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Show several small probe lines were formed at various places along the slide path. The victim's son returned to the avalanche, but since he was unable to supply any additional facts, he was quickly taken off the mountain. At 4: 15 the victim's body was found on the lower cat track, buried three feet under the surface. A doctor on the scene administered artificial resuscitation and closed heart massage, but at 4: 30 the man was pronounced dead. Two major probe lines were formed to search for any additional avalanche victims. The area was crossed several times by the original rescuers and relief groups. Names of those participating in the rescue operations were relayed by radio to the lodge to eliminate anxiety among waiting friends and relatives. The skis and equipment of the first three were recovered, but no evidence was found to indicate that anyone else was trapped in the siide. COMMENTS The role of the two unidentified skiers seen near the release zone has never been clarified. It is possible that they started the slide. The victim's widow brought suit against the Treasure Mountain Ski Area, charging negligence. The court found for the defendent, on the grounds that the avalanche was an act of God and a normal risk assumed by a skier when he went ski ing. No. 66- 1 MT. BAKER. WASHINGTON 5 February 1966 WEATHER FACTORS On Saturday morning, 5 February, 1966, the avalanche danger in the Mt. Baker Winter Sports Area was high. Twelve inches of new snow covered the slopes; the temperature had dropped from 30 degrees the previous day to 25 degrees. Wind velocity was six to twenty m. p. h. with gusts of fifteen to fifty m. p. h. on the ridges - high enough for extensive snow transport. Early Saturday the lift- served area was controlled, using a 105 mm recoil less rifle, with the resulting release of a damp soft slab on some areas, but not on others. All areas but the North Side were closed until snow rangers had skied the slopes. It was clear that conditions were very hazardous in all areas except those controlled and checked out by the rangers. A skier on the top of Panorama Dome en route to North Side released an avalanche to the left of the Dome. During the night and early morning several slides released naturally on the steeper slopes. The control measures released a large number of slides on the lee slopes, all of which were in a " hair- trigger" condition. 132 |