Help support- “The Pacific Coast Search”
Donation protected
A Final Chapter. Help support by purchasing my book! When you buy this, all proceeds will go to the Nick Would Foundation. Let’s reach our $20,000 goal!
“The Pacific Coast Search”
A paper-back, self-published adventure memoir holding many truths, introspective stories and revelations about grief and growth.
For the last year, I’ve been piecing together this book (it will be 125-150 pages); a continuum of tales, involving new and refined stories from the PCH bike tour, encounters and analysis with Nick in the dream world, to a daring ascent up El Capitan and pivotal life-experiences in remote Patagonia.
Working a second hotshot fire season, I’ve placed a great amount of energy into the piece, working diligently and intentionally. Knit picking and personalizing- I’ve taken my time with it, chiseling away at insight and drawing from current experiences and past lessons.
When I finish the piece within the next month or two, I hope you all can read it. The dream is to hold a space in Southern California where I can show it! Expect some raffle prizes and music and video, just as Nick would want. I’ll provide a way to buy and mail. (expect hand written letters!) I aim to invoke new thought, fresh perspective in a world that feels more confusing than ever before.
About The Nick Would Foundation-
established to share opportunities to experience the thrill of outdoor sport, wildland exploration, and artistic development, by removing barriers and making these activities accessible to all. Nick Simon was an incredibly dear friend, housemate, brother, mentor, son of two incredible parents; a beloved man. Beyond luck, I had the privilege of sharing a living space with him in Santa Barbara, in 2022. He passed away in a tragic car accident Oct. 27th in New Zealand, after finishing a tough fishing season in Alaska. We dreamed of bike touring, flirting with the idea of riding down the Pacific Coast Highway. Nick’s mind and heart were full of ideas like this. I always listened closely when he spoke, feeling the inspiration grow within me. He was passionate about my thoughts and planned trips endlessly. He cared more than anyone I knew. The spontaneity of these types of trips was spoken about frequently, often over an early morning coffee at Ledbetter Point in Santa Barbara.
About the Nick and the Foundation.
Nick Simon, who passed away Oct. 27 at age 25 in a tragic car accident, was passionate about surfing, climbing, biking, fishing, hockey, skiing, hiking, backpacking, music and his friends and family. The fund intends to help spread these experiences to honor Nick’s legacy. Nick loved to share his excitement (“share the stoke”) with anyone who joined in these pursuits, and with this foundation, his “stoke” will be spread to future generations. Nick lived his 25 years as fully as anyone we’ve ever known. He worked hard and played hard and squeezed the nectar out of every single day. Nick changed the world by inspiring all who had the privilege of sharing in his energetic orbit. If you knew Nick, you knew a special, golden spirit who was as enlightened as they come. He had a knowing in life that we all wish we had. He was an old soul and his love, warmth, humor, and zest for squeezing every bit of joy out of life was infectious and intoxicating to be around. He just made you feel good, made everything okay. Born and raised in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Nick embodied everything that makes his hometown such a special place for raising a family. Starting as a hockey player and Alpine racer with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, Nick progressed to freestyle skiing, then found his rightful place on the Big Mountain ski team, ultimately co-founding the Steamboat Van Clan, a team that successfully competed in the Open Class Big Mountain Tour in Canada and the USA. Nick never missed an opportunity to be out in nature enjoying everything it had to offer. If he wasn’t skiing or surfing, he was mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, or trekking in the mountains. From his NOLS trip in the Himalayas to his post-college solo bike-packing trip on the Colorado and Continental Divide Trails, he did it all. Nick was also a highly gifted musician and songwriter, having written over 50 songs, and sharing his talent with fortunate guests in every town he’d visited. He traveled to over 30 countries charging into his passions while inspiring countless people along the way. But the thing he did best was love. No one loved better than Nicholas. The concept of Nick Would is much more than approaching life boldly. It means Nick gave us all life lessons that we should take away with us from here forward. Nick wasn’t just a great athlete with a huge adrenaline appetite, he was also a talented musician with an incredibly sensitive and caring heart. Since Nick was a young child, he was always the first to offer a helping hand, supportive conversation, or simply let someone know they mattered. Nick’s spirit lives on for the legion of people he inspired, supported, and loved in his short 25 years. The “Nick Would” Foundation is a vehicle to share in Nick’s legacy for generations to come. )
“The Pacific Coast Search”
A paper-back, self-published adventure memoir holding many truths, introspective stories and revelations about grief and growth.
