Avalanche News - Apr 18, 2024
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Forecaster Caught in Avalanche in CO
A forecaster for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center was struck and partially buried by a slide while working in the backcountry on April 8. On the day of the slide, the avalanche forecaster entered the backcountry near Herman Gulch (north of I-70 and just east of the Eisenhower Tunnel), planning for a day of fieldwork for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) that focused on collecting information related to the development of wind slab avalanche conditions in the area. He also hoped to evaluate the sensitivity of a persistent weak layer in the snowpack, having previously submitted details about his plans that included what route he would follow, when he planned to return, his goals for the day, and what risks he might encounter, along with a risk mitigation strategy.
After wrapping up his work, he started a "slow downward traverse" on a low-angled gully with a slope angle of about 20 to 25 degrees. At roughly 1:30, an avalanche broke about 40 feet above him at an elevation of about 11,840 feet where the slope angle was determined to be 32 degrees. The slide was about 130 feet wide and while he attempted to ski out of the moving debris, large hard snow blocks made it difficult. He ultimately lost a ski, but was able to deploy his avalanche airbag. He was carried about 50 feet by the slide (which would ultimately run about 200 feet downslope), coming to a stop partially buried and pinned against trees in an upright seated position. His legs, lower torso, and left arm were buried under the snow.
More ... (Avalanche-Center.org archives, including advisory)
Boy, 12, survives avalanche burial for 40 minutes
A 12-year-old boy in the French Alps was found alive and uninjured after being buried under an avalanche for 40 minutes, an event his rescuers are calling a true "miracle."
French police in the town of Bourg Saint-Maurice said the boy was skiing off piste at the La Plagne ski resort in a group of seven skiers Wednesday when he was swept away.Rescue workers flew in a helicopter to the avalanche scene, which was at 2,400 metres (7,875 feet) altitude. A rescue dog found the boy, who was not equipped with an avalanche detector.
Rescue workers described the operation as "miraculous" because they said chances of survival are minuscule after 15 minutes under the snow. Police said among the reasons the boy survived is that his airways were not blocked by snow.
More ... (Loop)
Gallatin NF Avalanche Center Director Retires
Longtime mountaineer Doug Chabot, who turns 60 soon, has worked for the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center as an avalanche forecaster for 29 years, serving as its director for 24. His official retirement as director will be on April 30.
Avalanche forecasters like Chabot spend their winters skiing and snowmobiling in mountains. Part of the work involves using explosives to test snow stability. “Basically, you’ll get a phone call in the morning at, I don’t know, 4 a.m. saying ‘hey, it just snowed a lot. Come on in, get a whole bunch of explosives, ride the lift in the dark, throw these explosives and go skiing before the public get here,’” Chabot said. “The fact that I could be a public servant and be out in the outdoors doing really cool stuff was a bonus,” he said. “’...Oh and we’ll pay you.’ And you’re like, ‘Yeah that sounds like — sign me up.’”
More ... (Bozeman Daily Chronicle)
Scotland's avalanche season in pictures
Scotland's latest avalanche forecasting season has come to an end. Six mountain areas - Lochaber, Glen Coe, Creag Meagaidh, Torridon and Northern and Southern Cairngorms - are monitored for the hazard from mid-December to mid April. The Scottish Avalanche Information Service's (SAIS) forecasts are used by hillwalkers, climbers and snowsports enthusiasts to plan their visits to the hills. A provisional figure of 169 avalanches were recorded for the 2023-24 season. The highest number recorded over the last 15 seasons was 350 in 2013-14.
See the BBC article for a collection of SAIS photos.
More ... (BBC)
