Springtime conditions
The beautiful weather and clear nights will give us classic springtime conditions starting on Sunday, 28 February. In early morning, conditions are favorable. Avalanche danger subsequently increases somewhat due to daytime warming and solar radiation. Naturally triggered avalanche activity has receded compared to last week. Winter sports enthusiasts can still trigger slab avalanches, particularly where the snowpack in steep terrain becomes moist/wet during the day. The main danger, however, is glide-snow avalanches, particularly in East Tirol where snowfall has been heaviest.
Other alpine dangers
Apart from the danger of avalanches, we are dedicating this forum to some other alpine dangers which currently require attention.
Danger of taking a fall on hardened surfaces
As a direct consequence of nighttime outgoing radiation and the hardening of snowpack surfaces, the risks of taking a fall atop hardened surfaces needs special consideration. It is advisable to make use of crust spikes or even climbing spikes (and ice pick) when called for.
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| When nocturnal skies have been clear, the snowpack is frozen in early morning, capable of bearing loads. |
Danger from breaking cornices
Particularly in springtime, the danger of naturally breaking cornices increases. It is important to be aware of these risks so that one does not step unconsciously on one, which then breaks beneath the burden.
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| Cornices: beautiful in form, but treacherous (photo: 18.02.2021) |
Danger from crevices
On Thursday, 25 February, someone on the Grossvenediger fatally fell into a crevice. The person was not roped up. Due to intensive precipitation in the southern regions, the impression may have arisen that snow depths on the glaciers is quite adequate. However, high speed winds prevailed during the periods of snowfall in high alpine regions in particular, transporting great masses of snow. The depths on wind-exposed glaciers are often below-average for this juncture of the season.
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| Rescue operation due to fall into a crevice on Grossvenediger (photo: 25.02.2021) |
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| The broken snow bridge. Visible is the extremely thin covering. (photo: 25.02.2021) Snow bridges over brooks We are currently observing brooks and mountain streams slowly opening to view. These streams are carrying more water due to snowmelt. Snow bridges are thus thinner, prone to breaking. Therefore: caution when crossing brooks with lots of water. There is a danger of drowning. There is not always (as in this photo) a snow bridge over the stream.  Cables spanned tight on ascent to Adlersruhe A very local danger, notable because of the popularity of this backcountry touring region, is currently found near the goods-lift up to the Adlersruhe. A very large slab avalanche from Lange Wand in the Grossglockner region destroyed this lift on 6 December 2020.  At the moment, the cables of the goods lift in the central section lie buried in snow about 50-70 cm beside their normal course. They are currently tightly spanned. A possible peering out of the cable in case snowmelt continues is a huge danger to all skiers. This applies also to the mountain station of the lift where high spanning tensions are in play. This state of affairs has led the refuge manager at the Adlersruhe, Toni Riepler, to cordon off the endangered zone and mark it.  |
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| The damaging avalanche. Upper left: Grossglockner. At right along the ridge, encircled: the Adlersruhe. |
