A dangerous Mix dominates the Alps

The avalanche danger on the Northern flank of the Alps considerably. In the last two days there were from the Eastern Bernese Oberland to Liechtenstein and in the Grisons, up to 50 centimetres of snow. In the height of strong came up to stormy Wind. While mostly mainly North-facing slopes prone to avalanches, is increased, the risk currently all of the slope.

The reason for this is the Wind, as Thomas Stucki from the WSL Institute for snow and avalanche research SLF says. By the North wind, unstable snow are collections of the rest of the Slopes were created.

Thinner layers of Snow are dangerous

"slopes are Affected at the Moment with drifted snow, which is steeper than thirty degrees," says Stucki. The snow games with the avalanche danger, only a minor role. Thinner layers of Snow, according to Stucki even more unstable than thick. The thinner the layer, the more the snow boards. Larger masses of Snow stabilized, however, with its own weight of the layers. In addition, they isolated the underlying masses.

Stucki compares the occurrence of avalanches with a house of cards: "It needs for the formation of an avalanche of Snow on a weak layer. If this breaks under the weight of the overlying snow layers, similar to a house of cards, which falls together, then the avalanche."

Widespread considerable avalanche danger
The avalanche danger in accordance with the WSL Institute for snow and avalanche research from Friday 17 hrs. (green=low, yellow=moderate, orange=significant).

falls On the weekend, according to the SLF in the North and in Grisons, the snow spread. In height a strong to stormy Wind from the North blows. The avalanche danger could rise on Sunday.

The time of day has no influence on the avalanche danger. In the spring, the sun provides sunlight and heating, according to Stucki, the risk may be increased in the Morning, deep in the afternoon.

to Avoid or escape

ski touring, off the slopes are also now possible, provided that the backcountry skiers or freeriders, well trained, and properly equipped to learn, says Stucki. "It is important that thorough training and experience in the assessment of avalanche danger." For emergency equipment, avalanche am search spill device, a probing rod and a shovel.

The best time to let it go, that one triggers a slab avalanche. It happens but, nevertheless, should you try to escape to the front or to the side, or if this is not possible, the poles and the Ski to get rid of. Anybody in the Snow, should try to keep swimming and Kicking on the surface.

Prior to the standstill of the avalanche should do with the arms, a cavity in front of the face to Breathe, because if the avalanche is once, you can't move, white Stucki.

"In the avalanche, it is embedded in concrete"

suffocate most of The victims in avalanches, killed by lack of oxygen or die from injuries that occur during the impact on stones or trees, or by the violence of the avalanche.

"Many underestimate Stucki says the weight of the snow and the forces of an avalanche". "A cubic meter of dry avalanche snow weighs about 300 to 400 kg.""

"Who is once enclosed by an avalanche, is set in concrete," says avalanche expert. A victim will be found within 15 minutes, the chance of Survival. Then the case solid.

However, the cooling also has a positive feature: Cools the body, the circulation is weaker. As a result, he uses less energy and oxygen.

two deaths

Last Thursday, had been spilled in the Swiss Alps, five people, four Avalanches. Two people died and two more were injured.

A 56-year-old ski driver who was in Flumserberg in an avalanche, died after his recovery in the hospital. A 31-year-old split Board driver was in a same tags entrained at the Flüela-Wisshorn in Davos, an avalanche. On Friday morning he succumbed in the hospital in Chur to his injuries.

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 04.01.2019, 19:34 PM