Lawine Crosets: Keine Opfer Zu Beklagen

PETER

You need 3 min read

·

Post on Dec 25, 2024

39 visitor like this post

Share

Lawine Crosets: Keine Opfer zu beklagen – Ein Glücklicher Zufall

Hey Leute! Let’s talk about something that really freaked me out a few years ago: avalanches. Specifically, the avalanche near Crosets. Remember that one? Keine Opfer zu beklagen – thankfully, no one died. But let me tell you, it was a close call. And it taught me a whole lot about avalanche safety.

I was skiing in the area, maybe five or six years ago? I can’t remember exactly, time flies when you're having fun… or freaking out about near-death experiences. Anyway, I was with a group, a little off-piste, you know? Thinking we were being super careful. We checked the avalanche forecast – it was a moderate risk, nothing too crazy. We had our avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes – the whole shebang. We even took an avalanche safety course a few months before. We thought we were prepared. Spoiler alert: we weren't fully prepared.

<h3>The Scare of a Lifetime</h3>

We were making our way down this seemingly innocent slope when, BAM! A massive cloud of snow exploded just above us. It was totally surreal, like something out of a movie. My heart jumped into my throat. I could feel my legs shaking. We were lucky – the avalanche passed slightly to the side of us. We were dusted, sure, but we weren’t buried. We watched in stunned silence as it roared down the mountain.

It was terrifying. Absolutely terrifying. The sheer power of nature, you know? It’s humbling. And it definitely made me re-evaluate my approach to backcountry skiing. I realized then that even with all the gear and training, you can't be too careful.

<h3>Lessons Learned: Avalanche Safety Tips</h3>

That near-miss in Crosets changed everything for me. I learned some serious lessons that day, and I want to share them with you, because knowledge is power (especially when it comes to staying alive).

• Check the Avalanche Forecast Religiously: Don't just glance at it. Seriously study it. Understand the avalanche danger levels, the terrain aspects, and what the forecast means for your planned route. Websites like the SLF (Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research) are your friends. I mean, seriously friends.

• Don't Underestimate the Power of Nature: Even a "moderate" risk can be deadly. Avalanches are unpredictable and incredibly powerful. That moderate risk could have killed us. Respect the mountain.

• Gear Up and Know How To Use It: Having the right equipment – avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe – is crucial, but it's useless if you don’t know how to use it effectively. Practice, practice, practice! Take an avalanche safety course and make sure to do regular practice drills with your friends.

• Go With Experienced People: Seriously. If you're unsure about anything, don’t go it alone. Always go with someone who has experience, good judgment, and knows the terrain.

• Have an Escape Plan: Before you even start your ascent, figure out potential escape routes in case things go wrong.

<h3>The Aftermath: More Than Just a Scare</h3>

The avalanche near Crosets was a wake-up call. I'm still a little jumpy around steep slopes, I won't lie. But I'm also a much more cautious and informed skier. I wouldn’t trade my experience, even the scary part of it. It made me a better skier, a better outdoors person, and it made me appreciate life a little more.

So, if you’re planning any off-piste adventures, please, please, please take avalanche safety seriously. It’s not worth risking your life. Keine Opfer zu beklagen should be the goal, every single time.