avalanche

As winter blankets the Pacific Northwest, outdoor lovers are gearing up for the beauty and the risks of backcountry adventures.

Despite being 5 days into May, winter conditions are still in full force on SR-410 at Chinook Pass, with snow levels still at more than 20 feet deep.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced the seasonal closure of the North Cascades Highway. The 37-mile stretch of State Route 20 between the Ross Dam Trailhead (milepost 134) and Silver Star (milepost 171) closes annually due to heavy snowfall and avalanche risks during the colder months...

More people have died in Washington due to avalanches than in any other natural event. More than earthquakes, landslides, flooding, severe storm, or wildfire. Three more people lost their lives this week.

According to Chelan County Emergency Management, a group of six hikers were climbing the peak when around 1pm the lead hiker triggered what would be the first of multiple avalanches.

WSP confirmed that Trooper Steve Houle, a 28 year veteran of the WSP is the victim and has been found deceased.

On Tuesday, January 7th Silver Mountain ski resort in Kellog Idaho had not one but three avalanches in a recently opened part of the ski area where over 20 inches of new snow had fallen in two days. 6 people were rescued sadly 2 people died and as of this writing 1 person is still missing.

A major Traffic alert to report this morning Monday February 11th beginning at 10 A.M.

A sad ending to a report of a missing skier, last seen near Snoqualmie Pass last December.

In a horribly ironic twist of fate, the man who served as director of Oregon's Avalanche Center has died while skiing, after being swept down a mountain by an avalanche.