I'm in Everett- no sound heard here.
The rocks actually may have had something to do with it, loose rock, loosens the ice so the ice slips, I have no idea, but the chances are greater at a risk when you climb underneath cliffs with dangling rocks, ice and snow, whereas the people near the main ice cave were on flatter land (unless right up at the ice cave), they were safer than the other people by the cliff areas. That's just how I saw it. Both were risks, though of course I know this and a terrible loss none the less.
At around 4 pm. We were lunching at the caves at 1:30 and about 1:40 we decided to leave, I was steps away from going down the trail, I would have missed it, but I was at the head of the trail right where you could see everything. I want to say it was about 3 (I think if I can remember correctly). So I think the incident happened around 1:45 ish?, it took runners prob 20 mins to run down and then drive to nearest post, another 15 or 20. From the parking lot you were over a mile away.
I agree with 21734, that was an unstable area, I was there at the time and quite shocked anyone was climbing that area, let alone to find out it was children up there. The flat area was where families were, and quite frankly accidents could've happened there, too, but there is way more risk in climbing loose rock next to boulders, ice/snow underneath cliffs, as opposed to open, flat areas. Let me say that even still, no one would ever know that was going to happen, these things are very rare and it wasn't like anyone was playing on the ice or anything (I hope). I hope that this wasn't in vain and that safer measures are put in place, not banning anyone from nature or anything, but even at Mt. Baker they have signs not going past a certain point, because it is back country and super dangerous ungroomed territory, yet people still do it and the sign warns them of their risk...so I'm all for more signs up there!!! God bless...
You can clearly see (if you were there) that the rocks are those sharp, loose and slippery type at the bottom of cliffs where boulders, ice and snow are dangling. Not somewhere I would, personally climb up or take anyone who wasn't a professional. I am really sick that they let anyone, all those families even go that close, I want to see signs telling people to view from a distance, either people don't realize that this could happen, and the signs might let them know. I am mad I even took my family close to the caves, as I realized when I got up there that they could slide and come barreling down anyone at any time, that is why when I got there, I instantly packed up my family to leave (I felt unsteady about it, despite many hikes I have been on). And yes, accidents can happen anywhere, the slide area where trees were down severely concerned me, b/c they could go sliding at any time (like on a wet day) at people. I just don't think the last part of the hike is even safe for families (now that I've seen it). So so sad about this.
I can only think that maybe a rescuer person can only call those in, not the average citizen. I sure hope this wasn't in vain and that some changes are made to the response system (a phone out there, or something) and maybe some signs telling people not to go on the sides of the cliffs like that (or signs of a do not pass this point) type thing.
I think that people deemed it as safe to go up the side like that because they saw a bunch of other people doing it, but that doesn't make it safe, nonetheless. My heart aches for this poor family....
I was at the trailhead leaving when we heard the crackling of the ice and we all turned our heads and saw the ice ball barreling at 20-30 or more people who were climbing in that area. All we could do is gasp as it stopped and didn't roll down the mountain, harming more people. Some people screamed and we were hoping and my daughter and I started praying for whoever was up there. We were really hoping that no one got hurt and that it missed everyone. We were so sad to find out about this. May God be with you, rest in peace beautiful girl.
I'm sorry you had to witness that...God bless you.
In my opinion, it was an unsafe area that I saw others climbing, but they chose to climb it. Who knew that this would happen, though? I really hope that they will put a sign up forbading people to go in that area now, at least they will have that warning. RIP that girl and the poor mother...
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