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2025 Archive Index - All Editions

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Responders Assist Hikers after Alaska Avalanche

Emergency responders aided two people in the Byron Glacier Valley on Saturday afternoon who needed assistance after a springtime avalanche. The Girdwood Fire Department said on social media that it was responding with Alaska State Troopers to a “frontcountry rescue” at Byron Glacier, near Portage Lake in the Chugach National Forest. A troopers helicopter responded and transported two individuals to awaiting EMTs at the Portage parking lot. There were no fatalities associated with the incident and the injuries didn’t appear to be serious based on preliminary information. The trail to Byron Glacier is surrounded by steep slopes on either side and passes many historic avalanche slide paths, with signs noting avalanche danger posted along the trail. Predeger noted that in terms of current conditions and hazards, there’s still a significant amount of snow in the valley above the trail.
More ... (Anchorage Daily News)

Young Hiker dies in Ortler Range Avalanche in Italy

A mountaineering expedition in the Ortler Range in northern Italy ended in tragedy Friday, May 30, when a 28-year-old mountaineer was swept away by an avalanche while descending the Königsspitze, also known as Gran Zebrù, one of the region’s highest and most challenging peaks. Rescue teams recovered his body early Saturday morning, May 31, after a daylong search in treacherous conditions. Identified as Fabio Trevisan of Leifers (Laives), the seasoned mountaineer and agricultural sciences researcher at the University of Bolzano was accompanied by a friend who escaped unharmed and immediately called emergency services at 11:15 a.m.. The avalanche struck near the summit at an altitude of approximately 3,600 meters (11,811 feet), carrying Trevisan some 400 meters (1,312 feet) down the mountain. His body was located at 3,200 meters (10,499 feet), just below the glacier the following day.

Despite deploying foot teams, avalanche dogs, and advanced detection tools like the Recco system and Arva transceivers, rescuers faced severe challenges. Heavy snow continued to fall, visibility was nearly zero, and the snowpack was dangerously unstable—saturated and slushy, making it difficult even for trained dogs. Strong high-altitude winds grounded the Alpine Rescue helicopter, further delaying operations. “His helmet was found on the surface, and it helped guide our search direction,” said Olaf Reinstadler, commander of the CNSAS Sulden mountain rescue station. The rescue teams discovered the body on Friday when search and rescue was resumed.
Source ... (SnowBrains)

Iceland ramps up avalanche defence with major budget boost

A major budget boost will allow Iceland to ramp up its national flood and avalanche protection initiatives, with the government investing ISK 900 million into these projects over the next five years. “Avalanche defences have repeatedly proven their value, which is why the new government is emphasizing accelerating the most urgent projects with increased budget allocations in the budget,” Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson, minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate, said in a statement on Monday.
Source ... (RCI)

Skier caught in slide near Aspen, Colorado

The Memorial Day weekend may have marked the unofficial start to summer, but avalanches continue to pose a danger to backcountry travelers in Colorado. Over the holiday weekend, a backcountry skier lost his skis but managed to escape without significant injuries after triggering a wet slab avalanche on Independence Pass near Aspen, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. A forecast published Monday, June 2, ranked the avalanche danger throughout Colorado at moderate and even considerable in southern parts of the state in the San Juan mountains near Telluride and Silverton. Colorado Avalanche Information Center director Ethan Greene said the center is extending its forecast, which typically ends May 31, through at least Sunday, June 8. “So we’re still issuing forecasts this week even though that’s not our usual approach,” Greene said. “We were seeing wet slide activity that was dangerous and the weather was looking like it was going to continue that problem.”

The solo backcountry skier triggered the avalanche Sunday, June 1, in an area known as the Fourth of July Bowl. The avalanche swept the skier about 400 feet downhill, partially burying him with his head and one arm above the snow. The skier was able to remove himself from the debris but was unable to find his skis, so he ended up descending on foot back to his vehicle. Another group that had just skied a nearby line witnessed the avalanche around 12:15 p.m. and located the skier caught in the slide after he had unburied himself. The skier reportedly had “minor injuries” and the other group helped him down the mountain.
More... (Aspen Times)