This ESPN article,
Stevens Pass avalanche kills three
, interviews Megan Michelson and Elyse Saugstad who were skiing with the group and has the most details I've seen on the accident.
Super sad day.
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.
