2014 Annual Report

Northwest Avalanche Center 2014 Annual Report

NWAC Mission: The Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) is a collaborative effort between the US Forest Service Northwest Avalanche Center and the non-profit Friends of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center. The mission of NWAC is to save lives and reduce the impacts of avalanches on recreation, industry and transportation in the Cascade and Olympic Mountains of Washington and northern Oregon through mountain weather and avalanche forecasting, data collection and education.

www.nwac.us Pg. 1 A Message from the NWAC Director

Throughout the many years I have been a fore- servations throughout our forecast region on a caster at the Northwest Avalanche Center, the daily basis. These backcountry observations, in- changes to the operation have generally come cluding timely photos and videos shared through in steady workable increments. In contrast, the our forecast products and social media, supple- winter of 2013-1014 presented itself with an mented the invaluable observations already being abundance of new ideas and modifications, and provided by our long time avalanche professional as a result, may prove to be the year of a definite partners with the WSDOT, Pacific Northwest ski paradigm shift in the operations of NWAC. I feel areas, National Park Service and heli-ski and this season has seen the significant fruits of a guiding services. The expanded observation net- growing relationship with our non-profit partner, work made for the most complete and accurate the Friends of NWAC. While this collaboration avalanche forecasts to date. has been ongoing for years, the many facets of our operation are now being carried out under As we near the end of another productive season, one unified umbrella, the Northwest Avalanche we are already working on future improvements Center. NWAC is no longer merely a few fore- for the coming year, including the development of casters writing mountain weather and avalanche a mobile app, giving more tools to users to make forecasts, but now a more closely allied orga- access to forecasts and weather station data nization with professional observers in the field easier. Education efforts have steadily increased and a growing public outreach and education over the past years with more and more aware- program. ness courses being offered. An expanded “Going Deep” series for the more experienced user is With this partnership, our commitment and focus scheduled for next season as well. promises to meet the needs of, and provide the best services possible, to our long time coop- With the sharp growth in popularity of backcountry erators, including federal, state, and private, as travel and winter recreation seen in recent years well as the recreating public. To meet these high and expected to continue, the Northwest Ava- standards, NWAC launched an entirely new web lanche Center is committed to serving the winter site this season with the goal of providing well recreation community at the highest level as well thought out, simpler and more focused forecasts as meeting the needs of our cooperating partners. tailored to meet the needs of backcountry users A heartfelt thanks goes out to all those who con- at all levels of skill or experience. The framework tribute to make NWAC what it has become since of the new backcountry forecast was developed its humble beginnings in 1976 and will become, over the past several years after much thought hopefully, long into the future. and research by the dedicated team at the Colo- rado Avalanche Information Center. CAIC gen- -Kenny Kramer, NWAC Director erously shared their findings and insights and offered invaluable support as NWAC implemented these changes in the Northwest, making for significant improvements to our product.

The second season of the Professional Observ- ers program experienced significant improvements, as a team of six professionals provided detailed backcountry snow and avalanche ob- www.nwac.us Pg. 2 A Message from the NWAC Non-Profit Director

What a year! While that comment doesn’t exactly vations in areas where information is lacking. reflect the average winter we had, it does reflect Hopefully you have seen some of the photos and the exceptional year we had on the non-profit videos they have produced, either via social me- side of NWAC…formerly known as the Friends dia or included in the forecast. Judging by the of NWAC. We kicked off the winter with a major number of views on our YouTube channel (over facelift, eliminating the “Friends of” entity from our 35,000), the videos in particular have been a hit public face and joining NWAC under the banner with our constituents! of a new logo which you have certainly seen if you are reading this report. The new, joint public All of these changes seem to have been well-re- face better represents the collaborative nature of ceived, as support from the community continued our relationship at this point and eliminated con- to grow this year. Our membership base grew fusion between the two organizations. Along with 13% and we again hosted six fantastic events the new look, we also rolled out a completely new that brought the community together in support of website and made some major improvements to NWAC and avalanche safety. We are truly grate- the way that we disseminate the avalanche fore- ful to all of the individuals, companies and organi- cast, a change which we are confident enabled zations who have continued to support NWAC as more people to better understand the avalanche we strive to become the best avalanche center in hazard. the country.

In addition to the website, we took a big step -Benj Wadsworth, NWAC Non-Profit Executive behind the scenes this winter and hired six pro- Director fessional observers to provide snowpack obser-

www.nwac.us Pg. 3 2013-14 Winter Weather Summary

The winter of 2013-14 can best be described as January – A good storm cycle finally arrived for a a late bloomer. It got off to a very slow start but 10-day period in the first half of January with 4-6 wrapped up with a respectable snowpack that feet of snowfall at NWAC sites near the crest, but kept everyone playing in the mountains well into then the large ridge that afflicted so much of west- May. From an avalanche standpoint, the sporadic ern Canada and the western US arrived and shut snowfall resulted in the development of a persis- off the moisture in mid-January. Dry weather and tent weak layer that caused problems through- warm temperatures dominated the area throughout the second half of the winter. Following is a out the second half of January. The freezing level monthly breakdown of the season. at Forks on the Washington coast averaged over 9000 feet during the second half of January. This December – There were only 1-4 feet of snowfall caused an icy crust layer to form throughout the at NWAC sites near the crest in all of December region. Several accidents and a death were seen and only some of the ski areas opened by Christ- due to uncontrolled falls on the crust. mas. NWAC winter forecasting began later than usual on December 11.

www.nwac.us Pg. 4 February – Early February got cold but remained quite dry except for some snowfall at Mt Hood. This weather caused hoar frost and faceted snow to develop near the January crust in the Wash- ington Cascades. These layers became a persistent slab problem for much of the winter in the Northwest and throughout the western US and Canada. Total snow depths were about ½ of normal throughout the NWAC service area in early February.

