What would make you stop chasing?

[ChristofferB]

I just looked at a documentary about Greensburg and remembered a talk a had with a storm chaser friend who was one of the first responders there and it had a strong impact on him almost making him stop chasing.

I have never been anywhere near any devastation like that but after 2-3 extremely slow seasons I really was considering to give up on it (also considering I do not live in the US). This made me think about what actually makes chasers stop chasing.

So. Although you are all probably active chasers it would be interesting to hear:

• Have you ever been close to stop chasing? For what reason?
  
• Do you think there would be an event that would make you stop?
• Do you know anyone that stopped chasing due to bad chase experiences (like Greensburg) or a series of bad luck?

Obviously, moving to NYC would make it more difficult to chase the same amount as living in Amarillo, TX, but I am more curious about storm events (or the lack of them).

 

[Quincy Vagell]

I don't think I would ever stop chasing, unless I had some kind of freak accident that paralyzed me or almost killed me.

To start 2014, it was very frustrating after a terribly slow start to the chase season. I never thought of giving up, but I could see how a string of busted/failed chases could bring someone down. I know a spotter/chaser from Kentucky who takes busts very personally and always threatens to stop chasing. To this day, he always gets back out there, even after failures. For me, those types of events motivate me to chase even more! You can always learn from past chases, especially if something went wrong.

I've been chasing even more during the off season now that I live closer to Dixie. When I lived in Connecticut, I didn't get to chase as regularly as I have over the past couple of years. A move might limit my ability to chase, but I would find a way to make trips/chasecations. I also doubt I would ever move back to the Northeast...

 

[ChristofferB]

That's pretty much what I felt two years ago. I had a horrible season (well, a "season" for me was 6 days) with only one real chase day - and previous seasons were not much better. I was devastated when I got back home I really thought that would be my last time. In the end, I did quite the opposite: came back and stayed for 3 weeks the season after in order to increase the odds. Still had a rather bad season (one tornado day) but still, this year I am back for additional 3 weeks. It's addicting.

I think, however, that if I would see stuff like Greensburg. Bodies on the ground etc. it would probably have a very strong impact on me. I am not sure if I would only see it as fun and adventurous afterwards.

 

[James Wilson]

Only way I stop is I die ...

I have had to reflect after chases notable Moore and El Reno but nothing but my own death will stop me.

 

[Jeff Duda]

-A persistent string of low activity years
-Increases in traffic/sightseeing to the point of making it not worth the trip

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

$10+/gallon would stop me.

 

[Quincy Vagell]

-A persistent string of low activity years
-Increases in traffic/sightseeing to the point of making it not worth the trip

If chaser convergence got bad enough, I'd probably limit southern Plains chasing entirely and save effort for areas farther north. Maybe even explore Canada more.

$10+/gallon would stop me.

Really high gas would be killer too. Gas is reasonable now, even if we do trickle up a little higher into the spring. A far cry from the $4/gallon days not too long ago.

If my car got totaled and I had no means of getting a suitable replacement, I'd probably limit chasing too.

 

[Ethan Schisler]

I'm not sure I would ever ENTIRELY quit storm chasing, however I definitely would probably decrease the amount of out of state trips I made on certain basis. Only because I live in an area that regularly sees severe weather during the late spring and summer months, so I get the chance to chase locally without having to drive too far (some years are better than others!). That is something I'm grateful for because if gas ever got to 10 bucks a gallon that would be what I would be relying on. Haha! That or if I ever got a great full time job opportunitiy in the career field I'm going after, I would probably limit my chasing. Simply because, while I enjoy storm chasing, I don't think I would sacrifice a life opportunity to simply chase more. To each their own though!

 

[Todd Lemery]

Outside of my own death, the only thing that would stop me is if something happened to my two brothers, who happen to be my chase partners.
Even a bad chase ends up being fun when you click with your chase partners. It just wouldn't be the same without them.


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[Dan Robinson]

I think only debilitating illness or utter financial ruin would do it for me. I wouldn't do it if I had to depend on others to support me in any way.

