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Archive Index - All Editions

Avalanche-Center.org posts video #3 for season

Late last season we began posting a weekly video and are continuing that experiment this season. So far. Our first three videos discuss the weak base layer that typically forms early and the activity on that layer which occurs after early season storms. With more snow forecast through this weekend in many areas it seemed time for a new (third) video. Find it on our youtube channel.
More ... (Avalanche Center Youtube Channel)

Avalanche Rescue on Coire an t-Sneachda, Scotland

December 7, 2023: The incident happened at 4.30pm yesterday on the Central Gully in Coire an t-Sneachda in the Highlands. The climber was trying to exit the top of the mountain when he accidentally triggered an avalanche. The man sustained an injury to his lower leg while his climbing partner was unharmed. Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team (CMRT) managed to reach them as weather conditions worsened. The mission took around seven hours with the climbers and crews back at the base for 10.30pm.

CMRT reported "[We] were called out yesterday at 16.30 to a casualty who had triggered an avalanche whilst climbing and trying to exit the top of Central Gully in Coire an t-Sneachda. In deteriorating conditions we were able to lower down one of our team to the climbers, then attach them to our rigging set up and haul them to the plateau. After some rewarming the one with the lower leg injury was packaged into a stretcher and carried out to the ski area, whilst the other climber was able to walk out. Everyone safe and back at base 23.30."
More (with rescue photos) ... (The Scottish Sun)

Rescue teams called out to Ben Macdui

Rescuers have searched avalanche debris on Britain's second highest mountain following concerns casualties might be buried under it. The slide on Ben Macdui in the Northern Cairngorms was triggered by human activity on Tuesday. Cairngorm and Braemar mountain rescue teams, a coastguard helicopter and Search and Rescue Dog Association (Scotland) searched an extensive area. No-one was found buried in the snow. The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) has warned the potential avalanche hazard in the Northern Cairngorms is "considerable". Fourteen members of Aberdeen MRT were also on standby to assist in a rescue on the 1,309m (4,295ft) Munro.
More ... (BBC)

Avalanche control systems installed on US 550

Friday, Dec 08: The Colorado Department of Transportation has installed new avalanche mitigation equipment above US 550 on Red Mountain Pass, between Silverton and Ouray. The remote-controlled units were successfully tested at three avalanche sites along the pass Wednesday, bringing snow slides down onto the highway. Two Gazex units were permanently installed at slide paths on Red Mountain Pass between Silverton and Ouray. The Gazex units will remain in place year-round. Three O’bellx units were also installed at another location on Red Mountain Pass. The O’bellx base features are fixed and permanent, while the portable units holding the gasses require resetting on site each winter with a helicopter. 
More ... (Montrose Press)