Avalanche survivor describes tragic scene

Listen to Megan Michelson, Free Skiing editor at ESPN.com

Megan Michelson was a part of the large group near Stevens Pass when four of her friends were caught up in an avalanche and three of them tragically passed away.

"There was a horrible tragic accident and I don't know if there was anything we could have done other than not be there that day," Michelson told 97.3 KIRO FM's Ron & Don Show. The only thing she wish they would have done differently that day is split up into a smaller group.

She said that from her perspective it was a safe space, and they were prepared. "We knew everyone was equipped [...] it was definitely a topic that we talked about."

The expert skiers wasted no time after the avalanche hit and swept their friends down the steep slope. They immediately turned their emergency beacons to search mode and began searching for signs of life.

Statistics show that 93 percent of avalanche victims can be recovered alive if dug out within 15 minutes, but survival rates drop quickly as time passes, according to the Utah Avalanche Center. After 45 minutes, only 20 to 30 percent of victims are alive. After two hours, few survive. People die because their carbon dioxide builds up in the snow around their mouth and they quickly die from carbon dioxide poisoning.

"Nothing is predictable [backcountry skiing.]"

She describes the men that passed away, Jim Jack, Chris Rudolph and Johnny Brenan incredible, passionate skiers and members of their communities.

Read more:

Survivor: Deadly avalanche a 'horror story'

Q&A: Meteorologist Rich Marriott analyzes fatal avalanche