Disaster in the Alps

[Nobody]

I remember about this accident. It was all over the news this past late winter.
One of the questions I asked myself then was "why hadn't they dug a common shelter to share their body warmth"..well, into the article I've found the answer.
https://www.outsideonline.com/2329041/chamonix-zermatt-alps-haute-route-disaster

 

[Mike King]

Lots of misery there and many lessons. A group of friends and acquaintances have been considering a Haute Route trip. I ran into a former colleague of mine who's attempted the Haute Route twice and not completed it due to the difficulty and he's a world-class mountaineer. The skiing can be tough and the weather is a huge factor. I've decided I'm out on that route.

Thanks for posting this.

Mike

 

[Eleeski]

Riveting and terrifying story.

Now I'm never going into the backcountry. Pass the remote and the Cheetos.

Eric

 

[Tico]

Here's a slightly less sensationalized account. I guide the haute and other grand tours regularly, they're really not that big a deal, but it's easy for small mistakes to spiral.

http://m.spiegel.de/international/e...kes-along-the-alps-haute-route-a-1220184.html

 

[Nobody]

That's the spirit with which I read the piece I linked to. Even small mistakes, done at the wrong time, can be fatal. As my (flight) instructor used to say: "Up there, even 2+2 almost never equals to 4"

 

[karlo]

Here's a slightly less sensationalized account.

I like the first article, in the OP, for its discussion about communications and decision making.

I now better appreciate our guide's, in a tour last month in Argentina, decision to turn back. Photo of the decision point here,

https://www.pugski.com/threads/photo-of-the-day.2083/page-35#post-272195

The valley we climbed up from had cleared. The skies above us were clearing. All was going as weather-forecasted. BUT, the opposite valley was still totally blanketed by cloud and fog. By the time we had to drop in to make the next hut at a reasonable time, it had not cleared. To get down to the valley, traverses across hardpack and rocks with crampons would be needed by those, including me, new to using crampons. Then, of course, me and my demonstrated slowness. I am less experienced and would have gone along with whatever the guide decided. But, I was sure relieved he decided to turn back, even though I'd have to make the tough climb back to this ridge again the next day.

 

[JuneauTheHusky]

So much to take from this. A lot to process.

 

[NZRob]

I like the first article, in the OP, for its discussion about communications and decision making.

I now better appreciate our guide's, in a tour last month in Argentina, decision to turn back. Photo of the decision point here,

https://www.pugski.com/threads/photo-of-the-day.2083/page-35#post-272195
.

I admired that photo when you posted it the other day. Cool to hear the context and story behind it.

 

[karlo]

I admired that photo when you posted it the other day. Cool to hear the context and story behind it.

Thanks. Glad you liked it.