Avalanche News - Dec 19, 2023
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Glasgow climber and avalanche survivor wins Piolet d'Or
Tim Miller, 27, was awarded the Piolet d'Or, dubbed mountaineering's Oscars, for summitting the previously unclimbed Jugal Spire in Nepal. The achievement comes just years after Tim was caught in a fatal avalanche which claimed the life of his friend and fellow climber Christian Huber in 2018.
While camping at an altitude of 19,300ft (5883m) on the snowy terrains of Pakistan's Ultar Sar mountain, the group was buried under six feet of snow. "It was quite a small avalanche but because we were lying on the bottom of our tent, it buried us," he said. Tim managed to chew through the fabric of the tent and dig his way to the surface, however his friends did not emerge. He helped save the life of their other climbing partner, Bruce Normand, but Tim discovered Christian was already dead. Bruce and Tim spent two days in their broken tent waiting for the weather to ease before being airlifted to safety by a Pakistani military helicopter.
More ... (BBC)
Taos Ski Valley has new avalanche hazard maps
There’s now a better picture of avalanche risks around Taos Ski Valley thanks to a recent report. The new maps replace the ones created in 2001. The new maps expand the previous maps with a new “low” avalanche hazard zone. The report says that ski operations will reduce the number and size of relatively small avalanches on the valley’s slopes. But the risk of the rare 300-year avalanche is not going to be impacted by compaction operations, the report notes and climate change may also increase avalanche hazards.
More ... (KRQE, not available in all countries or regions, link to report available in full article)
Skier injured in avalanche in Yoho National Park
YOHO – At about 4 p.m. on Saturday (Dec. 9), Parks Canada rescuers got a cellphone call about a skier who had been swept away in an avalanche while skiing with another. “As the second skier began their run, they triggered a full depth avalanche which carried them approximately 500 metres down the slope,” said Parks Canada spokesperson James Eastham. “The skier sustained leg and back injuries from the fall but was not buried.”
Although there was limited daylight remaining, Eastham said two rescuers were flown in by helicopter and dropped an overnight bag to the party. “The visitor safety specialists were dropped off by the helicopter in the valley bottom and ski toured up to the accident site,” he said. “The party was moved to a safe location where they set up camp and spent the night.” At first light the next morning, Eastham said the two skiers were flown to safety by helicopter, with the injured skier transferred to Banff EMS and taken to Mineral Springs Hospital.
More ... (RockyMountain Outlook)
Carnegie Medal for avalanche rescue Neff’s Canyon
SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah man will be honored with the Carnegie Medal for heroism, after saving a skier buried in an avalanche in 2022. Thomas Elbrecht, a firefighter with the Unified Fire Authority, will be one of 18 individuals given the Carnegie Medal for this quarter. The award is North America’s highest honor for civilian heroism.
On Dec. 14, 2022, Travis Haussener was backcountry skiing in Neff’s Canyon when an avalanche 200 feet wide and two feet deep occurred. He was slammed against a tree and pinned there, buried up to his chest with only his arm and head above the snow.
Elbrecht, an off-duty firefighter, was scouting out a safe spot to ski in Neff’s Canyon when he heard Haussener’s cries for help. He followed Haussener’s tracks to the bottom of the avalanche and hiked up the slope to where he was buried. Elbrecht dug out Haussener, called 911 for help, and then called his wife to let her know what was going on. Haussner had a broken femur and other injuries that prevented him from being able to get down the mountain, so the two huddled together until rescuers could reach them.
More ... (KSL)
