The Eastern Division Roger H. Damon Jr. Avalanche Award was developed and first presented in 2013 in accordance with criteria from NSP’s Montgomery Atwater National Avalanche Award, to recognize Eastern Division’s NSP members, or non-members, who have made outstanding and continuing contributions to the Avalanche Program with significant division impact. Examples of such contributions might fall under management, curriculum development, publication, scientific discovery, instruction, or any combination thereof.
Roger Damon
Roger was the first recipient of this award in 2013 when he then had 67 years of service, including time served at Norwich University, Burke Mountain, and the Mount Washington Ski Patrols. Also, during his time in the military, Roger patrolled at a mountain in Austria where his interest in avalanche safety began. He retired from the Mount Washington Ski Patrol in 2018 at the age of 89, after one last season of hiking up to Tuckerman Ravine, assisting in rescues, and then skiing out the Sherburne Ski Trail at the end of the day.
Other recipients of this prestigious award include:
Brad Ray—2015, for his work as a National Forest Service (NFS) Snow Ranger from 1958 to 2001, writing avalanche advisories, educating the public about avalanche hazards, and conducting countless rescues in Tuckerman Ravine. Brad joined the Mount Washington Ski Patrol when he retired from the NFS in 2021.
Brooke Taber and Conor Lahiff—2016, Burlington, VT-based weather forecasters for the National Weather Service for their contribution to NSP Eastern Division avalanche courses by teaching the weather portion of the Avalanche Triangle.
Chuck Boyd—2024, for his leadership and support of the Eastern Division Avalanche Program over the last 25 years, including serving as the Eastern Division Avalanche Supervisor.
Les Blomberg—2025, for his leadership, mentorship, and dedication to the Eastern Division Avalanche Program over the last 35 years. Les is the go-to member of the Team for Companion and Group Rescue as well as mentoring new instructors. He has produced and copyrighted pocket guides on Companion Rescue for students.
Les and Chuck were recruited by Roger and working side by side with him teaching outdoor education and avalanche fundamentals to both NSP and non-NSP educational venues in the White, Green, and Adirondack Mountains.
Chuck Boyd Roger Damon Les Blomberg
Chuck and Les were able to visit Roger on December 5 to share memories and thank him for all his contributions and for mentoring them as they grew into the avalanche education and division avalanche program leadership. Without Roger we would not have the avalanche program we have today. Wishing Roger all the best!
2013 Trail Sweep article about the Roger Damon Avalanche Award
