“Thank you for impacting my life”. Those are the words of a friend of three High on Life vloggers who tragically lost their lives at Shannon Falls on Tuesday.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Zach Bowe wrote what he never had the chance to say to his friends and mentors Megan Scraper, Ryker Gamble and Alexey Lyakh.
“Never had an opportunity to tell them this, but the guys behind The High On Life SundayFundayz brand, accompanied by following the growth of Megan Scraper's work over the years, played a pivotal roll in my drive and inspiration towards chasing my own dreams.
“I genuinely look up to all three of these individuals and always will - what an inspiring group.
“I truly believe that their mark on this earth will live on through the thousands of people that they touched around the world, I know that it will in one way or another through me.”
That is just one of an outpouring of social media messages paying tribute to the three globetrotters, who were known for creating lively travel videos and inspiring people to “live their best lives” on their popular YouTube channel High on Life.
Gamble's cousin Rob Mangelsdorf said the family understood Scraper slipped and fell into one of the pools while hiking at the falls, near Squamish, and that her boyfriend, Lyakh, tried to save her before Gamble attempted to help his childhood friend.
Tragically, all three were swept up by the strong current and were pulled over the pool's ledge.
On Thursday, seven close friends posted an emotional online video honouring their adventurous friends.
One friend spoke on behalf of the group, describing Gamble, Lyakh, and Scraper as the “warmest, kindest, most driven, outgoing people that you could ever meet.”
“The world has lost a great deal of light with their passing,” he said.
“They lived every single day to its fullest, they stood for positivity, courage and living the best life that you can and they shared and taught their values to millions of people worldwide.
“As tragic as their loss is their message lives on through us all and it is now our responsibility to keep that message going.”
Choking back tears he called on others to share how the trio had inspired them in their own lives by posting a message, video, or photos on social media with #HOLinspired.
So far the response has been phenomenal. Friends and followers and complete strangers have shared how the trio inspired them in life, in travel and in work with more than 250 posts on Instagram and counting.
Messages of love and support are also being posted to Facebook.
Friend Conor Clyne summed up their inspirational lives in four words.
"Short life, massive impact," he posted.