– If you are in the winter mountains and there is snow, there can always be an avalanche, says Richard Fjellaksel to news, and adds: – Learning to handle avalanche terrain and to walk safely is the most important call we have for everyone. Fjellaksel is a certified avalanche instructor, both for DNT and for his own company Tromsø powder guides. On a daily basis, he is a senior researcher at UiT, also here with a special field of avalanches. On Saturday he was out in the mountains with a group that took part in an avalanche course for advanced students. – We were able to observe how the wind takes the snow, and how the terrain changes when the weather warms up a bit, says Fjellaksel. – Fresh snow has formed, and this can lead to avalanches. In addition, there is a persistent weak layer of snow further down in the snow cover, which can cause large avalanches. Richard Fjellaksel organized an avalanche course for advanced students in Tromsø on Saturday. Photo: Richard Fjellaksel Second highest danger level Varsom.no reports danger level four, i.e. red danger warning, for avalanches in large parts of Nordland and Troms in the next few days. Jotunheimen and Indre Sogn also have a red danger level this weekend. Large naturally triggered landslides are expected, and people are asked to avoid landslides. The reason for the increased danger in northern Norway is the storm that is raging. – We have a lot of weather all over the country now, both in the south and in the north, says geologist Gustav Pless in Norway’s Directorate of Water Resources and Energy (NVE) to news. Geologist Gustav Pless in the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE). Photo: Sissel Brunstad In Nordland the weather has played havoc before and over the weekend, while in Troms it will strike with full force on Monday. In large parts of the county, there will be a full storm. The wind significantly increases the risk of landslides, explains Pless. – In general, in northern Norway, there are persistently weak layers of snow, so that avalanches are easily triggered. – What advice do you have for people who will be traveling outside in the next few days? – When the danger of landslides is as high as it is now, the advice is to avoid all landslide terrain. We will simply be able to have large landslides that extend far into the terrain. We advise people to stay away from these areas completely. Two fatal accidents in one week NTB writes on Friday that the Red Cross asks skiers to be careful as a result of the danger of avalanches in many skiing areas. According to the Red Cross, it is rare that there is such a great risk of avalanches in large parts of the country at the same time. Since 2008, more than 760 people have been caught in avalanches. 107 of these have lost their lives. In the last week alone, two people have died in avalanches. On Monday, a young woman lost her life in Tromsø after being swept away by an avalanche. On Friday, a man died in an avalanche in Hemsedal. – These accidents occurred on trips in terrain with a lower risk of avalanches. People still have to be careful and expect that there may be avalanches, says Pless, and adds: – Now we expect it to become very clear that there is a great danger of avalanches. He emphasizes that all avalanche terrain is exposed, and that the avalanches can go quite far beyond these terrains. – So terrain below avalanche-prone areas is also exposed, says the geologist, and adds that people can follow varsom.no and the varsom app to check if you are in avalanche terrain. – There you can see what avalanche terrain is and how large the outlet area is, i.e. how far the avalanche can go. – Just a number Avalanche instructor Fjellaksel believes that it is important to follow the avalanche warnings, but that it is of no use if you do not also understand what the warnings mean. – The degree of danger is just a number, and almost as many people die in avalanches with a degree of danger two as three. Even at hazard level one, it can be dangerous in certain situations. Fjellaksel’s advice to people who want to go on a trip now is: – Be aware of avalanche terrain, where it can be dangerous, and where avalanches can occur. Where can it break loose, and how far can the avalanche go? Richard Fjellaksel, certified avalanche instructor. Photo: Tim Dassler Most of the people who take part in Fjellaksel’s courses are Norwegians, both local and from the rest of the country. Beyond the late winter, more ski tourists from the Alpine areas are also expected. – They always become more aware when they put into perspective how dangerous it can be. Through training, they learn to understand more about how to move in safe areas. He assures that the courses are safe, even when they are conducted on days with a high risk of avalanches. – The participants must learn these things, and then it will be up to them themselves to possibly take greater risks on their own initiative. He believes that it is possible to go on safe trips, also in the future, as long as you know what you are doing. – If you stay out of avalanche terrain, you are usually safe.
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– Even at danger level one it can be dangerous – news Troms and Finnmark
