Avalanches Kill 3 at Stevens Pass, 1 at Alpental

Yesterday was really bad. Condolences.

In the backcountry near Crystal, we triggered two slabs one 80-ft wide with 12 inch crown. No burial. The one strong warning we observed.

Then later triggered a 250-ft wide 24 inch crown. Brought down the whole small (what we thought was mellow angle) bowl, on us as we were skinning up. All of us were buried. Two partial, chest +/- deep. One burial a full 4-ft deep. Beacon and probe and quick (5-6 min.?) uncovering of the 4-ft deep burial saved a life. We all skied out with no major injuries.

A crazy day indeed.

Very sad day indeed. R.I.P. I hope you will find endless powder wherever you are now.

More info, including eyewitness accounts, on the avy:
www.powdermag.com/stevens_pass-news/trag...its-ski-world-again/
espn.go.com/action/freeskiing/story/_/id...ens-pass-kills-three

Very sad day.

I was at Stevens Saturday and Sunday and I wonder what the thought processes occurred to ski backcountry yesterday.  My perception of the heavy snow that fell the many hours before was that the start of the ppt Friday afternoon and into early Saturday was a heavy wet snow, with some wind effects.  Not so easy to ski.  However as the day proceeded, the temperature seemed to drop with new accumulations being progressively dryer and lighter.  Of course there was a lot more to come overnight.  It certainly did not seem like an upside down snowpack.

In any case, from the many charges dropped by patrol and the many craters seen along the road, I would have to say I had seen a lot more propagation of slides in the usual areas than I saw from the work done that morning.  Only saw a little propagation from the work all along Cowboy ridge into the north side and these did not seem to run particularly far.  This is usually the wind loaded side?

The reports of shooting cracks and other releases would suggest a less stable snowpack than displayed by the avi work in the AM.  I expect that my limited view of the area may mean that my observations are far less than complete, so I hope those who work that area will be able to offer important information to the rest of the community.

The Seattle Times story this morning stated "a fracture 200 yards wide and 20ft. deep".  Also, the skiers (at least some) noted a three foot crack before it let loose.  I can see a slide stepping down to deeper layers, but if this fracture did let loose full depth, then it may have involved weaknesses that the normal depth snowpits, etc. would not be expected to find.  I know news agencies get this stuff wrong all the time.

Snoholic's observations would not support such a deep fracture.  On the other hand he was not able to see that the slide went all the way to the valley floor.  The news description and John Gifford's description of the event and locale last night made it clear that it did travel all the way to the valley floor, at least 1500ft.  From the description from those there in the Times was that it funneled through a drainage and therefore likely did not involve much in the way of trees visible to Snoholic, though the victim did describe hitting trees all the way down.

My deepest condolences to those families of those lost in this tragedy.  

It really wrenches at the heart. My deepest condolences to the loved ones left behind.

Yesterday was really bad. Condolences.

In the backcountry near Crystal, we triggered two slabs one 80-ft wide with 12 inch crown. No burial. The one strong warning we observed.

Then later triggered a 250-ft wide 24 inch crown. Brought down the whole small (what we thought was mellow angle) bowl, on us as we were skinning up. All of us were buried. Two partial, chest +/- deep. One burial a full 4-ft deep. Beacon and probe and quick (5-6 min.?) uncovering of the 4-ft deep burial saved a life. We all skied out with no major injuries.

A crazy day indeed.

Wow. Scary. Glad to hear you are ok. I skied in area out south most of the day on Sunday and discussed touring options but didn't end up going. Would you mind sharing where you triggered the slides?

today.seattletimes.com/2012/02/snowboard...-was-devoted-father/

Details about the boarder in Alpental. Memorial fund link also in this link. Very sad indeed with a young daughter.

I was describing the slide I Saw in Highland bowl that is NE of Southern Cross chair, on the way to Big Chief Mt. from the ski area. Not the slide on the SW side of Cowboy Mt. where the Avi deaths took place. Sorry if I confused you. The Highland bowl slide was skier triggered (second hand knowledge), luckily with out injury. The Highland bowl area had been skied by many skiers on Sunday including my wife and friends. Could have been different outcome with different timing.

