Joseph K. Philpott
Joseph Kitchin Philpott was born and raised in Durango, CO. As a child, Joe quickly became a student of the environment and a lover of the outdoors. His passion led him to attend colleges in various mountain towns including Gunnison, Flagstaff and Fort Collins. Always with a career in mind that would place him outside as a steward of the environment. Six summers of his life were spent as a wild land firefighter, three as a BLM hotshot and three as a Great Basin Smokejumper. Joe believed, that in nature there is always something to explore and to learn, always something to do and to see, always somewhere to go, and there is always time to get lost.
Joe was immersed in his passion for the natural world and all of its spectacular sights, sounds and smells. It was there that he took note that you could feel the strength of the wind, softness of the snow, the power of stillness. He often found time to absorb and translate his surroundings by scribbling down an authentic poem, or painting a watercolor depicting nothing less than a landscape of amazement. Joe’s passion in the winter months focused on charging straight up a burly skin track, often breaking trail, and then whooping and hollering down countless backcountry ski runs with the best of friends and family. Joe was a desirable ski partner because of his avid, adept and well educated reputation in the backcountry. Every tour, Joe was armed with the proper avalanche tools and conversations were never ending, regarding snow conditions and tour dynamics. His days were filled with hard work, even harder play, good friends, family and fresh air. From his first day to his last, this life was always wonderful and new, an amazing gift. Joe died in an avalanche on March 2, 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in an area called Paradise Bowl, just shy of his 27th birthday. Joyful and enthusiastic about life, Joe was and will be loved & revered by everyone that knew him.
Peter Carver
Peter's passion for skiing was infectious, just like his smile, just like the sound of the his harmonica, just like his study of Geology. Whatever Peter was doing at the moment his passion was obvious and contagious. Snow safety was a priority for Peter, he was the first to have his ski partners do beacon practice, dig a pit, and investigate the conditions. Peter was in his junior year at Fort Lewis College studying geology, which inspired his desire to develop a career as a geologist. He was a renaissance man- he looked for the quality in things--this often lead to him choosing the old over new. In addition to the hard sciences, Peter expressed his creativity through photography and music. His images often show the juxtaposition of the small human figure skiing on the face of powerful and enormous mountains lines. His cleverness, wit, and charm allowed Peter to go against the grain without rubbing anyone the wrong way. Peters last ski run was north of Silverton, Co on Feb. 2, 2013, just one week prior to his 24th birthday. He is loved and missed by his family and many friends.
JPPC Scholarship Board Members
Our Board is comprised of 7 snow-loving Native Coloradans. We are working hard to raise funds in order to offer avalanche scholarships with the goal of keeping you safe as well as nurturing your love and appreciation of our enchanting, but often dangerous San Juan mountains while simultaneously building a winter-loving community.
Jim Philpott
Travis McGrath
Erin Philpott
Jamie Wienk
Nate McGrath
Jeremy Dakan
MJ CarrolL
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