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2025 Archive Index - All Editions

Highway 20 (WA) clearing crews manage avalanche chute risks

Progress on clearing the North Cascades Highway for vehicle traffic was hampered by warm weather that increased the risk of slides in the Cutthroat avalanche chutes during the second week of work on the road, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reported. “For the most part our crews had to avoid working below the avalanche chutes because of the current melt-off and snow loads in directly above the work zone,” WSDOT said in a press release.
Source ... (Methow Valley News)

Avalanche Researcher is new head of "Antarctica NZ"

When a 23-year-old snow studies student was killed in an avalanche, Jordy Hendrikx realised throwing more snow data at backcountry travellers was not going to improve safety. Hendrikx is the new chief executive of Antarctica New Zealand. He got a PhD from the University of Canterbury for researching avalanche risk on the Milford Rd, has studied the impact of climate change on New Zealand ski fields, and developed avalanche maps in Norway. His career might have continued down this path but for a tragedy while he was heading up the Snow and Avalanche Lab at Montana State University in the US.
Source ... (The Press, NZ)

British climber dies in avalanche in Norway (Feb)

A British man was killed by an avalanche while ice climbing in Norway, a coroner said. Henry Crosby was climbing on Gaustatoppen mountain on 21 February when he died. The 41-year-old from Saffron Walden was near the summit when he became "covered by falling snow", Essex Coroner's Court heard. Area coroner Michelle Brown said Mr Crosby's provisional cause of death was from traumatic head injuries. He had been with a friend, who was injured in the incident. Gaustatoppen mountain is located in Norway's southern Telemark county.

Rescuers reportedly failed to recover Mr Crosby's body for several days due to poor weather conditions. According to NRK, fire and police officers abseiled and used ropes to recover Mr Crosby's body on 25 February, as poor conditions meant it was not possible to use a helicopter. "Prevailing weather conditions, avalanche danger and accessibility made it a very complicated and demanding task to get in and down to the climbers," local emergency manager Tor Einar Bakken told NRK in February.
Source ... (BBC)

Body of trekker found after avalanche near Annapurna

A Chinese trekker, missing since March 24 due to an avalanche while returning from Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), has been found dead. The body of the 28-year-old trekker was discovered on Saturday. Yuan went missing after he lost contact with his trekking group. Initially, a local team along with the Nepal Police, launched a search. Later, on March 29, a special rescue team from the Armed Police Force, Nepal, under the command of Inspector Bishwaraj Tripathi, was dispatched from the Kalika Battalion in Pokhara to continue the search efforts. The body was found on Saturday morning in a prone position with a rucksack.
Source ... (Kathmandu Post)

Snowboarder in Turkey caught in massive avalanche (video)

A snowboarder making his way down Mount Artos in Van, Turkey on April 5 was suddenly caught in a massive avalanche as his friends watched from the peak. Unbelievably, he managed to escape the tumbling snow uninjured and unassisted. Video of the snowboarder being carried down and ultimately surfacing is on the Source link below.
Source ... (Yahoo News)

Avalanche During Annapurna Summit Wave

April 7 - Nearly 40 people have summited Annapurna this morning and are currently descending. However, among triumphant announcements, there are reports of an avalanche that struck the route between Camp 2 and Camp 3. The avalanche struck while most climbers were much higher on the mountain. However, some Sherpas were working in the area, maintaining the route at the Great Couloir. We have no confirmation of any victims, but sources suggest at least two Nepalese climbers are missing.

We are also waiting for news about the climbers descending from the summit. Many planned to descend to Camp 2 for the night. The state of the fixed ropes is unclear. Climbers had hoped that the lack of snow on Annapurna might result in fewer avalanches, but slides have occurred over the last few days. Several climbers filmed a big avalanche last week.
Source... (Explorers Web)

Zen the Border collie teaches other avalanche dogs in Italy

Zen, a 5-year-old Border collie, circled friskily around a mound of snow as he picked up a scent, his quick movements signaling to his handler that someone was buried deep below. Zen has been a rescue dog for three years, and on this day, he was setting an example for 20 others dogs being certified for avalanche rescue in the heart of the Italian Dolomites, whose breathtaking jagged peaks have long enchanted writers, painters and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Nine days earlier, on a nearby pass just 3 miles (two kilometers) away as the crow flies, Zen’s mission was deadly serious. Three backcountry skiers were buried by an avalanche on Giau Pass at 2,300 meters. Zen and his handler were on the first helicopter leaving base 10 minutes away. By the time they arrived, witnesses had pulled a 51-year-old man from the snow. Rescuers located the second victim with a transponder, a 38-year-old man buried 2 meters (6 feet) deep. Zen’s nose was key to locating the third skier, a 40-year-old woman buried in 3 to 4 meters (9 to 12 feet) of snow — deeper than the usual, according to Sbisa, making the role of a rescue dog critical in determining where to dig. Despite their efforts, both she and the second victim died — revealing a disheartening truth: If you need a dog to find you, it’s probably too late.
Source... (AP News)