@ zenom--- curious where you were at crystal yesterday and the aspects of the slides you kicked off? i'm trying to make sense of these accidents and the conditions we observed in the field. yesterday we were riding the west aspect of east peak.

we chose crystal as they had rec'd the least amount of snow. we saw no propagation w/ only a little bit of soft slab. mostly the snow was falling in on itself.

i guess i'm trying to determine whether the accidents and observed slides were happening on the lee slopes and totally loaded as forecasted. not trying to second guess anyone's decision other than my own. i'm looking for clues to help determine whether we made good decisions and didn't just get lucky. probably both, but knowing more about slides is always good information.

thanks,
mc

I think the news reports are best taken with a grain of salt.  Listening to reporters, I hear and read they are trying to talk about something they don’t know about.  One reporter obviously did not have basic knowledge of skiing. Minor details like the difference of being off a groomed run and being outside the resort.  And reports of the slide running 3000' vs at 3000'.  simple math rules that out.  I saw many shots from helicopters focused on the snow and dug up area where the highway dept snow cat made a ramp up from teh highway.  One reporter even made comment on how the snow had come down over the roadway...   I'd have liked to see an air image of the scene

I believe the 20’ is the depth of the runout/debris pile. 

What a sad story. I hope to increase the skill with which I armchair my own decisions.

Snoholic, my misunderstanding on your description. Yes I had heard about that slide you describe very early in the rumors going around in my group Sunday afternoon. It was confusing not knowing what and where early on in the rumors going around. In fact I had assumed that the skiers caught were at that site since I believe someone said that they had shut down the Southern Cross/Double chair for a while. And yes, it makes perfectly good sense that that slide would have stalled at the trees there, since there seems to be a considerable bench right at treeline. (Probably why there is a treeline there to begin with.)

fwb, I also figured that the news must have been talking about the debris field, but it gets a bit confusing in these later stories since the information is often couched in quotes from individuals who were at the site. That and the press' propensity to exaggerate. It is tough to get a 20ft. fracture with a 12ft snowpack. But, of course the reporters can only write accurately to the extent that they actually understand what they are told.

In the end, with analysis, I believe that there will be something about the south facing exposures on this day that were somewhat unique here. I do not know what the bedding structure of these slabs was, but I will bet that there was something about those south facing slopes that set things up badly.

So sad! My most sincere condolences to all the families and friends involved.

This one strikes close to home. Jim Jack was one of my earliest ski buddies from high school. My first trip to Whistler was with him and a group of other classmates. We had loads of fun and got into a bit of mischief - that was always the way with JJ. Brings back a wave of fond memories. You could not find a more passionate alpine slider than Jim - he revolved his whole life around the sport. He brought joy and enthusiasm to everyone he met and had friends all 'round the world.

Interestingly, my family and I spent the last couple of days flat tracking in Leavenworth, Jim's hometown. I just heard the news actually.

Backcountry skiing gives so much but it takes too - sometimes for keeps. So many friends and friends of friends have paid the ultimate price over the years. Its a small community and it hurts every time.

Be careful out there - but live each day with passion too. It can be a fine line.... think of those who've lost their lives and don't be ashamed to step back and live to ski another day.

These are sad incidents that I have been struggling with all day.  It is hard to grasp and understand.  We tried to get out into the mountains today and find some peace but they were on our mind.  We talked a lot about the people and the events.  We turned around a short distance out because it just didn't feel right.
My heart goes out to the friends and family of those lost yesterday.

Last night I had a few drinks alone toasting these guys and all the rest of my turns this year will be in their spirit. Jim was an enormous part of what we know as free skiing today. And an all around good soul, always good for more stoke than anyone else and always ready for a few beers and good conversation. Things will be very different without him around. We had a great day at Alta last spring, and I always considered it an honor to hang with him.

This incident like all before continues to haunt my thoughts in everything I'm doing right now.  The waves of pain it sends though those familiar and not to the victims speaks to the unfairness of it all.  We should all die doing what we love to do.  Let's make it living and die of old age.  Please except my below reflections for their intentions: to keep others safe.  My sincerest condolences to all suffering through this tragic loss.  These were all passionate brothers in snow to me.  I know their love all to well and the need to spend it with others in the snowy mountains.

This was the message I sent to my patrols after the incident.  I send it to this community now as it's the one that has the most influence in our bc access.  This forum is the goto place in helping others to plan, share, and learn from our collective experiences.  Agree with me or not, let's come together to continually find ways to allow our passion to be a safe recreation for all.  Especially those that need our instruction, mentoring, and guidance in the BC.


