"I cannot
think of a more beautiful spot for you to start your next journey than
from high atop the the Turquoise goddess. From one of the
highest points on earth you will be able to look down upon your
spectacular surroundings and us going about our daily lives. I am
comforted in knowing you are in a place you love and will be watching
over your friends and family and the people you have come to know
during your short stay with us. Whenever I shall look to the
heavens, I know you will be there sharing a spot with the gods and
goddesses of the mountains that you admire so much. As the the
Sherpas say "it is better to live life in the mountains after death
as you live far longer". Enjoy your new life in the Mountains
you love,
I am envious of your
final resting place." Guy Higgot
On
October 25th 2008 Nepal Time - Tim Rippel performed a personal puja
with just him and the mountains for his good friend in the early
morning hours. He burned juniper and cast a string of prayer flags to
the wind. Tim coordinated the prayer to happen at the same time as
Guy's memorial service in Winnipeg October 24th 2008 in an attempt to
send some of his energy home to family and friends during that
time.
Though Tim will miss
him dearly he is happy to know that Guy will now be out there looking
out for him as he did Guy during his learning time.
Tim cut another
strand of prayer flags that is now a permanent item in his pack. This
will represent Guy's spirit who he will be taking with him from now on
whereever he goes.
Photo: Piece of Guy's
memorial flag now traveling the globe with Tim.
Photos:
(1st photo) Lama Geshi (Pangboche Monastery) blessing the
photos of Guy and words that Kevin Adams from UK prepared in Guy's
memory to distribute in the Khumbu Valley. They were placed at some of
the memorable places that the Peak Freaks team shared time with Guy in
2006 during the Ama Dablam expedition. (2nd photo) Kevin
lighting tea candles (3rd photo) Guy's plaque places in the
Everest Bakery (4th photo) Kevin and Tim meeting up in the
Khumbu Valley.
The
trip had a very personal edge to it for me, travelling the route we
had taken to Ama Dablam. I
felt as if all my friends were with me, and I had many happy memories
of all the places we had rested and got to know each other.
On
the 24th of October, the day of Guy’s memorial service, I
went to the Swayambhunath temple.
At 2 o’clock (Nepal time) the master of the temple blessed
the pictures of Guy that I had with me and some prayer flags and
incense.
This was a very moving experience, and the point at which I
said goodbye to Guy.
I
also lit 100 yak butter candles, and the incense. The incense was
taken by one of the monks, he walked around the Stupa turning the
prayer wheels, and stopping at each icon to pray.
I
had four pictures with me, all similar save for one picture on them
which had
a picture of Guy and friends in a specific location.
As I made my way up the valley I sought out these places and
with the permission of the owner hung a picture there.
Each
time I hung up a picture of Guy, I took a moment of time to reflect;
about life, friendship, and the things that are important.
Each time I said goodbye to Guy it got a little easier, and my
memories rather than being tinged with sadness, returned to being
happy ones. In this part
of the world, Guy will always be alive to me, because the memories are
so strong.
I
was very pleased to meet Tim along the way; it made it all the more
real.
Kevin
Adams
Dear Tim and Becky
This was very
upsetting news of Guy death. My husband Ronald Chambers 675 Wpg Police
Officer Died of Cancer September 1st 1999 with Guy by his side. Guy
was his loyal partner and our dearest friend. Guy was very strong
about helping out with the planning of Ron's death as it took a
special place in his heart it was the hardest thing he had to do.
I know I could not have done all the things with out him. I
think thats when he new that was what he wanted to do with his life. A
very caring man with a heart larger than the Mountains he
climbed.
You had to be a
good friend to be able to climb with a man like guy.
My thoughts are
with his Family & Fellow climbers as I know what a great loss he
is .
Thankyou for
taking the time to read this.
Ms Donna
Chambers
Ps I had a
picture of Guy & Ron on my wall for 12 years now it will remain
their always.
Dear
friends at Peak Freaks,
On
behalf of the Winnipeg Police Service Forensic Identification Unit, I would
like to thank you, and all of Guy's fellow climbers, for everything that has
been done for Guy. It is clear that his untimely death has affected every one
of his team-mates past and present, as it has we who had the good fortune to
know and work with him. We will miss him beyond what my feeble words can
express.
The following is part
of a tribute page we have started on the Winnipeg Police Service internal
PoliceNet.
All of your comments
about Guy have been included for all WPS members to read. …
“On October 4, 2008
members of the Identification Unit learned the heartbreaking news that Cst.
Guy Leveille #1647 died accidentally in the Himalaya Mountains of Nepal and
Tibet
.
Guy
was on an expedition to summit Cho Oyu, 20 km west of
Mount Everest
. In Tibetan Cho Oyu means “Turquoise Goddess.” It is the sixth
highest peak in the world.
Guy’s passion for
mountaineering started about 5 years ago when he visited Everest base camp. He
quickly became a competent climber and has challenged himself on some of the
most difficult peaks in the world; Ama Dablam, Aconcagua, Rainier,
Athabasca
and others in the Canadian Rockies.
His passion for
climbing was tempered by a resolve to help the less fortunate and he climbed
for the Children’s Wish Fund.
