I only know one thing to do when I don’t know what to do and that’s write.

It’s like a bad dream. A horrible nightmare. To learn that a beautiful young girl, on top of the world, a role model for women and one of the most badass chicks in freesking has passed away…the only word is tragic. I didn’t know Sarah one-on-one, but had several friends who were close to her. All that I had ever seen and known, was that she was always a smiling, happy spirit, and one of the most motivated and successful female athletes in the sport.

I felt like I was going to pass out when I heard the news. I felt like I could throw up. It makes me sick to think about how fortunate Kevin Pearce was to live from his life-threatening accident in the exact superpipe in Park City where Sarah crashed. It makes me nauseous and unable to comprehend that what we all love to do so much, can cause death like this. The backcountry is one thing; don’t get me wrong, it’s still incredibly sad, but we all know the dangers going back there. To have serious injury after serious injury happen from riding a superpipe is completely mind-boggling.

It makes me scared for my friends. It makes me worry that accidents like this will continue. There are so many emotions going on right now. The reality is too much.

Time will only tell what changes may come from how pipes are built, but the awareness that there is true danger that can come from riding them is here to stay.

Sarah’s spirit will live on, there is no doubt. She is in a better place and that’s what I have to tell myself. What she accomplished for women’s freesking, her drive and inspiration will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with Sarah’s husband, Rory, her family and friends. May she rest in peace.

Help support Sarah’s family at: www.giveforward.com/sarahburke

For info on the accident and what happened, visit the memorial at Freeskier.