Characterization of winter season 09/10 and its consequences with particular emphasis on peculiar avalanche accidents within the Slovak mountain area

Abstrakt

Despite the subnormal snow precipitation during the winter 09/10, significant number of avalanche accidents occurred. Snow precipitations were extremely unevenly distributed within the whole mountain regions of Slovakia.

This phenomenon in connection with human factors increased the number of avalanche accidents which were above average. There were 9 avalanche accidents with the assistance of Mountain Rescue Service.

Six of them ended fatally. Beside these numbers another 9 accidents were registered with overall sixteen persons caught by an avalanche.

Several people were injured. Most of the burials caused mechanical injuries which led to serious traumas or causalities.

The study is focused on peculiar avalanche accidents and summarizes the meteorological, topographical and human factors which led to the accidents. Special emphasis is given to the peculiar cases and medical aspect of avalanche rescue operations.

The study found out that above average number of avalanche causalities and injuries were caused by the lack of snow cover in gullies and couloirs as well as inappropriate judgement of avalanche hazard.