Guy was a dedicated
police officer. He joined the Winni
peg Police Service on January 23rd, 1989, and served in Patrol,
Youth and Traffic Divisions, and most recently, in the Identification Unit. He
was an expert in his field. His service has been exemplary and in the
Identification Unit he raised the bar for excellence.
He
was respected not just for his professional abilities but for his strength of
character, sense of humour, humility, and selfless attitude. It made him a
person you enjoyed being around and one who you wanted to have in your life.
We were proud of Guy’s accomplishments. He has touched the lives of many.
His friends in the Identification Unit are heartbroken that he will not be
returning. We wish in vain to hear his laughter, his tales of Kathmandu, of
Tibet
, and of the mountain.
A huge void remains
in the lives of his family and friends. Guy will be sadly missed, but fondly
remembered. He was kind, warm-hearted and sincere. A man we are proud to call
friend. There was no gentler, stronger, or manlier man than Guy Leveille.
At the request of his
family, Guy rests in the embrace of
Cho Oyu
- “Turquoise Goddess” in the shade of mighty Everest.
The mountain is his
tomb; and the
Himalayas
are his monument.”
Becky
I heard about Guy's fate last evening and spoke
with his mother shortly thereafter (his brother Allan had sent an e-mail
asking me to call). What a terrible situation! I had been naively assuming
that the three of us would have more opportunties to duplicate that time in
Canmore, with Tim expanding our experiences and giving us "hell" for
our inadequate snow anchors! Guy was polite and considerate beyond belief with
a heart bigger than any mountain he climbed.
I can only imagine what Tim's response would
have been upon hearing the news, followed by an avalanche of inner questions
(and perhaps anger?) about how it could have happened. And I really feel for
him. Guy had the utmost respect for Tim, as a person and as a professional.
Dr. Jim Hansen - Calgary
Dear Friends,
Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Guy
Leveille who has so tragically died on Mt Cho oyu. Our friend was also
climbing with the FTA group and we have been following developments as closely
as possible from here in London UK. Reading the reports what Guy has done for
others, raising funds and risking his own life for the sake of others made him
a truly remarkable man. Could you please send me a link to his fund raising
for this trip as we would like to make a contribution and help him in
some way to reach his goal. We cannot express our sadness enough at this event
and wish you all strength and condolencies at this terrible loss.
Our deepest sympathy,
Ian and Kasia Cummings (London, UK)
Very very sad news.... I remember him well, good
mate, the one you can trust the other end of your lifeline...
;( Aldas Baltutis - Russia
Dear Tim and at Peak Freaks
Fiona and I were distressed to hear about the
death of our friend Guy Leveille.
We met Guy in 2005 on a mountaineering skills
course in the Rockies. We hit it off straight away. Guy was just starting out,
and was full of enthusiasm and fun. We stayed in touch thereafter and, after a
number of plans that never quite came together, we were hoping to meet up this
coming summer in the Alps.
In the las couple of years we have received Guy's
news and photographs of his ascents with admiration. His last message was just
before he left for the Cho Oyu trip and was full of eager anticipation. I have
no doubt he died doing what he loved; it is so terribly sad he should lose his
life in this way. He was, by the by, a gentleman.
We will be thinking of him. Our condolences go to
all his friends and family.
He spoke very highly of his friends at Peak
Freaks.
With very best wishes
Stuart Alland and Fiono Murphy- Edinburgh,
Scotland
(or to Guy: "Rubber Chicken Mountain
Rescue')
Tim and Becky
It was such a shock
to hear. Guy was such a great person - so much fun. I can't believe this
has happened....
It's just so sad.
Clare
Newman from the UK.
Tim and Becky
It was such a shock
to hear. Guy was such a great person - so much fun. I can't believe this
has happened....
It's just so sad.
Clare
Newman from the UK.
Becky,
I’m in shock. He was one of the nicest blokes you could ever hope
to meet. There were a few of us that got really close on that Ama Dablam
trip. I can’t believe he’s gone. He sent me a lovely email just
before going to Cho Oyo. It’s just tragic, tragic.
Kevin
Adams from the UK
Becky,
I’m shocked to hear this news. Guy was such a genuinely nice guy. Please pass
on my sympathy to Guy’s friends and family (if you are in contact with them)
and to Tim. I would appreciate hearing more about what happened if you receive
any further news
Matt Boylan from Singapore
I had
read on the FTA web site. I am stunned. We certainly had some
plans in the works and along with Guy H was one guy I will always keep
in touch with from Ama. I am shocked and stunned. Deeply saddened by
the news.
Keep in touch, I am at a loss for words to write right now.
Mark Johncox from Vancouver, B.C.
I am totally shocked and just can't believe this
has happened. I was in touch with Guy a few day. Is before he left and was
looking forward to hearing from him when he was back in Canada. I had been
watching the FTA blog closely over the week and became concerned when there
wasn't a post for a few days. I did not have a chance to check it over the
weekend and now I jusst feel totally devastated.
Laura Rochacewich- Canada
MEMORIAL
SERVICE FOR GUY LEVEILLE who died while
climbing on Cho Oyu
reoccurrence of her illness, continues to struggle with her disease and dreams
of visiting Disney World. All monies raised by the campaign will be donated
toward making wishes come true.