Winter returned with a vengeance in mid-Febru- ary. A storm cycle during the third week of Feb- ruary dropped about 8-12 feet of snow at NWAC sites near the crest. The first avalanche warning of the season was issued on February 11.

March - Three fairly distinct storm cycles occurred in early, mid and late March. Each cycle brought snowfall in the 2-4 foot range at NWAC sites near the crest. The first of these cycles caused avalanche warnings in early March. By the end of March total snow depths were back to normal.

April and May – Four more storm cycles rolled through from mid-April to early May. These cycles were remarkable for the amounts of water equiva- lent in the 2-8 inch range for each cycle at NWAC sites near the crest. Each cycle also deposited anywhere from a few to 50 inches of snowfall, with the heaviest dumps at Mt Hood. Even more snow fell at higher elevations.

Special Avalanche Statements and Warnings were issued for the late season snowfall and so- lar effects in late April. Special Avalanche State- ments and Warnings were also issued for the first sustained hot weather of the spring at the end of April and in mid-May.

www.nwac.us Pg. 5 Accidents

The Northwest experienced seven avalanche fatalities this season, three in Washington and four in Oregon. Four of the victims were backcountry skiers, one was a snowmobiler, and two were climbers or snowshoers involved in cornice col- lapses that resulted in un-survivable falls. Six out of the seven deaths happened after the storm cycles became more frequent beginning in mid- February. A persistent slab problem developed by the middle of February throughout the Pacific Northwest, but this problem was likely a factor in only one of the accidents (that involving two fatalities in the Wallowa Mountains) and at least one reported close call with a deep persistent slab on Chair Peak near Snoqualmie Pass.

Granite Mountain, a repeat location of avalanche deaths in the Northwest, claimed another victim this year. Two backcountry skiers were descend- ing the south side in late March and one triggered a slab (see picture) that swept him into the large west avalanche gully, picking up a tremendous Weak layer on Mt Hood - photo Tom Curtis amount of wet snow at lower elevations and lead- ing to a very deep burial (probes were ineffec- tive). Local search and rescue efforts were able to quickly recover the victim the next day with the help of a trained avalanche dog. The season ended on a sad note, with the last special avalanche advisory for the spring in ef- fect mid-May for a very warm and sunny stretch of days following heavy late season snowfall; one backcountry skier was caught while climbing the steep north side of Mt. Shuskan by a natural loose wet avalanche that knocked him down into un- survivable terrain.

At the time of this report, NPS officials do not Please see the NWAC accidents page for more know what killed the six climbers high on the Lib- details involving each incident. Full reports are erty Ridge route of Mt. Rainier on May, 28th; an posted online after information has been gathered avalanche is one of a few possible causes. regarding each accident.

www.nwac.us Pg. 6 Granite Mountain avalanche www.nwac.us Pg. 7 Professional Observers Program

NWAC receives many invaluable observations In addition to the highly detailed forms that were from our cooperators and the rest of our com- submitted to the forecasters, the observers inter- munity at large. The majority of these coopera- faced with the public through social media. Ob- tor observations provide data points to the NWAC servers submitted 44 videos to the NWAC You- forecast team which are necessary in creat- Tube channel with a seasonal view total of 35,300 ing our avalanche product. This season, NWAC - one video illustrating a very sensitive buried sur- launched the Professional Observers Program. face hoar layer was viewed over 13,400 times. The goal of this program is to augment existing This video, along with satellite-pushed Twitter observations from our cooperators with observa- posts from the field, augmented traditional fore- tions taken from the backcountry. Six observers casting communication means and, we hope, were hired for five zones: Olympic Mountains, Mt. greatly contributed to a fatality-free February on Baker Area, East Side North, East Side South (in- this buried surface hoar layer. cluding Hood), and the Seattle area. The program Overall, this program was a huge success and we operated for the months of December thru April received many positive comments from the moun- with each zone receiving an average of three tain community. Expect this program to expand in observation per week (the Olympic zone was 50 the coming seasons! percent time).

Weather Stations With a lot of help from program cooperators, NWAC continued to maintain 46 weather stations from Mt Baker to Mt Hood in the Cascades and at Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic Mountains. The stations are located at ski areas and WADOT facilities, and on land managed by the National Park Service and the US Forest Service. The stations require ongoing maintenance and periodic repairs that are performed by NWAC forecasters and program cooperators. A computer is maintained at the NWAC office which downloads and formats the data and uploads the formatted data to our web site.

