Spring is Here, So are the Avalanches

TUESDAY, 25 APRIL 2006

With the arrival of spring, the risk of avalanches is getting high due to the increasing temperature. Since the start of this month, there have already been several reports of avalanches burying skiers and snowboarders. Those who were lucky got rescued in time while the unfortunate ones met their deaths with thick snow above them.

Probably the most notable of this month's avalanche-related deaths is the death of skier Doug Coombs in France last April 3. Coombs, who was considered one of North America's top 25 skiers, was reported to have been swept away by an avalanche along with another man and were taken 200 meters over the cliffs. He died almost instantly, while the other man died on the way to the hospital. Other reports stated that Coombs may have accidentally fallen off while trying to rescue the same man who earlier hit an icy patch and was carried off the cliff.

On April 1, David Garcia, a 29 year-old trainee Spanish guide also got killed by an avalanche in the Southern Alps in France. He carried around 100 meters and was eventually buried by the slide. His four companions, which include two French guides were left unscathed.

Then there are the lucky ones. A man was rescued 15 minutes after being buried under the slide in Glencoe, Scotland last April 8. If luck had something to do with it, so do the statistics. Statistics show that people have between 85-92 percent chance to be rescued alive if they are rescued within 15 minutes. The chances rapidly drops from there to only 30-50 percent chance of survival if they get rescued in 30 minutes.

To avoid exposing yourself to such dangers, always check with the local authorities for the avalanche reports and follow them. Travel in the back country as safe as possible and don't be a part of the statistics of avalanche victims.