On February 5, 2015, Sergeant Mark Salesse was taking part in a military training exercise with three other members of the 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron in an ice climbing area in Banff National Park known as the Polar Circus when he was caught in an avalanche.
Banff National Park, Alberta
Type
Other
Inscription
SGT. MARK A SALESSE
DEC. 11, 1970- FEB. 11, 2015
"THE BIG BLUE MACHINE"
ON FEB. 5, 2015, ON A TRAINING MISSION, SARTECH SGT. MARK SALESSE DIED IN A FALL AFTER BEING AVALANCHED ON AN ICE CLIMB, POLAR CIRCUS.
EXACTLY 33 YEARS EARLIER, CLIMBER JOHN LAUCHLAN FELL ON THE SAME CLIMB.
SARTECH MCPL ERIC BOIVIN, MARK'S COMPANION SURVIVED AND DID A LONELY, GUT- WRENCHING NIGHT DESCENT, RAPPELLING OFF IMPROVISED ANCHORS.
MARKLOVED THESE MOUNTAINS AS HE LOVED HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHOM HE ALWAYS PUT BEFORE HIMSELF. MARK LIVED FOR EXTREME ADVENTURE.
THIS PLAQUE IS DEDICATED TO ADVENTURERS WHO EXPLORE THEIR LIMITS.
"THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE"
RESCUE
Location
Memorial To Sgt Mark Salesse at Polar Circus
Highway 93 Icefields Parkway
Banff National Park
Alberta
Memorial To Sgt Mark Salesse at Polar Circus
Highway 93 Icefields Parkway
Banff National Park
Alberta
GPS Coordinates
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inscription on the Plaque for Sgt Mark Salesse
kent Gulliford1
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Plaque affixed to boulder. Beneath it is Mark's ice axe. Above is Polar Circus.
Kent Gulliford1
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