Three climbers tragically lost their lives in a devastating incident when they were swept away by a massive avalanche while attempting to reach the summit of Mount Tosc in the Slovenian Alps.
The three Croatian climbers met their demise as they were overwhelmed by a cascade of snow on Sunday, October 5, while on the peak, which is situated in the Julian Alps in the north-western part of Slovenia. Despite adverse weather conditions, the trio, who were part of a larger group of seven friends seeking refuge near the mountain’s summit, decided to descend the mountain.
Miha Arh, the head of rescue operations, confirmed the unfortunate deaths of the climbers due to the avalanche. Their bodies were discovered in a ravine located 350 meters away from the spot where the snowslide hit.
Search teams located the first body on Sunday night, but the search for the remaining two had to be halted due to the risk of additional avalanches, which posed a danger to the rescue teams. By Monday, the weather had improved sufficiently to allow helicopters to take off and search for the missing climbers, as reported by French news outlet La Depeche.
Mount Tosc currently experiences “particularly unstable” weather conditions with a cold air wave, early snowfall, and strong winds affecting the region. Statistics from the national mountain rescue association reveal that around twenty individuals lose their lives annually in such extreme conditions.
Despite being a popular spot for mountaineers attracted by its beauty and technical challenges, the Julian Alps can be perilous, as demonstrated by this recent tragedy. Slovenian authorities have advised mountain enthusiasts to adhere to safety guidelines and postpone any climbs while the risk of avalanches remains high. The region is currently under a moderate avalanche warning at Level 3 on the European avalanche risk table.
In a separate incident, rescue teams have successfully reached the last 200 hikers stranded at an altitude of 16,000 feet on Mount Everest following a severe snowstorm that left hundreds trapped on the world’s tallest peak. Rescuers have managed to bring approximately 350 individuals to safety after adverse weather conditions, including heavy snow and rain, stranded trekkers during the challenging climb.
A hiker caught in the blizzard recounted the harsh conditions faced by those stranded on the mountain before rescue teams arrived. Chen Geshuang described the wet and cold conditions, highlighting the risk of hypothermia and the sudden and abnormal weather patterns experienced in October.
The unpredictable and harsh weather conditions on both Mount Tosc and Mount Everest serve as stark reminders of the dangerous nature of mountain climbing, even for experienced individuals.
