Ryker Gamble, Alexey Lyakh and Megan Scraper were members of the Vancouver-based group High On Life, which has a million Instagram followers and half a million YouTube subscribers. They produced exotic travel videos in various countries, seeking daredevil adventures and preaching the importance of living in the moment. Occasionally, their stunts got them into trouble - like when Ryker and Alexey were caught trespassing on a sensitive hot springs at Yellowstone National Park.
On Tuesday, Ryker, Alexey and Alexey's girlfriend Megan were hiking at Shannon Falls in British Columbia. Shannon Falls is 1,009 feet high, making it the third highest waterfall in the province. After swimming in the pools, they walked along the ledge. According to the Vancouver Sun, Megan slipped and fell off the waterfall, which is a 100 foot drop. Ryker and Alexey jumped in afterward to save her. All three individuals died, and were swept away in the current. Rescue teams recovered their bodies Wednesday night.
"Areas like Shannon Falls have very polished granite," stated John Wilcox, an official with the Squamish Search and Rescue. "It’s very slippery with the mist and the lichen and etcetera that builds up around there-going in or near those pools has great risk. It’s a very unfortunate circumstance hopefully we can all learn from."
On Friday, the other members of the group High on Life posted a tearful memorial video. "There are truly no words that can be said to ease the pain and the devastation we are all going through right now," said one of the members. "They were three of the warmest, kindest, most driven and outgoing people that you could ever meet and the world has lost a good deal of light with their passing."
They went on to read the inspiring mission statement Ryker and Alexey wrote for the group: "Accept the fact that everything that makes up your world is there because you attracted it with your own thoughts. Realize that you can control your thoughts and emotions." They also announced a GoFundMe page to help pay for a memorial.
Stricken by wanderlust, the globetrotting trio sought adventure wherever they could find it. It's a shame their lives were cut short in their mid-20's, but it appears they made the most of each moment. Weeks before his death, Ryker posted a message on Instagram about discovering his purpose in life.
"When life is on purpose and I feel clear with my direction, all my other decisions seem to get easier. When my purpose isn’t clear and not my priority, I end up bringing less of myself into the world, into my intimate relationships, and into my daily life. It took me 29 years to understand this.
"So if you have a strong masculine core, and find yourself drained of energy, attention, and power, check in with this notion of your ‘purpose’ and see what comes up. ... Make purpose the focus above everything else in your life and watch how the rest will fall into place."
.jpg_7qacJY?tr=h-184)
.jpg_7qacJY?tr=h-184)