If you are young (under 40) and/or single, chase as much as you can. Life can and will throw many things at you, some good (marriage and kids) and bad (illness or financial hardship) that will make it harder and harder to chase with each passing year. Observing around the chase community over the years has shown that it's common for the passion to eventually fade in the face of responsibilities, career opportunities and other interests. Only a relative few keep going strong late in their family/career and into their retirement years. There's nothing wrong with that, by the way. Bottom line, enjoy your years of youth and "chase passion" and live it to the fullest - it won't always be there.

 

[Donnie Beasley]

I think only debilitating illness or utter financial ruin would do it for me. I wouldn't do it if I had to depend on others to support me in any way.

If you are young (under 40) and/or single, chase as much as you can. Life can and will throw many things at you, some good (marriage and kids) and bad (illness or financial hardship) that will make it harder and harder to chase with each passing year. Observing around the chase community over the years has shown that it's common for the passion to eventually fade in the face of responsibilities, career opportunities and other interests. Only a relative few keep going strong late in their family/career and into their retirement years. There's nothing wrong with that, by the way. Bottom line, enjoy your years of youth and "chase passion" and live it to the fullest - it won't always be there.

Great advice Dan! I am in my mid 30's, just got engaged and will be married this year with children hopefully on the way shortly after. This will inevitably decrease my chase opportunities so I am going all out this year. I already chased 4 times last month which I have never done in March before. Like you said, get it while you can. I will never stop chasing, but I know that life will catch up soon and I won't be able to go like I can now.

 

[Michael Towers]

I never came close to quitting but if the crowds continue to grow I might restrict myself to less congested areas and/or less potent setups. While I’m not quite ready to do that yet I can see a High Risk chase in Oklahoma becoming a thing of the past and that would be a sad day.

Would experiencing the aftermath of a tragic event make me stop? I doubt it but without having actually experienced a Greensburg or Joplin first-hand I can’t really say for sure, hopefully I never find out.

I can never see a string of bad luck stopping me, I’ve had more than my share of busts and they’ll never deter me. Just going on a chase trip means I’m in good health, the finances are okay and I’m enjoying my freedom in pursuit of my passion. Barring an accident or other life altering event the worst case scenario for a chase is a nice road trip to a part of the country I’d otherwise never see and there’s no getting dejected about that!

 

[Quincy Vagell]

I think only debilitating illness or utter financial ruin would do it for me. I wouldn't do it if I had to depend on others to support me in any way.

If you are young (under 40) and/or single, chase as much as you can. Life can and will throw many things at you, some good (marriage and kids) and bad (illness or financial hardship) that will make it harder and harder to chase with each passing year. Observing around the chase community over the years has shown that it's common for the passion to eventually fade in the face of responsibilities, career opportunities and other interests. Only a relative few keep going strong late in their family/career and into their retirement years. There's nothing wrong with that, by the way. Bottom line, enjoy your years of youth and "chase passion" and live it to the fullest - it won't always be there.

Great post. I'm at a point where it's "chase while you can," because you don't know what curveballs life may throw at you. If not being tied down to a mortgage or family gives you the freedom to chase, absolutely do it as much as you can! Long drives and grueling chases will get harder with age, so take advantage of your younger years for sure.

Life is short.
As Ferris Bueller said so eloquently, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it."

 

[Michael Snyder]

Moore had me saying I may be done chasing.
But I'm as sure as ever now that I will always chase.
I chase low topped Tstorms in Washington State for Cripes sake, when the plains start firing, Ill be there.

One thing I do think about doing is chasing later in the season and further north, and into Colorado a bit more.

 

[Tim Paitz]

Almost never getting to chase to begin with (only a local one or two but i don't count those). 2013 should've been my year to chase. There hasn't been that much severe weather here in the last few years. I mean, i'm still in college but i'm afraid that once i start working full-time, that's the last nail in the coffin for that. Not only that but my desire to chase just isn't really there anymore. 2013 ruined that when i was stuck in a summer class while my friends went out to the Plains and all saw at least one tornado.


I really got to stop getting my hopes up for everything as i'll just be disappointed every time. :/