Avalanches Kill 3 at Stevens Pass, 1 at Alpental

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.