Backcountry Ski Tourer Dies In Slab Avalanche Near Iffgenalp in the Swiss Alps
Bernese Oberland, Switzerland – On the morning of March 26, 2016 a 35-year-old backcountry skier from Bern, Switzerland was killed by an avalanche near Iffigenalp in the municipality of Lenk in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland.
The skier was traveling with a companion at the time of the incident. They were ski touring from Iffigenalp towards Wildstrubelhutte when they triggered the slab avalanche. The avalanche carried the victim several hundred meters. Rescuers responded quickly but found the skier dead. The other skier was found uninjured.
Rescuers included Rega and Air Glaciers Helicopters, Swiss Alpine Club specialists, and the Care Team of the Canton of Bern.
According to SLF.ch, the avalanche took place on a North aspect. The avalanche danger at the time was 1 out of 5. The starting zone was Mittaghore / Iffigtal. This was the 12th avalanche fatality in Switzerland during the 2015/2016 hydrologic year (October 1, 2015 – September 30, 2016). There have been 9 backcountry skiing accidents and 3 off piste accidents.
We will try to update this post as more information becomes available.
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Read more about the avalanche fatality near Iffigenalp in Switzerland from these sources:
- Blick.ch
- LeMatin.ch
- ArcInfo.ch
- Romandie.ch
- SLF.ch Avalanche Accident Report
- SLF.ch – Map of Avalanche Location
