Three people killed by avalanches in the Alps

Three people killed by avalanches in the Alps

There have been several avalanche accidents the last couple of days. In some cases, successful rescues saved lives, but in other cases the rescue wasn’t successful. Although the last snowfall in most regions of the Alps came down several days ago, the mild weather attracts many touring skiers into the mountains.

Successful rescue in Tyrol

Steep lines in the Nordkette
Steep lines in the Nordkette

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A freerider was partially buried on a backcountry run from the Hafelekar on Saturday morning, after he triggered a slab at the end of a ridge. However, he could be located quickly by his buddy. Both freeriders used safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe). The injured person was taken to the hospital. (Source).

Avalanches could be triggered by officials in lots of resorts. You can see the destructing force of avalanches in the Alps at the moment in the video on the right.

Three people killed in Wallis und Graubünden

No fresh snow in Belalp the last three days
No fresh snow in Belalp the last three days

Three people died due to avalanches in Switzerland the last couple of days. A tour skier died near Belap (Hofathorn) yesterday. Although four buddies could locate him quickly and free him from the snow, the man died at the scene of the accident.

Altitude Hofathorn
Altitude Hofathorn
Slope angle Hofathorn
Slope angle Hofathorn

A tour skier was killed by an avalanche in Graubünden on Saturday. The person was on his way all by himself and was carried away by a self-initiated slab on rocky terrain. (Source)

Hikers got caught in an avalanche at an altitude of 2700 m in St. Luc (Wallis) on Saturday. The hikers also carried safety equipment. Since one of the group of three wasn’t caught by the avalanche, the other two persons could be located with the help of the mountain rescue service. However, one person was seriously injured and died in the hospital. (Source).

Our thoughts are with family and friends.

When you want to ride in the backcountry, always bring your avalanche beacon, shovel and probe and never go out alone, but always with your powder buddies. Please ride safe everybody!

Arjen
was born with maps of ski areas in the cradle and has visited almost all of them. His great passion is freeriding.
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