2 skiers caught in avalanche found; showing no vital signs

Sad end to enjoying their sport.

The report said the avalanche hit 13 people in three groups on the east side of Hakuba Norikura-dake, about 1:30 to 2 hours hike above Tsugaike Ski Resort. There is a ropeway above the resort that goes part of the way, but it does not run in January.

Normally a climbing path called a "skin track" gets put in on the east face of Norikura. The path will zigzag because its a steep slope, about 35 to 40 degrees. That's a very common gradient for avalanches to occur. For three groups to be hit by the same avalanche, I suspect it must have hit the skin track and swept away people climbing up it. It is backcountry common sense for skiers to ski one at a time, so 13 skiing at the same time on the same steep slope is unlikely. They must have been climbing or waiting at what they thought was a safe zone. If someone human triggered an avy above a skin track, by traversing for example, that would be highly irresponsible. Let's wait though to hear what the trigger was. Its a popular area and there will be witnesses.

No vital signs means almost always means death, so RIP.

I have a co-worker that is constantly making instagram videos of himself skiing down these back country slopes. Basically just showing off. Its just a matter of time before he gets a scare.

I have a co-worker that is constantly making instagram videos of himself skiing down these back country slopes. Basically just showing off. Its just a matter of time before he gets a scare

You'll be surprised by the amount of ski patrols, backcountry skiers and snowboarders that never see an avalanche thru their entire ski life.

It does not take long to die buried in snow usually from suffocation. The use of transponders worn by each person allows the surviving people to locate the direction and distance/location of the buried person(s). These transponders have been around for years and being prepared for the worst is a good survival method.

https://backcountryaccess.com/en-us/support/faqs-avalanche-transceivers

This paragraph is from "backcountry access's" web site and briefly explains their product.

BCA Tracker avalanche transceivers do not require user interpretation. Instead, the beacon processes the information filters extraneous data, then clearly shows a searcher the direction and distance to the buried victim. While the Tracker is easy to use, practice is essential for a successful companion rescue.

RIP

 The use of transponders worn by each person allows the surviving people to locate the direction and distance/location of the buried person(s). These transponders have been around for years and being prepared for the worst is a good survival method.

Yep, if you are going off into the backcountry, beacon, shovel and probe are usually necessary, plus the ability to use them. There are many other sensible precautions that can be taken - buddy system, digging a pit to check for weak snow layers etc. Now, there are even avalanche airbags available! While they can certainly help, unfortunately a lot of people caught in avalanches are killed in other ways than just being buried and suffocating to death - you are probably more likely to die due to blunt force trauma, head injuries and so on.

I have a co-worker that is constantly making instagram videos of himself skiing down these back country slopes. Basically just showing off. Its just a matter of time before he gets a scare

You'll be surprised by the amount of ski patrols, backcountry skiers and snowboarders that never see an avalanche thru their entire ski life.

My co-worker actually just posted a video of himself getting caught in a potential avalanche. He must have read my post.