Messages posted by : Avalanche Academy
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This season we will once again be running our series of Free Avalanche Awareness Lectures in Geneva, Chamonix, Morzine and Verbier. The lectures last around an hour and are designed to cover the basics of avalanche avoidance, and emergency rescue.
Dates and venues for winter 2013-2014 are as follows: Geneva Monday 09 Dec 2013 6.30pm. Venue: The Clubhouse, Rue Philippe-Plantamour 25, 1201 Geneva. Verbier Wednesday 11 Dec 2013 6.30pm. Venue: Pub Mont Fort, Chemin de la Tinte 10, 1936 Verbier. Morzine Thursday 19 Dec 2013 and Friday 10 Jan 2014 at 6.30pm. Venue: The Bec Jaune Brewery, 220 route de la Combe, 74110 Morzine Chamonix. Every Monday night from 16 Dec to 10 March 2014. Venue: La Terrasse Bar, Place Balmat 74400 Chamonix. 6.15pm Come along and be safer this winter..... |
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Regardless of the avalanche risk category, EVERY member of a group off-piste should be fully equipped with shovel, transceiver and probe. Avalanches can still happen on Cat 1 days - they're just less likely.
It's no different to driving a car. Just because the road is dry, the light is good, and you know the area, doesn't mean you don't bother with a seat belt. Ski safe..... |
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I'll try and stay on the original title of this thread or we could write about this forever....
Most people who die in avalanches die from Asphyxiation (not suffocation which is slightly different). In essence there is enough air in snow (often >90%) to breathe forever. However, because you exhale warm breath a thin layer of condensation forms in the snowpack. This freezes, and then you choke on your own fumes. It's a bit like putting a goldfish bowl over your head. If dug out within the first 15 minutes you have a 90-92% chance of survival (assuming you're not already dead from trauma). After 30 minutes this has dropped to around 30-35% survival rate. What I would now like to add now is that the 15 minute period also includes: Getting to the avalanche site. Doing a transceiver search (possibly over a massive area). Doing a pinpoint search and probing to locate the victim. Digging out the victim. NB - If they are 1m below the surface you will have to excavate around 1 tonne of snow !!! Still think you could do that in 15 minutes ? Only if you are well trained, well equipped and fit. Stay safe out there everyone |
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Just a quick message to let you know that following on from the success of last season's lectures there will again be a FREE Avalanche Awareness lecture in Chamonix every week this winter season.
The lectures are being held upstairs at La Terrasse bar in the centre of Chamonix. They will be at 18.15 every Monday from 10 Dec 2012 to 11 Mar 2013. NB: Christmas and New Year week the lectures will be on a Sunday night instead. Lectures last around 45 minutes, and will be delivered by qualified Mountain Guides resident in Chamonix. The lectures cover a variety of topics, including avalanche avoidance, safe travel, and rescue techniques. Lectures are provided courtesy of www.avalancheacademy.com. Have a safe season..... |
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Airbag manufacturers will obviously tell you that their system is the best, however in reality there is not that much difference between them (currently).
They all weigh around 3kg, and they all have an excellent safety record. Snowpulse gives better head protection than other systems, although the system is found a little less comfortable than ABS by many. They are both certified safe to fly by IATA, although you should always take a copy of the certificate when flying as many airlines don't like carrying them. Some early season education is highly recommended. We will be doing our free Avalanche Awareness presentations every week in La Terrasse in Chamonix (dates TBC shortly) from mid December. Our courses will also be running from 15 December. More details at www.avalancheacademy.com. Stay safe this winter.... |
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You can NEVER guarantee safety even
on a piste. Deaths on piste have occurred due to avalanches crossing the pistes, and due to pistes even avalanching themselves. HOWEVER, you would probably be 100 times more likely to die in a plane crash than to did in an avalanche on-piste. Ski areas take safety very seriously. Enjoy your trip... |
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Excellent idea - the more this is publicised the better.
We have had Category 5 here in Chamonix at least 4 times so far this season ! Stay safe folks.... |
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The Avalanche risk on 9 Jan when this incident occurred was 3/5. The forecast also said the greatest danger was of spontaneous releases on Sunny aspects.
A grassy base, heavy snow, and hot weather have all combined here to produce the inevitable. In Chamonix there was a big spontaneous slide the same day on the Pas de Chevre (off-piste from Grand Montet). A large area (50m x 30m)ripped out on a rock slab base and send debris for around 150m. Same reason - smooth base and high temperatures (on a Westerly aspect). Brilliant video - thanks Bandit. |
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