The Kendall Trap

Fantastic - you've done a great job. I would love to see something like this for all the popular zones.

* It feels like you're holding back a bit in order to not seem preachy.
* If anything, I would go ahead and make it a lot more explicit.
* I did something similar for Union Creek, and, even though I'm not blogging anymore, it remains one of the most popular pages on my blog.
* This is classic middle ground terrain. From my blog post:

"Theory of Relativity
In addition to incredible ease of access, the backcountry near Crystal Mountain is middle ground terrain. This sets up a classic middle ground perception problem because Union Creek has a rather benign appearance relative to high alpine terrain. In other words, you can drive to the trailhead, skin from the car, but you won't see enormous snowfields below savage peaks. Instead, as mountain terrain goes, Union Peak is really sort of small, steepish, and extensively gladed. To this point, there are plenty of places that seem safe.."

avalanchesafety.blogspot.com/2010/10/union-creek.html

* The Kendall Trap is exactly this sort of middle ground terrain.
* It seems like a safer choice, but it's not safe at all.
* Computer modeling shows that Kendall has a statistical signature similar to terrain that looks absolutely unsafe.
* So we're just fooling ourselves if we think it's safer.
* EDITED TO ADD: Whatever my blog post says about Union Creek also applies to Kendall Trap.
* EDITED TO ADD: I love that you call it Kendall Trap, because that's exactly what it is.

I would be much more explicit and maybe do something to make people question their decisions to go there? ParksCanada has terrain maps that ask questions like "Why are you here?" and "Do you think this is safe?" and "Do not linger here."

Agree about the Parks Canada maps;

www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/mtn/securiteenmont...av-avterrain/cascade

I think mentioning the past incidents on the map or links to accident reports would be effective.

@Randy: Thanks! Agreed that the concerns of the Kendall Trap apply across many places in the Cascades. As time permits, I plan to address density as its own issue, unless someone does a great job of it first.

To highlight Kendall is both to bring up an issue of personal concern and to provide a point of reference for discussion: "Hey, our local terrain looks kind of like that Kendall-Trap thing I read about once". If it gets people talking more about terrain, awareness of conditions in adjoining terrain, and awareness of others, then the photo-essay has done its job.

@Cookie/Ron : Thanks! As the document's header suggests, it is not intended to be a guide, only to highlight a confluence of hazard that may be underappreciated. I aspire to the 'show, don't tell' school; perhaps it is enough to highlight hazard. Accidents that strike those who are unaware of hazard trouble me the most.

A Parks Canada-style map for Granite, along with an enumeration of the many accidents, would be a benefit to the uninformed.

Does it for me charlie, thanks!

I have never visited Kendall, likely never will. Does get one thinking about simular home terrain, like you said. I can think of s few popular spots at Stevens that have skin/ski tracks that can get hit from above. Tye peak, west face lichtenberg...

Regarding the original accident, your comments in the other thread have me thinking about personal safety, and habits. More so, making oneself findable in the worse case scenario. If it does happen, someone is going to come looking. Make it easy for them. This doesn't apply to solo travel either.

Just bought a new beacon. Made sure my recco was still in my pack. Thinking about picking up a plb.

Awesome contribution Charlie . I think it  paints with a broad brush , showing what some of the most pressing issues we all face with a growing B.C. community . Quality mentor ship , focus on situational awareness , safe route finding , considering if someone follows and conditions go to Extreme...Is this still a responsible route ? The conditions yesterday were 3 1/2 '  new soft snow , heavy and virtually bottomless, when you stopped it set up like avy. snow and you had to dig yourself out ! We HAD to stay together . We took turns helping each other getting back on our feet , getting unstuck even as we had to leap frog down the fall line . Radios are nice but not as effective as being physically in sight and VERY close in these conditions as there was no margin for error and the time it would take to skin up and help with submersion would most likely become a body recovery. Definitely not a day to be a soloist ,  Again THANKS ...Soooooooo... MUCH ...    X

A nice piece of analysis, love the write up. What I especially like was that it is a good example of why a whole route must be examined before it is skied - above and below - as you are skiing a mountain and the conditions can change radically from spot to spot.

I can relate this piece to a number of high traffic areas I frequent. I hope more folks really analyze the situations that went into those incidents you've brought forward here.

It only takes a little bravado and simple mistake to cause an avalanche that claims a life.