew arrived on scene; Blair relieved me while the first responder relieved Tom and Tim.

                More medical crew arrived on scene and performed more technical procedures while the four of us (Tom, Blair, Tim, myself) huddled nearby, praying for hope! Everybody worked so hard but after his heart had been stopped for over 30 minutes, he was pronounced dead around 5:30 pm. We all said our goodbyes to my brother and were guided out by search and rescue members, while over a dozen stayed to help safely transport Jeff’s body from the mountain side. My parents were waiting for me when I arrived at the search and rescue camp around 9 p.m. and we waited for more than three hours until we were all able to once again send final regards to Jeff’s body.

Jeff was my only and older brother by three-and-a-half years. He was the best one I could ever ask for and words cannot describe how much he means to me. I am so thankful to God that I was blessed to have him protecting me for my entire life. The gifts Jeff has shared with me will live on forever and his spirit runs stronger than ever in my mind, heart, and soul. He died doing what he loved most, and I am so blessed to have been there beside him for his last breaths. All of those involved in the rescue mission performed to their fullest potential, and I am so grateful for the Summit County Search and Rescue Group, Flight for Life, and Tim from CAIC. Tom and Blair were unbelievable during this whole unfortunate event for both my brother and myself. Nobody can predict how someone else will react in such a traumatic situation as this, but I could have asked for nothing more than to have the two of them at our sides. I am forever indebted to these two brave men for their heroic actions and support. Thank you all for everything, Jeff is smiling down upon us at this moment wishing he could be here to comfort us; so I ask that you remember him for who he was, and grieve his loss not with tears but love and stories.