The series of avalanche incidents continued over this weekend. Today at 15h30 two ski tourers were caught by an avalanche in the Col de Rossanaz (1714m.) sector near Aillon-le-Vieux in the Bauges mountain range. One of the skiers was killed by the slide and the other was taken to hospital by the Civilian Rescue service. The SW side of the Col, the Combe du Cheval, is known to be exposed to windslab. The avalanche risk was considerable (3/5) and the bulletin noted widespread risk of skier triggered slabs.
A ski tourer, part of a group of 3, had a lucky escape after triggering a small avalanche at 2100 meters on steep south facing terrain on Mont Pécloz above the commune of l'École in the Bauges. The skier was taken downhill over 4 rock bands but was able to trigger his airbag which he believed absorbed the shock. The victim lost his skis, poles, goggles and ice axe with damage to his helmet but suffered only light injuries to his neck. He was recovered by the mountain rescue helicopter and after being checked over by a doctor was dropped at the car park where he'd left his car.
A skier triggered an avalanche descending from the summit of the Pointe de Chaurionde (2123m) on the north-west slopes above the ski resort of Seythenex in the Bauges. The skier was carried 150 meters down-slope but was able to activate his airbag and remained on the surface and was able to dig himself out, in a state of shock but without injury.
A 31 year old ski instructor was killed by an avalanche around midday on south-east facing slopes to the Bois de l'Ours chairlift at les Arcs 2000 at 2350 meters.. He was ski touring with two friends, also ski instructors. The sector was difficult to access. Buried under 3 meters of snow his friends had already located the victim when the rescue services arrived on the scene but due to the depth of burial they had not yet reached him. The victim was recovered in a state of cardio-vascular arrest. After medical treatment on the scene he was airlift to Annecy hospital in a critical condition and succumbed to his injuries later in the day. The group were equipped with beacons, probes and shovels but the burial depth was decisive. The avalanche risk was 3/5 with the potential for some large slabs at altitude.
Around 15h00 a group of ski tourers triggered an avalanche at la Norma, a ski area in the Maurienne. The slide was around 2400 meters. One of the skiers suffered shoulder injuries in the slide and was air lifted to hospital.
A ski tourer was reported missing on Sunday evening. He had left for a ski tour near the col du Lauteret in the Hautes Alpes. The police located his car and a search on Monday morning detected an avalanche beacon under an avalanche at 2600m. below the summit of the Petite Buffe near to la Grave.
On Saturday around 13h00 two ski tourers, part of a group of 8, were injured by an avalanche in the Chaudefour valley near the ski area of Le Mont Dore in the Massif Central. The slide occured on steep slopes near the Puy des Crebasse. The rescue helicopter was unable to land due to low cloud. The mountain rescue (PGM) evacuated the victims on foot to the road where they were transported to hospital in Clermont Ferrand by ambulance.
Saturday saw 5 avalanche incidents in the Hautes-Alpes with two injuries. The avalanche risk was 4/5 in the region with the risk of wind blown fresh snow and the probability of skier triggered avalanches at altitude on all slope aspects.
Around 11h30 at les Orres two ski tourers triggered an avalanche on the West face of the Pic du Boussolenc burying one of the skiers. Rescued by other ski tourers in the sector but suffering from a thigh injury he was air lifted to hospital.
At 13h00 a group of three ski tourers triggered an avalanche on the Pointe de l’Eyssina near the ski resort of Vars. One of the men lost his skis in the slide. The mountain rescue helicopter wasn't able to fly due to bad weather but the mountain rescue helped the skiers to descend on foot.
At 15h00 a group of four ski tourers triggered an avalanche under the “rocher Carré” near Prorel. Two of the skiers were buried by the slide. They were rescued by the other skiers suffering from knee injuries. Again the bad weather stopped the helicopter from coming to the scene and the two injured skiers were recovered by piste patrollers and mountain rescue.
Further information: http://www.data-avalanche.org/