Salzburg, Austria – On January 22, 2017 a skier was seriously injured in an avalanche while skiing near Pfeifferköpfl (2100m) between Neukirchen and Bramberg am Wildkogel in the Kitzbuhel Alps inSalzburg, Austria.
The skier was in a group of four local skiers. It is likely that the group of free skiers triggered the avalanche. The individual was caught in the slide and was subsequently rescued and resuscitated. Unfortunately, he sustained serious injuries during the avalanche. The injured individual was transported to the University Hospital in Innsbruck. According to Heute.at and Derneuemannde.com, the skier died of the injuries.
See photos of the avalanche on Salzburg.com and Salzburg.orf.at.
We will try to update this post when more information is available.
UPDATE 1/23:
- According to the avalanche accident report from Lawine.Salzburg.at, this avalanche occurred from near the Frühmesser. The avalanche was a size 2 dry slab avalanche that occurred on a 40 degree slope at 1860 meters. The slide was 10 meters wide, 200 meters long, and 20-80 cm deep. The victim was buried 2.4 meters deep. The victim was located and extricated quickly.
- All four of the skiers had the necessary safety equipment. The avalanche was triggered as the 3rd skier entered the slope. The first two were in a safe spot.
- The avalanche danger rating at this elevation for the Hohe Tauern on 20170122 was 2 out of 5 – moderate.
- Photos, maps, and snow profiles are available at Lawine.Salzburg.at.
UPDATE 1/25:
- According to Nachrichten.at and Salzburg.orf.at, the 23-year-old skier died of his injuries. RIP.
Below are additional avalanche fatalities in Austria this season:
- 20161016 – Hintertux Glacier, Olperer – 1
- 20161126 – Verwall Valley, Obergurgl – 2
- 20161231 – Krahbergzinken, Schladming – 1
- 20170111 – Maroispitze, Stuben – 1
- 20170114 – Sonnenlagant, Brand, Vorarlberg – 1
- 20170116 – Trittkopf Gasmulde, Zurs am Arlberg, Vorarlberg – 1
- 20170119 – Rotkogel, Solden, Tyrol – 1
- 20170122 – Wildgerlostal, Krimml, Salzburg -2
Read more about the avalanche in Salzburg, Austria from the following sources:
All information in this post was found using Google Translate. There may be errors in this information. Please use the sources listed above to verify all facts.
