Avalanches in Norway: Why an avalanche airbag could save your life
There's been a lot of action in the high country lately. Over the past week, we've seen several reports of avalanches in Telemark, and unfortunately, people have been caught up in them. On Gaustatoppen, a big slide ran, dragging one person over 100 metres. It's a sobering moment that makes even an old hand like me feel the gravity of it.
The Gaustatoppen slide: A close-up look at the power
What happened on Gaustatoppen is a brutal reminder. I've tramped around those slopes myself, and I know how fast the weather turns. The person caught there slid over 100 metres. Luckily, it turned out okay this time, but there are so many "what ifs" in a scenario like that. What if you don't have the right gear. What if you're alone. What if the burial is too deep. That's when an avalanche airbag and an avalanche probe go from being "handy to have" to being the thin line between life and death.
Why Telemark is a hotspot right now
It's no coincidence that reports of several avalanches in Vestfold and Telemark are coming in thick and fast. Wind and fresh snow have created unstable slabs. I've spoken to local mountain guides, and they all say the same thing: the danger is very real on popular hiking routes. It's not just on big, spectacular peaks like Mount Everest that avalanches happen. Back home here, we have our own deaths every single year, even if they don't make international headlines. We only need to remember that dark day in 2014 on Mount Everest, when a massive avalanche killed 16 sherpas. It happened in the Khumbu Icefall, one of the most dangerous places in the world. That tragedy reminded the entire climbing community of one thing: snow doesn't care about your credentials.
- Check varsom.no before you head out. Avalanche danger is regional, and it changes fast.
- Avalanche airbag – invest in one. Inflating it can keep you floating on top of the debris instead of getting buried.
- Avalanche probe and shovel – no use having them in your pack if you haven't practised with them.
- Don't go alone. Most survivors are rescued by their own group in the first 15 minutes.
The small piece of gear that makes a huge difference
Let's get specific. An avalanche probe is a collapsible pole. After an avalanche, all you see is the surface. The victims are hidden under a metre of hard-packed snow. You poke the probe into the snow – again and again, criss-crossing – until you feel that soft bump against a back or a boot. It's a primitive job, but in the panic after a slide, the probe is worth its weight in gold. Together with the avalanche airbag, which stops you from ending up down there in the first place, they make up a complete system.
The stories we don't forget
I still remember the stories from Telemark where rescue teams spent hours searching. With every minute that passes, the chance of finding someone alive drops. That's why it's so bloody important that we take this seriously. It's not about being scared; it's about being prepared. The mountains are beautiful in winter, but they're also a ruthless boss. Once they decide to slide, there's no point arguing.
So before you pack your bag for the weekend: check your gear. Inflate your avalanche airbag at home in the lounge to see that it works. Practise assembling your probe with your eyes closed. That might sound extreme, but it's in the dark, freezing seconds after an avalanche that you'll need to do it. That's too late to read the manual. Look after each other up there, folks.