> Subject: Avy fatality reflections
> From: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
> Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:24:46 -0700
> To: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
>
> I'm sitting here vacillating between survivors guilt and post rescue misgivings, wondering if things will ever change without a dramatic shift. In one day, we had 4 chair accessed BC avalanche fatalities and I know we're all lucky this number isn't larger. I was skiing Stevens this weekend knowing how bad Sunday was setting up for high hazard (brushed 9" high density snow off the car Saturday that all fell in 3 hours), but the wild side in me wanted to tempt it. Some did. Some got away with it. Some didn't.
>
> I was at the highway ski out of the Stevens Tunnel Creek accident yesterday and watched 15 worn-out, teared up survivors touch pavement after only 2 hours of terror in the snow. Not long before that, four doe eyed teenagers popped out of the same exit thinking they were going to be arrested by highway patrolmen on scene for the call-out. Walking/hitchhiking the highway after skiing the backside of Stevens is illegal, but all tempt it for the chance at chair assisted BC powder. They had no clue what was really at stake. As I was driving away from the incident, I saw several other groups skiing out below the incident command so as not to get 'caught' by the cops. As I hear of the fatality at Alpental, I envision it as yet another rope ducking local wanting a extreme descent from the ski resort.
>
> I know myself to also be at risk. The snow sirens often call me. I seek the thrill of flying down the mountain on my own wings and doing what few others would dare. 2-3 feet of fresh sky and wind transported snow goes to my core of desire and only after learning it's potential destruction do I logic out a surviving decision. It's hard though. It doesn't come natural and it's not how I was brought up among my posse of steep/deep seeking friends.
>
> It brings me to this forming belief: giving chair access to the backcountry during high hazard snow conditions (which always goes hand in hand with high quality skiing), is like giving the liquor cabinet keys to an alcoholic. I only know better myself through intervention (education), self awareness, and experience of getting in trouble.
>
> After the last couple season's of winter backcountry injuries and fatalities, it seemed a public awareness program would help. Avalance signs and beacon check stations at wilderness trailheads could do the trick. I think these can do more good than hurt, but this is for the self propelled traveller that largly knows they are going into wild/untamed snow.
>
> This really isn't the average profile for a resort skier going through upper gates. I've sat on many an upper gate watching caravans of crowds heading out without awareness and equipment to deal with the terrain. Most times it's no big deal. Sometimes it's a real problem.
>
> Yesterday was not the day to let average folks into the bc from the chairs. What a tough call though. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of the perfect line comes into play no doubt when dealing with access to public land. Why not let them access it from the base then when hazard is up? I imagine there are probably a host of solutions that the resort has to weigh against the pressure of 'the customer' but we should get in league with them to help.
>
> This is not meant to second guess the decisions of the people involved in yesterday's tragedy. Involved with the same group of experienced snow professionals and ski athletes, it could have been me there. This is mainly an effort to find the opportunity for learning and methods to protect others with our combined insights and experience. We are part of the community of experts when it comes to protection others from avalanches.
>

Heartfelt condolences to family, friends, community. Our community has lost some mighty fine folks. Let us all be supportive of each other in this time of pain.

Oyvind Henningsen

This is an enormous loss in the ski community. My heart goes out to all the family and friends.

I hope someone in the party will eventually share the events/thought processes that occurred so we can learn from them.

This incident like all before continues to haunt my thoughts in everything I'm doing right now.  The waves of pain it sends though those familiar and not to the victims speaks to the unfairness of it all.  We should all die doing what we love to do.  Let's make it living and die of old age.  Please except my below reflections for their intentions: to keep others safe.  My sincerest condolences to all suffering through this traffic loss.  These were all passionate brothers in snow to me.  I know their love all to well and the need to spend it with others in the snowy mountains.

This was the message I sent to my patrols after the incident.  I send it to this community now as it's the one that has the most influence in our bc access.  This forum is the goto place in helping others to plan, share, and learn from our collective experiences.  Agree with me or not, let's come together to continually find ways to allow our passion to be a safe recreation for all.  Especially those that need our instruction, mentoring, and guidance in the BC.


