#avalanche danger

[electronicsquid]

So no loud noises or sudden movements

(Peter Stackpole. 1949)

[rsfunf]

[pcttrailsidereader]

Photo credit: Peter Miles Bergman (see below for Bergman’s story)

Warnings abound for those still determined to reach the northern terminus of the PCT this season.  [See the October 22 post.]

The Northwest Avalanche Center reported on October 19th from Snoqualmie Pass:

Weather: Heavy snow with mixed graupel, gusting winds from the W, thunder, lightning. Weather data from 'Snoqualmie Pass - Dodge Ridge' (Alpental wind data not available) shows wind gust @ 18mph W/WSW around time of observation.

Snowpack: Loose unconsolidated that did not cover the vegetation/rocks until ~5100ft where the snow became noticeably deeper ~25"directly on bed surface.

Area Description: The PCT leading up to Kendall Peak around ~5100 ft which is an open area of terrain.

Avalanches: Witnessed loose dry snow slides originating above the PCT at around ~5600 which fanned out and resulted ~7-9ft of debris covering the trail which serves as a terrain bench. Party was able to quickly exit to a sheltered area of trees prior to impact. My assessment is (as predicted in the NWAC Special Statement), there was a wind loaded pocket in the SW facing feature of Kendall Peak as sustained westerly winds combined with strong gusts from the NW were depositing snow on the western ridge leading up to Kendall Peak. Slide seemed to be triggered by a particular strong gust of wind around 15:50.’

Now to Peter Bergman’s story, which has a happy ending.  This is from his Facebook post:

I am celebrating the end of a journey of a lifetime spread over a lifetime with a friend for life! We are warm and dry at the Manning Park Lodge in British Columbia!!!  [He and his friend, Dylan Kuhn, walked 960 miles in 57 days across Oregon and Washington in 2019 at 46 and 47 years old!!! to fulfill a commitment they made to each other 23 years earlier.]

After we called it on a 1996 PCT thru hike attempt, 85 days and 1,700 miles in at the California / Oregon border, we agreed to wait until we were twice as old to finish the trail by hiking the remaining 960 miles of Oregon and Washington. (We decided we’re TAOist hikers - Twice As Old). Even though the symbolism of hiking this part in Fall (entering the Autumn of our lives) was on point, I can’t say it was a good idea. Don’t hike across Washington in the Fall kids - just don’t do it...

On our first day I joked that the hard part was over, showing up at the trailhead 23 years later; but, in retrospect I’d say hiking through 4 major multi-day rain and snow storms in the last 30 days was the actual hard part. They say finish up by October 1st. This pic was taken October 1st about 10 miles out of Snoqualamie! The next 250 miles were a battle against the elements.

Total trip: 2,650 miles, 142 trail days, 7 zeros, one of which lasted 23 years...

[internationalmountainday]

GERMANY - Public lecture on ''Avalanches - once fateful, now usually easy to predict.''

In the past, avalanches were often viewed as fateful and beyond human control. We now know a wide variety of influencing factors that affect the snow cover and determine the danger of avalanches. With a little knowledge and caution, you can often avoid dangerous situations, so that enjoyment in the winter mountains is more important than the fear of avalanches. The public lecture briefly addresses the historical perspective of avalanches. In addition, the most important basics of snow and avalanche knowledge are covered, and some lessons from previous winters based on selected avalanche accidents are taught. The aim is to heighten awareness of possible avalanche danger before the coming winter season and to provide information about important innovations from avalanche warning services.

Lawinen - einst schicksalshaft, nun meist gut einschätzbar (Avalanches - once fateful, now usually easy to predict) 11/12/2023 - 11/12/2023 Sonthofen, Germany.

[mountainjourney]

Xavier De Le Rue Presents How To Avoid Avalanche Danger

Xavier De Le Rue Presents How To Avoid Avalanche Danger

Riding big lines in big mountains comes with a certain degree of risk. One of the big hazards that must be avoided is avalanche danger. In this episode of Shred Hacks, Xavier De Le Rue provides a few tips and tactics to help you avoid avalanche danger in the mountains. Learn About How To Avoid Avalanche Danger With Xavier De Le Rue Watch More From Xavier De Le Rue Official Description From…

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[thesurvivalplace]

Western US faces high risk for avalanches Christmas week

Western US faces high risk for avalanches Christmas week

By Brett Rathbun – AccuWeather

The threat for avalanches will be high in the western United States over Christmas weekend, as a large number of winter sports enthusiasts prepare to get out out their skis and snowmobiles.

A persistent train of storms since November across the West has consistently caused new layers of snow to fall, some loose and some compact.

Avalanches are triggered when there…

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