Monika Johnson missing near alpental....

oftpiste
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02 Feb 2011 18:32 - 07 Feb 2011 16:35 #197285 by oftpiste

Monika Johnson missing near alpental.... was created by oftpiste

Someone found her pack and a glove in the parking lot. Supposedly skiing alone out toward Red Mt.

Fingers crossed.

blog.seattlepi.com/seattle911/archives/238012.asp

*edit - changed thread title now that her name is released - Marcus*

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I-lean
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02 Feb 2011 18:51 #197286 by I-lean

Replied by I-lean on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

It is not good news, they think she was caught in an avalanche on Red Mt.

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Amar Andalkar
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02 Feb 2011 18:54 #197287 by Amar Andalkar

Replied by Amar Andalkar on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

Just to set the facts straight: Her pack, skis, and helmet were found on the summit of Red Mountain, not in the parking lot. So there was obviously no avalanche, but possibly a cornice collapse.

See this story with photo: www.komonews.com/news/local/115147839.html
KIRO had the most info on the ongoing search during their evening newscasts. Some of it is online: www.kirotv.com/news/26720675/detail.html

She's a TAY regular, and a close friend and ski partner of many of us on this forum. We're all hoping that she'll be found OK.

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gregL
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02 Feb 2011 20:02 - 02 Feb 2011 22:05 #197290 by gregL

Replied by gregL on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

I found her pack, skis, and full-face helmet on the summit of Red Mt. around 1:00 PM today.

After a close examination of her skis and poles, I determined they likely had been there since Tuesday, which fits into her work schedule, and called to see if she had shown up for work today (negative). An examination of the substantial cornice at the summit showed a recent fracture leading to the cliff area to the north of Red. After looking around and trying her cell phone, we assumed the worst and traversed to the SE ridge trying to find a route down the north side of Red while alerting the Sheriff's Dept. and Alpental Patrol. We finally found a skiable route at the distinctive notch on the ridge at around 3:00 PM but decided to return as we would be running out of daylight and were not equipped for an overnight.

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oftpiste
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02 Feb 2011 20:14 #197294 by oftpiste

Replied by oftpiste on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

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Marco
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02 Feb 2011 20:25 #197296 by Marco

Replied by Marco on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

My thoughts and prayers are with her...

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skibum
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02 Feb 2011 20:31 #197297 by skibum

Replied by skibum on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

I really hate reading about accidents like this. Positive thoughts go out, I hope she is in a bivouac or snow cave and will be found tomorrow morning. *Crossing my fingers for good luck* :'( my thoughts and prayers are with her tonight.

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Scotsman
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02 Feb 2011 20:42 #197299 by Scotsman

Replied by Scotsman on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

I hope she is OK. She's an incredibly strong person with masses of stamina.

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Joedabaker
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02 Feb 2011 20:50 #197300 by Joedabaker

Replied by Joedabaker on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

Total downer :'(

Prayers to all the family and friends for a positive outcome.

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dromond
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02 Feb 2011 21:47 #197301 by dromond

Replied by dromond on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

This is very sad news. My fingers are crossed.

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SeatownSlackey
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02 Feb 2011 22:20 #197291 by SeatownSlackey

Replied by SeatownSlackey on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

hoping and praying that odds are beaten here.

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jdclimber
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02 Feb 2011 22:29 #197302 by jdclimber

Replied by jdclimber on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

Thoughts go out to all. If the KIRO site is to be believed, it sound like there are some folks (I suspect some are TAYers) out there looking for her as I type. Stay safe out there and take care.

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Snow Bell
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02 Feb 2011 22:56 #197303 by Snow Bell

Replied by Snow Bell on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

I am very sad to learn of this. My deepest positive vibes for our missing friend.

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Zap
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02 Feb 2011 23:04 #197304 by Zap

Replied by Zap on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

We were teaching this evening at West when our Ski School Director informed us about the helicopter activity and search operations. As darkness arrived the helicopter activity ended and plans for the helicopter search would resume at daylight. A somber time.

