la Grave
A 55 year old high mountain guide was partially buried by an avalanche in la Grave on Friday around midday. The slide was about 50 meters across and 50cm deep. The guide was with six clients in the Enfetchores sector between the refuge Evariste Chancel and the mid station of the cable car. The man was dug out by his clients before being taken to hospital by helicopter with a suspected fracture to his hip. The avalanche risk was 3.
Fatality at Pic du Midi
On Wednesday(10/2/2010) two local riders were caught by an avalanche under the Pic du Midi in the Pyrenees around 14h00. The two men, aged 28 and 36 were descending towards la Mongie by the south-east facing Coume du Pic when they triggered a snow slab. One of the men was carried over cliffs before hitting one of the cable car pylons. An impact that proved fatal for the skier. The avalanche risk was 3/5 but there had been fresh snowfall. The weather was fine and warm.
The dead skier worked for the Tourmalet lift company as a liftie. An experienced mountaineer he worked as a international mountain leader in the summer. He was married with a young daughter. The ski resort was in shock on hearing the news.
Haute-Savoie
A couple of snow shoers triggered an avalanche in the Joux sector on Wednesday around noon. One of the couple, a nurse, was carried 200 meters by the slide but was not buried but suffered a fractured arm. The victim was evacuated by helicopter in an operation complicated by the weather.
