Avalanche - CM Backcountry today 12/29

We lost one of our bretheren, today.<br>Here's all I can find on it, so far:<br><br>komotv.com/stories/22180.htm

www.king5.com/topstories/NW_122902WABava...edeath.3bca22ab.html

What I've heard: It was Nick Davie's party (a Mountaineers outing) skiing in Cement Basin (Norse Peak Wilderness Area). Party members were Nick, Jerry Sanchez, Don Dovey, Bob Harn, Kelvin Wu, Eric Feigl and Ken Madden. Party was skiing in three groups of 2, 3, and 2. When avalanche released, Nick and Jerry were at the bottom of the run, Don, Bob, and Kelvin were mid-slope, and Eric and Ken had just started. Nick said he saw a mid-slope skier fall and then the slope exploded. Eric said the avalanche crowned just behind him. Ken was nearly buried and fractured his lower left leg. Eric (his partner) rescued him. Don was deeply buried and died. He was uncovered after ~15 minutes. Kelvin extricated himself, found Don by transceiver and probe pole (striking a ski), and dug heroically, assisted by others. Don was upside down with his skis about 5 feet under the surface. CPR failed to revive him. Avalanche may have been triggered by the sixteenth(!) skier down the slope that day. Elevation at start of the run off East Peak(a.k.a. Howser Peak or Lutefisk Ridge) is 6600' (2000m), run faces ESE and is 800vf (245m), angle where slide ran is ~35 degrees, approximate location is 45 56 37 N and 121 26 45 W. Area had been skied the day before without incident. On night previous Northwest Avalanche Center gave a considerable hazard (3/5) above 6000' and moderate (2/5) below for this zone.

Thanks, Brent.

Here's another article:<br>seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews...94_webcrystal29.html

The two injured skiers are identified in this article:<br>seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/102046_avalanche30.shtml

www.tri-cityherald.com/news/2002/1231/story4.html

Contains a very understanding statement from the family...

I'm very sorry to hear of the avalance accident at Crystal Mountain. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Don Dovey, and also with the rest of the group as you deal with this horrible accident.

The Preliminary Report, has been published by the avalance center on this tradgedy at:<br>www.nwac.noaa.gov/Cement_Basin_report_12_29_02.htm