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Mofro
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02 Feb 2011 23:28 #197307 by Mofro

Replied by Mofro on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

I saw a group of maybe 8 search and rescue by the trailhead as I was leaving Alpental this evening~9pm.

Here's hoping there will be some positive news.

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Plinko
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02 Feb 2011 23:46 - 03 Feb 2011 18:36 #197308 by Plinko

Replied by Plinko on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

Wow.

As the initial shock wears off, I'm absolutly amazed at the selflessness of the TAYers who stepped up, without hesitation, to assist. This small community continues to make me proud.

Praying for the best...

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JKordel
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03 Feb 2011 00:09 #197309 by JKordel

Replied by JKordel on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

Tragic news. Just got back from Alpental. SAR and BARK poised for a pre-dawn effort. I also pray for a positive outcome.

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Randito
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03 Feb 2011 00:11 #197310 by Randito

Replied by Randito on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

Saw headlamps on Red from Summit West during WAC lessons. Praying for a miracle.

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Lisa
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03 Feb 2011 01:08 - 03 Feb 2011 01:41 #197311 by Lisa

Replied by Lisa on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

A miracle indeed, that's what it takes right now.

I hope she is OK. She's an incredibly strong person with masses of stamina.

Strength does not help, the best of the best are at the mountains mercy. My friend Joe Puryear just died this Fall falling through a cornice. This has been very upsetting for me, the strong meeting the fate of the mountains. There is no simple way to digest this. I am angry. I am sad. I don't understand why good souled people perish and bad souls live, it will always be a mystery to me. Life is simply not fair, but it is what it is for a reason, one that will bewilder mankind for the duration of our existence.

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Lowell_Skoog
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03 Feb 2011 04:01 #197313 by Lowell_Skoog

Replied by Lowell_Skoog on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

Sadness...and prayers

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Dave_R
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03 Feb 2011 05:55 #197281 by Dave_R

Replied by Dave_R on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

...and another set of fingers crossed.

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JMor
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03 Feb 2011 07:17 #197314 by JMor

Replied by JMor on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

Praying for a miracle.

Ditto.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone today.

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mbcracken
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03 Feb 2011 07:24 #197315 by mbcracken

Replied by mbcracken on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

Hoping for the a miracle as well...

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Marcus
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03 Feb 2011 07:24 #197316 by Marcus

Replied by Marcus on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

Many, many folks are heading up today, all with the same hope. It's going to be a hard wait.

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Iceman
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03 Feb 2011 07:30 #197317 by Iceman

Replied by Iceman on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

I pray that she is OK. Hoping for the best.

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blitz
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03 Feb 2011 07:36 #197318 by blitz

Replied by blitz on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

I hope the weather holds out and pray for a successful rescue and the safety of all involved.

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JibberD
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03 Feb 2011 07:42 - 03 Feb 2011 08:33 #197320 by JibberD

Replied by JibberD on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

This is tragic.

Some reports indicate she may have fallen up to 1,600 feet (600' initial vertical and 1000' of 45 degree slope) when the cornice she was on broke off the mountain. I've looked over the north ridge in that area in summer and remember it gving me the sewing-machine-knee queasies. Overall, not a hopeful scenario especially when combined with the time between confirmed missing and now.

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Gregg_C
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03 Feb 2011 08:02 #197322 by Gregg_C

Replied by Gregg_C on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

This is a very sad event for this community. She is a well loved and beloved friend to many here. Please don't release her name as her family and close friends would like to not have her name announced until there is word on her fate. She has a brother in the Seattle area and parents back in Minn.

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joepa
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03 Feb 2011 08:14 #197324 by joepa

Replied by joepa on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

Sad news. Hoping for the best.

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Jim Oker
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03 Feb 2011 08:31 #197326 by Jim Oker

Replied by Jim Oker on topic Re: Missing BC skier near alpental....

Indeed. Hopefully for friends and family, the news comes soon. I hope it's also a happy surprise, given the latest details.

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