The Cascades lost one of their biggest and most active friends this weekend. Ben Manfredi died while kayaking the Elwah River. Those who knew him knew of his thirst for adventure, and his love of the challenges that its peaks, slopes and rivers offered.
The surprise of this news is somewhat hollowing. Ben was usually the calm one, the calculated one, the one who had the luck. I knew the day would come when one of our friends would be taken, but I never expected it to be Ben. He usually carried a precision and grace with him. I think he had fear. Its what made him challenge himself. He also knew the odds. He’d helped dig up avalanche victims. He’d watched friends disappear into the swirl not knowing when they’d resurface. I guess that part of the territory.
Ben had a great sense of humor known to few. He was quite shy, and didn’t speak much around strangers. When he did open up, a thoughtful and funny person joined the conversation. His boldness showed in his action however, as you’ll see from the photographs he’s taken over the last several years.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Ben.
I knew Ben as a genuine and hilarious friend. He always made me laugh and our jokes about pancakes and syrup will bring a smile to my face till I see him again. He died doing what he loved and that is a small comfort.
I love you Ben, you are one of my favorite people, an original, someone I really admire. Someone who could always find time to do what made you happy and generous enough to share the excitement with everybody. You will be sorely missed, but never forgotten. Hope you’re dialed in on that sick descent through the clouds!
Your buddy, Clem.
What can I say? I’m in shock. Though I never knew Ben that well, I always liked him and wished I knew him better.
To Andy & everyone who did count Ben as one of their close friends, and the entire Manfredi family, my deepest condolences.
Everything you did Ben you did with an intensity and skill very few people have ever come close too. You took the path only the bravest and the most pure can take. I will miss you.
Ben, even to those who did not know you well it was clear that you had a good heart. You will be remembered with love.
Ben, our pathes only crossed a few times but you inspired me with your passion and I always admired you for that. My Condolences to your family and freinds!
What a testiment to life lived to the fullest. Ben was an amazing individual. I echo Andy’s sentiments of Ben’s humor. What a funny guy. Ben knew what he wanted out of life and lived it with as much intensity as he could muster. My prayers are with his family and all of us who loved his unique soul. We’ll all miss you very much Ben.
It’s so hard to believe that this can be real. Thanks for the sail Ben. I fondly remember the day and will treasure the memory. I only wish there could be more.
Ben, you were one of my brother’s dearest friends and therefore a dear soul to me. Your abilities and stories always filled me amazement. I feel a peace knowing that it is possible to do all the things that truely make you happy and to be so humble about it.
Ben was always quiet around me, but I always sensed his inner content. We’ve also lost an magnificent and original artist. I’ve admired Ben’s photography for years. I believe only very unique people can see light, composition and movement the way Ben did. I’m sorry I won’t get to see more. My thoughts and prayers go to all his family and friends.
i’ve started writing this about six times now and i keep deleting it.
i can’t express this in words very well… the best i could do was play the guitar for you the other night and hope you could hear me. i know you were happy doing what you loved and that was living life to the fullest, and i take comfort in that. thank you for being my friend, te extraño mucho,
tu amigo,
hiram