The NWAC weather stations performed quite well this season with minimal problems. Repairs were needed at the Brooks station on Stevens Pass, the Paradise station, the Hurricane Ridge station and the Alpental Summit station. In addition, we installed a new wind station at White Pass and a new mid-elevation station at Alpental.

www.nwac.us Pg. 8 Public Outreach

As mentioned above, this was a big year for for additional improvements as we refine the sys- NWAC on the internet as we launched a com- tem next season. pletely new website with a new look and adopted a new style of forecasting. Our previous website In developing the website, we used “responsive had become outdated, but more importantly, we design”, a development technique that makes the realized that we could do a better job of reach- site functional on a variety of devices, including ing a broader range of users if we made some desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. changes to the way we forecasted the avalanche The result is a website that is fully functional on hazard. The avalanche forecast on the new site all devices. This is a big improvement over our old uses a three tier system. The home page map of “mobile site” in the sense that all of the information our avalanche forecast zones serves as the tier on the site is now available on mobile devices (as one information and targets basic users with lim- opposed to just the forecasts and weather data, ited or no understanding of avalanches. The map which was the case in the past). On the down- is color coded, depicting the greatest avalanche side, access to the forecasts and weather data is danger level expected within each region for the a bit more cumbersome on mobile phones than it day, as well as the appropriate travel advice as should be. In an effort to solve this problem, we defined in the North American Public Avalanche are working on a new mobile app and hope to Danger Scale. launch it next fall.

Tier two targets more advanced users and is comprised of both a Summary avalanche tab and a Forecast Discussion tab. The Summary page depicts the avalanche danger through a host of symbols, icons and short descriptors, including danger information based upon a three elevation band system as well as expected avalanche concerns, location, likelihood and size information. The Discussion section of the tier-two product in- cludes more detailed descriptions of the current avalanche concerns, recent observations and avalanche activity and more detailed forecast information.

Lastly, tier three is comprised of the raw weather data and field observations that advanced users may incorporate into their decision making.

This three-tier system has been adopted by NWAC following the pioneering work done over the last several years by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center and is becoming the industry standard for public avalanche forecasting. It is proving to be very effective at reaching a broad spectrum of experience levels. Keep an eye out www.nwac.us Pg. 9 Website Statistics

Not surprisingly, given the delay in the onset of Page views: winter until mid-February, website traffic declined 2012/13 = 3,418,601 2013/14 = 2,582,805 this year compared to past years. However, while the numbers of visits and page views were down Visits: quite a bit, the number of unique visitors did not 2012/13 = 1,719,607 2013/14 = 1,246,005 decline as much, a promising sign that our user base has continued to grow along with the growth Unique visitors: in the number of people recreating in the moun- 2012/13 = 468,714 2013/14 = 401,774 tains in the winter. *2013/14 numbers are estimates. We had a glitch with our new website, and traffic data was not captured between December 11 and February 18. The numbers above were extrapolated using the data that we do have available.

Traditional and Social Media Outreach

An avalanche forecast is only helpful if the public • We posted 208 times on Facebook this sea- knows about it. In addition to improving our web- son and now have 5368 friends (up from 3800 site, we continued to spread the word about ava- last year). Our posts resulted in 576,612 im- lanche safety and the existence of the forecast pressions. through traditional and social media channels. • We got a lot more active with Twitter this sea- Following are some of the highlights of our out- son posting 467 total Tweets to 1323 follow- reach efforts this season. ers. Twitter has proved to be a good platform • We conducted 35 interviews with the local for publicizing condition updates with our Pro- media this winter. The media has developed fessional Observers often Tweeting from the a growing interest in avalanche safety and is field. reaching out when the avalanche forecast is • Our Professional Observers also made use of high, a very positive change from the days YouTube, posting 41 videos from the field that when avalanches were only of interest follow- illustrate snowpack conditions. The videos ing a significant accident or fatality. were viewed over 35,000 times. • We sent a total of 23 e-mails to our mailing list, • We printed and distributed 6000 avalanche with 15 of these targeting specific segments safety brochures and 5000 avalanche hotline of our list. Our open rate across the board is cards. a high 39%. Our click-through rate was an ex- tremely high 19%. • We published advertisements raising awareness about the NWAC website in five media publications including Coast Mountain Cul- ture, Off Piste, the Mountaineers newsletter, Outdoors Northwest, and the Washington State Snowmobile Association Snoflyer.

www.nwac.us Pg. 10 Education

This has been another great season for the NWAC education program. We continued to target all users who frequent the wintertime backcountry: NWAC by the NUMBERS skiers, snowshoers, mountaineers and snowmo- bilers, as well as both adults and youth, and our education efforts continued to expand into new 216 Professional observations locations and user groups. This season, we con- submitted ducted public awareness classes and lectures.

This season is the third year of our successful 41 Professional Observer videos on partnership with the American Institute of Ava- lanche Research and Education (AIARE) for our YouTube Avalanche Awareness program. The NWAC - AI- ARE Avalanche Awareness Program is offered as a public service to communities, schools and out- 35,331 YouTube video views door clubs - free of charge. The program length is roughly one and a half hours. 138 Avalanche Awareness classes In addition to our basic awareness classes, we continued our Going Deep program, targeting experienced backcountry skiers and riders, and 6266 Avalanche Awareness class addressing some of the limitations of awareness participants classes and conventional avalanche education when it comes to decision making. The series of four classes was a huge success with over 310 5368 participants, and we will be conducting a similar Facebook friends series next season. This season, we partnered with Second Ascent in Seattle which hosted all four classes. 40 Companies advertising on the NWAC website

401, 774 Unique visitors to the NWAC website

35 Interviews with the media

7 Avalanche fatalities in Washington and Oregon this winter

www.nwac.us Pg. 11 Fundraising

2013-14 was another successful year from a fundraising standpoint, as we exceeded our budget projections and raised over $330,000, a 30% increase over 2012-13. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of the outdoor community and the private sector in enabling NWAC to grow and accomplish what it has in recent years. We are truly grateful to all of the individuals, companies and organizations who have shown their support for avalanche safety in the Northwest!

