3 skiers die in Washington avalanche
An avalanche that occurred on Sunday in the Cascade Mountains of Washington claimed three lives. The deceased include the marketing director of Steven’s Pass Chris Rudolph, a known judge in the skiing world Jim Jack, and Johnny Brenan, a contractor.
The backcountry skiing world has been mourning the loss of the experienced skiers. The editor of Powder Magazine John Stifter witnessed the slide and said “It’s an absolute horror story.”
Stifter went on to say that Jim Jack was the seventh skier to drop in and he triggered the avalanche which then proceeded to envelope Rudolph, Brenan and two other skiers. One of the skiers was able to deploy an airbag and managed to survive while yet another escaped being buried by holding unto a tree.
A beach search was immediately conducted and Rudolph and Jack were found buried under several feet of snow; they were unresponsive to CPR.
Elyse Saugstad, a professional skier who managed to survive the avalanche, spoke to The Seattle Times on Sunday.
“The next thing I knew I was taking more than a 2,000 foot ride down an avalanche, tumbling and turning and tossing the entire way”. Saugstad was partially buried but an emergency air bag allowed her to keep her head and hands above the surface.
“”There was a shock factor,” she said. “I tried to remain calm, tried not to freak out. I finally thought to yell ‘help’ and it was just magically then that the first guy showed up.”
The area where the skiers perished is technically out of bounds as it is not part of the resort, but it is very popular for backcountry skiing.
