"I’m on a plane, with my family, heading home. I rarely pray, but I’m praying for good news when we land.

I can’t stop thinking about risk. It’s a fickle thing. There is some risk in just about everything we do. Too much of it and it’s reckless and selfish. Not enough, and I'm trying not to die, but am I truly living? I understand the trade-off and try to fit in the middle. But to feel alive, I know I need adventure, and it involves risk. Without it, I wouldn’t be who I am. I live for it, and my greatest adventure buddy is who I’m praying for. 

Ebi is the most alive person I know. He is the guy whom all of my friends know about, but few of them have met. The friends who have met him will never forget him. We first met at a ski event in Jackson Hole in 2008, when we were in our early twenties. Immediately, I recognized that there was something different about him. He was confident, successful, carefree, and infectious; the type of person everyone wanted to be around. We became fast friends, but our friendship was unique. We were almost strictly adventure buddies. I think my wedding is the only time we have been together absent an epic adventure in the mountains. 

When we met, Ebi was working for an investment bank in NY and they had just purchased Rossignol. He was the junior lead and instrumental in turning around the then-struggling juggernaut in the ski industry. Fast-forward to early 2020, and we were back in the Alps skiing around Chamonix and La Grave La Meije. Our guides were on a whole different level of risk when they weren't responsible for clients. One was planning the first-ever traverse of the Alaska range on skis, and the other had recently claimed the first ascent of two mountains. We had an incredible time, and we talked about skis a lot on that trip. I was on my 4FRNT Hojis and shared what I loved about the skis and my favorite brand. Black Crows was exploding all over the world, and we admired their success and marketing genius. We were on top of the world, living our best lives, and blissfully ignorant about how the world was about to change. 

Covid hit while we were home and still buzzing from an amazing trip. I had just moved to a mountain town in Colorado, and Ebi was living in Italy. I was sitting in my office, completely frozen about what to work on, when one of the trip friends shared a teaser deck: 4FRNT was for sale. As all great business adventures start, I said, let’s look at it, just for fun. A few months later, we took a different kind of risk and bought 4FRNT together with a group of friends who share a love for adventure in the mountains. 

Among the best moments of my life have been on adventures with Ebi. Yeah, we took risks, but without them, the experiences would have been nearly empty, devoid of feeling, emotion, and exhilaration. Instead, they shaped and defined us. They instilled deep-rooted self-confidence, a love for life, and introduced us to lifelong friends along the way. They made us care deeply about sharing these experiences with friends and our own kids someday. Along with our families, they are what we live for. 

A mentor of mine once said that pain shared is pain divided. I’m writing this because I’m hurting in a bad way. I’m so scared that my best adventure buddy isn’t going to make it, or that he will be changed forever. I’m scared for his partner and their two young kids. I’m sharing this because perhaps some of you can relate, but I hope you can’t. I’m also sharing this because I believe in the powers of the universe - there is a connection that transcends our conscious minds. If you have ever stepped into a backcountry ski, you understand the risk. We never think it will happen to us, but it could happen to any of us. It happened to Ebi, but we might be ok. He could pull through this and live again for adventure and his family. Ebi, you are so loved and admired. You have had such a profound impact on everyone who has been lucky enough to know you. We aren’t ready for you to leave us. We are pulling for you! 

One week later, and I can hardly see the page through the tears as I write… 

Ebi, in 40 years, you have lived more than most people would in 200 years. Given the time we spent together, you had an incredibly outsized impact on my life. I wish I had made the trip with my family to see you and yours in Europe. I wish I had joined you on the last trip to Blanket Glacier. I wish we could have had more adventures together. I'll never forget the great times we had, and I'll never stop adventuring. I hope you're in a better place and that I get to see you again. Ebi, you're the fucking best! I miss you. I love you, man!

Your pal forever, Charlie

May you be on the greatest adventure of all!"