For the last year, I’ve been piecing together this book (it will be 125-150 pages); a continuum of tales, involving new and refined stories from the PCH bike tour, encounters and analysis with Nick in the dream world, to a daring ascent up El Capitan and pivotal life-experiences in remote Patagonia.
Working a second hotshot fire season, I’ve placed a great amount of energy into the piece, working diligently and intentionally. Knit picking and personalizing- I’ve taken my time with it, chiseling away at insight and drawing from current experiences and past lessons.
When I finish the piece within the next month or two, I hope you all can read it. The dream is to hold a space in Southern California where I can show it! Expect some raffle prizes and music and video, just as Nick would want. I’ll provide a way to buy and mail. (expect hand written letters!) I aim to invoke new thought, fresh perspective in a world that feels more confusing than ever before.
About The Nick Would Foundation-
established to share opportunities to experience the thrill of outdoor sport, wildland exploration, and artistic development, by removing barriers and making these activities accessible to all. Nick Simon was an incredibly dear friend, housemate, brother, mentor, son of two incredible parents; a beloved man. Beyond luck, I had the privilege of sharing a living space with him in Santa Barbara, in 2022. He passed away in a tragic car accident Oct. 27th in New Zealand, after finishing a tough fishing season in Alaska. We dreamed of bike touring, flirting with the idea of riding down the Pacific Coast Highway. Nick’s mind and heart were full of ideas like this. I always listened closely when he spoke, feeling the inspiration grow within me. He was passionate about my thoughts and planned trips endlessly. He cared more than anyone I knew. The spontaneity of these types of trips was spoken about frequently, often over an early morning coffee at Ledbetter Point in Santa Barbara.
About the Nick and the Foundation.
Nick Simon, who passed away Oct. 27 at age 25 in a tragic car accident, was passionate about surfing, climbing, biking, fishing, hockey, skiing, hiking, backpacking, music and his friends and family. The fund intends to help spread these experiences to honor Nick’s legacy. Nick loved to share his excitement (“share the stoke”) with anyone who joined in these pursuits, and with this foundation, his “stoke” will be spread to future generations. Nick lived his 25 years as fully as anyone we’ve ever known. He worked hard and played hard and squeezed the nectar out of every single day. Nick changed the world by inspiring all who had the privilege of sharing in his energetic orbit. If you knew Nick, you knew a special, golden spirit who was as enlightened as they come. He had a knowing in life that we all wish we had. He was an old soul and his love, warmth, humor, and zest for squeezing every bit of joy out of life was infectious and intoxicating to be around. He just made you feel good, made everything okay. Born and raised in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Nick embodied everything that makes his hometown such a special place for raising a family. Starting as a hockey player and Alpine racer with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, Nick progressed to freestyle skiing, then found his rightful place on the Big Mountain ski team, ultimately co-founding the Steamboat Van Clan, a team that successfully competed in the Open Class Big Mountain Tour in Canada and the USA. Nick never missed an opportunity to be out in nature enjoying everything it had to offer. If he wasn’t skiing or surfing, he was mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, or trekking in the mountains. From his NOLS trip in the Himalayas to his post-college solo bike-packing trip on the Colorado and Continental Divide Trails, he did it all. Nick was also a highly gifted musician and songwriter, having written over 50 songs, and sharing his talent with fortunate guests in every town he’d visited. He traveled to over 30 countries charging into his passions while inspiring countless people along the way. But the thing he did best was love. No one loved better than Nicholas. The concept of Nick Would is much more than approaching life boldly. It means Nick gave us all life lessons that we should take away with us from here forward. Nick wasn’t just a great athlete with a huge adrenaline appetite, he was also a talented musician with an incredibly sensitive and caring heart. Since Nick was a young child, he was always the first to offer a helping hand, supportive conversation, or simply let someone know they mattered. Nick’s spirit lives on for the legion of people he inspired, supported, and loved in his short 25 years. The “Nick Would” Foundation is a vehicle to share in Nick’s legacy for generations to come. )
Organizer
Ryan Doherty
Organizer
Santa Barbara, CA