The Big Four Ice Caves Collapse

In July of 2015, visitors to the popular seasonal ice caves at the foot of Big Four Mountain in Washington State would suddenly find themselves in a perilous situation as the caves began to collapse. This is the story of that fateful day.

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[rebeccaleegabbard]

I live in Arlington, not far from there, I hiked there this spring. You don’t ever go in the caves, ever. Grace Tam was the little girl who was killed up there. There’s a memorial and everything, there are many signs telling you not to go in the caves. I don’t care what time of year it is, you never go in.

[potatie_huh]

A few years back I hiked to Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal and on the way there was a huge ice cave just like this. People were in there taking pictures despite it looking sketchy af. Just looking at it made me feel queasy, there's not a chance you'd get me in an ice cave like that!

[XcRunner]

I lived on the east side of WA state when this happened. The heat wave and inevitable collapse was all over the news. Ice caves always carry risk, even in the best conditions.

[gnarthdarkanen]

Been through the area... When I got there, it was nearly August, and everyone around there had warned us (back in the mid-80's) that you don't go into the caves after mid-June... We went to have a look, and even though there were a LOT of people hiking right into them, we stopped outside... There wasn't more than half a dozen Washington State license tags in the lot where we'd parked, so almost NOBODY in there was a local... My uncle showed me that trick...

Anyway, there was a solid stream of water coming out, and we hung out for about an hour... used flashlights and camera-flashes to take shots as deep as we could get from right around the entrance... Threw a few snowballs, because it was cool to throw snowballs in June... at least, to those of us from Tennessee... BUT you can bet your ass we didn't question the platinum haired old woman at the Diner where we'd had breakfast. She'd proudly been a local for 50-some years...

That's really all it takes. Talk to someone local who might know... AND even if they don't really know everything, they probably know who DOES.

I've been a caver since I was old enough to be out on my own... I was hooked on the undergrounds since I was in grade school... I've even been down DEEP in ice caves. I've traveled and toured caves all over the world... AND it comes down to the SAME tricks. Find locals who KNOW what they're doing and don't be afraid to ask "the stupid questions"... Sure, you'll get teased, but I'd rather get some flack and laughter than slip up and do something dumb enough to get killed unnecessarily. Nobody's ever been laughed to death. ;o)

[maxknuckles]

It'll never cease to amaze the amount of warning ppl need to understand or perceive danger .. accidents happen, certain circumstances increase those odds.. the lack of ability to recognize those = someone needs to pay you..?

[flamebroiledsquirrel]

It's a cake walk, which is part of the problem. It's a partially paved, totally easy mile hike to the caves, and nearly every time I've been there, there was someone doing something stunningly foolish, whether going deep into the caves to examine the debris pile below a skylight (i.e. partial collapse), or similarly, climbing around on the roofs of the caves, apparently trusting to luck the thickness and strength of the snow.

[domesticterrorist]

I am glad the law suits failed. You are ultimately responsible for your own safety in nature, if you are too stupid to take that responsibility then it is no one elses fault when you get killed or injured.

[willdunn]

Explorer: “I shall name it the big four after the five peaks”

Crew: *groans*

[markstewart]

Many years ago when visiting about 10 minutes after exiting the whole back side collapsed and if we had Been inside I am positive we would have died. I definitely learned my lesson that day and am happy to still be here.

[imani_malik_L]

when going out into the wilderness its super important to be aware of how the seasons will affect the environment you are venturing into. Nature tourists gonna do what nature tourists gonna do.

[scottjustscott]

Ice cave in the middle of summer? Sure that sounds pretty safe.

[brettnipps]

Folks are lulled into complacency at the Big 4 Ice caves. It is wheelchair assessable and hardly a hike to get to. Beautiful area but it is dangerous for the stated reasons. We would go there in late November when it solidifies and ice climb. Only uninformed people venture into it after mid June. Great story.

[phil]

So magical how people knowingly and willingly enter dangerous areas, get injured or deceased, then their scum bag relatives attempt to sue the park/state for money.

[doclewis]

Thanks for marking which face of the mountain is North and which is South. Your channel is the first that I've seen do that.

[LeeFIee]

Excellent video, I have never heard of this. It gives me horrible anxiety to think of walking inside one of those.

[SadisticSenpai]

You could stretch a rope across the entrance warning ppl about the danger and they'll still step over it and go in (and then claim later there wasn't enough warning). How often do we see ppl trying to push open a door with a sign that says pull? Or ppl trying to open a door that says (right at eye height so you see it as you approach) "Use other door?"

[ndoxy]

Just discovered your channel and can't stop binge watching your videos! Keep up the awesome work! 👍

[Orangezattttt]

I went to the big four ice caves the year this happened, it was an insanely hot year. The best part was walking to the mouth of the cave and have that cold blast of air hit you, all my friends went in, I refused. They called me paranoid and other things, but damn. I would never walk into those caves.

[mauricedavis]

Another excellent episode of a very, very tragic incident, thank you for caring MM!!!🙏😢❣️

[benmcreynolds]

I'd be so scared to go into ice caves. Woah this is near my hometown in NW Oregon. I've been up by there just never at this area in Washington. Its crazy ice caves are there. This is when I'd love to use a LIDAR technology drone for scanning the ice cave network but the only ice cave that would pull me in would be the ones I've seen in Alaska that have huge gold nuggets in them if you bring a metal detector.