Avalanche accident Brennerspitze
Today 28.03, an accident occurred below the Brennerspitze in Oberbergtal, a side valley of the Stubaital. One person skiing down from the summit was caught by a slab avalanche, swept along and totally buried. The person needed to be resuscitated and flown to the clinic in Innsbruck.
The avalanche accident recalls that of 24.03 below the Giggler Spitze: the release triggered near the ridge in extremely steep shady terrain in a spot where the snow was shallow. All signs point to a small-spread old-snow problem. We shall soon undertake snowpack examination in the vicinity of the accident with the Alpine Police. Details will be published on Tuesday evening at earliest.
 |
| Aerial view of avalanche accident Brennerspitze. Arrow points to the entry track, ellipse to where the victim was found. The avalanche triggered very near the ridge. (photo: 28.03.2021) |
 |
| Overview of avalanche fracture with entry track. In background, summit cross of Brennerspitze. (photo: 28.03.2021) |
Springtime conditions: day-by-day more rapid rise in avalanche danger
The next few days will bring us classic springtime conditions. What matters most is how well the snowpack can cool down during the nocturnal hours. The clearer the nighttime skies, the drier the air, the better it is. What requires caution: solar radiation is already quite intensive, the temperatures quite high. Thereby, the snowpack currently becomes rapidly moist or wet during the course of the day, particularly on sunny slopes. Water seepage weakens the snowpack. Especially where currently there exists a near-to-surface old-snow problem (in far-reaching parts of North Tirol and in northern East Tirol) slab avalanches can be triggered ever more easily during the course of the day. Also naturally triggered avalanches are quite possible. To start with, this will strike primarily east-facing and west-facing slopes at 2200-2700m altitude; south-facing, extremely steep terrain at 2700-3000m. Around mid-week, also north-facing slopes at 2000m could be hit.
Quintessence
Careful planning of backcountry tours AND prudent time allowance. Those are the golden rules in coming days.
