October 15, 2013

First large avalanche of the season involving people at Tignes October 13, 2013. Four people involved no one injured. Frederic Ribaud Photo

While details are still sketchy, early reports from local police indicate that up to four people on the Grand Motte Glacier were caught up by the slide, but were dug out by 70 rescuers equipped with beacons, probes and avalanche rescue dogs. The debris pile is said to have stacked up to three meters deep.

Strong southerly winds and 40 cm of heavy snowfall preceded the avalanche at midday on Sunday, and speculation is that off-piste skiers triggered the 300 meter wide, 400 meter long event above the Grande Motte cable car.

More information in links below.

Some cloud moving into our area today, as a weak system quickly moves through today and tomorrow morning. Sunny and warm by Thursday.

At 2180 meters we have an inversion with the temperature at +3.5. At 1860 meters the temperature was +5.5, winds were 10-20 KPH from the ESE. At 1650 meters the temperature was +4.5. In the valley it was +1. Observations taken at 07:30 hrs this am October 15, 2013.

For the forecast a weak system sliding down the coast will give us cloudy skies later today into tomorrow morning. The upper level ridge will push back for sunny skies as the system passes south east of our area. Expect nice weather into early next week.

Video of the probe line from Avalanche in Tignes October 13, 2013: Pistehors.com
Avalanche scene starts about half way through footage.

First Avalanche of the season in Tignes: France

Telemarking big Lines in Alaska, some avalanche footage: The Backcountry Experience

Treacherous avalanche situation at high altitudes: WSL-European avalanche Bulletin

New App; Pocket Lifesaver: Echo 112

Image of system affecting our zone later today.

Fairly warm temperatures into early next week.

Well, with our first snowfall  melting quickly and no more in sight for a while, here are some images from Dave Iles when we had over a meter of snow in the Alpine. Images from the Horstman Glacier.

At the time Dave had some snow intel: Horstman Glacier - HS 130,   10cm f, 20 cm 1f-, 1m of p.  A few resistant shears in top 30, no significant shears. Taken around October 5, 2013.

On a recent trip to Ipsoot October 9, 2013 I had an HS of 1 meter, top 40 cm wind blown dry snow over a 1 cm crust insulating a 60 cm layer of moist rounds on summer firn.