Following are some of the highlights of our fundraising efforts this year. • We packed the Nectar Lounge for the 14th annual Snowbash season kick-off party and raised over $10,000 dollars.

• We held our third annual Snowbash Glacier and our second Portland and Leavenworth fundraisers, bringing together those communities in support of NWAC and avalanche safety. • We hosted the 6th annual Snowball Dinner and Auction to a sell-out crowd of 350 who helped raise over $90,000 for NWAC and avalanche awareness! • We partnered with Outdoor Research, Subaru, the Summit at Snoqualmie, and Pro Guiding to put on the 7th annual Vertfest, with 137 racers and over 170 skiers and riders demoing gear, despite the lack of snow up until that point. When all was said and done, the event raised over $20,000 to support NWAC! www.nwac.us Pg. 12 • NWAC continues to benefit a great deal from events held by other entities on our behalf. This season, there were 20 of these events which raised over $46,000! We are incredibly appre- ciative of the efforts put forth by all of the companies and organizations who hosted these events including Powderwhore, the North Bend Theater, Mountains to Sound Outfitters, -Ca nadian Mountain Holidays, Pyramid Brewing, Mountain Hardwear, Sweetgrass Productions, Arc’teryx, Salomon, Second Ascent, Ameri- can Alpine Institute, Crystal Mountain Hotels, S.A.F.E. A.S. Clinics, Summit at Snoqualmie, Outdoor Research, Crystal Mountain Resort, Tokul Creek Marketing / Dynafit, Mt Baker Split- fest, Wild Buffalo, Mountain Shop, and Mt Hood Meadows.

• We raised over $46,000 from 30 companies sponsoring the NWAC website. These numbers continue to grow as more companies realize the benefits of reaching such a large, passionate audience of winter enthusiasts. • We continued to grow our membership this year, thanks to a committed community of winter enthusiasts. Our membership increased from 695 members last year to 783 members this year, a 13% increase! • We worked with over 125 companies and organizations who donated in-kind products and services for our many raffles and the Snowball auction!

www.nwac.us Pg. 13 2013-14 Statement of Activities

The following charts show the combined revenue and expenses for the USFS NWAC forecasters and the non-profit arm of NWAC.

www.nwac.us Pg. 14 www.nwac.us Pg. 15 Thank You

The work of NWAC would not be possible without the support of the many companies and individuals who contributed time and money last season. We are truly grateful.

NWAC Cooperators

NWAC would not exist without the vital support of the seven cooperating agencies and organizations that fund the majority of the program.

• US Forest Service • Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission • Washington State Department of Transportation • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – National Weather Service • National Park Service • Northwest Winter Sports Foundation • Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association

Company and Organization Donors

The work of NWAC would not be possible without the support of the many companies and organizations who contributed time and money last season. We are truly grateful.

Extreme Hazard ($1,000+) Mt Baker Ski Area Suburu Mt Baker Splitfest Summit at Snoqualmie American Alpine Institute Mt Hood Meadows Timberline Lodge Backcountry Access North Cascades Heli Skiing Voile Backcountry Adventure Guides North Cascades Mountain Blackrock Guides Cascade Designs Northwest Mountain School High Hazard ($500-$1,000) Clif Bar Oregon Ski Guides Egan and Associates Osprey Amer Sports Winter & Outdoor Evo Outdoor Research Bluewater Distilling Flylow Powderwhore Bushwhacker Club Helly Hansen Pro Guiding Crystal Mountain Hotels La Sportiva Puget Sound Energy Deuter USA Mammut Foundation International Snowmobile Microsoft Corporation Pyramid Brewing Manufacturers Association Mountain Madness Safe As Clinics Kraft Foods Mountain Shop Salewa North America Mountain Gear Mountaineers Scarpa Mountaineers Books Mt Baker Guides Second Ascent Nuun www.nwac.us Pg. 16 Ridge Explorations Icicle Brewing Norwil Electric Skimo Co International Mountain Guides Kennedy/Jenks Consultants Trew Gear Mission Ridge Spokane Winter Knights Washington State Snowmobile Sweetgrass Productions Snowmobile Club Association Touchstone Corporation Super Happy Wax Weston Snowboards United Way of the Columbia- Venture Snowboards White Pass Willamette Vertical Construction Group Ski Dazzle LLC United Way of King County Considerable Hazard ($200- Boeing $500) Low Hazard (<$100) Moderate Hazard ($100-$200) Bill & Melinda Gates Anchor QEA Foundation Adobe City of Seattle CMH Heli Ski Converged Green Elatum Media Earl B Gilmore Foundation Ellensburg X-Country Ski Club Safe Harbor Marine Fidelity Charitable Footloose Communications Frey Foundation H2O Guides

Individual Donors

The winter backcountry community is the heart and soul of NWAC. Without the generosity of the many passionate individuals listed below, our work would not be possible.

