Massive amounts of snow and wind battered the northern and central alps this past weekend and avalanche conditions continue to deteriorate.
A Frenchman fell victim to those conditions on Saturday. According to Pistehors.com, the 53 year-old Francois Lachere was ski touring above Valtournenche when he triggered a deadly slide. Lachere was accompanied by a woman, Veronique Salle. Upon triggering the avalanche, he reportedly yelled at Salle to get out-of-the-way and she narrowly escaped.
The avalanche occurred in the Col Pillonet at approximately 2,400 meters (7,875′). The two were experienced backcountry skiers.
Another terrifying avalanche incident, albeit with a much better ending, happened at Val d’Isere on Saturday as one person was fully buried while skiing off-piste. The slide was seen from the lift and rescuers were lucky to recover the unconscious man, who was fully buried without any avalanche safety equipment. After delivering oxygen to the victim, he regained consciousness and appears to have avoided sustaining any serious injuries.
Valanga a Chamois, morto scialpinista – Valle d'Aosta https://t.co/RbhAh2nIAr
— Ansa Valle d'Aosta (@AnsaValledAosta) December 8, 2018
Find the entire Pistehors post here.