Stories

Greg was one of my best buds, one of my favorite people, and I was so so so excited to go with him on so many dreamed about adventure.

His patience, his genuine down-to-his-bones kindness, the days spent skiing, the nights spent giggling while gathered around a game of Catan, are what I will remember forever. I don’t have a lot of words, I’m simply irrevocably devastated. I wrote a poem, it’s not meant to make sense because I haven’t made sense of Greg being gone. It’s the best goodbye I’ve got, I hope they help make someone feel less alone.

He was about twenty-seven
when I first met him
and about thirty
the last day I saw him.

To grieve,
I would probably
need to find a place
of acceptance.
I don’t ever want to forget his face,
and I want to move with grace,
but I do not accept this.
My heart would be remiss
if I simply dismissed an event
as life-altering as this.

Everyone thinks of themselves
as a proponent of kindness.
But do you recall moments when,
a joke driven by predatory humor
steals lightness from the air?
People choke out a laugh or
try to glance elsewhere.

In moments like that
Greg never laughed out
of politeness, or to make the
air more bearable.
He valued the lightness in the air
but found meanness undesirable.
He was the friend who always had your back.
And the courage he possessed,
I’m positive most of us lack.

He’d want me to bounce back
but most days my heart
cannot hold a single ounce of reality.
In my mind he’s still alive,
but I walk into his house and realize
I won’t see him when I turn twenty-five.
And every time I see a photo of his smile,
my emotions start to pile up,
because I know this will last quite a while.

In the forest I hope to find
a fairy ring to wish and wish
the day, April 30th, away.
In fact I have a few wishes to say:
I wish we all happened to be elsewhere,
not a single person present that day—
up on a mountain somewhere far away.

Say, a perfectly normal Wednesday.
We’d sit and watch him catch some big-air
on a cloudless day, then
clink our beers
together and say,
“Cheers!” to the end
of a good and normal day.

If I could write him a letter I’d say:
Greg, knowing you made me better.
To grieve you would mean
to say goodbye to you.
And I really don’t want to.

I hope you know how deeply I care.
I wish you were still alive,
but I don’t wish I wasn’t there.
The air feels different without you,
nothing really compares.
Even if my soul inevitably knew,
in the moment I’d hoped you’d come to.
I just couldn’t believe I’d have to say goodbye to you.

You said we shouldn’t cry
if your time ever came,
and in that moment I’m glad
we exclaimed that we would anyway.

My friend,
I’m honored to have been there that day,
to have sat with you in the
space-in-between, and try my best
to send you on your way.
Still, I’ll look to the stars and repeat:
I wish, I wish, I wish you more years,
forty-seven at least.
Because buddy, I miss you,
I’d say in ultimate defeat.

Oh, and Greg?
I’m glad I got to know you,
and I’d go through it all again,
if it meant a couple minutes
of hearing you laugh again.
I hope you heard what I said
when I sat with you in the end.

I hope theres snow wherever you go,
and a river without an end.
I’m left with your patience,
a permanent presence in my head,
and it’d be enough to remember you by
but I wish to laugh with you instead.
And most of all,
I won’t ever not miss you
my dear, sweet friend.

-Brooke

Greg, I think you’d be the happiest to know that Goober still looks at every motorcycle that passes by hoping that it’s you. He’ll stare intensely, hoping that it’s you getting off the bike to wrestle with him. It’s hard to explain to other people why he acts this way, but we both know how he used to run up to your bike the second you got done with work, me yelling the whole time to be careful not to run him over. 

I remember when you redid your entire bus just for him. Once you met him, you were both kindred and inseparable souls - funny, loving, adventurous, and stubborn beyond belief. I remember I’d find you two wandering around together in the middle of nowhere in the desert… just because. 

You were always drawn to adventure. I will never forget one of the first times we met we were in a swiftwater course for work. I couldn’t pull myself onto the raft and others were trying to help me up, but you looked down at me and told everyone “nobody help her, she has to learn how to get into her own boat.” God it made me so mad… but you were unapologetically yourself and had a deep desire to push yourself and others beyond their believed limitations. 

You saw so much in me when I saw so little and made me laugh everyday. You’d complain… God you’d complain. I remember when we went to the fanciest, most expensive pizza restaurant in town and you spent the entire evening complaining that the pizza was no good. And we’d go watch One Bite Pizza videos in your bus and you’d tell me how *those* were good pizzas and complain some more while I laughed. Like you always said - people from Jersey always find something to complain about. 

