Salzburg, Austria – On January 22, 2017 four snowshoers, ages 30 to 40, from the Czech Republic were caught in an avalanche while snowshoeing under the Zittauer Hutte in the Wildgerlostal near Krimml in the Hohe Tauern in Salzburg, Austria.
The avalanche occurred at approximately 1700 meters. All four snowshoers were caught. Two were partially buried and were able to free themselves. They alerted authorities at approximately 10:45 am. Those two individuals were able to find one of their companions and began resuscitation efforts.
Rescuers arrived on scene and were able to locate the 4th individual. Unfortunately the two individuals died from their injuries.
None of the snowshoers had the the proper emergency equipment (Salzburg.com). Lawine.Salzburg.at rated the avalanche danger as considerable.
See photos of the avalanche on Salzburg.com and Salzburg.orf.at.
We will try to update this post with more information when it is available.
UPDATE 1/23:
- According to the avalanche accident report from Lawine.Salzburg.at, this spontaneous dry avalanche was triggered roughly 700-800 meters above the group in extremely rocky terrain – approximately 2400 meters – below the Trisslkopf (2694 meters) in the Wildgerlostal.
- Three of the four snowshoers were completely buried. The remaining companion saved one individual who was buried 0.5 meters deep. They dug out a 3rd companion who was buried 1.5 meters deep and began resuscitation efforts. The last person was found by mountain rescue and was 2.0 meters deep. The two deepest burials did not survive. The group did NOT have the proper safety equipment.
- This size 2 dry, slab avalanche occurred at 2400 meters. It was 700 meters long, was roughly a few meters wide, and 10-30 cm deep. It occurred on a 40-50 degree slope on a West aspect. The avalanche danger at the time for the Hohe Tauern was 3 out of 5 – Considerable.
- For maps and photos visit Lawine.Salzburg.at.
UPDATE 1/24: Lawis.at reports that the avalanche occurred at ]47.1852 ° N/12.1239 ° E on a 45 degree slope on a West aspect at 2400 meters. Thye call it a size 2 slab avalanche that was 600 meters long, 15 meters wide, and 20 cm deep. The avalanche danger was considerable at the time of the accident. (Lawis.at accident report 2017-01-22 010:30)
This is the 10th avalanche fatality 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
Read more about the avalanche in Salzburg, Austria that killed two snowshoers 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.
