Terrible news from the French Pyrenees. Four people were killed by avalanches this week. Three skiers died in an avalanche in the ski area of Cauterets on Wednesday and one passed away in an avalanche in Gavarnie on Tuesday.
Cauterets
Three skiers aged 29 to 38 were caught in an avalanche on the face du Monné in the ski area Cirque du Lys. According to local authorities this is a region in the ski area where avalanches come down regularly. They were caught on Wednesday and found on Thursday morning by mountain rescue and local police supported by a helicopter. The men originated from the cities of Poitiers and Bordeaux. (source)
Gavarnie
A 19-year old man died in an avalanche in the ski area of Gavarnie-Gèdre on Tuesday. The avalanche came down around 3 PM close to the red slope of Gypaètes. The man was found by mountain rescue and the local police, who performed CPR, but it was in vain. (source)
The avalanche risk in this region of the Pyrenees was CONSIDERABLE (that’s 3 on a scale of 5) the last couple of days. Our thoughts are with family and friends…