Analysis of the Durrand Glacier Avalanche Accident

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Durrand Avalanche Report page 9 5. Finally, there is no indication in either the Coroner’s or Larry Stanier’s report to the Coroner of whether the guides at Durrand discussed snow conditions and stability with other nearby operations, such as neighbouring Selkirk Tangiers Heli-skiing, and how their risk management and approach to the hazard differed from these other operations. I. Chronology of events on January 20, 2003 1. At about 8 am on January 20, 2003, two groups of skiers (12 led by Ruedi Beglinger, and a second group of 7 skiers led by assistant guide Ken Wylie), left the Durrand Chalet (1940 m elevation) and headed north down into the headwaters of Cairns Creek. 2. There is no indication in either the Coroner’s Inquiry report or Larry Stanier’s report to the Coroner of whether the guides checked the avalanche transceivers of their guests before leaving, and what, if anything was done to provide them with instructions in what to do if an avalanche occurred, and how, if necessary, to carry out an avalanche rescue, especially one involving multiple burials. Chalet Cairns Creek Swiss Meadows Run-up Bluffs, gullies Tumbledown South Face June 19, 2003 Fig. 8: Looking northwest at the upper Cairns Creek valley, and the route from the Chalet to Swiss Meadows. See also the map on Appendix 3. 3. At the bottom of the valley (about 1620 m), they put on climbing skins and then ski toured up across the south face of Tumbledown Mountain, heading for a relatively low-angled wooded area at timberline known as Swiss Meadows (about 1900 m). Both the headwaters of Cairns Creek, and especially the south face of Tumbledown Mountain, are areas where the lack of trees indicates that frequent snow avalanche activity occurs. Copyright: no part of this report may be reproduced without the written permission of the author.
Durrand Avalanche Report page 10 4. Natural avalanches on Tumbledown Mountain (2747 m) probably occur numerous times per year, and run down across discontinuous bluffs to the confined bottom of the valley. Based on vegetation patterns, some avalanches cross the valley and run for hundreds of metres up the opposite slope. The vegetation damage and amount of run-up is good evidence of the immense size and destructive power of some of the avalanches that periodically descend off the large south face of the aptly named Tumbledown Mountain. Tumbledown Mountain (2747 m) 38° Approximate location of skier’s uphill track Cairns Creek (1550 m) 0 200 m Fig. 9: Slope profile of Tumbledown Mountain’s south face, looking easterly (upstream). This is based on contours given on the 1:20000 map of the area (see Appendix 3). Fronalp Peak Glarona Peak Fatal Avalanche June 19, 2003 Fig. 10: Overview picture looking north at the south face of Tumbledown Mountain, and the approximate route from the Durrand Chalet to the La Traviata couloir. Copyright: no part of this report may be reproduced without the written permission of the author. 25° Tumbledown Mountain Chalet
Page 1 and 2: Analysis of the Durrand Glacier Ava
Page 3 and 4: Executive Summary page 2 The destin
Page 5 and 6: Executive Summary page 4 (e) There
Page 7 and 8: Table of Contents page 2 Figure 14
Page 9 and 10: Durrand Avalanche Report page 2 Dan
Page 11 and 12: Durrand Avalanche Report page 4 6.
Page 15: Durrand Avalanche Report page 8 G.
Page 21 and 22: Durrand Avalanche Report page 14 K.
Page 27 and 28: Durrand Avalanche Report page 20 10
Page 29 and 30: Durrand Avalanche Report page 22 (h
Page 33 and 34: Durrand Avalanche Report page 26 X.
Page 39 and 40: Durrand Avalanche Report page 32 Re
Page 41 and 42: Durrand Avalanche Report page 34 Re

Analysis of the Durrand Glacier Avalanche Accident

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?