Two Ski Guides Died In Two Separate Off Piste Avalanches in Lech am Arlberg, Austria | Third Skier Survives 50 Minute Burial In Obergurgl
Lech am Arlberg, Austria – On Friday, March 4, 2016 two separate avalanches occurred in Lech am Arlberg, in Vorarlberg, Austria at approximately the same time. According to Heute.at, both avalanches occurred off-piste.
The first avalanche was triggered in the Mohnenfluh terminal as a group was skiing off piste between Lech and Schröcken. The mountain guide skied first and was caught and buried at approximately 10 AM. The guide was recovered by his clients after about 20 minutes, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. Responders include a emergency medical team in a Gallus 1 helicopter, mountain rescue, dog teams, and ski school volunteers.
The EAWS reports that this size 2 slab avalanche occurred at 2000 meters on a north aspect. it was 500 meters long by 50 meters wide by 25 centimeters deep. The guide was buried without an air pocket.
The second avalanche was triggered off piste near Mehlsack at approximately 11:25 AM. The avalanche caught and buried a 71-year-old ski guide from Vienna who was skiing with a group of 3 Dutch skiers. The guide was buried 1.8 meters deep and was recovered with an avalanche transceiver by his clients, but resuscitation was unsuccessful.
The EAWS reports that this size 2 slab avalanche occurred at 2600 meters on an East aspect. It was 120 meters long by 70 meters wide by 50 centimeters deep. The guide was carried about 50 meters. He had an ABS backpack but was unable to trigger it.
According to SnowBrains.com, both guides were fully certified IFMGA mountain guides.
A third avalanche in Obergurgl in Tyrol caught and buried a 48-year-old man. He miraculously survived being buried 1-meter deep for 50 minutes and was responsive when recovered. He was a flown by helicopter to the hospital in Zams. He was not wearing an avalanche transceiver. (Salzburg.com)
The avalanche danger at the time was rated 3 out of 5 or “considerable”.
Updated 3/5: Avalanche details from the EAWS are now included in the above information.
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Read more about these avalanches in Lech am Arlberg, Austria from these sources:
- EAWS Avalanche Accident Reports
- SnowBrains.com
- N-TV.de
- Krone.at
- Kleinezeitung.at
- TT.com
- Vol.at
- Vol.at
- Heute.at
- Salzburg.com
- Vorarlberg.orf.at
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March has been tragic in the mountains. Avalanche Canada warns that March is often the deadliest month for avalanches. So far These avalanche accidents also occurred:
- Three Dead In Three Separate Avalanche Accidents In Buryatia, Russia
- Avalanche Kills Ski Tourer On Breitenberg Mountain in German Alps
