Avalanches on Red and Granite

NWAC's accident statistics reveal that the primary victims of avalanches here are, in order, BC skiers+snowboarders, snowmobilers, and, in fewer numbers, climbers.  Snowshoer accidents are rare. 

Given that the groups mentioned generally travel more technical and inherently hazardous terrain than snowshoers (given the limitations of their gear),  I'm not sure such statistics reveal much about the level of awareness of any of these groups.   Accidents are also relatively rare, so data points are few in number and therefore difficult to statistically difficult to glean much from. 

Anecdotal experience strongly suggests that avi awareness among snowshoers, in general, is not as widespread or deep as that among  BC skiers.  Habits are changing, however.  More resort skiers are going off piste, and not necessarily with any additional training. 

In the end, its up to concerned individuals within a given group to educate themselves and their peers regarding backcountry hazards.  If you're calling on the NFS, WSDOT, retailers, or anyone else to do something, you might consider the more effective step of becoming one of these agents of change yourself.  A culture of personal responsibility for one's own safety, and developed habit of continually assessing conditions that results, will produce the best outcome.   There are numerous winter hazards beyond avalanche out there.  Warnings cannot and will not ever cover them all - even for the few who bother to read them. And who among us relies on a TH sign for current avi info? Not a great idea.    

For the more experienced, remembering that it's OK to bail or change plans on the fly when conditions aren't what you expected is helpful.   The mountain will still be there.  Will you?  Lack of awareness and prep isn't the only cause of accidents.  Miscalculated risk or long term unsafe habits that eventually catch up are often a factor with a more experienced victims. 

So I did a little research. According to NWAC's own annual report they have a total budget of $351000 of which $300000 is allocated to the salaries of 4 meteorologists (the only current staff listed on the NWAC site). Given that they're forecasting for 6 months of the year, unless i'm missing something, they're basically each making the equivalent of $150,000 a year (assuming it's divided equally).

So I did a little research. According to NWAC's own annual report they have a total budget of $351000 of which $300000 is allocated to the salaries of 4 meteorologists (the only current staff listed on the NWAC site). Given that they're forecasting for 6 months of the year, unless i'm missing something, they're basically each making the equivalent of $150,000 a year (assuming it's divided equally).

If it were = wouldn't that be $75,000?

I really wish we could have been aware of the Red Mountain incident when it was reported. We were up commonwealth along with many other groups of experienced backcountry skiers that have first responder training, but we didn't learn of the event until returning home. I don't know the nature of the injuries, but the chances of survival would certainly go up if there were 10 more helpers around, at least a few with first responder training.

You sound like you and your friends might be excellent additions to the SPART team.  Then you'd get all the incident notifications via email or text.  I'm still working through my training but I already get the notifications.  If you're out of cell service you could even use a sat phone as a secondary contact.  Like Andy said, there is a need for more SPART members.

If you're already a ski patroller the extra training is minimal.  I'm not a patroller yet but the classes I've already finished with Cascade Backcountry Ski Patrol have really taken my skiing to the next level.  Already well worth it.

Your idea of a more widespread notification could be a great addition to the SAR system but it might take while to implement since it would likely involve changing how the sheriff and other agencies do things.  A short term solution could be to join SPART.

So I did a little research. According to NWAC's own annual report they have a total budget of $351000 of which $300000 is allocated to the salaries of 4 meteorologists (the only current staff listed on the NWAC site). Given that they're forecasting for 6 months of the year, unless i'm missing something, they're basically each making the equivalent of $150,000 a year (assuming it's divided equally).

Except that the $300,000 is what is paid to the Forest Service and you've made no allowance for health insurance, retirement, taxes etc, which the Forest Service subtracts out of their salaries before paying them. Then you have the issue of what you do the rest of the year to make ends meet....

Given that they're forecasting for 6 months of the year, unless i'm missing something, they're basically each making the equivalent of $150,000 a year (assuming it's divided equally).

The NWAC work day begins in the wee hours of the morning, like 3 or 4 a.m. And the job has a high level of responsibility, since the public is depending on their work. Combine that with the fact that they only get paychecks for six months a year, so the equivalent annual salary is meaningless. Their compensation seems well-earned to me.