You were always so patient and taught me so much - how to tie knots, drive a boat trailer, fix different things, how to navigate using a map, how to go backpacking, and how to properly judge a good slice of pizza. You taught me so many things that made me the person I am today. But, most importantly, you taught me about love. 

You told me so many goals and dreams in your life over the last couple years and reading over these stories make me so happy - you seem like you accomplished them all and more. And now I know, without a doubt, you’re up there doing the one thing you always wanted to do - building a small house by hand on a quiet plot of land surrounded by trees, mountains, and streams. And I know your dad is with you, too. 

You were always so proud of others when they accomplished new things and pushed themselves and I hope you know I’m proud of you, too. You had so many people that truly cared for you and I hope you see that. Well…I know it always made you laugh how much I believed in ghosts. I hope you visit but don’t mess with me too much, but I know you’d get a kick out it. 

You impacted my life and changed my world - You’re a better person than I could ever be with a heart kinder than anyone. You will forever be missed.

-Dani

I first met Greg around 15 years ago at scout camp. My first impression of him was that was a guy you love to root for. He was a charismatic, kind and friendly person. Just the kind of guy that when I would run into I be happy to see. While I haven't seen him in a couple of years due both of our journeys in life after our youth, to learn of his passing is very traumatic. The world lost a great human being. RIP Greg!

-Doug N.

I was gravel riding back from the locked gate when a little bug flew into my eye and really didn’t want to come out. So I asked these two kayak homies if they had any water to flush my eye, I suppose I’d run out. Anyways Greg gets me sorted, we all shotgun a beer, they drop on the float and I ride home. Over the next couple months we ran wap to maup, climbed, and kicked it. He helped me move my washing machine up a steep flight of stairs. He climbed an absolutely sandbagged 5.10 overhang trad route with bloody hands. He had so many crazy plans I could never keep up and would not be surprised in the slightest by some wild accomplishment.

-Jeff De La Mare

I didn’t know Greg so much as he was a regular acquaintance during my short time at Ski Bowl with another organization. I DO know is that the work he did there made it so thousands of little kids could go skiing. I am so thankful. He also always met my what I felt was wrestles expression with one of calm and ease. My heart is heavy for his friends and family. Rest easy brother.

-Brad

The first time I met Greg he was offering me weed on a chairlift at Mt. Bachelor. We were on a ski trip with some coworkers and I had no idea who this man was. We shared a snow cave that night during a snow storm on Tumalo and I immediately decided I liked him when he brought out a little bottle of Mio and squirted it onto some snow to make electrolyte sno cone. Genius! Over the next couple years he would become one of my most cherished friends and climbing partners. He took me up Mt Hood for the first time. I had one axe and soft snowboard boots, so booting up and down Old Chute was spicy! On the way down I was going slow, but it would've been so much worse if I didn't have Greg painfully but patiently kicking in steps for me the entire way to Hogsback. Greg at his core was a giver and a helper. I remember him randomly giving me a locking carabiner (which are a coveted piece of gear for a broke dirtbag), which I use to this day. One New Years day he spent fixing his Jeep, which he had torn the bumper off of while trying to get some people he didn't even know unstuck from the Skibowl parking lot. I can think of so many examples of him going out of his way to help people. What impressed me most about Greg was his depth and complexity. He would say that he's just a simple guy who likes mountains, but he was full of so many beautifully contradicting truths. His life was punctuated by cruelty, pain, and loss, yet he remained kind and open-hearted. He was young, only three years older than me, yet he had the wisdom of someone who has lived many lives over. He was a climber and lift mechanic but scared of heights. He was deeply nomadic, yet made Mt. Hood feel like home for so many. He loved teaching his friends ropes skills, yet preferred to climb alone. He complained constantly (as is the Jersey way, because as he says "there's always something to complain about") and yet he accepted every punch life threw at him with the solemnity and grace of a Buddhist monk. He was loved by so many, and also the loneliest person I ever knew. What a privilege to have known and loved Greg. He has left his handprint on my life and my heart.

-Emily

This world is a cruel one, Greg. You were one of my best friends growing up and helped shape me into the man I am today. We could spend months not talking to each other, but the second we did it was like we never skipped a beat. I will forever look back on our times together with the fondest of memories. Have the greatest adventures up there bud. Rest in Peace brother

-Chris G.

