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An avalanche swept through part of a ski resort in Washington state on Saturday, which was used for ski touring on Saturday, killing a 60-year-old man and temporarily stuck five others.
The avalanche was reported around 10:50 a.m. in the Silver Basin area of Crystal Mountain, which is about 85 miles southeast of Seattle, Pierce County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Darren Moss said.
The identity of the deceased was not disclosed, but authorities say he was not breathing after being pulled out of the snow and did not survive despite another skier’s CPR efforts. The other skiers in his group saved themselves with the help of two witnesses who saw how they were carried away by the snow. All carried avalanche transceivers.
Although all of the avalanche prisoners were seasoned ski tourers, warnings were given against skiing in the area that was directly within the confines of the Crystal Mountain Resort. The private ski area dictates the conditions, but there’s nothing stopping skiers from going there as the property is adjacent to public land in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
Frank DeBerry, the resort’s president and CEO, said all six men were in possession of the ski area’s ascent passes, which means they were registered with the ski patrol, taking part in an orientation session on how and where to ski across the resort’s grounds can, and were required to, check the snow conditions before their excursion.
“Skiers can travel wherever they want in the national forest. They went out into the forest, but ended up back in the boundaries (of the resort) where this slide occurred, ”DeBerry said.
In addition to closing the area where the slide occurred, the resort closed the Mt. Rainier Gondola earlier in the day due to winds traveling at 160 mph.
The avalanche came amid the first major snowfall of the season. The area is subject to a winter storm warning until Sunday morning, with the National Weather Service saying that areas over 2,000 feet can allow 12 to 15 inches of snow.
“We had a late start to the season and have now gone from practically no snow to a huge blizzard. People were excited, ”said DeBerry. “We all have to remember that it is a sport that carries risks.”
Crystal Mountain is the largest ski area in Washington State and covers 2,600 acres.
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