Snow Fall: The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek

[XemaSab]

The snow burst through the trees with no warning but a last-second whoosh of sound, a two-story wall of white and Chris Rudolph’s piercing cry: “Avalanche! Elyse!”

The very thing the 16 skiers and snowboarders had sought — fresh, soft snow — instantly became the enemy. Somewhere above, a pristine meadow cracked in the shape of a lightning bolt, slicing a slab nearly 200 feet across and 3 feet deep. Gravity did the rest.

The avalanche, in Washington’s Cascades in February, slid past some trees and rocks, like ocean swells around a ship’s prow. Others it captured and added to its violent load.

Somewhere inside, it also carried people. How many, no one knew.

http://www.nytimes.com/projects/2012/snow-fall/#/?part=tunnel-creek

[polly7]

1. Amazing, very sad story. :( nt.

[Patiod]

2. That was a riveting story

Up there with the best from Outside magazine. Well worth the hour invested - maps, pictures, videos, great writing - you feel that you're there on the mountain with them.

Thanks so much for posting this, XemaSab

[SharonAnn]

3. Wow. What incredible writing.