Avalanches in Italy and Austria dragged down eight alpinist last weekend. At least two climbers were killed and they’re still searching for the other two climbers. It’s the second avalanche accident after the deadly avalanche in Hintertux.
Deadly avalanche am Hochferner
A group of four alpinists was on its way on the north face of the Hochferner on Saturday the 23rd of October. The ice climbers were on their way up surprised by a huge avalanche of 30 meters wide and 500 meters long. The climbers were reported missing in the night from Saturday to Sunday. Rescue services started with the search immediately. Two climbers were found dead on Sunday. Rescue services has been searching for the other two climbers till Monday evening. Unfortunately without any results. The rescue mission is suspended today, because wind, fog, rain and snow make the search impossible. (Source and source).
Happy ending at the Monte Cristallo
On that same Saturday (23rd of October) a group of four Italian climbers were also caught by an avalanche. Three men and a woman were climbing near the Monte Cristallo, when an avalanche came loose at 3200 meters. The avalanche was 15 meters wide and hundreds of meters long and dragged the climbers around 300 meters down. Miraculously, the alpinists were not buried. Just hit one of the alpinists got injured and was taken to the hospital by helicopter. (Source and source).
Three people killed by avalanches
The weather is shifting from deep winter to typical ‘autumn weather’ in the Alps. Snow came down in the east of the Alps last week and the wind influenced the snow cover. Winter is coming and so are all the risks. Are you planning to ski or snowboard off-piste this winter? Start Mountain Academy now! The first chapter is free.