Extreme Hazard ($1,000+) High Hazard ($500-$1,000) Georg Klein George Whyel Alexander Macdonald Aaron & Andrea Ostrovsky Gordon Smith Amanda Camp Adam Hitch Gregory Allen Casey McGarity Alex Ramirez Henry Brown Erik Olson Alexander Taranovski Hubert Eichner Fred Hammerquist Amanda Howes Jason Dennett John Commiskey & Samantha Andrew and Erin Richardson Jesse Bommarito Beadel Barrett Sigmund Joel Spiegel Jorie Wackerman Bart Hutchinson John Connor Katie Tilston Bartlomiej Knapp Jordan Crump Larina & Robert Lee Davis Bjorn Ballien Jorrit Van der Meulen Lucas Stankiewicz Calvin Hall Justin Davis & Irena Netik Mark Callaghan Carl Albrecht Kathy & Chris Robertson Murray Kahn & Onie Greiling Chris Birkeland Kim & Mark Day Pam Reynolds Christian & Erin Folk Kimberly Freeman Rebecca Norlander Colby Brinnon Kirk Schumacher Sanders Chai Dani Harder Kristen Jarvis Sue & Roger Bialous Daniel & Jennifer Dole Leigh Callaghan Tracey McKennon David Combs Loren Schwartz Garrett Grove Lowell Skoog Gary Kuehn Mark Kroese Gavin Woody Mark Watterson www.nwac.us Pg. 17 Melissa Ahlers Jason Curtis Wade Gaughran Michael Taylor Jedediah Yeiser Wendy Williams Nick Whitman Jeffrey Pattison William Devlin Paul Werner Jennifer Simmons William Hinckley Reid Farris Jeremy Butkovich Robert & Jennifer Stephenson Jim Caputo Moderate Hazard ($100-$200) Ryan Crane Jim Drake Sabrina Rinderle Joe Baldwin Aaron Benevich Susan Ashlock John Cary Aaron Bilbao Suze Woolf John Gastineau Aaron Clifford Todd Lee John Tichenor Adam Pinsky John Vert Adrianne Hersrud Jonathan Fisher Considerable Hazard ($200- Alan Lord Jonathan Moceri $500) Alex Morgan Josh Gaul Alexander Ford Joshua Bertsch Aaron Haran Alexander Tokar Kate Ronkainen Adam Brandt Alicia Toney Kathleen Burns Alexandre Laudon Alison Fohner Keith McManigal Alexis Alloway Amy Burtt Kenji Kawai Alice Walter Andrew Jenks Kimberly Shavender Andy Dahlen Andrew Kepley Kurt Dammeier Barbara Motteler Andrew Mergen Laura Reed Bill Mcjohn Andrew Sullivan Leigh Noble Bill & Libby Snead Andrew Watterson Libby Reid Brian Connolly Andrew Weller Michael Radin Brian Yotz Anne Archambault Michael Smith Carlie McAninch Anne Eckmann Michelle Perham Charles Bassett Arnold Larson Montague Busbee Chris Lucero Ashley Rawhouser Patrick Brewer Christopher Chapin Ashley Sanders Patrick Buffington Christopher Lecuyer Bari Bookout Richard Willy Clint Schneider Becca Cahall Rick Meade Dan Brady Benjamin Bliesner Rick Vicik Daniel Silverberg Benjamin Weaver Rob Ziegler Dave Maddock Bill Lewis Skip Swenson Doug Beighle BJ Shannon Stephen Hord Eric Decker Blake Frantz Steve Stroming Eric Yotz Bob Kroese Stuart Lee Erik Hagstrom Bob Rodgers Sue Boivin Evan Kutter Brendan Moore Taylor Stellman Gary Bamesberger Brent Bishop Tesia Forbes Greg Zinter Brian Janssen Thea Lehming Brandt Heidi Solmonson Bridget Smart Tiana Enger Hillary Lipe Byron Dailey Travis Spikes James Keany Candice Wong Val Thompson James Keithly Carolyn Miesel www.nwac.us Pg. 18 Charles Bohannon Donald Burnham Jessica Kelley Charles Hagedorn Donald Mckay Jim Gellman Charles Mitchell Doreen Kindred Jim Hirshfield Charles Riley Douglas Evans John Buckmiller Chip Nevins Elise Greve John Haley Chris Cass Ellen Butzel John Huyett Chris Konrad Emily Donaldson-Fletcher John Miller Chris Turchin Eric Basha John Mixon Christopher Clark Eric Docktor John Patrick O’Brien Christopher Stoll Eric Feigl Jonathan Ambrose Chuck Aude Eric Popowski Joseph Hill Clayton Walton-House Erin Renshaw Josh Serbonich Cliff Trent Frank Rossi Joshua Cole Clint Pecenka Frederick Matsen Joshua Marvel Cody Lourie Geoff Martin Joshua Randow Colin Darrah George Bruske Judith Swain Colin MacDonald Gerhard Schneider Julian Dodge Corey Golden Graham Parrington Julian Simon Corey Saxon Greg Langkamp Justin Dechant Corey Vannoy Gregory Testa Justine Busse Cory Betzel Gustave Radcliffe Karl Watt Craig Campbell Guy Pittman Karla Okawa Craig Mcclure HB Kahn Karli Barich Craig Moore Ian Craigie Kate Burns Cynthia Hickey Ian Mccord Katherine Breene Dallas Glass Imran Rahman Kathleen Hurley Damian Wylie Ivar Chhina Katrina Hilpert Daniel Ach Jah-Abdul Mccloud Kelley Spikes Daniel Dietzman Jaime McCandless Kelly Jewell Daniel Erickson James Brazil Kelly Kilgore Daniel Kress James Christensen Kevin Hanson Daniel Smith James Stiles Kevin Vandemore Dave Cook James Tilley Kris Wellendorf David Belding James Widick Kristy Regan David Dugdale Jan Erik Maas Kurt Nabbefeld David Hooper Jason Gerend Kurt Zeutschel David Perella Jason Thomas Laetitia Ward David Perlin Jason Wilkinson Laura Lundahl David Pyle Jay Grossman Laura Potash David Seidman Jeff Kilpatrick Laurel Fan David Shoultz Jeff Sevel Laurie Ward David Stonington Jeffrey Hunt Lee Redden Dean Jasper Jenelle Black Lewis Turner Deborah Riehl Jennifer Schumacher Lisa Pfeiffer Don Sanderson Jeremy DeWitt Lloyd Flatten Don Slack Jerry Casson M Hartman www.nwac.us Pg. 19 Marc Adams Richard Draves Web Brunsteter Marcus Robins Richard Korry Wes Giesbrecht Mark Andrews Robert Blumberg Will Varley Mark Blatter Robert Busack William Brooks Mark Campbell Robert Johnson William Ornellas Mark Dale Robert Stack William Smith Mark Moore Robert Strong William Sofsak Mark Rieder Rodger Kohn Woody Hoye Mark Steenrod Roger Murphy Zachary Cross Marlow Macht Ryan Albright Zachary West Martin Chisholm Ryan Kitchen Mary Thalasinos Sam Young Low Hazard ($100-$200) Matt Jensen Sarah James Matt Whiteley Scott Anderson Aaron Miller Matthew Danielson Scott Heinz Abigail Harley Matthew Hallman Sean Hartman Adam Brandt Matthew Poppoff Sean Paul Adam Funk Maureen Hammond Sean Walsh Adam Lewis Megan Mcginty Serge Lindner Alan Lord Merrianne Makela Seth Pollack Alan Widmer Michael Faoro Shane Swanson Alex Cheng Michael Tanksley Shannon Leighton Alex Sandrow Mick Steinman Stacy Chatfield Alex Throne Mike Farrell Stephen Cook Alexander Macdonald Mike Kelly Steve Bailey Alison Fohner Mike Palmer Steve Price Allyson Moore Mike Storch Steve Saugen Amy Burtt Mitsuhiko Iwasaki Steven Copson Amy Mann Nathan Messmer Steven Sherotsky Andrew Baker Neal & Maria Fuller Steven Wilson Andrew Carey Nicoli Ames Sue and Jim Dehmlow Andrew Chang Norma Sands Susan Long Andrew McDavid Oliver Evans Susan Price Andrew Watterson Pat Ellis Theodore Burke Andy & Mandy Gregory Pat Wright Thomas Jacobi Angela Loihl Patrick Leslie Tim Straight Anita Cech Patrick Ryan Tipton Blish Anna & Scott Bartels Patrick Thalasinos Todd Haferkamp Annette Frahm Patrick & Puja Shaw Tom Broznowski Anthoni Tsuboi Paul Burton Tom Eglin Anthony Bell Paul Gissing Tom Null Anthony Brusco Paul Przybylowicz Tomas Matousek Anthony Reynolds Paul Ryder Tomoyo Kasuya Arnold Larson Paulina Varshavskaya Travis Simpson Aubrey Laurence Rachel Severson Trevor Hodge Austin Shannon Randy Pulk Tyler Smits Bala Krishnamoorthy www.nwac.us Pg. 20 Barclay Fitzpatrick Chris Clark David Graves Ben Hodgman Chris