Long live the Marlboro man

-Kehneen M.

I never thought we’d have to write this post, and we still can’t believe your gone, Greg. You were always one of the engines of our camp staff, and you inspired many years of Scouts and leaders that were apart of our Summer Programs.

May the Scoutmaster of all Good Scouts be with us until we meet again. Once Roosevelt, always Roosevelt.

Rest easy, friend.

-Francis C.

I worked with Greg years ago when he was an EMT. He was kind, smart, funny and had so much patience.  We talked about his plans to travel. I was so thrilled for him. As a hiker, kayaker and climber I know the trill and pure joy which comes with seeing new vistas. 

My deepest condolences to you all.

-Kate M.

Man, coming onto Facebook and seeing the other post it was hard to believe they were true. You were a blast to hangout with at the firehouse, and man did we kick some ass on fires. 

Here is a group photo from your very first working fire on the nozzle. 

Rest easy brother.

-Steven R.

I lived with Greg this past winter while working at ski bowl. In the short time that I knew him he had one of the biggest impacts that anyone has ever had on my life. He pushed me out of my comfort zone, hiking hood, white water rafting, rock climbing and so much more. He taught me so many important life lessons and to all ways live your life without caring what others think or how they perceive you. Greg was a great friend and mentor to me. He will be deeply missed.

-Ryan S.

I love this photo because I will never forget he let both of my boys drive this bus on the main road. Was I happy about it? Absolutely not  because they were young and didn't even have a permit yet 😂😂😂😂

But they loved it and it gave them a memory they will never forget💚 I would totally let him do it again !!! 

-Veronica S.

I don’t know where to start. This life is unfair. We may have lost touch for a while, but I’ll always remember the good times we had at summer camp. Watching you do everything you ever wanted and travel the world kept me inspired. Greg, you helped me realize my passion for helping others. I wouldn’t be half the man I am today without you. Rest easy man. I promise I’ll see the world for you.

-Aron Y.

Hearing this news hurt. You were one of my good friends from elementary school playing soccer to all those great times & adventures in high school & going into adulthood. I hope you did everything you always wanted to do in life & you will truly be missed. Rest in peace my friend

-Anthony B.

I worked with Gregory Hunter when he was an EMT. We talked a lot on those 12 hr shifts, plenty of laughs, he was seriously so funny, good partner to be with, he was a Scout my boys were in Cubs he helped me plan some good ideas for the kids, we talked about the outdoors and his plans, I was thrilled to see him so happy when he finally set forth for his goals. I would show his pictures of his trails to my boys proof of how he learned of his passions through scouts and all that he accomplished in his life and how much he was just out there living it. His pictures were so beautiful. Always made me smile seeing his posts. Hearing of his passing just hurts my heart. He was honestly such a good soul. Prayers to his friends and family. I will think of him whenever I go hiking.

-Jessica K.

Came onto fb to find out that another early childhood friend, had passed away. Gregory Hunter I will always have fond memories of all of us kids playing in the street & watching you, Wesley Hunter , & my brothers try to do BMX tricks. To which Bill Dayoc failed horribly. To know that you were taken so young is a question that'll always remain. My deepest condolences to the Hunter family & friends. Please give Billy & Anthony the biggest hugs for me! Rest in paradise my adventurous friend.

-Kelsey D.

I am heart broken. Gregory Hunter i love you like i love my sons, and Brandon Gorman  and Tristan Gorman  love you and think of you as a brother. I can't imagine a world without you in it. You always made us laugh with all of your shenanigans. I will forever remember you saving Brandon  from drowning, sticking up for Tristan when he was bullied and for hopping across the lawn in your bunny suit so I wouldn't be sad having my first Easter without my kids because they were with their Dad. Through every season in life you have been there with your quick laugh and huge smile that reached every inch of your face. You are loved, you will be missed and will still be in every single great story we tell because you were quite simply the best. All of our great stories start with oh this one time with Greg...... i am so grateful for all those memories and we were talking about a lot of them today. I will be praying for your family and friends. This loss is a big one. It has been an honor to know you and to be a part of your life. Till we meet again. Love you ❤️💔

-Brenda G.

A scout is..... Gregory Hunter . Greg is the embodiment of the scout oath and law. Greg has had such a great impact on the lives of thousands of people and brought a positive vibe to the world that was much needed. 

