Avalanche in Norway: Why an Avalanche Airbag Could Save Your Life
Things have been roaring in the mountains lately. In the past week, we've seen several reports of avalanches in Telemark, and sadly, people have been caught. On Gaustatoppen, a large slide occurred where one person was dragged over 100 metres. It's a sobering sight that makes even an old veteran like me feel the weight of the situation.
The Gaustatoppen slide: A close-up look at nature's power
The incident at Gaustatoppen is a brutal reminder. I've tramped around those slopes myself, and I know how quickly 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 this. What if you don't have the right gear. What if you're alone. What if the burial is too deep. This is where an avalanche airbag and an avalanche probe go from being "nice to have" to becoming the thin line between life and death.
Why Telemark is a hot spot right now
It's no coincidence that reports of multiple 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 imminent on popular tourist routes. It's not just on big, spectacular peaks like Mount Everest that avalanches happen. Back home, we have our own fatalities every single year, even if they don't make international headlines. We only need to remember the dark day in 2014 on Mount Everest, where 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 résumé.
- Check varsom.no before you head out. Avalanche danger is regional, and it changes fast.
- Avalanche airbag – invest in one. The inflation can keep you floating on top of the debris instead of getting buried.
- Avalanche probe and shovel – no use in your pack if you haven't practised with them.
- Don't go alone. Most survivors are rescued by their own group within the first 15 minutes.
The small piece of gear that makes a big difference
Let's get specific. An avalanche probe is a collapsible rod. When an avalanche has run, you're looking at the surface. The victims are hidden under a metre of hard-packed snow. You poke the probe into the snow – again and again, criss-cross – until you feel that soft tap 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 that helps prevent you from ending up down there in the first place, they form a complete system.
The stories we never forget
I still remember the stories from Telemark where rescue teams spent hours searching. For every minute that passes, the chance of finding someone alive drops. That's why it's so damn important that we take this seriously. It's not about being scared, but 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 living room to make sure it works. Try assembling the probe with your eyes closed. That might sound extreme, but it's in the dark, cold seconds after an avalanche that you'll need to do it. By then, it's too late to read the manual. Look out for each other up there, folks.