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Show AVALANCHE DATA The avalanche was a hard slab, with an 18- inch fracture line, which slid to the ground. From the description in the report, depth hoar was undoubtedly the base layer of snow. Code - HS- AS- 2 or 3- COMMENTS A very fortunate skier! The sketch map is not accurate enough to determine the exact location of the accident, except somewhere along the west wall. No names are given, nor are any dimensions of the slide. No. 53- 1 SOURCE LAKE. WASHINGTON 7 February 1953 WEATHER FACTORS This storm had deposited 18 inches of snow, with a 6- inch settlement. On Friday, 6 February, the snow changed to rain and continued intermittently through Saturday morning. Only a few slopes had stabilized by sliding. ACCIDENT SUMMARY On morning of Saturday, 7 February, three young men, all 17, started out from Snoqualmie Summit on an overnight ski touring trip to a cabin at Snow Lake. After h\ miles they would reach Source Lake, where it was necessary to climb out of the canyon to Snow Lake on a bench above. Members of the party were Mr. A., Mr. J., leader of the group, and Mr. S., all with very limited winter mountaineering experience. None of the group had checked out with any authorities, nor had they checked on weather forecasts or avalanche hazards. While skiing up the canyon to Source Lake, they crossed over the debris of several wet snow avalanches that had already run. Around noon, they heard the rumbling of a large avalanche in the distance, but did not see it. A storm the last few days had deposited 18 inches of snow at Snoqualmie Pass, and on Saturday had turned to rain. Passing Source Lake, they had two choices to reach the bench above. The first was climbing through the timber which is more difficult, but safer from avalanches. The other route was up the easier open slope which was cut by a gulley and overhung by cliffs. They chose the open slope. This slope itself would seldom be dangerous, but above it were high- angle cliffs and couloirs. At approximately 1300 hours, the party was about half way up the slope, with J. leading and S. following about 100 feet below and slightly behind. A. had stopped to remove his ski climbers and was several 16 |
