Date: 1-13-2009 4:pm Steven Pass MP-1721.8

Railway Imaging Photographer, Louis Hoffman Alloin, while on special assignment in Cascade Mountains, Steven Pass Hwy 2 at Deception Falls Forest Services Road, MP-1721.8 had all survival gear, supplies and Cameras stolen by a passing motorist.

Details of incident:

Mr. Alloin arrived at Deception Falls Forest Service Road and Hwy-2 at 4:pm on 1-13-2009, to discover that a huge 5-6 foot wall of snow on eastbound lane blocked the Forest Services Road, with no shoulder, nor standing room. An assessment was made that it was impossible to throw Backpack Gear, Supplies and Cameras over the wall of snow, that the safest and best approach would be to build steps in side of snow bank.

Realizing that eastbound lane was dangerous with no shoulder and not safe to place gear on eastbound lane shoulder. Mr. Alloin found adequate and safe area on westbound lane shoulder, which was used for vehicle de-chaining, directly across Hwy 2 Forest Service Road (30ft between snow banks).

Traffic in both directions was light and with great distance of time between passing motorist. Placing Gear Backpacks on westbound lane de-chaining turnout area, in full view of east and westbound traffic (Thus a signal, that a person was in immediate area, incase Mr. Alloin was injured). Mr. Alloin proceeded directly across Hwy 2 eastbound lane and began cutting steps in this huge show bank wall, with his back to Hwy 2. Having to stop and lend in to hug snow bank wall, as eastbound traffic passed him.

Mr. Alloin was wearing a bright blue jacket against a white wall of snow and was clearly visible to all east and westbound traffic, as a few motorists waved and signaled by horn as they were approaching.

Five minutes had elapsed from time of arrival, Mr. Alloin was almost to the top of the snow bank, he could see the Forest Services Road winding up the mountain to BNSF Tracks, as he turned back seeing gear safely secure on other side of hwy 2.

Mr. Alloin continued to dig steps and clear snow from the top, so he could lift himself up and stand on top. Once on top of the snow bank Mr. Alloin took a complete survey of the area, saw gear and realized he was highly visible to all motorists, but the sound of autos was no longer audible, dead silences of the wilderness. His feet fell into the deep snow on edge of the snow bank, so he began to pack down the snow around the edge, to make room for bring up gear and safely stand.

It was now 10 minutes after 4:pm, Mr. Alloin glanced at his watch, looking westbound, to descend the snow bank, and looking eastward. As he descended, began searching westbound lane shoulder for gear packs. Backpacks were not to be found! Backpacks just vanished without a trace.

Mr. Alloin was shocked and bewildered, as he frantically search westbound de-chaining area. Nothing could be seen! Pausing for a moment to assess the situation, clothing had become wet, and snow had fallen into boots.

Mr. Alloin needed to find survival gear fast and set up camp, as he was losing daylight and environment was becoming colder. Westbound traffic was flowing with longer duration between vehicles passing. Mr. Alloin's feet and hands were becoming cold, he realized that he had to get off the mountain. Mr. Alloin began waving his arms, in attempts to flag down a motorist for emergency assistance, using arm distress signals. No motorist would stop. Caravan after Caravan of motorist passed, as he stood dangerously close to oncoming traffic, as dusk was rapidly approaching.

Then a group of Steven Pass Resort Employees Stopped and made room in an already over crowd vehicle. They told Mr. Alloin that their training told them a person was in trouble. Mr. Alloin agreed.

Mr. Alloin was taken to Skykomish Ranger Station about seven miles west of Deception Falls, were he reported that a motorist took survival gear, Supplies and cameras. The Ranger told Mr. Alloin that no one reported anyone in trouble on mountain, nor turned in backpack gear. Later various Department of Transportation, Sheriff Department and Washington State patrol to this date had no reports of a person in trouble nor has anyone turning in backpack gear found on the mountain.

It is now clear, that the motorist saw an opportunity, to take backpack gear. Knowing the Mr. Alloin had his back to him and unable to climb down a wall of snow quickly, just 30 feet away, divided by 2 lanes on Hwy 2, 5-6 foot snow wall in clear view of all traffic on Steven Pass Hwy.

The person who took the backpack gear had no concern for a life and put a human being endanger in a cold wintry wilderness region of Cascade Mountains. Not even reporting to authorities or an agency that a person was left on mountain without survival gear.

This incident is being investigated by WSP, Everett Office, by Patrolman Skinner.