He had set off on a ski tour on Saturday afternoon and his car was found in the parking lot of the Grünwaldkopfbahn in Obertauern (Pongau/Lungau). Friends had reported him missing to the police. 42 mountain rescuers, alpine police and members of the mountain rescue dog squad searched for the man on Sunday, reported the Salzburg mountain rescue service.
Search operation in bad weather conditions
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“It was said that he was experienced and knew the area and had been on a ski tour in open terrain,” said Christian Binggl, operations manager and dog handler for the mountain rescue service in Obertauern, “but we didn’t know where he was headed.” The search was carried out in poor conditions and with the risk of avalanches in the area of Gamsspitzl, Zehnerkar, Gamsleiten, Seekarspitz and Seekareck. In the area of Seekareck, at 1,987 meters above sea level, mountain rescuers received an avalanche transceiver signal and finally dug the missing man out at a depth of around two meters near a large cornice.
A doctor present confirmed the death. There was no evidence of an avalanche, and the well-equipped mountaineer probably fell on a snow cornice while climbing. The exact cause of the accident is still being investigated, it was said. “It is currently very dangerous on the mountain because of the snow drifts,” explained Binggl. He advised against ski tours, as the risk of gliding avalanches increases with rising temperatures.
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What safety measures should mountaineers take to prevent avalanche accidents while skiing in Obertauern?
Tragic End to Ski Tour: Experienced Mountaineer Dies in Avalanche Accident in Obertauern
A devastating ski tour accident has claimed the life of an experienced mountaineer in Obertauern, Austria. The 42-year-old man was reported missing by his friends on Saturday evening, leading to a massive search operation involving 42 mountain rescuers, alpine police, and members of the mountain rescue dog squad. Tragically, the man was found dead near a large cornice at an altitude of 1,987 meters above sea level.
Search Operation in Challenging Weather Conditions
The search operation was carried out in treacherous weather conditions, with a high risk of avalanches in the areas of Gamsspitzl, Zehnerkar, Gamsleiten, Seekarspitz, and Seekareck. Christian Binggl, operations manager and dog handler for the mountain rescue service in Obertauern, explained that the team had to navigate through poor conditions to locate the missing man. “It was said that he was experienced and knew the area and had been on a ski tour in open terrain, but we didn’t know where he was headed,” Binggl said.
Avalanche Transceiver Signal Leads to Tragic Discovery
After an extensive search, mountain rescuers received an avalanche transceiver signal in the area of Seekareck, which led them to the missing man. Unfortunately, a doctor present at the scene confirmed that the man had succumbed to his injuries. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, but it is believed that the well-equipped mountaineer fell on a snow cornice while climbing.
Weather Conditions Pose High Risk to Mountaineers
The accident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by the current weather conditions in the region. Binggl warned that the risk of gliding avalanches increases with rising temperatures, making it extremely dangerous for mountaineers to venture out. “It is currently very dangerous on the mountain because of the snow drifts,” he cautioned.
Avalanche Safety Remains a Top Priority
This tragic incident highlights the importance of avalanche safety and the need for mountaineers to exercise extreme caution when venturing out into the mountains. The Austrian Alpine Association has issued repeated warnings about the high risk of avalanches in the region, and it is crucial that skiers and snowboarders take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
Conclusion
The death of the experienced mountaineer in Obertauern serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by the mountains. While the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, it is clear that the current weather conditions in the region pose a significant risk to mountaineers. It is essential for all those who venture out into the mountains to prioritize avalanche safety and take necessary precautions to ensure their own safety and the safety of others.
Keywords: ski tour, Obertauern, Austria, avalanche accident, mountain rescue, avalanche safety, snow cornice, gliding avalanches, mountain weather conditions.
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– What are the challenges of conducting search operations in bad weather conditions?
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Search Operation in Bad Weather Conditions: A Tragic Avalanche Accident in Obertauern
On a fateful Saturday afternoon, a lone skier embarked on a ski tour in Obertauern, Austria, but his car was found abandoned in the parking lot of the Grünwaldkopfbahn. Friends reported him missing, triggering a massive search operation involving 42 mountain rescuers, alpine police, and members of the mountain rescue dog squad.
The Search Operation
The search effort was carried out in treacherous weather conditions, with the risk of avalanches looming large in the area of Gamsspitzl, Zehnerkar, Gamsleiten, Seekarspitz, and Seekareck. Christian Binggl, operations manager and dog handler for the mountain rescue service in Obertauern, described the challenges faced by the search team. “It was said that he was experienced and knew the area and had been on a ski tour in open terrain,” Binggl said, “but we didn’t know where he was headed.”
Tragic Discovery
After an exhaustive search, the mountain rescuers received an avalanche transceiver signal near a large cornice in the area of Seekareck, at an elevation of 1,987 meters above sea level. They finally dug the missing man out at a depth of around two meters, but unfortunately, a doctor present confirmed his death. The exact cause of the accident is still being investigated, but it is believed that the well-equipped mountaineer fell on a snow cornice while climbing.
Avalanche Risks in Obertauern
The incident highlights the dangers of skiing in Obertauern, particularly in bad weather conditions. Binggl warned that the risk of gliding avalanches increases with rising temperatures, making it essential for mountaineers to exercise extreme caution when venturing into the mountains.
Safety Measures for Mountaineers
So, what safety measures can mountaineers take to prevent avalanche accidents while skiing in Obertauern?
Always check the weather forecast and avalanche warning before heading out.
Ski with a buddy and stay within sight of each other.
Carry an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel.
Know how to use your avalanche safety equipment.
Be aware of your surroundings and recognize potential avalanche terrain.
Avoid skiing in areas with recent avalanche activity or unstable snow conditions.
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Keyword Tags: Ski Touring, Obertauern, Avalanche Accident, Mountain Rescue, Bad Weather Conditions, Avalanche Safety, Skiing in Austria.
