Epic Fail Chase wall of shame

[Alex Heimberger]

Missed a shot at tornado last year because I was lazy or dead tired from baby duties...cant really remember. Years sorta been a blur. Believe it was the first weekend of July. Even had family over that could of watched our infant. Christine even asked if I wanted to go out. For one of those reasons stated above decided it wasn't worth getting off my ass and chasing close to home. Which doesn't happen too often in E. IA. Not many chasers out that day. Mostly chasers from the region. Could of been one of those lucky few that saw Traer, IA Tornado. It stung pretty bad.

Still happy I didn't get a goose egg for 2014. Having a kid in March shut down an already lack luster year for me. One more to the 2014 list would of been nice. It was a pretty spectacular tornado too. Someone from that day caught great footage of it. Believe it was an IA native. Hoping this year will be better chasing wise. The move to Nebraska should help a little

 

[Dave C]

Rozel..... we ended up on the north storm (Ellis, a would be wedge that never planted but gave the town a good scare when it almost put down in field next to the highschool. If it had we had a great view from 15th street/Monroe intersection). Prior to the thick Ellis funnel, we even thought about trying to slide down to the southern (Rozel) storm but vetoed it due to hail. Sigh... then saw everyone and their grandma, and their grandma's cat, with videos of it later.

Pilger.... chased hard in Nebraska in the previous two weeks. Chased New Mexico on the previous Saturday. Became discouraged after a difficult season and didn't even check models that Sunday. Was sitting at work Monday morning and realized just how bad I had messed up. Watched the twin tornadoes on GR3 from my desk at work.

The very NEXT Sunday, even more discouraged, slept a whole Sunday after a wasteful moderate day up at CO/NE border, had a cold. Woke up to find out that the DCVZ had spun up FIVE lanspouts / weak tornadoes within 30 miles of my house.

10/04/13.... Drove out to Columbus, NE. the previous night after forecasting this area - would have been prime position for Wayne (maybe glad I missed it - I hate seeing destruction). Ended up doing a little photography tour in the Iowa hills morning of, and lost track of time thinking the front was still moving east. Didn't happen, and I was out of position. Saw a debatable brief wedge near LeMars in poor dusk light - reported by other spotters as well but my view truly sucked. Saw a brief rope out Southwest of Sioux City. Sirens going off half the day but I was always too little too late. This day taught me to pay attention to conditions much more prior to initiation, and not to let entertaining side trips become the focus of activity. I had made a decent forecast for the target, and didn't stay focused.

I could list plenty more, but I have long since given up feeling truly bad about these. Its part of what makes a good chase good - having all that struggle before finally succeeding. If it wasn't a challenge, it would not be as fun.