Greg is such a great friend to all and left this world way too soon. He was more interested in experiences and friendships than he was with the material world, he knew how to make you live in the moment and enjoy life to the fullest. When Greg moved out to southern Utah in his bus he stopped to see us in northern Utah, he went completely out of his way to see us just because we worked at summer camp together. We went on a hike and he said "hey what does the view look like at the top of that mountain?" as he pointed off in the distance. I tried convincing him it was too far of something but inevitably we scrambled to the top of the rock pile and it was a fantastic view. I have so many stories of Greg I could share that are similar to this. 

I am so very glad to say I know Greg and call him my friend, for anyone to have had the pleasure of meeting him I know he has had a lasting impression on you. Just know his spirit is still alive in all of us. 

I never thought the last time I saw you would be a "goodbye" but rather a "see you later". So, see you later my friend!

-Shane P.

So saddened by the news to hear the guy who helped contribute to my most FAVORITE SUMMER EVER has now passed away… that’s him right there on the top. I will always miss this summer and all of the memories we made. It wouldn’t have been the same without him and all of his experience around the camp. He basically taught me how to be a lifeguard and I got the BEST tan of my life that summer haha. I’ll never forget when they cleared out the only room in the boat house for me so I could be closer and safer. Swimming a quarter mile every morning in the lake even that one time we swam at night for one of the skits we all did haha. Even climbing up the iceberg was scary for this pic! And jumping off was even worse haha. I miss it tho. He taught me how to tie knots. How to row a boat. How to fix a flipped kayak in the water. How to get over my fear of snapping turtles. My fear of touching the bottom of the lake too haha. Really gonna miss seeing all of his adventures he’s posted since we met and I’ll make sure to run in the woods with my night vision (no lights haha), just for him. RIP

-Zarah S.

I got word last night that a very good and close childhood friend of mine passed away. We lost contact over the years but we grew up together, we went to school together and went roller skating every single weekend. Going to Smithville and antique stores with my mom. You used to be so funny and always made me laugh. You were always living life to the fullest and going on all these adventures! Gone too soon! I am shocked and honestly at a loss for words. I can't imagine what would have happened, if anyone has information please let me know, I would really appreciate it!

RIP Gregory Hunter I hope you have many more adventures up there ❤️

-Megan L.

In 2021, we worked a season together in Moab, crazy natural talent for moving boats on water, i tried to get him to come back but he fell in love with the pnw.

Josh P.

This was the first day I met Greg. I loved that guy from the first moment we met. I just knew.... This dude is great.

-Hickory H.

2022 Guide training class. Greg happened to stop in the shop to ask about a job as we were loading on the bus for our first day of guide training. I said we're full but we're going going rating right now, jump on the bus. He didn't even hesitate. He was the coolest.

Greg started out part thime for us because he was also doing wildland firefighting. He didn't get called to a fire all summer and then finally did when we were on a boat in the ocean during our employee party. His boss called me and asked if I'd seen Greg, haha.

He hauled ass back to Maupin and finally got one fire that year.

You were a real one Greg.

-Raft DRA

Greg and I climbed 8 Cascade Volcanoes together up 11 different routes. We climbed Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Shasta, Mt. Hood, North Sister, Middle Sister, Mount Baker, Broken Top, and Rainer. Not all these climbs were successful, and not all of these adventures were fun, but they all had one thing in common, Greg. 

Greg was an amazing climbing partner. The kind of climbing partner you have for life. Learning how someone climbs, is an intimate thing. Your lives depend on the other person knowing how to save you when you fall. You become vulnerable in ways we aren't used to in everyday life.

This man shared a rope with so many people. He loved teaching others how to climb and loved it even more when he found someone he could push grades (climb harder routes) with. 

Greg and I experienced some truly terrifying times together. The last of which was climbing the Leuthold Couloir on Mt. Hood. The following is just a brief excerpt from that long 16 hour day.

As we were descending a friend took a scary fall, which scared both Greg and I, a lot. We were the most experienced in the group and felt responsible for everyone's safety. 

Shortly after making sure our friend was ok, we began our ski descent down. Greg then took a bad fall as we were skiing down from the Hogsback, a prominent feature 600ft below Mt. Hood's summit. He injured his knee pretty badly and he couldn't make it down on skis and could hardly walk without extreme pain. 

