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Blue Lake ice-climbing incident (Sun 17 AUG 08) 18-Aug-2008 At 12:24:49 PM climberman

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On 18/08/2008 Capt_mulch wrote:
>No avo gear, I don't think you expect it to happen in Australia. He did
>have an EPIRB though. We usually don't have enough snow to warrant taking
>avo transceivers - the main thing is to avoid the areas where there is
>the potential for avalanche. Also, from what I have heard, most avalanches
>in Australia are cornice avalanches, not the big slabby hill ones that
>they get in Europe / North America.

this season has seen a few classic slab avvies both in NSW and Vic. Continued snow, low temps, lack of bonding, clear days, mid-steepness slopes, increased popularity.

I'm always a bit wary about calling things 'just' cornice avvies. They are a bit more avoidable but still not something to get caught in (sorry to state the obvious).

no-one can escape the simple physics.

Much to be admired in your simple decision to avoid the area you considered risky.