A female skier was killed by an avalanche close to the German town of Berchtesgaden last Sunday. She was ski touring a few kilometers from the ski area Obersalzberg.
More images here.
The female skier (50) was from the region and was on her way to the peak of the Kehlstein. She was touring up a slope with a northeast exposition and she was hit by an avalanche that came down from a steep couloir. This avalanche dragged the woman down for 50 meters after which she fell another 100 meters down a steep rocky face. Check out a map from wePowder Pro below, so you’ll get an impression how steep the terrain is. The avalanche service in Bayern marked the exact location of the accident on this map. There aren’t any avalanche forecasts issued yet in Bayern.
According to the authorities the woman started her tour at the Ofnerboden car park and was heading for the Kehlstein. There’s no chance that she caused the avalanche herself, according to the local media. (source. The woman was ski touring alone, but other ski tourers who saw the accident happening immediately called mountain rescue.
Second avalanche victim
It was difficult for the rescue services to work because of the poor visibility and low clouds. The rescue helicopter could only fly for a short time. They didn’t receive a signal from an avalanche beacon and they started searching for the woman with avalanche dogs. The victim could only be found dead… It is the second avalanche victim in a short time. A man from Switzerland lost his life in Engelberg a couple fo weeks ago.
Our thoughts and compassion go out to family and friends.