When I skied around the corner to follow him, I saw Greg, just laying there, motionless. I have never skied so recklessly in my life, but I flew down to check on him. All his gear was strewn about the mountain, making it obvious it had been a bad fall. When I got close enough I started to shout to him to see if he was conscious. He was, and he was crying. He was scared and in a lot of pain. 

At this point we were 12 hours into what had turned out to be a grueling day for everyone. Earlier in the day, the friend that had fallen, had had his crampon come off while down climbing the Old Chute. Our friend's crampon came off 3 separate times before he fell, scaring both Greg and I. 

So when Greg took his tumble skiing, I knew we were all maxxed out. But something I learned from my time as Search and Rescue Ranger is that you can always dig deeper. And that is exactly what Greg did. He knew that when something happens in the mountains it's you and your teams responsibility to get everyone back safely.

I told Greg he needed to stop crying and we needed to figure out how to get him off that damn mountain. We decided it hurt the least when he sat on his skis and I lowered him down the slope. So, we did 12 low angle lowers to get him back to an area that was a groomed ski run. This took around 3 hours.

At this point, back on the groomed runs of Timberline Lodge, it was well beyond dark. We called our friends to go into Timberline to see if there was a maintenance crew that could bring up a snow machine to assist Greg down. 

No chance, they told us to call the Portland Search and Rescue team. Greg seriously considered hitting the SOS button, but Connor and I were able to reassured him that it was quicker for us to continue down with me tail roping him while he sat on his skis. 

Eventually, 16 hours after the day began, we made it safely back to our cars. The next day Keith, Willy, Connor, Greg and myself all sat in the green grass on the bank of the Deschutes river in Maupin, Oregon. We laughed and made fun of each other for the previous days failures. 

I had the pleasure of knowing Greg as one of my greatest climbing partners. I'm so honored he let me cheer him on and care for him when he was at his most vulnerable points.

A piece of my heart will be buried with Greg. 

Gregory Hunter will forever be a part of who I am today.

-Madelyn F.

Greg and I first met when I was 11 and he was my canoeing instructor at Boy Scout camp that summer. Years later I would become the director of the climbing department and Greg became the director of the Aquatics department. We became good friends over the years. He would keep the pool open for an extra 10 minutes after his class was over so I could take a quick dip and beat the summer heat, and I would open the climbing tower during my free periods so he could get a few climbs and rappels in. One day as we were walking to lunch we chatted about how we shared the same dream to renovate a bus and travel the country. I brought up how most people plan to travel when they retire but that never made much sense to me and that we weren’t getting any younger. A few months later he called me on his drive back from Colorado telling me he’d finally found the perfect bus and asked if I’d like to lend a hand in fixing it. Working on the bus with Greg and going with him on its maiden voyage are memories I will cherish for the rest of my life. I’m honored to have been able to call you my friend, and so grateful you asked me to be a part of this chapter of your adventure. You had infectious energy and a smile that lit up the room. It was endlessly inspiring how you approached your dreams and goals. You truly lived your life to the fullest. I’ll see you in the next one brother, and we’ll plan a whole new journey together.

-Tyler F.

The Scouting deaths always hit different. I’m gonna miss Greg like crazy. He was one of the first people I came out to in scouting and his response was so cool and put me at ease. He was always kind, friendly, courteous, generous, thoughtful, and wise. I’m gonna miss him.

-Ty M.

Sure gonna miss you. You lived your best life Gregory Hunter . This was one of  my favorite pics. So many years ago 1999. With your older brother Wesley Hunter.

-Peggy E.

Another one taken so unfairly. Gregory Hunter I’m glad for all the great times we shared back in high school and a few times we’ve managed to get together afterwards always put a smile on my face. You were great guy who always shared so much positivity to all those around you myself included. I will miss you, buddy.

-Matthew H.

Greg, you were a light in so many lives and a true adventurer. Thank you for sharing your journeys and for being such an incredible person. As many that worked with you we all can say that you were one of the best partners an EMT could ever ask for. I always admired your spirit and still remember how excited you were when you decided to travel and embrace new adventures.

Learning of your passing is truly heartbreaking because you brought so much positivity and inspiration to those around you. I always looked forward to following your journey and seeing where life would take you next. I genuinely enjoyed keeping up with your adventures. Rest in peace, Gregory Hunter. You will be deeply missed.

-Anthony C. R.