Body of Skier Missing Since May 18 Recovered at Mount Rainier National Park, WA The body of a deceased female skier was recovered from the base of Pebble Creek’s Moraine Falls above Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park on June 8, following an extensive search operation initiated on May 19. Related: Washington State Historic Snowfall Comparison: Mount Rainier vs Mount Baker Park rangers commenced the search in response to a report of an overdue […] SnowBrains | June 12, 2024 0 Comments
Is It A Smart Idea to Use Marijuana In The Mountains? When Canada legalized marijuana in October 2018, pushback came from an unexpected placeโโsearch and rescue. Not long ago, marijuana was still considered a bad drug mostly used by hippies and stoners. These days it’s becoming legal, socially accepted, and even used for its medicinal purposes.ย Legal or illegal, the odors wafting off the chairlift don’t lie – people like to smoke […] Mike Lavery | April 20, 2024 3 Comments
SR 20 North Cascades Highway, WA, Will Open Today, Friday, April 19 Washington State Department of Transport (WSDOT) announced on Wednesday that the SR 20 North Cascades Highway will open for the season at 10 a.m. Friday, April 19. Related: State Snow Maintenance Crews Begin Clearing Tioga Pass, CA This isnโt the earliest spring opening, but we are still in early spring, particularly in the mountains. So, if you are planning a […] SnowBrains | April 19, 2024 0 Comments
Mount St. Helens, WA, Backcountry Report: Volcano Season has Arrived Report from Wednesday, April 17, 2024 Mount St. Helens, Washington, may not be as big as it used to be, but it’s still a formidable PNW staple.ย I was excited to return to St. Helens after a wonderful, placid trip in 2023 and this Wednesday did not disappoint. The route from Portland to the Marble Mountain Sno Park was bare and […] Conditions Report Nicky Blumm | April 18, 2024 0 Comments
Snowboarder Killed on Mount St. Helens, WA, After Cornice Fall Triggered Avalanche A backcountry snowboarder was killed by an avalanche due to a cornice fall on Mount St. Helens, Washington, reports the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC). On Friday, March 29, 2024, the snowboarder summited the peak. While standing near the top, he triggered a cornice and fell into the crater, triggering a large slab avalanche on the slope below. NWAC is working […] Avalanche AvyBrains | April 1, 2024 0 Comments
Agencies Release Final Environmental Impact Statement Evaluating Options for Restoring Grizzly Bears to the North Cascades Final EIS evaluates the impacts of possible actions, but it is not a final decision The National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have released a final environmental impact statement (EIS) that evaluates options for restoring grizzly bears to the North Cascades ecosystem of Washington, where they once roamed. Related: Further 5 Wolves Released in Colorado, Bringing Total […] SnowBrains | March 22, 2024 0 Comments
Stevens Pass, WA, to Offer Free and Paid Parking Reservations and Carpooling Incentives for 2024/25 Winter Season Parking and arrivals are an important part of the guest experience at Stevens Pass, Washington, and the resort is committed to addressing the challenges they present with proactive, data-driven approaches. Next winter, the resort will offer a combination of free and paid parking options on weekends and holidays/peak periods, with a focus on reservations and carpooling incentives. Related: Kirkwood Resort, […] Industry News SnowBrains | March 6, 2024 0 Comments
Mission Ridge, WA, Report: Local Mountain With a Lot of Character Report from Sunday, March 3, 2024 Skiing I started the day with a quick 25-minute drive to Mission Ridge from Wenatchee, Washington. Parking was easy without the crowds you would typically find at busier resorts. I hopped on Chair 1, a two-seater from the base. It took me to the mid station where the main attraction, Chair 2 (a repurposed […] Conditions Report Brett Ploss | March 4, 2024 0 Comments