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Avalanche danger halts search in the Karwendel

Since Saturday morning, a 70-year-old German hiker has been buried under an avalanche below the Binsalm in the Tyrolean Karwendel (municipality of Vomp). A search for him was still not possible on Wednesday. According to Sandro Huber, head of the Achenkirch mountain rescue team, the avalanche risk is still too high. "We flew the area around the avalanche again on Tuesday with the Alpine Police and came to the conclusion that the search would have to be postponed further," says Huber. It also seems uncertain that the search can be resumed on Thursday. "I'm expecting Friday," says Huber.
More ... (Kronen Zeitung)

Austria - Hikers Buried Waist Deep

On Wednesday, several hikers set off independently from the Karwendelbahn mountain station to the Bärenbadalm in the municipality of Eben am Achensee. Their destination: the Bärenkopf. The first two hikers reached a viewpoint at around 11 am. This was the end of the hiking tour for the time being, as a further ascent was not possible due to the snow.

However, the next hikers had already followed their tracks. At 2.25 p.m., a snow avalanche suddenly broke loose and caught two ascending hikers. They were swept along 15 meters and buried up to their waists, according to the police. Fortunately, they were uninjured.

Meanwhile, two Germans, a man (27) and a woman (26), were unable to move forward or back. They were in the middle of the avalanche slope and were unable to move from their position due to the terrain. The two made an emergency call and were eventually rescued by the "Libelle" police helicopter using a rope and flown to the Bärenbadalm.
More ... (Kronen Zeitung)

Hiker Dies of Injuries After Avalanche Strikes 6 in Austria

A total of six people were struck by an avalanche on Tuesday afternoon, September 17, while hiking to Schödersee, Austria. Three people were buried, of which two suffered minor injuries and one person suffered serious injuries. The three injured hikers were flown to the University Hospital in Salzburg by helicopter, where the latter person succumbed to her injuries in the night. The deceased was identified as a 56-year-old German woman.
More ... (Snowbrains)

Avalanche danger in Tyrol remains high this weekend

Patrick Nairz, head of the Tyrol Avalanche Warning Service, warns that the risk of snow avalanches in Tyrol remains significant this weekend. He advises caution and defensive behaviour for those on the mountain. While many snow slides have already occurred following recent precipitation, Nairz still urges vigilance. He anticipates the situation will improve next week as snow continues to melt.

With up to one metre of fresh snow in the high mountains, Safety Councillor Astrid Mair stresses the importance of careful planning for hikes and ski tours to ensure safety during the fine autumn weather.
More ... (The Local - paywall, but a text browser like lynx will work)