Category: Incident
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Avalanche incident analysis Gaiskogel (27.01.2024)
A fateful avalanche incident on the Gaiskogel in the Kühtai-Gegenkamm region caused a fatality on 27.01.2024. The cause was a near-surface persistent weak layer including the snowdrift accumulations recently deposited on top of it. Sequence of events Three persons marched from the Kühtai ski area to the Gaiskogel (2820 m) east of the Dreisenhütte. On…
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Increased triggerings – more danger zones due to more wind
On the weekend, particularly yesterday on 14.01.2024, increasingly frequent triggerings were reported to headquarters. One avalanche on the north flank of Geierköpfe in the Ammergau Alps was fatal. Two ice climbers were caught by an avalanche, one person did not survive the fall. In all the triggerings, a fresh and easily recognized snowdrift problem prevailed.…
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Persistent gliding snow problem; Short analysis of fateful Rofelewand avalanche (Pitztal)
The snowpack has settled significantly as a result of the noticeably higher temperatures, avalanche danger has receded. What remains: a persistent gliding snow problem and a diminishing snowdrift problem at high altitudes. Also in this blog: a brief analysis of the fateful avalanche near the Rofelewand in Pitztal. Heavy precipitation and storm winds – a…
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It’s getting wintery, danger of avalanches is rising – Avalanche accident Glockturm
We expect heavy snowfall over the next few days, accompanied by storm winds. Numerous avalanche prone locations will be generated. Winter sports enthusiasts should be keenly aware of the heightened risks of triggering an avalanche in steep terrain during the coming days. Today (23.11.2023) a slab avalanche was triggered in extremely steep, southeast-facing terrain at…
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Details about recent avalanches
In a nutshell… Yesterday (28.03) several winter sports enthusiasts were awfully lucky. Shady slopes above about 2300m are currently the most dangerous. In those regions with lots of fresh snow, please exercise immense restraint. Background of the avalanchesWe report on two avalanches: one on Gampberg in the western Verwall Massif, one on Nörderberg in the…
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Numerous avalanches – also fatalities. Successful artificial triggerings. Cluster risk in open terrain.
Numerous avalanches involving persons We are facing an extraordinary and dangerous situation for winter sports enthusiasts, with high avalanche danger above 1600 m. Confirmation of this during the last two days came from numerous avalanches in which persons were involved. This morning (04.02) there were 29 reports made to headquarters in Tirol. Yesterday (03.02) there…
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An avalanche accident fatality in southern East Tirol. Mostly moderate danger above 2200m.
First avalanche fatality of this winter season The course of the accident Yesterday, 25.01.2023 a person lost his life in an avalanche beneath the Widerschwing on the Carnic Ridge. Four persons were involved in the avalanche, a group of 3 friends and a single person who followed the trio of friends through part of an…
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Good explosion triggerings and triggerings by persons confirm: snowpack still weak
Treacherous avalanche situation continues Right off the bat: particularly in the western regions, but also in northern East Tirol, we have a tenacious problem with a persistent weak layer which is quite pronounced. This problem begins at about 2200m (generally at 2400m), to start with on shady slopes, later frequently on west-facing and east-facing slopes.…
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Diffused persistent weak layer starting at 2000m – Some releases triggered by winter sports enthusiasts
Top priority: persistent weak layer still treacherous – danger zones also on sunny slopes The persistent weak layer is still treacherous. It starts at about 2000m altitude, occurs mostly on shady slopes to begin with, with increasing altitude also on sunny slopes. This has been confirmed by several avalanches in the last few days which…
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Analysis of fatal avalanche accidents Fliesser Berg (04.02.2022) / Breiteggspitze (04.02.2022) / Gammerspitze (05.02.2022)
In just two days, 8 persons lost their lives in three avalanche accidents. One accident occurred on Fliesser Berg in the Samnaun Massif (5 dead), one occurred near the Breiteggspitze in the western Kitzbühel Alps (2 dead) and one occurred near the Gammerspitze in Schmirntal in the northern Zillertal Alps (1 dead). Today we analysed…