30 year old Andrew Abel of Innisfail and 28 year old Nate Johnson of Red Deer and Cochrane, both experienced rock climbers were killed in a spring avalanche while climbing Mount Andromeda in the Columbia Icefield on May 30th. (Supplied)

By Cilantro and Chive

Touching Tribute

Cilantro and Chive BOTM tribute to Andrew Abel and Nate Johnson

Jul 9, 2021 | 11:20 AM

Two experienced mountain climbers from central Alberta tragically lost their lives in a spring avalanche near Jasper on May 30; Andrew Abel and Nate Johnson.

Both men touched the life of our Lacombe Burger of the Month Guest Chef for June, Calder Sutton.

The experienced mountaineers were integral members of the Alberta climbing community and played huge roles in growing the sport in Red Deer and surrounding areas, instructing new and experienced climbers at Trailhead Climbing & Fitness in Red Deer.

Calder notes, “They helped me personally, through a tough stage of my life, and helped me build myself up through the sport. Time and time again they would encourage and push everyone to achieve their goals and continue to set the bar higher. I will always remember Andrew and Nate for their huge hearts and strong voices to do what’s right”.

Calder helped co-create “KIMCHI THE BEST”. It included steamed bao with sriracha aioli, vegetarian Kimchi, a house made 4oz beef smash patty topped with hoisin ketchup, red miso glazed shredded pork, fresh pea shoots and garnished with a charred scallion! $2 from every burger sold at our Lacombe location in June is going directly to the families of Andrew Abel and Nathaniel Johnson.

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Andrew leaves behind his wife Brinnae, while Nate leaves behind his fiancée Hannah. Brinnae says the mountains have always held a special place in Andrew’s heart.

“Over the past six years, he spent every free moment climbing and sharing that passion for wild spaces with those around him. While my heart is broken at the loss of my best friend, partner, and husband, I am taking solace in the knowledge that Andrew was pursuing what he loved, and doing so with someone he loved, so there is nothing more I could have asked for”.

Comments also echoed by Nate’s fiancée Hannah.

“Nate always joked around saying that, “I’m here for a good time, not a long time”. He loved the mountains and all the adventures they held. It feels so right that he was doing a mountaineering project with his closest and most trusted friend. I’m so lucky and blessed that I got to have Nate in my life for eight years. He was my best friend and absolutely perfect for me. My heart is buried under the snow”.

Thanks to your support of our beloved Burger of the Month Program, we were able to deliver $926 to Brinnae Erb and Hannah Sysak on July 7.

Thanks to the amazing support we see from our guests for our Burger of the Month program month after month, we have had the opportunity to give back over $80,000 to local charities over the past 53 months! THANK-YOU!

The July Burger of the Month in Lacombe is “FULLY LOADED”, created in collaboration with local guest Chefs Kelsey and Kody Kenway. Two grilled beef smash patties, cheddar cheese, jalapeno jack cheese, sliced jalapenos, Nashville style BBQ sauce, maple bourbon bacon jam, crispy onion strings, iceberg lettuce, shaved white onion, beefsteak tomatoes, chipotle aioli on a garlic butter toasted pretzel roll. $2 from every “Fully Loaded” sold will go directly to STARS Air Ambulance.

Calder Sutton served as our June BOTM Guest Chef at our Lacombe location. He co-created “KIMCHI THE BEST”. It included steamed bao with sriracha aioli, vegetarian Kimchi, a house made 4oz beef smash patty topped with hoisin ketchup, red miso glazed shredded pork, fresh pea shoots and garnished with a charred scallion! $2 from every burger sold is going directly to the families of Andrew Abel and Nathaniel Johnson. (Supplied)

“Together we can do hard things. Together we are better. Together is why we climb mountains, but together we can also move mountains”. ~ Tim Taylor