Coleman David Gray Ben Lee Chris Larsen David Helfer Benjamin Weaver Chris Lawson David May Beverly Armstrong Chris Miske David Pringle Birgit Osterhaug Chris Morgan David Schieber BJ Shannon Chris Reitz David Schuldt Bob Alexander Chris Utzinger David Seman Bob Keller Christian Horton David Spiegel Bonnie Eiber Christian Lehew David Stonington Bram Whillock Christopher Feather Deborah Robinson Braunsen Goebel Christopher Roslaniec Denis DuBois Brent Lower Ciel Sander Derek Isenhart Brian Booth Clara Hard Deva Harris Brian Flinn Clayton Walton-House Diana & David Farrow Brian Leonard Cleveland Pinnix Diane Pinkers Brian Polagye Clifford Eckman Dick Willy Brian Smith Clifford Knitter Dirk Fabian Brian Ulman Cole Thompson Don Slack Brian Young Colin Wagoner Don Wadland Bruce Burger Connie Holloway Donald Gray Bruce Smith Connor Inslee Donald Heath Bryan Bergstedt Connor Mccoy Donald McKay Bryan Colgur Conrad Herberholt Doug Daniell Bryan Sehmel Converged Green Doug O'Donnell Bryce Stevens Craig Camapbell Doug Walker Calvin Hall Craig Mcclure Douglas Coutts Cameron Lee Craig Wilbour Drew Gaylord Camille Dohrn Curtis Hammond Drew Lehew Carlos Cummings Curtis Stahlecker Duncan Kochhar-Lindgren Carmela Collins Dale Rankin Duncan Parks Carmen Lystand Dale Travis Duncan Ralph Carolyn Miesel Dallas Glass Ed Rickert Carolyn Porter Dan Beason Ed Rundle Carter Woolen Dan S Grantier Eduardo Munoz Carvel Harward Dan Warner Edward Whittemore Catherine Bombico Daniel Aylward Elke Geiger Cathleen Jessup Daniel Miller Elliott Prendergast Chad Kamins Dara Zirofsky Emily Godfrey Charles Davis Darryl Bayes Eric Fahsl Charles Palluck Darryl Olson Eric Fox Charles Riley Darryl Wolfe Eric Kirchner Charles Soncrant David Bruce Eric Lider Charlie Atkinson David Czaplicki Eric Lund Chase Gruszewski David Duryee Eric Miller Cheryl Lawrence David Frank Eric Nicolaysen www.nwac.us Pg. 21 Eric Portmann James Rothwell John Kopp Eric Quinn James Rowe John Mcgoldrick Eric Soshea James Salter John McNeil Eric Wehrly James Templeton John Miller Erik Poley James Walseth John O'Donnell Erik Turner James Widick John Traeger Erin Renshaw James Yotz John Wegmann Evan Wang Jamie Rose Levin Jon Seestrom Fede Schliemann Jamie Tackman John Stimberis Foster Boone Jamy Pearson Jonathan Sugarman Frank White Jared Austin Jonica Keel Fred Matica Jason Condon Jordan Maier Garth Ferber Jason Romine Joscelin Wozniak Gary Hicks Jay Carlson Joseph Mcclanahan Gary Kapezynski Jay Naylor Joseph Whittington Gary Schillhammer Jean Olson Josh Miller Geoff Briggs Jean-Claude Hauchecorne Josh Warren George Burgess Jeff Brown Judy Beaudette Gerald Tonkovich Jeff Hotchkiss Judy Jones Gerry Chu Jeff Matsushita Julia Donald Gerry Haugen Jeff Renner Justin Dechant Greg Gottlieb Jeffrey Hamilton Justin Pfifer Greg Langkamp Jeffrey Panza Justus Hyatt Gregory Louie Jen Morton Kalman Brauner Gregory Simon Jenifer Mitchell Karen Sullivan Gregory Testa Jenna Volcko Karis Tennison Gustave Radcliffe Jennifer Curto Katherine Pryde Haid Garrett Jennifer Louie Kathleen Volkman Hans Adomeit Jeremy Brandt Kathleen Whalen-Burns Har Rai Khalsa Jeremy Wilson Katie Cava Heather Christensen Jesse Emery Katrina Hilpert Henry Romano Jim Krieger Kayla Cooper Henry Romer Joe Fruechtel Keith Cunningham Hugh McMahan Joe Gusa Keith Marcoe Ian Bolliger Joe Shane Keith Schultz Ian Mackie John Boardman Kelly Jewell Ian Williams John Box Kelly Neu Ira Rushwald John Chesbrough Ken Bender J Tanner Merrill John Crandall Ken Zeman Jack Davis John Delbridge Kent Henneuse James Bigelow John Gastineau Kevin Hanson James Brazil John Gilbert Kevin Prince James Hyde John Godino Kim Murphy James Kardouni John Grinter Kire Dassel James Leier John Harter Kirk Swanson James Pasterczyk John Hastings Kraig Snure www.nwac.us Pg. 22 Kristen Draper Michael Austin Paul Bongaarts Kurt Fickeisen Michael Brodsky Paul Campbell Lance Rottger Michael Chamberlain Paul Donnelly Laura Maruhashi Michael Dryfoos Paul Knippel Laura Matsen Ko Michael Knoll Paul Manner Laura Whitehead Michael Metzler Paul Smith Laurel Fan Michael Miller Paul Sundquist Laurie Sherman Michael Powell Peter Bohnenkamp Lawrence Selden Michael Romano Peter Gust Layne Crocker Michael Schuller Peter Krystad Leann Arend Mickey Eisenberg Peter Loft Lee Foote Mike Beeman Peter Sanderson Linda Noble Mikhail Bilenko Peter Staples Linden Klein Miles McDonough Philip Amdal Lindsay Malone Mischa Redenbaugh Quinn Mckee Lindsay Thomas Moa Lim Ralph Shuping Louise Suhr Morgan Misek Randy Tonkin Lucas Green Naomi Helbling Rebecca Gisclair Macknight Johnson Nathan Cramer Rebecca Swank Madeline Engel Nathan Messmer Reinier Koolwijk Maggi Murphy Neal Fuller Rich Evans Mandie Majerus Ned McCall Richard Byrne Margaret Mccarthy Ned Randolph Richard Lum Margaux Lovell Nicholas Rhodes Richard Park Margot Tsakonas Nick Asher Richard Schroeter Mark Bunker Nick Drake Richard Tate Mark Hopkins Nicole McClung Rick Jackson Mark Meyer Noah Meyerhans Riley Combs Mark Orr Norman Breslow RJ Hannah Mark Svendsen Pam Brady Rob Dies Martin Watterson Pam Spier Rob Hensel Marvin Wayne Pamela Halverson Rob Linde Mary Rohlman Pamela Macrae Rob Smith Mason Appel Pamela McConkey Robert DeWolf Mason White Pat Beurskens Robert Eichenlaub Matt Dennis Pat O'Brien Robert Morris Matt Ebbing Patricia Leach Robert Peshkin Matt Poppoff Patrick Danaher Robert Priddy Matthew Elley Patrick Fink Robert Sander Matthew Kuhar Patrick Gilligan Robin Rosenberg Matthew Logalbo Patrick Haggerty Rodney Sofich Matthew Mioduszewski Patrick Lloyd Roger Wynne Matthew Muoio Patrick Longley Ron Laurence Meagan Hill Patrick Mullaney Ron Logghe Megan Murray-Wagner Patrick Shaw Ronald Gillilan Melinda Brugman Patty Smaldone Ronald Hall www.nwac.us Pg. 23 Russ Lecompte Susan Ridgley Russell Davis Sven Koehler Ryan Cline Tab Wilkins Ryan Kitchen Taylor Carroll Ryan Livingston Ted Cramer Ryan Megenity Ted Slupesky Sally Brown Thomas Cushing Sally Hileman Thomas Duhen Sarah Doherty Thomas Lewis Sarah Gardner Thomas Ormond Scott Bingen Tim Dowd Scott Heinz Tim Randall Scott Lee Timothy Buck Scott Presho Timothy Lofgren Scott Rhodes Todd Haferkamp Scott Thirkield Todd Hanna Sean Ardussi Tom Broznowski Sean Lawson Tom Dancs Sean Reynolds Tom Dutra Sean Richardson Tom Pauza Shane Drexler Tyler Fudge Shane Robinson Tyler Smits Shannon Day Tyree Johnson Shawn Hughes Walter Schlim Shelia Zentler Wayne McLaughlin Shena Kelly Wayne Mohler Skye Schell Web Brunsteter Sonya Capek Will Varley Staci Adman William Brooks Stan Lanois William Cleveland Stanley Terada William Eichenberger Stefanie Dirks William Gerard Stephanie Mgebroff William Harper Stephen Colmar William Hinkley Steve Conney William Kruse Steve Lebrun William Silva Steve Nissley Zachary Cox Steve Stroming Steven Pedersen Steven Sherotsky Steven Wilson Sujn Chon Summer Halas Susan Bennett Susan Chan Susan Price www.nwac.us Pg. 24 In-Kind Donors

