December newsletter "Avalanche Corner"

General Discussion
1

There will be a regular slot in the newsletter on avalanches.  Since the space in the newsletter is limited we can have further discussion here.

This avalanche happened on 29th November above Val Thorens.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aFVaBr8Z7_Y

There is more information about this avalanche on the French website "Data Avalanche"

https://www.data-avalanche.org/avalanche/1701375104153

The avalanche happened on a steep, NE slope at about 3100m.  

The avalanche forecast published the day before is here.  Unfortunately the French dont publish avalanche forecasts in English.  The format of the reports has changed this year.  

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8qg8z901950onn7wgkwfe/BRA.VANOISE.20231128141929.pdf?rlkey=gcsgfh8l4n0bycmivkcfvec5s&dl=0

I hope this post may generate some useful discussion about the resources we all use in planning our ski touring.

If you want to understand more about slab avalanches there is a useful video on the clubs you tube channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SS0fc0RPkU

 

2

Another recent avalanche (Sat 9th December) was this one near La Clusaz starting from the popular car park at Confins.  Some interesting comments about micro route choice on the data avalanche website.  Several of the party were buried including one woman completely.  The party found and dug out everyone uninjured.

https://www.data-avalanche.org/avalanche/1702211902992