2 Skiers Nearly Caught in Large Avalanche in Australia After 40″ Storm

AvyBrains | | Post Tag for AvalancheAvalanche

Australia just saw 100cms (40″) of snow in 4 days.

That new snow has lead to instabilities in the Australia backcountry.

2 skiers were nearly caught in an avalanche in the Mount Hotham backcountry in Victoria that they triggered

Avalanche just out of bounds of Mt. Hotham, Australia yesterday. Skiers who triggered it circled. image: ELI GREIG

Our friend and fellow guide is the head of ski patrol at Hotham.  He told local media today:

‘We have had a sizeable avalanche in the nearby back country this morning.”

‘No one was injured or involved, fortunately, but it was a close call.’ – Bill Barker, head of ski patrol at Hotham

Karl Gray told the AAP that the avalanche “looked about a metre (40″) deep.”

The last time there were avalanche fatalities in Australia was in 2014, when two snowboarders were killed in Victoria.  The first ever recorded avalanche fatality in Australia occurred in 1956 in New South Wales.

Avalanche risk is rated at HIGH today in Victoria.

VICTORIA AVALANCHE ADVISORY:

This Advice message is being issued for Victorian Alps.

  • This Advice message replaces the Advice message issued yesterday at 7:30pm.
  • Avalanches have been occurring in the last 12 hours.
  • Ski resorts continue to conduct controlled avalanches today to reduce the risk at resorts.
  • Warmer weather today is increasing the risk of avalanches.
You should avoid activities such as skiing, snowboarding, or hiking in remote areas of the Alps as there is an increased risk of avalanches occurring.
The safest area for skiing and winter activities is within the patrolled resort areas.

What you should do:

  • You should be aware of the risks of avalanches outside of patrolled resort areas.
  • When driving you should stay on main roads. Observe road closures.
  • Experienced skiers and snowboarders should be aware that avalanches in backcountry areas is highly likely on snow covered steep slopes.
  • You can find information on fitting snow chains to your car here: www.snowsafe.org.au/chain-fitting/.

Impacts in your area:

  • There are a number of roads closed in the area. Check the VicTraffic website (traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/) for road closures or call 13 11 70.
  • All ski resorts remain open. You should check ski resort websites and talk to ski patrols about the latest conditions.
  • Your safety can not be guaranteed outside of the patrolled resort areas.

This message was issued by Emergency Management Commissioner.

The next update is expected by 09/08/2017 02:00 pm or as the situation changes.
 
For information on staying safe in the snow:
  • Via www.emergency.vic.gov.au.
  • Tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.
  • Call the VicEmergency Hotline to talk to someone about this warning on freecall 1800 226 226.
  • People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have a speech/communication impairment can contact VicEmergency Hotline via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677.
  • For help with English, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to telephone VicEmergency Hotline. If you know someone who cannot speak English, provide them with this number.
  • Download the VicEmergency app or follow VicEmergency on Twitter or Facebook.
Posted by AvyBrains |

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