Shane Adams
When you're no longer relevant on ST.
What makes a "veteran" chaser.
- Thread starter dfruechte
- Start date
When you're no longer relevant on ST.
Matt Gingery
Scott Olson
EF5
I would never in a million years think to judge who is more veteran based on the number of tornadoes they have seen.
When someone goes out in pursuit of the DREAM, time and time again and doesn't see a single tornado. To me that is a veteran chaser. Someone who goes out and maybe all they see is a sunset or some flashes of lightning, maybe a little hail. But they can appreciate those things, the beautiful sunset tinted mammatus or maybe just the shelf clouds and the wind blowing against them. There is a majestic beauty to it all. Anyone who feels that, you can be a veteran chaser in my book.
Look at David Hoadley, the founder of Stormtrack and one of the first long-range storm chasers. Each issue of Stormtrack magazine reads like a poem, that all the beautiful things that we see are metaphors.
I think by and large, the vast majority of you are dream chasers. Chasing those feelings that you get when you are out there and chasing, the nostalgia, intensity and other feelings that can't be put into a box. It cannot be simplified to tornadoes or years. Yes, the rat race is always there because we are drawn to it but I do not believe in the entitelement of having been there before others. I do not care about your number of years, or your number of tornadoes.
I once knew a releatively new chaser who drove 1000 miles to chase rain-shafts in North Dakota and drove all night to goto work the next morning. He, will always be a veteran chaser in my book.
When someone goes out in pursuit of the DREAM, time and time again and doesn't see a single tornado. To me that is a veteran chaser. Someone who goes out and maybe all they see is a sunset or some flashes of lightning, maybe a little hail. But they can appreciate those things, the beautiful sunset tinted mammatus or maybe just the shelf clouds and the wind blowing against them. There is a majestic beauty to it all. Anyone who feels that, you can be a veteran chaser in my book.
Look at David Hoadley, the founder of Stormtrack and one of the first long-range storm chasers. Each issue of Stormtrack magazine reads like a poem, that all the beautiful things that we see are metaphors.
I think by and large, the vast majority of you are dream chasers. Chasing those feelings that you get when you are out there and chasing, the nostalgia, intensity and other feelings that can't be put into a box. It cannot be simplified to tornadoes or years. Yes, the rat race is always there because we are drawn to it but I do not believe in the entitelement of having been there before others. I do not care about your number of years, or your number of tornadoes.
I once knew a releatively new chaser who drove 1000 miles to chase rain-shafts in North Dakota and drove all night to goto work the next morning. He, will always be a veteran chaser in my book.
PeteMcConnell
Veteran
I would say a veteran chaser, is someone who has chased enough to learn a lot of things the hard way, maybe been lucky enough to see some tornadoes and is willing to help other chasers when needed. There's my two cents.
I would say a veteran chaser, is someone who has chased enough to learn a lot of things the hard way, maybe been lucky enough to see some tornadoes and is willing to help other chasers when needed. There's my two cents.
Kem Poyner
EF2
vet chaser
if you were chasing before the move Twister was released...you are a true stormchaser not influenced by the movies and reality shows..season veterans still chase after numerous bust years and many wrong decisions leading to yanking your hair out...but we keep chasing!
if you were chasing before the move Twister was released...you are a true stormchaser not influenced by the movies and reality shows..season veterans still chase after numerous bust years and many wrong decisions leading to yanking your hair out...but we keep chasing!
Skip Talbot
EF5
I agree that those who were chasing before Twister was released are seasoned veterans. However, to say that you must have chased before that movie to be a veteran means that there will never be any more veteran storm chasers. I find the term in general to be frivolous. You've chased storms or you haven't.
Mike Hollingshead
I think we need to go back to pre-wizard of oz to make sure on this stuff. Plenty of "filler" stuff on tv/news between that and the evil Twister movie.
Twister...there to make some veterans feel more veterany.
When I'm 90 I hope I still give a rats ass if someone thinks I'm a "veteran" or not.
Greg McLaughlin
EF5
Its not my fault I was only 15 when Twister came out. I began chasing in 1997 and I am as true of a storm chaser as you or the next guy. I could care less if I am considered a veteran or not. Its not the title I am pursuing, but the adventure the journey brings.
Chad Berryhill
EF1
Hmm...
I think it's experience in the field. I also thinks it's how your peers view your experience, how they label you. Regardless if you care or not.
Personally I put time in the field in brackets by years:
2o yrs + = Legendary - If you have been chasing this long, you have more than likely contributed a lot to chasing. You helped define it in some way.
10-20 yrs = Veteran - You have come into your own, have a set way of chasing. Forecasting should be fairly skilled. * If your still busting on a consistent basis, get help or find another hobby.
5-10 yrs = Intermediate - Still defining your chase skill.
1-5 yrs = Beginner, Noob, Newbie, Rookie = You know just enough to be dangerous. Still have a lot to learn.
Now there are some exceptions, some folks have a great mentor or get to experience a lot in a short time. Some catch on quicker than others.
The years bracket is a joke, and is not be taken seriously.
I think it's experience in the field. I also thinks it's how your peers view your experience, how they label you. Regardless if you care or not.
Personally I put time in the field in brackets by years:
2o yrs + = Legendary - If you have been chasing this long, you have more than likely contributed a lot to chasing. You helped define it in some way.
10-20 yrs = Veteran - You have come into your own, have a set way of chasing. Forecasting should be fairly skilled. * If your still busting on a consistent basis, get help or find another hobby.
5-10 yrs = Intermediate - Still defining your chase skill.
1-5 yrs = Beginner, Noob, Newbie, Rookie = You know just enough to be dangerous. Still have a lot to learn.
Now there are some exceptions, some folks have a great mentor or get to experience a lot in a short time. Some catch on quicker than others.
The years bracket is a joke, and is not be taken seriously.
Chris Wilburn
EF4
I started chasing (use that term very loosely) in 2004 after being fascinated with the May 4, 2003 outbreak close to home. Also, the May 3, 1999 event peaked my interest as well.
I totally agree Greg. I consider myself just as much as a true chaser as anybody. Who cares if you are considered a veteran or not. Way too much of that who is who crap going on lately. I am in it for the adventure and just overall love I have for weather. I love forecasting as well. I try to do my own forecast before even looking at Storm Track and SPC. I do use them as a guide though to compare with my own forecast.
Also, one of the reasons I love to chase is going to places I would have never gone if it wasn't for chasing. I am not talking about big towns, but certain parts of the country like SW KS, NW KS, Nebraska, TX panhandle, OK panhadle. You get the idea. I also love to take road trips and there are plenty of those with chasing as well.
Shane Adams
I started chasing about three weeks after "Twister" hit theaters. Make of that what you will 
Robert Dewey
EF5
A veteran chaser is someone who chases veterans.
David Mikulec
EF2
Josh VandenTop
EF2
To me it doesn't really matter what labels people put on me, I've been chasing for 5 years now and it's an extreme passion for me, I don't care if people call me a "rookie" or "noob" all I care is that I get out and chase as much as I can and have a blast doing it.
Chris Sokol
EF5
I have to admit failure...
Years Chasing: 25
Number of windshields replaced: 0
Number of Turkeys hit: 1
Number of chase groupies: 0
*sigh*
I suck.
Years Chasing: 25
Number of windshields replaced: 0
Number of Turkeys hit: 1
Number of chase groupies: 0
*sigh*
I suck.
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