> Subject: Avy fatality reflections
> From: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
> Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:24:46 -0700
> To: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
>
> I'm sitting here vacillating between survivors guilt and post rescue misgivings, wondering if things will ever change without a dramatic shift. In one day, we had 4 chair accessed BC avalanche fatalities and I know we're all lucky this number isn't larger. I was skiing Stevens this weekend knowing how bad Sunday was setting up for high hazard (brushed 9" high density snow off the car Saturday that all fell in 3 hours), but the wild side in me wanted to tempt it. Some did. Some got away with it. Some didn't.
>
> I was at the highway ski out of the Stevens Tunnel Creek accident yesterday and watched 15 worn-out, teared up survivors touch pavement after only 2 hours of terror in the snow. Not long before that, four doe eyed teenagers popped out of the same exit thinking they were going to be arrested by highway patrolmen on scene for the call-out. Walking/hitchhiking the highway after skiing the backside of Stevens is illegal, but all tempt it for the chance at chair assisted BC powder. They had no clue what was really at stake. As I was driving away from the incident, I saw several other groups skiing out below the incident command so as not to get 'caught' by the cops. As I hear of the fatality at Alpental, I envision it as yet another rope ducking local wanting a extreme descent from the ski resort.
>
> I know myself to also be at risk. The snow sirens often call me. I seek the thrill of flying down the mountain on my own wings and doing what few others would dare. 2-3 feet of fresh sky and wind transported snow goes to my core of desire and only after learning it's potential destruction do I logic out a surviving decision. It's hard though. It doesn't come natural and it's not how I was brought up among my posse of steep/deep seeking friends.
>
> It brings me to this forming belief: giving chair access to the backcountry during high hazard snow conditions (which always goes hand in hand with high quality skiing), is like giving the liquor cabinet keys to an alcoholic. I only know better myself through intervention (education), self awareness, and experience of getting in trouble.
>
> After the last couple season's of winter backcountry injuries and fatalities, it seemed a public awareness program would help. Avalance signs and beacon check stations at wilderness trailheads could do the trick. I think these can do more good than hurt, but this is for the self propelled traveller that largly knows they are going into wild/untamed snow.
>
> This really isn't the average profile for a resort skier going through upper gates. I've sat on many an upper gate watching caravans of crowds heading out without awareness and equipment to deal with the terrain. Most times it's no big deal. Sometimes it's a real problem.
>
> Yesterday was not the day to let average folks into the bc from the chairs. What a tough call though. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of the perfect line comes into play no doubt when dealing with access to public land. Why not let them access it from the base then when hazard is up? I imagine there are probably a host of solutions that the resort has to weigh against the pressure of 'the customer' but we should get in league with them to help.
>
> This is not meant to second guess the decisions of the people involved in yesterday's tragedy. Involved with the same group of experienced snow professionals and ski athletes, it could have been me there. This is mainly an effort to find the opportunity for learning and methods to protect others with our combined insights and experience. We are part of the community of experts when it comes to protection others from avalanches.
>

Well said Andy -
I knew both Jim and Chris - As heavy and wrecked my heart is for our loss I am hopeful that people will take this opportunity to pause, reflect and further educate themselves and others. Pass the torch - Be safe - Blessings

In the end, with analysis, I believe that there will be something about the south facing exposures on this day that were somewhat unique here.  I do not know what the bedding structure of these slabs was, but I will bet that there was something about those south facing slopes that set things up badly.

You might be right.

Tunnel Creek is classic middle ground terrain. Plenty of snow and steepness for avalanches. Plenty of lines that seem like "safer" choices. Tons of options. Seems like a good area to go investigate and maybe push it a little once you "see how things are".

Sadly, "safer" is relative... you know the old game of trading horses... "that line is the safest line here"...

But is it really safe? Is it really a good choice for conditions or is it just the best choice from what is essentially a bad list? Most of us have wandered down this garden path before and ended up far past any reasonable margin of safety.

But is it really safe? Is it really a good choice for conditions or is it just the best choice from what is essentially a bad list? Most of us have wandered down this garden path before and ended up far past any reasonable margin of safety.

Amen, been there a time or two.

Matt,

Thanks for the link to that info.

