2 mountaineers avalanched in the eastern Sierra Nevada

[elperronegro]

After 3 or 4 days of fresh snow the avalanche dangers are high in the Sierra Nevada. Yesterday an accident in the eastern area showed how fragile the snows are at present. Advice is to keep to easy angled slopes and away from steep ground until consolidation occurs.

Yesterday, 29th January 2011, between 13:00 and 13:30, there was an avalanche in one of the couloirs of the northeast face of the “Pico Buitre”, in the municipality of Abla (Almería). It carried down two mountaineers. One of them was buried five feet deep, the other was partially buried to the waist. One could break free and then followed the rope that bound them together. It took twenty minutes to dig up his friend and luckily he was still alive. The consequences: the buried guy had severe hypothermia and a severe sprain in his left knee. The two were evacuated to Almeria Airport. Thanks to two climbers in the area who selflessly gave up their mountain day to help and make phone calls.