The skiing world is mourning the loss of Catherine “Kasha” Rigby, a fearless pioneer who tragically died in an avalanche while skiing near Kosovo’s Brezovica ski resort. At 54 years old, Rigby, originally from Vermont and residing in Utah, was known for her daring backcountry skiing expeditions, part of a project called Tour de Piste, which took her to ski resorts across the globe. Sadly, it was on one of these adventures that her life was cut short.
The avalanche struck in the Eagle’s Nest area, and Rigby was swept into the trees, where she died shortly after the impact. Her fiancé, Magnus Wolfe Murray, was by her side and tried desperately to revive her, but unfortunately, his efforts were in vain. The news of her death was first reported by Euronews.albania, and the tragedy has left the skiing community in mourning.
A Legacy of Fearless Skiing
Kasha Rigby’s career began in the 1990s when she became one of the first people in the U.S. to master telemark skiing. According to Outside magazine, Rigby turned telemark skiing into a fast and aggressive style, earning the title of “the best telemark skier in the known universe.” From those early days, she pushed herself further and further, skiing high-altitude mountains around the world, from the Rockies and Alaska to the Himalayas and beyond.
Rigby’s daring feats included skiing down towering peaks in India, Kamchatka, the Andes, and the Himalayas, including a historic first descent of Cho Oyu on telemark skis. She was also part of the team that made the first ski descent of the Northwest Face of Hanuman Tibba in the Indian Himalayas, conquering a 2,500-meter couloir. Her extraordinary achievements were captured in nine films about skiing, and she became a beloved figure in the ski world.
A Close Friendship with Hilaree Nelson
Kasha Rigby’s loss comes just a few years after the passing of her close friend and fellow skier, Hilaree Nelson. Nelson tragically died in 2022 while skiing down from the top of Manaslu. Together, Rigby and Nelson had been pioneers in high-altitude skiing. In 2010, they, along with Margaret Wheeler and Alison Gannett, completed the first ski descent of the Northwest Face of Hanuman Tibba, a remarkable achievement that solidified their place in the history of extreme skiing.
Their friendship and shared passion for skiing in some of the world’s most treacherous terrains were a testament to the close bond they shared. Nelson’s death was a devastating blow to the skiing community, and now, Rigby’s passing compounds that loss, leaving behind a legacy of daring adventures and unshakable courage.
A Life Dedicated to Adventure
Kasha Rigby’s life was anything but ordinary. While many of us may enjoy the peacefulness of a ski on a quiet Sunday afternoon, Rigby sought the thrill, the adventure, and the challenge of extreme skiing. Her journey from Vermont to become one of the world’s foremost telemark skiers was nothing short of extraordinary. She didn’t just ski; she lived each turn with an intensity and passion that inspired everyone around her.
From the towering mountains of the Rockies to the vast snowfields of the Himalayas, Rigby’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of the extreme sports world. She leaves behind not only her impressive feats but also the inspiration she instilled in countless others to pursue their passions with the same unrelenting determination.
A Bittersweet Reminder of the Risks
Kasha Rigby’s tragic passing serves as a poignant reminder of the risks that athletes in extreme sports face. For all the beauty and joy that come with conquering some of the world’s most difficult and remote landscapes, the dangers are ever-present. Rigby’s life is a testament to the awe-inspiring possibilities of extreme sports, but also to the inherent risks that come with pushing the limits of human capability.
As we remember Kasha Rigby and her extraordinary accomplishments, we reflect on the indelible impact she made on the world of skiing. While her passing is a heartbreaking loss, her story will continue to inspire future generations of adventurers and athletes who dare to follow in her tracks.
