Today, 31.01, at 1:46 pm headquarters in Tirol reported an avalanche on Neunerkogel south of Kühtai. A slab avalanche triggered in extremely steep terrain as one person was in the descent.
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| The arrow and ellipse show the area of the avalanche. In the foreground is the Finstertal Reservoir. To the north, Kühtai is visible. |
The person was swept along by the avalanche. According to latest information, that person was rescued and flown with grave injuries to the hospital in Innsbruck.
The avalanche released on a rocky W/NW-facing slope. Altitude of the primary point of fracture was about 2550 m. An additional slab avalanche subsequently triggered in the plummet path. What was decisive for the release was the recently fallen and transported snow which was deposited on a weak layer. In all likelihood the weak layer was the expansively metamorphosed (faceted) snow from the extended period of beautiful weather (see last blog and the snow profile in it).
Here are some overview photos, given to us by the Alpine Police:
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| Overview photo of the slab avalanche. The entry track, the first (narrow) slab avalanche and the second (wider) slab avalanche below the rocks are visible. (photo: 31.01.2020) |
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| Entry track including primary slab. (photo: 31.01.2020) |
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| Above left, a part of the plummet path of the primary avalanche. Secondarily, another slab avalanche released. (photo: 31.01.2020) |
The snow profile made yesterday, 30.01, on an east-facing slope of Hohe Mute just across from the avalanche is interesting in this connection. Other profiles can be found
here:
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| Significant for the “excellent artificial triggerings” referred to in the profile is the layer embedded between crusts consisting of faceted, loose crystals. On top of that are snowdrifts and fresh snow. |
