The avalanche warning service issued warning level 3. One appeal to all winter sports enthusiasts not to go off-piste.
After the large number of fatal avalanche accidents last weekend, the avalanche danger in Tyrol remains “considerable” on Tuesday, despite the sunshine and almost cloudless weather. The avalanche warning service issued warning level 3, but the danger at this warning level is in the upper range, they say. The danger points would be above the tree line at all exposures, but also in the area of the tree line at around 1800 meters.
The spots are quite common and hardly recognizable even for experienced people. Those responsible once once more appeal to all winter sports enthusiasts to refrain from skiing off the secured pistes in the open ski area as far as possible. They warn that the probability of slabs of snow being released is higher at transitions from little to much snow, such as at the entrance to gullies and troughs. Steep slopes that have not yet been driven on would also pose particular dangers.
carelessness and overconfidence
Those responsible had already announced on Monday that warning level 3 would probably remain in place for most of the week. Experience has shown that most avalanche events occur at this danger level. Last weekend, however, there was warning level 4, i.e. great danger.
In the past few days, the avalanche warning service had repeatedly appealed to winter sports enthusiasts to simply “do without” for a short time and to refrain from ski tours and descents, especially in steep terrain. You can also do many other things in the valley, for example “go to the sauna or whatever,” said Patrick Nairz from the avalanche warning service. Carelessness and overconfidence on the part of the skiers were often identified, although one cannot lump them all in one pot.
Eight avalanche deaths over the weekend
Last Friday and at the weekend, eight people died in avalanches in Tyrol and Vorarlberg. In St. Anton/Arlberg and in Kaunerberg (Landeck district), three athletes died on Saturday, as did a 55-year-old in Kleinwalsertal and a 17-year-old in Zillertal. In East Tyrol, a snow plow driver was hit by an avalanche and died. One person died under a slab of snow in Ötztal on Sunday. A Chinese freerider had a fatal accident in the Tyrolean Ötztal on Friday.
(WHAT)
