Rescuers find ski traces leading from Boot Rock toward the tent. The tent is covered with snow and has to be dug out. The area just beyond the tent is scoured leaving raised footprints. Further down the slope they are again covered. The Ravine 4 were found under a dozen feet of it. Each and every other body was covered to some degree.
It suggests that there was blowing snow. It suggests that snow of different hardnesses existed at the time of discovery of the hikers. The depth of snow in the ravine suggests windblown deposit from the slope above.
This is consistent with the suggestion that there was sufficient snow on 1079 that the hikers had to cut into in to make a level base for their tent. It points to strong winds building a snowbank windward of the tent which failed in a heavy wind. This same wind blew loose snow into the forest and deposited it as the trees blocked its progress.
It seems clear that a slab slip on the tent caused it to collapse. The collapse was a suffocation hazard. Once hikers exited the tent, the continued gale and the volume of snow on the tent made it unsafe to retrieve gear. The prudent course of action would be tomshelter in the woods and wait out the winds. However, in a grey--out blizzard, distances could only be guessed at. Instead of walking a few city blocks length to the trees, it was several times,further.
There is a point of no return where it just makes sense to keep going because returning would be too perilous. This is why they went the distance dressed as they were. This is why, after climbing the cedar and locating the general direction of the tent, three attempted to return while allowing the rest to shelter. We know the rest of the story.
Topic: Mysterious snow levels (Read 9636 times)
