Teen Survives Avalanche In Olympic National Park

SEATTLE - A wall of snow came tumbling down in the Olympic National Park Sunday.

A Port Townsend teenager was "bodysliding" with four friends when the slope gave way just north of the Hurricane Ridge parking area.

The teen was swept 75 feet downslope, he escaped without any injuries.

"These snowboarders were extremely lucky to have escaped uninjured," said Hurricane Ridge ranger Mike Danisiewicz. "Sunday's avalanche was significant and could easily have injured or even killed someone," he noted.

Park officials say the avalanche was about 120 feet wide and 200 feet long. The slab ranged in depth from eight inches to 40 inches.