I'm not about to speak up on Highway Star's behalf. Don't know the guy. I do however know avalanches. And I can recognize sensationalist journalism. ThE ToP TEN most aWesomeist EXTREMO Avalanche ZONES!!!!!! Give me a break.
Yeah, all those places have avalanches...except Mauna Kea. That is not an avalanche.That is a slough.
But does anyone believe Mt. Shuksan has fewer slides than Berthoud Pass? It gets twice the snow and has far more terrain.And that's not even touching the Alaskan ranges. In the section on Mt. Rainier he claims that most avalanches occur on the leeward side. Wind loading is only one factor in setting up avalanche danger. Avalanches can and do occur off all sides of Mt. Rainier on just about any given winter day.
I understand the article is written as "entertainment" and not as "authoritative", but the last thing we need is more less-than-half-educated yahoos wondering around in Avi country.
Which, reading the reader's comments, is what it looks like we'll get:
"Awesome!!! Love the Avalanche. GPS Required while skiing in those areas."
I'd hardly think that people who read about an area and go 'Mondo Dude! Let's go!'.
But then again......
GSS, your NOT allowed to go to ANY of those areas! :-D