What does this tragedy mean for Australian backcountry travelers?
We expect avalanches when overseas and in the backcountry such as above on Mt Washington in the White Mountains, but overlook their danger when home in Australia.
1. Avalanches do happen in Australia every year
Australia has the wind, snow and slopes to produce avalanches in the backcountry. I was in the Australian mountains when the two Victorian men went missing and knew first-hand the large snowfalls we'd had leading up to then plus the strong winds - a recipe for an avalanche. I'd seen a large cornice on Mt Kosciuszko early in the season and immediately suspected that both experienced mountain men were likely caught in an avalanche.
2. Backcountry travelers need to understand the causes, risks and how to stay safe
We need to educate ourselves about slope angles, snow pack conditions leading to a weak layer, weather conditions (and its history) and triggers for an avalanche. Many
of us have seen the large cornices that form on the Main Range, and keep well clear, such as the south ridge of Kosciuszko or around Blue Lake. Some people also see slab avalanches which can funnel into gullies, as may have happened on Bogong.
Outdoors people use information about what may have gone wrong as a personal lesson, and also feel a kindred spirit with others who understand the drive we have to head into the wilderness. I wasn't on the mountain with them (I was north on the Main Range) so it's not my place to speculate on the details. Hopefully, more will come to light that we can endeavour to make our adventures as safe as possible.
We know that avalanches do happen in Australia - and they are deadly.
Blue Lake Avalanche where a skier died in 2008
3. Wilderness travel can be dangerous
It's important to remember the names of the men who lost their lives - Daniel Kerr and Martie Buckland. They are sons, brothers, husbands and dads. People who loved and were loved. Their deaths are tragic but we also understand the base drive for wilderness that puts us in potentially risky places.
Skier Tom Carr Boyd lost his life at Blue Lake in 2008 when a cornice collapsed. I first noticed something was wrong when we heard the helicopters circling overhead. I was just over the ridge heading down from Mt Twynam back to Guthega after a great few days out. It had been snowing for the week prior to the incident and strong winds, causing a big snow loading and large cornices. On the morning of the accident the wind stopped and the sun came out. Conditions were perfect for an avalanche, even without the added weight of a skier on the cornice, as the snow pack temperature rose.
{{title}}
Bushwalk
