NationStates Jolt Archive

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20090124/tuk-climbers-die-after-avalanche-45dbed5.html

Three people who were caught up in an avalanche on a mountain in Scotland have died.

A major rescue operation was launched after the avalanche on Buchaille Etive Mhor, near Glencoe, south of Fort William, in the Highlands.

Northern Constabulary initially said three people taken off the mountain were seriously injured.

Officers then reported that three climbers had died.

The Fort William area is known for its beautiful scenery and is popular with skiers, climbers and walkers.

Buchaile Etive Mor is known for its distinctive shape, which looks like a pyramid. The mountain's highest point is at 3,352 feet.

Information website Visit Fort William said its Curved Ridge is ideal for scrambling - an activity between hill walking and climbing, which requires hands to be used to get up rocky faces and ridges.

The Sport Scotland website had rated the risk of avalanches in Glencoe on Saturday a "considerable".

Avalanche expert Henry Schniewind had told Sky News the risk level was such that a natural avalanche was unlikely but it could have been triggered by a single person.

He described avalanche as "vicious beasts" that kill between 20-25% of the people that are taken in them.

Mr Schniewind said people have about 15 minutes to live, if they become trapped under the snow.

"The best way to survive is to have your friends and companions trained up in getting you out and vice versa."

Poor people, and although this doesn't happen often in Scotland, I think they shouldn't have ignored the avalanche warnings. What are your opinions?

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20090124/tuk-climbers-die-after-avalanche-45dbed5.html



Poor people, and although this doesn't happen often in Scotland, I think they shouldn't have ignored the avalanche warnings. What are your opinions?

was there an avalanche warning? they said the area is at a considerable risk to avalanches...

but seeing that all three were caught in it... :(

It's winter, in the mountains; avalanches happen. Education and experience will not prevent avalanches from happening, but it may help folks make the proper choices while in the backcountry.

That is sad, that's why you don't ignore warnings :(

They died doing what they loved.

Me, I love living. :)

Me, I love living. :)

That's sounds dangerous. :p

That's got to be a sucky way to go.

That's sounds dangerous. :p

Very few people survive it.

Very few people survive it.

very few? I can't think of anyone who survived after they were done living.

very few? I can't think of anyone who survived after they were done living.

What about Jesus? Except for a harrowing 3 days dead, he got out of life alive.

SO did Jimmy Hoffa. That's why they can't find his body; he isn't dead. He just isn't alive anymore. *nod*

That name rings a bell, i walked up that maybe 4 years ago, nice views from those hills if you can spare the day's journey to do it.

very few? I can't think of anyone who survived after they were done living.

There's Dracula. He survived living by becoming one of the walking dead.

What about Jesus? Except for a harrowing 3 days dead, he got out of life alive. but he's not done living. ;)

SO did Jimmy Hoffa. That's why they can't find his body; he isn't dead. He just isn't alive anymore. *nod*
which shows again, that hoffa isn't done living. :D

Elijah & Enoch never quit living.

Also, just out of curiosity: How the hell do you have avalanches in Scotland? The mountains are even dinkier than the Appalachians. It's like having an avalanche in Virginia.

Also, just out of curiosity: How the hell do you have avalanches in Scotland? The mountains are even dinkier than the Appalachians. It's like having an avalanche in Virginia.

Snowy winter, then it warms up, causing the snow to be less loosely packed.

What about Jesus? Except for a harrowing 3 days dead, he got out of life alive.

SO did Jimmy Hoffa. That's why they can't find his body; he isn't dead. He just isn't alive anymore. *nod*

I thought of spending a year or two dead for tax reasons.

Also, just out of curiosity: How the hell do you have avalanches in Scotland? The mountains are even dinkier than the Appalachians. It's like having an avalanche in Virginia.

Same way they can happen in the Appalachians. They might be small but there are many of them that have sharp steep slopes and straight drops; falling debris can gain a lot of momentum.

Same way they can happen in the Appalachians. They might be small but there are many of them that have sharp steep slopes and straight drops; falling debris can gain a lot of momentum.

Well, I don't approve.

Well, I don't approve.

Write a letter to the the Scottish parliament.

Write a letter to the the Scottish parliament.

They control gravity? :confused:

They control gravity? :confused:

No, but I bet they could try to legislate it.

They control gravity? :confused:

I'm pretty sure Alex Salmond thinks he does.

Also, just out of curiosity: How the hell do you have avalanches in Scotland? The mountains are even dinkier than the Appalachians. It's like having an avalanche in Virginia.
thats probably why they were out in avalanche conditions, eh? they didnt believe that it could happen.

even when you are out in the rockies, its not like the avalanche falls all 10,000 feet of the mountains height. it falls .... down the slope for 1000 feet or 100 feet. its the amount of snow, the angle of the hill and the conditions.