lucky STUPID so lucky (avalanche accident)

tatakona2 · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 26

Another avalanche accident caused by stupidity in Austria.

Snowboarder, riding alone, no avy equipment, risk 4 on a scale of 5!!!
Snowfall 100cm in last 72 hours or so, winds 100+ km/h, lee slope 40°....

Sorry for the size of the picture, but you can see the stupid (check the link with other pictures and you will understand why I use the word stupid here)
being dug out by a rescuer (sorry my english sucks..)

Link with more pictures.

http://www.lwz-salzburg.org/mytourendetail.asp?ID=1744

click the link for bigsize picture
http://www.lwz-salzburg.org/intranet/foto/upload/Gr%F6%DFen%E4nderungunfallstelle%20nahaufnahme.jpg

Valdez Telehead · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 1568

Don't know the area....blah, blah, blah....

Anyway excellent picture. Two things to note. Again a big slide that rips out literally within a few feet of the lift, where no doubt many certified avalanche personnel hang out and provide safety. This is 4th incident I know of this year where the victim was in shouting distance of certified avalanche folk.

Note the cheap inclinometer being used to investigate the incident. Wish I da a good translation.

Who knows, maybe the area was closed, guy ducked the rope...
Of note....women never seem to duck ropes. Always dudes.

Ava Blanche · Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:59 pm Post subject:

Thank you, Tatakona2 for the pictures and, most important, the link to the Austrian rescue service that has so quickly published the pictures and other information on this accident; this is all quite sobering.

I have taken the liberty to re-post some of the pictures at a smaller size on the earlier thread about Austrian avalanche accidents; however, if you think that this accident should continue as a separate thread, maybe you could re-size your picture and we can then continue.

Don't worry about your English- post comments in German and I am sure we can get someone else to provide a reasonable translation.
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There are no easy solutions, only intelligent choices

tatakona2 · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 26

The area was open, no rope to duck, the slope is no threat for marked and groomed resort slopes.

I do not think there must be a rope, there was a sign with the avy hazard blah blah blah and everybody should take his own decissions (I am sure the lucky dutch guy who was swept will decide more conservatively where to ski in the future Shocked

).

The euro resorts may have different politics and responsibilities than US or Canada. I believe they are only responsible for marked slopes. So I do not think the remark about so many avy experts who saw the slope is of importance.

Basically I just wanted to share the link to the pictures, but every comment is appreciated, I learn a lot on this forum, thanks.

Valdez Telehead · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 1568

I know that as a soloist quite often in avalanche terrain, that is the type of slope I would never consider soloing, inbound or elswhere.

Europe is odd in regards to avalanche risk than the US. They seem to be more "it happens", they accept the incidents as part of the ways of the mountain and skiing huge resort systems.

Ava Blanche · Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:02 pm Post subject:

Here is an overview shot of the accident site.

This is where the snowboarder started his run- going by the avalanche warning sign that had been posted.

Here is a close up of the victim being dug up by a rescuer.

My condolences go to the family; when an accident like this happens, it affects all of us, world wide, that love the mountains.

Edit Added: what a nice feeling to find out that the guy actually made it and no condolences are necessary. Sadly, of course, several other people, including 3 Canadians, did die in other accidents.
_________________
There are no easy solutions, only intelligent choices

Ava Blanche · Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:05 pm Post subject:

Tatakona2: could you give us in North America a better idea of where this accident happened in Austria? Is it near Salzburg or closer to Innsbruck?

Also, is the organization that provided the pictures (the Salzburg Warning Service) a government-run organization or more like one of our avalanche associations here?
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There are no easy solutions, only intelligent choices

Gary Brill · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 1717

Perfect terrain for seeking martyrdom in those conditions!

tatakona2 · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 26

This lift goes directly from Zell am See, which is about 80 km SW from Salzburg.

No condolences necessary, the guy survived. He was not even completely buried, his head + one hand were at the top (I repeat myself but extrem lucky he was, wasnt he?...)

The locals start from the lift to the left (from our view), follow the ridge and than head for the forest under the lift. I suppose as everything at the left got tracked the people started to beginn the rides more to the right in the steeper slope and then it was just a question of time... Thats is at least what I believe that happened.

tatakona2 · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 26

Snowman · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 791 Location: Ask Heisenberg

My understanding of the Austrian Warning services is that they are state-run. Tirol and Vorarlberg are dedicated avalanche centers with two employees each, funded by those states and not the federal government. Both of those states rely very much on mountain tourism. The avalanche bulletins are also used by local Avalanche Commissioners and other officials in their decisions so they serve recreational interests but others as well.

I think Salzburg has an avalanche advisory which is issued through the weather office in the city of Salzburg.

Jim
Avalanche Center
AlpenPro

mammuth · Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 3 Location: In the Alps