A Facet-nating Journey
A poem to celebrate 50 years of NWAC, written by Mark Moore (NWAC Co-founder), October 2025
50 years is a long, long time,
But not so much if you’re snow or rime.
They’re part of our climate, part of our weather…
They’re part of our snowpack, that holds it together.
Inside are facets and rounds, in all kinds of states,
These layers & our responses help determine our fates.
And you’re one of us, helping NWAC grow,
From an unstable start, in a land of rain and snow.
Back in the 70’s, danger forecasts were only a dream,
Of making snow, weather and terrain part of the team.
And then at UW, where research was king,
A prof named LaChapelle, made avalanches his thing.
He had some grad students, who were eager to please,
But really just wanted powder out in the trees.
Although they had many thoughts, about weather and snow,
Starting avy centers is hard and pricey you know.
So the prof and his students reached out to the gov,
Thinking lives saved & more might bring some love.
It was a hard sell for sure, and they felt lost and forlorn,
Yet after meetings and research, an avy center was born.
There were a lot of good people, who helped open the door,
Folks from forests, highways, parks, and weather, just to name four.
Ski areas too, they all played a part,
But from the very beginning, it was driven by heart.
With not much money and just three forecasters,
The center was often only a step from disasters.
Fortunately, they knew that weather was key,
And good data from weather stations had to be.
But that was back, when wired phones were a thing,
Hence long cables were laid, so that phones would ring.
The result was great info from mountain sites,
From valley locations to ridgeline heights.
The data was critical in so many ways,
Showing snowpack evolution over hours and days,
Better forecasts developed to help you know,
When to say yes and when to say no.
Info came from ski patrols and from rangers,
About unstable snowpacks and developing dangers.
It was a labor of love in those early days,
And any funding lay at the end of a veritable maze.
And then the Friends of NWAC stepped into the fun,
Bringing support and money where once there was none.
Forecasts transitioned from text to graphic,
And research followed to measure website traffic.
New forecasters were needed, to go out in the snow,
Since more data raised traveler safety, you know.
Remember snowpacks are complex, and so are we,
Hard to manage, harder all the dangers to see.
But with the increase in pros out in the field,
Further snowpack info and its risks were revealed.
NWAC brings reason in a world of change,
Helping make sense of snow gone strange.
We have come so far, yet still more to go…
To increase wisdom of routes, weather and snow.
There are several ways to avoid the avalanche blues,
Mostly based on when you go, and the terrain you choose.
So, take a course, go online, for knowledge is key…
And sometimes staying home, is the best place to be.
But even if you go with a friend, or those whom you trust…
Don’t let gear extend risk, that’s always a must.
Know that nothing is static in the world around,
And snow’s always changing, from the surface to ground.
Be aware that snow structure is sometimes a zoo,
And your life’s based on how you think and what you do.
Use the forecasts for sure, but just at the start,
Once out in the field, let your head temper the heart.
Remember survival is based on the how, when and where…
And getting good info, from those who care.
So, once again thanks, for helping avi centers thrive,
And for supporting a mission to keep winter travelers alive.
