[Damian]

Great guy and regular contributor here a while back. RIP George. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/idahostatesman/obituary.aspx?n=george-bogdan&pid=173790312

[Magellan]

RIP George. He was a great guy.

[Chico]

Sounds like he was quite a character. A cast-iron frying pan hanging from his hip. Okay. I would have maybe wrapped it and put it in a pack. Wonder what the home built packs looked like? Yes, quite the character. Rest in peace George!

[Damian]

He really was a character. I was lucky to work with George for a couple years before he retired almost 30 years ago. He was 55 then and would come in early so he could leave in time to run Mt Si (twice) in the evening. He organized an iron man event that included running Mt Si, Granite Pk, and McClellan, connecting each by bike ride. He refused to call it a race as it was never about who was the greatest with George. George surrounded himself with likeminded fit individuals, many of whom were older than him, but the young guys loved him too. He was a huge inspiration in the areas of hiking, fitness, fishing, and anything outdoors, but also was a mentor to me in the areas of woodworking, investing, and the importance of family. Anyone who knew George saw that he demonstrated an unusual level of enthusiasm for life- well beyond the common man. I was lucky to reconnect with him a few years ago before his stroke, about the time he posted here. Same ol George. Always planning, and always trying new things and new technologies, though not often things commonly embraced by the mainstream. Like a post here which discusses his method of backcountry fire starting using sliced up bicycle tubes. Or his home built packs. Always eager to share his enthusiasm and never a negative word about anyone or anything. I understand from his family that he continued to plan relentlessly after his stroke and up to his death. Things that could never be possible anymore. His mind did not stop when his body did. Looking back George provided great examples of not just how to be a great man, but how to be remembered. A friend made the sketch below that was included on posters around the office announcing his retirement.

George Bogdan Retirement

[the Zachster]

What a fantastic life, well lived. You could tell from his posts that he was a man of the mountains and someone who loved life, living it to the fullest. Go in peace fellow traveler.

[reststep]

RIP George I never was fortunate enough to meet you but I always enjoyed reading your interesting posts here.

[RichP]

RIP George. A life well lived, indeed.

[harrymalamute]

RIP George AKA PackGoat, your stories of adventure travel in NW Territories and other contributions will be remembered right here on nwhikers.net for a long time to come. well done kindred spirit.