My heart aches for the recent tragic death of Alecsander Barton, a 24-year-old snowboarder who died in an avalanche ("Snowboarder is killed in Utah backcountry avalanche," Tribune, Jan. 29). He and two adventurous friends were snowboarding off Kessler Peak in Big Cottonwood Canyon when he was caught in an avalanche that swept him to his death.

Another promising, artistic and fun-loving young man is gone, much too early. His parents, family and friends will grieve for years, and the world is deprived of Alecsander’s future contributions.

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Dying is an unacceptable price for an adventure. Five years ago, my 20-year-old son accidentally died in a similar adrenalin-charged adventure while descending from climbing the cirque on Lone Peak. Young people’s quest for a grand, muscle-powered adventure, combined with inexperience, too frequently maims or kills our young men.

Parents should recognize that adrenalin-powered sports can be as much of an addiction as crack cocaine. An addiction is defined as "compulsive use despite harm." How can we encourage in our young people an interest in healthy outdoor sports without setting them up for disaster?

Rebecca Wallace

Salt Lake City