Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Death on Split Mountain

Another death due to a wet slide avalanche on Split Mountain. The conditions right now are just dangerous, from the creek crossings to the very soft snow.

Split Mountain accident

Here's hoping all the Whitney hikers will stay safe.

Offering sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

Interesting that Search and Rescue message warns about slipping on soft, wet snow. I have felt that soft, wet snow was the "safest" snow as it slows you down a lot if you were to slip. (Not considering any avalanche danger that is)

Yeah, that is largely true.

This is a sad but important reminder that wet slides, while USUALLY smaller and slower than slab avalanches, are still massive and very dangerous.

A young man in his early twenties went missing in the Sierra back in 2015. WZ Post. They found his body in a slide path near the WZ in Meysan Lakes. I don't think it was a wet slide, but that tragedy highlights the need to be diligent in the mountains.