Avalanche Danger - Alps, February 2011 - WATCH THIS

If you're (thinking of) heading off-piste in The Alps at all in the next few weeks, you should watch this video from Henry Schniewind (he of Henry's Avalanche Talk)

Although this is specifically for the Northern French Alps, there are similar conditions across The Alps where it has been cold and dry for a while.

Henry wrote:"If it does snow, it will be extremely unstable - see video to understand why"

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150144862908054

Be careful out there! :shock:

Good advice Dave.

It won't solely be a problem for February 2011. This layer of depth hoar will remain for the whole 2011 season. Only one way to fix it apparently, and that is heavy rain up to 4000m to saturate the snowpack.

I did my first avalanche training last year and was thinking of doing another one this season too. However we still have the avalanche danger at 1 out of 5 and if you go off piste the risk is to hit the rock rather than being buried, and snow on South facing slopes is so thin you can see through it were it still exists, if it slides it won't bury a cat. Last time I wore a transceiver was the very beginning of January, since then it was all about the back protection. (i understand that for mountaneering it can be different, when you tour far in the backcountry in the heart of the mountains, but anywhere in the proximity of the resorts there is no need so far to worry about it) I doubt much will change this season, it has been already stated on TV that this winter is the driest in 60 years for the region. Oh yes, snow finally arrived - whole 10 cm of it whereas about 1 meter is desperately needed to repair the damage and make resort skiable till the end of the season which is April 30 this year. If March is warm and snow cannons can't be used, it can be all closed before then. The funny bit is that my friend quit his job in States and got a contract here so that to spent a season in verbier/chamonix and they are having a record snow fall over there (he is from Denver on top of it, but I was told that even the East Coast is snowy).

SLF Avalanche Bulletin in English for Weds 23rd Feb 2011

http://www.slf.ch/lawineninfo/lawinenbulletin/nationale_lawinenbulletins/index_EN

Avalanche danger forecast for Wednesday

Northern flank of the Alps excluding the western Prealps; Valais; northern Ticino; Grisons:

Considerable avalanche danger (level 3)

On the northern flank of the Alps excluding the western Prealps, and in northern Ticino, Val Calanca and Val Moesa, the avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep slopes of all aspects above approximately 2000 m. The snow that has fallen since Sunday can still be released easily in some places. Snow drift accumulations are also forming and becoming larger during the day. This applies in particular at high altitude and south of the main Alpine ridge down to areas close to the tree line. The fresh snow drift accumulations can be released easily and are to be avoided.
In Valais and Grisons, excluding both Val Calanca and Val Moesa, the avalanche prone locations are to be found, in particular, on wind-loaded slopes of all aspects above approximately 2400 m. At high altitudes, the snow drift accumulations are still becoming larger during the day. They can be released easily and are to be avoided.
In all the regions subject to this danger level, experience in the assessment of avalanche danger is required by those venturing off piste.

If I recall correctly, most avalanche deaths occur when the risk level is at 3.

I presume this is because most people will exercise extreme care when the risk goes up to 4 or 5 but are more relaxed, and take more chances, when it is "only at 3".

It sounds as if it is probably a lot more dangerous than people think right now!

Wanderer wrote:If I recall correctly, most avalanche deaths occur when the risk level is at 3.

I presume this is because most people will exercise extreme care when the risk goes up to 4 or 5 but are more relaxed, and take more chances, when it is "only at 3".

It sounds as if it is probably a lot more dangerous than people think right now!

Yes I think you're probably right, as I know for one that I have gone off piste without thinking when its been at 3.

I am so looking forward to doing the Wangelspitz in Mayrhofen next week as well :(

I am so looking forward to doing the Wangelspitz in Mayrhofen next week as well :(