Tragic accident in the Combe du Signal
This article necessarily acquires a solemn note following the tragic accident in the Combe du Signal on Boxing Day. Our thoughts reach out to the Robinson family for their huge loss. Also we feel for Wayne Watson for the distress that must be felt so acutely with such an accident.
You can read Henry's commentary and the facts of the incident
click here to read Henry comments >>>>>>>>>>
You can read Wayne's personal diary about it here
click here to read Wayne's diary >>>>>>>>>>>>>
It is easy to lurch into a mixture of sympathy and criticism. The comments on the website reflect this. The less we know the people the greater the tendency to criticise. But we must remember, that the only people who know what happened are those that were there and if we were not there, we cannot fully grasp the circumstances of the day and the moment. We can all have the wisdom of hindsight. Far fewer of us have the insight to foresee risk.
People's reactions seem to fall into three camps
- Sympathy for the victims and distress and wondering how accidents can happen even with the best qualified guides (see comments from the piste patroller Lou)
- Criticism for taking a risk which had such dreadful consequences (see some rather unsympathetic comments on daily mail blog)
- Attempts to analyse what happened so we can learn from the tragedy and create constructive advice for others (piste hors, Henry and HAT are trying to do this)
This accident has reminded us of four top tips for best practice to minimize risk (these are not enough on their own but they are important)
- This is one of a number of instances where slopes have released in a surprising manner this year. The other instances are far less serious, but they serve to remind us that the instability is unusual this year. Relatively lightly loaded slopes are going in places that we do not normally see it happening. So remember that any slope with angle greater than 28 degrees can release an avalanche. You can trigger it whether you are on the steep slope or even just below it on a lower slope angle. Experience of previous weeks or previous years is no guide as to what is stable or unstable.
- On fresh snow days (or after wind has transported the snow), start on lower angle slopes and assess what is happening (e.g. recent avalanche activity) before you make a decision to explore steeper slopes. Whilst doing this, be careful of going under steep slopes, you can trigger an avalanche from below.
- Stick with the "one at a time" rule. Try to avoid adding the weight of two or more skiers to a single slab. Try to avoid exposing two or more skiers to risk at any one time.
- If you have an ABS or Snow Pulse bag, be sure you are familiar with how to use it. The moment you need it, you have no time to think. More training here could be a good thing.
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