Extreme Hazard ($1000+) Considerable Hazard ($200- Chester Gilmore $500) Clif Bar Adele Eustis Crystal Mountain Alaskan Brewing Grant Gunderson Arc’teryx Store Seattle Kathleen Sheehan Bryn Stevens Mervin Emerald Water Anglers Perpetual Motion NW Exped REI Foothills Mountaineers RMI Jim Thornton Stevens Pass John Scurlock Tim O’Neill Mountain Savvy Waypoint Outdoor Rab RuffWear High Hazard ($500-$1000) Scottish Lakes High Camp Alpental Patrol Seattle Sounders Alta Group Sound Physical Therapy Annette Warnick Theo Chocolate Brooks-Range Tokul Creek Marketing Colin Dettweiler Tom Douglas Restaurants Glazers camera John Lehrman Moderate Hazard ($100-$200) Julbo BeLuminous Yoga K2 Sports Cilo Gear Kavu DPS Skis Maiden Skis Mt. Bachelor Mountain Hardwear Seattle Deep Tissue Pro Ski Seattle Massage Red Junction Skis Venture Snowboards Remote Medical Rylan Schoen Low Hazard ($>100) Sage Center Punch Splitboards Scott Rickenberger Jim Phelan Ski Lab Laura Grignon Stanley Terminal Gravity Brewing Thule Tin Umbrella Coffee Volkl/Marker

