Item: Nine avalanche fatalities from 2 december 2007 to 4 january 2008 in the washington cascades
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Title: Nine avalanche fatalities from 2 december 2007 to 4 january 2008 in the washington cascades
Proceedings: Proceedings Whistler 2008 International Snow Science Workshop September 21-27, 2008
Authors: Mr. Garth Ferber.
Date: 9/22/2008
Abstract: An unprecedented nine persons were killed in avalanches in the Washington Cascades between 2 December 2007 and 4 January 2008. Five of the fatalities occurred in 2 accidents on or close to 2 December. A short examination of the winter and of each accident is undertaken. I will make comparisons to average fatality rates in Washington and then try to determine if unusual factors were present during the past winter. Such factors include storm trends, warnings of the avalanche danger, or a lack of awareness by the public. There is some evidence of all of these factors some of which are normal and some that are unusual. The author hopes that by recognizing such factors, periods of high accident rates might be more likely to be avoided in the future.
Presenters: Mr. Garth Ferber.
Keywords: avalanche, statistics, cascades
Subjects: forecasting
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