Multiple avalanche burials are a subject that preoccupies backcountry travellers with much discussion about the latest avalanche transceivers and how they cope with this problem.

We talked about the dangers of cornices recently. This weekend the mountain rescue (Peleton de Gendarmerie and Fire Services) had a difficult night rescue in the Vosges.

Last weekend was marked by sustained snowfall in the Pyrenean mountains, especially towards the west. The fresh snow was accompanied by strong winds. Locally up to a meter of new snow was recorded.

The snowy start to December continued over the weekend with up to a meter of new snow in the central and western Pyrenees and fresh snow in the Alps.

The French Northern Alps, Pyrenees and Corsica are on yellow alert for avalanches today.

The central Pyrenees has been blasted by a storm bringing over a meter of fresh snow in some areas. As a consequence the avalanche risk is 4/5 over a number of mountain ranges.

Météo-France has issued a yellow avalanche alert for the Savoie and Southern French Alps due to an ongoing "retour d'Est" weather event. The alert covers today, Monday 15th November.

Here is a list of mountain passes that are closed for cycling etc.

Two soldiers from specialized mountain units have been involved in an avalanche incident near the Pointe de Gargan (2767m) in the Beaufortain mountain range yesterday.

Mayeul Aldebert has posted an impressive picture of the cornice on the backside of Mont Pourri that he took the other day.