www.nwac.us Pg. 25 NWAC Staff

NWAC Observer Team

www.nwac.us Pg. 26 NWAC Educators

Alexis Allowway Jeff Hambelton Mick Pearson Austin Shannon Jeff Ward Patrick Kennedy Ben Gardner John Minier Roger Strong Chris Simmons Katy Reid Roland Emataz (Em) Dallas Glass Kirt Hicks Scott Kushino Dave Jordan Lee Lazzara Scott Schell Erica Engle Lyle Haugsven Shane Robinson Gregg Cronn Margaret Wheeler Trevor Kostanich Ian Nicholson Matt Schonwald Tyler Reid

NWAC Non-Profit Board of Directors

John Commiskey, President Alex Morgan Matt Schoenwald Justin Davis, Vice President Jeremy Park Mick Steinman Skip Swenson, Secretary Jorie Wackerman Murray Kahn Lewis Turner, Treasurer Kenneth White Roland Emetaz Aaron Ostrovsky Libby Snead Rich Marriot (emeritus)

NWAC Advisory Council Brandy Floyd Oyvind Henningsen Brent Anderson Pamela McConkey John Stimberis Patty Morrison Jeremy Allyn Paul Diegel Knox Williams Steve Christie Marcus Engley Stefan Lofgren

Volunteers

NWAC would not be able to operate without the assistance of a great group of volunteers. From helping to organize Snowball to gate keeping at Vertfest to selling raffle tickets at Snowbash, NWAC volunteers kept us going with almost 180 hours of volunteer time. Thank you all! Alison Gillespie Haid Garrett Margaux Lovell Amy Ransom Ian Derrington McKenzie Temple Andrew Kepley John Traeger Miles McDonough Bob Rodgers Josh Boyle Phoebe Wolcott-MacCausland Charlene Balick Kate Hourihan Silas Wild Cynthia Felice Kristen Wagoneer Steph Sievers Elliott Steward Kristina Ciari Tiffany Royal Erik Chelstad Lisa Bowers Geoff Guillory Lisa Pfeiffer