In the article it states, "The Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center rated the avalanche danger as "High" on Sunday morning for elevations 5,000 feet and above and warned of "widespread natural and triggered soft and wind slab avalanches" for the area around Stevens Pass, due to heavy snowfall and and strong winds. Stevens Pass ski area's base elevation is 4,061 feet and the summit elevation is 5,845 feet." 

This is a comment I've heard echoed in much of the mainstream news reports.  When they (and I) check the NWAC forecast in the morning before a trip, it's still the forecast from the day prior, and in this case, very different from the revised forecast that finally came out later in the day.  I fully believe the good folks who compile the daily data on NWAC's behalf work hard and do an excellent job and I'm not in any way maligning their hard work.  The timing, however, seems to present an issue since most people who relying on the forecast have already walked out the door with a day-old forecast and are in the heat of the fire by the time the updates are posted.  Is there any way around this?  Apologies if this is inappropriate time/place give the circumstances.

This is very somber news to say the least.  Prayers for all involved.

I never necessarily depend nor rely on an avalanche forecast for my for my final decision to ski something...loading can be too localized to just depend on forecasts...two cents...

Fatal accidents involving multiple skiers are extremely rare in this state. I think that's why this event seems so overwhelming.

Heartfelt agreement. Condolences to friends and family. To Andy Hill, thank you for your reflections. I did not know any of those involved; though I do know the strength of the backcountry brethren during a time of loss.

Wow.  Scary.  Glad to hear you are ok.  I skied in area out south most of the day on Sunday and discussed touring options but didn't end up going.  Would you mind sharing where you triggered the slides?

Details from our experiences at Crystal are now posted in the trip reports section. Sorry to distract from this thread, but felt it relevant to point out the "big enough" slide occurances were not limited Stevens and Snoqualmie.

There's a memorial for John, Chris and Jim tonight at the Leavenworth Ski Hill:

Ski Leavenworth Memorial

Also, Russ over at Icicle TV shared this piece with me the other day, that was in production just before the accident -- the video gives a bit of a view into Jim Jack's personality and love for skiing and sharing the stoke, for those of us that didn't know him well.

Icicle TV LW Ski Hill - Jim & Bird

There's a memorial for John, Chris and Jim tonight at the Leavenworth Ski Hill:

Ski Leavenworth Memorial

Also, Russ over at Icicle TV shared this piece with me the other day, that was in production just before the accident -- the video gives a bit of a view into Jim Jack's personality and love for skiing and sharing the stoke, for those of us that didn't know him well.

Icicle TV LW Ski Hill - Jim & Bird

Check this one too- icicle.tv/Video/Sport/Mission-Ridge-Ski-Area-Wenatchee-Wa.html
Last few days of the season two years ago. I ran into Jim when he and Shane were filming out in Microwave Bowl and Jim was totally stoked.

There's also another memorial for Chris on Thursday, 23rd.   Here's the note I received from a good friend of his:

"There will be a celebration of life ceremony for Chris Rudolph this Thursday from 4-9pm at the Sleeping Lady Resort in Leavenworth. Please come honor a dear friend and share stories with the people whose lives he's touched. Please spread the word by sharing this."

- Aaron Edwards

Check this one too- icicle.tv/Video/Sport/Mission-Ridge-Ski-Area-Wenatchee-Wa.html
Last few days of the season two years ago. I ran into Jim when he and Shane were filming out in Microwave Bowl and Jim was totally stoked.

That's a great segment Aaron. I love his excitement and his full-day plan for skiing the home hill.

Nicole Brodeur's column in today's Seattle Times mentions that Karl Milanoski's house was burglarized the day after his death:

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nicolebro...82190_nicole24m.html

The column is a reflection on human nature - rather depressing.

Brodeur spoke to Milanoski's brothers Max and John and her column includes a link to John's personal website:

johnmilanoski.com/

This website has a link to WePay.com to make donations to the family for the benefit of Karl Milanoski's 11 year-old daughter. The site also has a heartfelt tribute to Karl by his brother John:

johnmilanoski.com/karl-milanoski-brother-life-unfinished/

It's worth a look, since Karl has not been so well known to the community.

A very sad event, I lost two friends and the condolences to all the victims family and friends. I believe we can step away from this and think about our own decision making rather than guessing about the decisions of those we lost. None of the victims would want less access, just more self awareness of what drives us to ride in wild places and take responsibility for our own actions.

Schred in Peace.