Forum Index > Trip Reports > Avalanche on McClellan Butte 12-10-06
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dicey
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Joined: 11 May 2004
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Location: giving cornices a wider berth
dicey
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PostSun Dec 10, 2006 10:26 pm 
X- thanks for posting that link. I think I read about it in '99, and was telling Mark about it on the way down today. Seawallrunner- I believe the slope was exposed to direct sun for about an hour before we reached it. Overall, I'm glad this was an experience I was given the chance to learn from.

I'm not always sure I like being older but being less stupid has advantages. http://www.flickr.com/photos/32121172@N00/sets/
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dacker
little black dots



Joined: 27 Sep 2006
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Location: the end of my rope
dacker
little black dots
PostSun Dec 10, 2006 10:32 pm 
Ditto to everyone who said scary stuff and thank goodness you got off easy when it could have been really bad! eek.gif Suggestion to administrators: several climbers' sites that I frequent have separate forums for safety issues and accident discussions. This thread would belong there if we had one. Do you guys think that would be an appropriate addition to the forums here?

We don't stop hiking because we grow old; we grow old because we stop hiking. --Finis Mitchell
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome



Joined: 26 Jul 2006
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Location: Inexorable descent
Magellan
Brutally Handsome
PostSun Dec 10, 2006 10:38 pm 
So glad you lived to tell the tale. Even in smalls slide of less than 50' people have been killed. Heads up, everyone.

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Rich Baldwin
Mister Eddie



Joined: 22 Dec 2001
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Rich Baldwin
Mister Eddie
PostSun Dec 10, 2006 10:38 pm 
wow!

Was you ever bit by a dead bee?
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JimK
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JimK
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PostSun Dec 10, 2006 10:41 pm 
Dicey, glad you folks all came out okay.

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EF
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EF
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PostSun Dec 10, 2006 11:14 pm 
I'm very glad you guys made it out OK. These things terrify me. Here's an interesting view of a small avalanche: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8729236009516499476&q=avalanche&hl=en

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seawallrunner
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seawallrunner
dilettante
PostSun Dec 10, 2006 11:33 pm 
EF that's one scary short film

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Mesahchie Mark
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Joined: 10 May 2005
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Location: In Wonderland
Mesahchie Mark
A Lerxst
PostSun Dec 10, 2006 11:34 pm 
This incident was an eye-opener for me. As dicey mentioned, I was busy kicking steps across the slope when it happened. IMO (pre-slide), there wasn't enough loose snow atop to warrant danger. It was hard and crusty just a few inches below the surface. Then, a loud hissing sound caught my attention. I glanced up and behind me, saw the slide in action, then quickly looked below, and saw to my utter horror that dicey was in the slide. She was already halfway to where she'd eventually stop. It was truly amazing to see how much force such a small slide could exert. From what I could tell, dicey was well atop the snow, but obviously helpless (which is exactly how I felt at that moment). Then, it was over as fast as it started. Another minute or two, either way, and we probably wouldn't have noticed that anything happened. I can't tell you how happy I am that dicey wasn't hurt. smile.gif Here are some pics from the day.
Avi_Slope_Approach
Avi_Slope_Approach
After_Slide_Above
After_Slide_Above
After_Slide_Below
After_Slide_Below
Tracks_To_Nowhere
Tracks_To_Nowhere
Mt_Kent
Mt_Kent

Cheers, Mesahchie Mark
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EF
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EF
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PostSun Dec 10, 2006 11:45 pm 
Was Logan caught in the slide at all?

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Elvis
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Joined: 09 Jun 2004
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Elvis
Shuffl'n
PostSun Dec 10, 2006 11:45 pm 
Thank you, both, for sharing your experience. The pics help to demonstrate that an avalanche isn't necessarily a huge event. As MM said: one or two minutes before or after and you wouldn't have known the avalanche existed. Very few places exist in the Cascades where 'low' avalanche risk means 'no' avalanche risk. Sincerely glad to know you all made it out safely.

"Ill habits gather unseen degrees, as brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas." ~John Dryden My Trip List
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GeoHiker
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GeoHiker
Rocky Walker
PostSun Dec 10, 2006 11:51 pm 
Wow you were very lucky. Surface sluff can turn into something much bigger in a hurry if lower layers break loose. Pretty scarey stuff. Good to see everyone made it back safe.

You call some place paradise, kiss it goodbye......Eagles
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Gil
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Gil
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PostMon Dec 11, 2006 1:28 am 
I thank God you're safe!

Friends help the miles go easier. Klahini
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Dane
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Joined: 14 Mar 2006
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Dane
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PostMon Dec 11, 2006 1:46 am 
Is this something that you could have reasonably avoided? Are you supposed to turn around when the sun starts coming out? confused.gif

Without judgement what would we do? We would be forced to look at ourselves... -Death
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Dayhike Mike
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Joined: 02 Mar 2003
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Dayhike Mike
Bad MFKer
PostMon Dec 11, 2006 2:38 am 
Dane wrote:
Are you supposed to turn around when the sun starts coming out? confused.gif
Quark does, but that's mainly because she prefers hiking in the rain. wink.gif In all seriousness, Dicey, I'm incredibly thankful you weren't hurt and made it back in one piece. Stay safe out there! agree.gif

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke "Ignorance is natural. Stupidity takes commitment." -Solomon Short
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Trevor
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Trevor
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PostMon Dec 11, 2006 5:56 am 
I'm glad it was solely a learning experience and nothing else.

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