Girl Dies at Ice Caves
On Saturday, a chunk of ice fell from the Big Four Ice Caves and killed an eleven year-old girl.
On Saturday, a large chunk of ice fell from the Big Four Ice Caves and killed an eleven year-old girl.
This is an unspeakable tragedy, made even more so by reports that the girl and her family were neither in the caves or on them. The Seattle Times reports that the girl and her mother, who was injured, were standing on the ice field adjacent to caves.
Despite its billing as a family-friendly hike, the Big Four Ice Caves can be extremely dangerous. Once or twice a year, and as recently as this past March, we implore hikers not to climb in or around the caves. This is especially true during the heat of the summer when high temperatures make the ice particularly unstable.
If you choose to hike to the Big Four Ice Caves, please stay far back from the icefield and the caves themselves.
We are so deeply saddened by this tragedy. The girl and her family are in the thoughts of all of us at WTA.
Comments
tragedy at ice caves
I have been up to the caves about every other weekend and knew this was coming. Sad for the family. Ironic that so many have been placing themselves in much more danger directly under the most unstable ice. Also ironic that this tragedy may have saved many more lives since I have consistantly seen large groups of people that were taking higher risks.
Time to bring back the yellow sign!
Don
Posted by:
Sandman on Aug 02, 2010 07:11 PM
Tragedy at ice caves
I would say the family felt somewhat safe and if they were not allowing their kids in the cave or on it then they were minimizing the risk to there family and doing the right thing. My sympthay goes out to them and hope that they can remember the happy times they had with their daughter and not just this tradegy. God Bless
Posted by:
Mike on Aug 05, 2010 09:25 PM
Gracie-Let This Be a Teachable Moment
The mountain gave two warning sounds that it was signally another avalanche while my brother-in-law was attending to Gracie.
What I do know is this is not a safe place for the public. There is no protection afforded for the paying public when an accident occurs. No cell coverage or ranger service within a 45-60 minutes area.
The ranger office needs to close down this area immediately and provide an area from a distance that is safe for the public for viewing.
Please,let this be a teachable moment.
Posted by:
Montanagirl on Aug 11, 2010 11:26 AM