Backcountry Skiing and SnowboardingSki and Snowboard NewsAvalanche in the Hautes-Pyrenees- June 22, 2008 A 68 year old female skier from Barcelona in Spain has been killed by an avalanche on Sunday in the Nouvielle range in the Hautes Pyrenees department. The slide was apparently caused by warming weather conditions.http://pistehors.com/news/ski/comments/0842-avalanche-in-the-hautes-pyrenees/ Adventure skier Jean-Nol Urban dies on Gasherbrum- June 21, 2008 News has reached us that Serre Chevalier based climber and extreme skier Jean-Nol Urban has died climbing on Gasherbrum I in Pakistan. The accident occured on the 18th of June at 5am. Jean-Nol was descending from Camp 2 to Base Camp when a snow bridge gave way.http://pistehors.com/news/ski/comments/0841-adventure-skier-jean-noel-urban-dies-on-gasher... First death of the summer season on Mont Blanc- June 18, 2008 As we have continually noted in our snow report conditions are still very unstable above 3000 meters with around half a meter of fresh snow since Sunday. An avalanche may have been responsible for the death of a high mountain guide, Patrick Monzat, late yesterday afternoon. The first death on the normal route of Mont Blanc for the summer season.http://pistehors.com/news/ski/comments/0840-first-death-of-the-summer-season-on-mont-blanc... PGHM celebrates 50 years of mountain rescue- June 15, 2008 The Chamonix High Mountain Police based in Chamonix have been celebrating their 50th anniversary this weekend. The Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne (PGHM) or more simply le PG was born out of tragedy. In 1956 two young climbers, Jean Vincendon and Franois Henry, were stranded on Mont Blanc in terrible conditions in full view of skiers and the world media opposite on the Brevent. Poorly equipped with unclear chains of command the rescue services consisting of guides and the army (EHM)...http://pistehors.com/news/ski/comments/0839-pghm-celebrates-50-years-of-mountain-rescue/ DBO- June 9, 2008 I was apprehensive when Bruno called. I knew him from Grenoble ski touring circles and wondered if I would be up to the mark. I neednt have worried. Passionate about the mountains he was relaxed and friendly. Our destination was la Grande Chible and maybe the Pointe dEmy. 1500 meters of ski touring so early in the season was asking a lot of me but I was pleased to be out in the mountains in pleasant company. For Bruno this would be a walk in the park. Adieu Bruno (DBO)http://pistehors.com/news/ski/comments/0838-the-degree-of-risk/ Walkers killed by avalanche in the cirque de Gavarnie- June 4, 2008 Accordng to the High Mountain Police (PGHM) based at Pierrefitte Nestalas in the Hautes-Pyrnes two walkers have fallen to their deaths this afternoon in the cirque de Gavarnie. The two victims, aged in their late 50s where at the chelle des Sarradets. According to capitain Bertrand Couret, spokesman for the PGHM it is likely that they were taken by a snow purge there is a lot of snow above 2000 meters and the conditions are like winter with a high risk of avalanche.http://pistehors.com/news/ski/comments/0837-walkers-killed-by-avalanche-in-the-cirque-de-g... |