Todd Andrews 1969-2004

Todd was my partner no matter how big and scary the ice fall or creek. He may have grumbled a little bit while we shuttled our boats on our backs numerous miles into the next first ascent or descent but he always did it with a smile on his face. He was also a partner in life, a true friend who would always listen and be by my side no matter how bad things might get. With Todd by my side I always knew I would persevere thru the toughest obsatcles. My wife, kids and I considered him family and the loss of him in our lifes creates an emptiness in our hearts.

From the left. Pavel Strelec, Andy Quick, Todd Andrews, Ed Conning on a pre-season road trip to the west coast

This fall, Todd had traveled east to make a tour of the classic dam-release runs on the right coast. He had paddled the Moose during the festival weekend and was making his way south toward the Russell Fork, Green and Tallulah. On Tuesday he was boating with Harris on Great Falls when, after several successful runs of Grace Under Pressure, the first drop on the center lines, Todd flipped and had difficulty rolling up. He was forced to swim and then flushed into Subway, an unrunnable sieve-filled chute to the left of the Streamers - the final drop of the Falls. Todd's boat and some gear was recovered soon after but Todd did not surface. Todd's death has rippled through the various boating communities across the country.

Quotes From Todds Journals

"Today makes me appreciate who I am and what I'm doing with my life. God has given me the incredible strength and courage to be who I am. I am one of a kind. I love life. I thank you God. Please look over me as I travel."

"I wish all people I love could see me kayaking these beautiful waters."

"Gonna do some creekin'! "

"The devil had to create sand flies because God would never have created such a mean, persistent little bugger."

His Last Words To His Mom:

"Life is good! I love you Mom."

Todd was one of a kind, his smile and good heart touched so many people across the country. Todd always appreciated his life and the people around him. His lifestyle and passion as a kayaker and climber may not of been understood by some who cared and loved him but kayaking and climbing was Todds lifeline. Todd was one of the pioneesr of kayaking in the Big Horns, he spent many days and weeks clearing world class runs across the range. Dan Crain and Todd were insepreable as their passion for kayking took them thru deep blue waters and into untouched canyons. Their hard work and pereverance opened up world class runs like Ten Sleep, Paint Rock, Upper Tongue, Upper Shell and Clear Creek.

Dan Crain died in August 03 while kayaking in the Box of the Clarks Fork Canyon. Dan's death was a big loss to all boaters in the Big Horn Basin and South Dakota and was a major heart break for Todd. My family and I opened our arms and home to Todd and he became family. Todd and I would spend many days on the South Fork and North Fork ice climbing and venturing in the hills.

As the ice melted Todd and I motivated to check out some new creeks in the area and our efforts payed off with classic wilderness runs like Big Creek, Cabin Creek and Grinell Creek. I was lucky enough to share the best summer of my life with Todd. Hiking thru the woods with a boat on my back and paddling brilliant blue waters will never be the same with out Todd by my side.

Todds Mother and Brother (middle) and his boating and climbing family

Todd will never be forgoten, he has left an imprint on all of our lifes.

Aaron Mulkey