Personal responsibility and emergency equipment are the most important things
Wohlwend not only sees this from the perspective of an experienced and passionate ski tourer, but also thinks about it as head of the avalanche service and as the person responsible for natural hazards at the Office for Civil Protection. Because avalanche accidents with fatal consequences occur again and again in Liechtenstein.
Mr. Wohlwend, what can you do if you get caught in an avalanche?
Stephan Wohlwend: All you can do then: Hold your arms over your face and try to create space to breathe and hope.
That’s why you should always have avalanche equipment with you. What does this include?
Three things must ALWAYS be with you: an avalanche transceiver (LVS device), an avalanche probe and a shovel. With the avalanche transceiver, buried subjects can be reported by their comrades.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. How can you tell when someone is “reckless” or “naive”?
If someone doesn’t have a backpack with them, then the life-saving avalanche equipment is also missing. Or someone chooses a route that is not adapted to the conditions.
does this annoy you?
Annoyed is the wrong word. These people are responsible for themselves. But what really annoys me is when the negligent behavior of individual third parties endangers them.
Since records began, over 900 avalanche events have been documented by the Office for Civil Protection – but many more have happened. One thing is certain: there were 16 major avalanche events involving people. In 10 events there were 12 avalanche fatalities, in at least 6 avalanches more people were buried, which triggered search and rescue operations. There were also 24 lawns with building damage. Around 30 buildings were completely destroyed, more 30 buildings badly damaged.
Many people can certainly remember the biggest avalanche event in February 1999. From the beginning of January to February 18, 350 cm of snow fall in the Malbun Valley. On February 9, the rear part of Malbun was evacuated. On February 21 and 22, two avalanches completely destroyed nine holiday homes and partially destroyed six others. Thanks to the precautionary evacuation of the area, no one was injured. On February 24, the last 300 people left in Malbun were flown out by helicopter, including 220 vacationers. Another avalanche tore away the Obersäss-Alphütte with the barn in the upper Valüna valley on February 22nd. The damage caused is believed to be around 6 million Swiss francs.
Stephan Wohlwend puts the hazard map on the table and shows where the critical zones and areas are in Liechtenstein and especially in Malbun. He knows the area like the back of his hand. He can tell a story about every house, shows where the avalanches came off in 1999 and which houses they destroyed.
In the meantime, Malbun has been divided into different zones. How does that work in practice if an area has to be closed or even cleared?
We have drawn up an emergency plan so that any evacuation of the affected holiday homes can go smoothly. There are three restricted areas – A, B and C. And depending on the avalanche situation, one, two or all three areas must be closed and evacuated. The restricted area A, the most dangerous zone, which we often have to close off, is located in the rear part of the Malbun basin. There are two buildings there. The homeowners all know, and when things get critical, they get a text message. There are also defined areas which, depending on the avalanche danger, are also closed to pedestrians.
Isn’t such a lockdown annoying for residents?
Fortunately, these are all holiday homes that are not permanently occupied. A blocking of the zones is not so dramatic for the residents because they can switch to their main residence. In addition, the understanding of the residents in the dangerous zones is now very high.
Are there other zones where there is a risk of avalanches, or is this limited to Malbun?
No, this is not just limited to Malbun. There are also danger areas in Steg, Triesenberg and Planken. There won’t be any large avalanches like in Malbun, but small sliding snow avalanches are possible in various places. A look at the geoportal map.geo.llv.li shows exactly where these places are in the topic “Natural risks”. Of course, we can’t simply carry out closures here, especially since many roads lead through the areas. If there is an increased risk of avalanches, we would like to draw the attention of the municipalities and residents to move around with caution.
Snowshoe hiking in particular has become increasingly popular in recent years. But ski touring has also become a trend. No wonder: untouched snowy landscapes far away from the crowds, fresh powder snow and no noise. Just relax and experience nature with body and soul. pure magic. Above all, if you want to start ski touring, you should definitely attend a course. Here, under professional guidance, how to use the emergency equipment, snow and avalanche knowledge, route planning and equipment knowledge is shown, laying the foundation for safety and fun on the mountain.
Deep snow fascinates many winter sports enthusiasts – including you. You go on regular ski tours. Does this have to be taken into account?
Yes, deep snow is something fascinating. However, anyone who gets involved must also deal with the subject of avalanches and prepare for a tour. Weather, route, equipment, avalanche bulletin – there are many factors involved here. There are many modern tools to do this. Example the app Whiterisk from SLF.
Are there paths that I can walk without hesitation and without avalanche equipment in winter?
Only on open and marked winter hiking trails. Everywhere else applies: personal responsibility and emergency equipment.
You are in a good position to judge the situation yourself. How do you know if and when things are getting “risky”?
There are various factors to consider. It is best to proceed according to the 3 x 3 assessment and decision framework. Numerous risks can already be excluded when planning a tour. On the one hand you have to understand the snowpack structure know and know whether so-called weak layers are present. You have to take the current weather conditions into account. For example, the amount of new snow, the wind, snowdrift and the temperatures. A look at the avalanche bulletin should never be missing. It is then necessary to assess the situation on site before setting off. And here you should sometimes rely on a bad gut feeling and cancel a tour.
How did you develop this flair? What do you need to be able to assess the situation professionally?
On the one hand, of course, appropriate training. I graduated as a forest engineer. Natural hazards and thus also avalanches are part of this training. I have also completed further training in the field of ski touring and avalanches. For example, courses at the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research. Specific know-how is taught here, which is essential for making decisions in the avalanche warning service. Before I took over the head position at the avalanche warning service, I had already been with the avalanche warning service for around 10 years, including as deputy head, and was able to gain valuable experience here as well. In the end, it is also very important that you move yourself in the terrain and are on the move. It is difficult to make an assessment just from the office desk. A certain level of leisure activity in the mountains and a passion for snow are therefore also necessary.
Can even a “layman” learn to assess the situation correctly?
Yes, probably. Regular courses and training for private individuals, for example mountaineering schools, are offered in this direction.
Did you always have the right instincts? Or have you found yourself in dangerous situations?
I’ve never been caught in an avalanche myself, but I’ve seen it from a safe distance.
The avalanche service is responsible for protecting inhabited settlements, public transport routes and marked winter hiking trails. During the winter months, the snow situation is constantly monitored by the core group and the necessary measurement data is collected. This results in recommendations for action and suitable safeguardsMass measures up to evacuations. Depending on the measures, both will die contact the public and the media. This information can be life saving. Stephan Wohlwend is aware of this responsibility.
The avalanche danger is categorized across Europe on a scale from one to five. From moderate (1) to very high (5). On what basis do you even determine this?
As already mentioned, various factors have to be taken into account: previous history, development, weather conditions, etc. Of course, we also carry out measurements ourselves. This is done manually on the flat snow field between the Alpenhotel Vögeli and the Schluchertreff and automatically at the snow measuring station in the Bärgtälli. There is also an anemometer on the «Spitz», i.e. the ridge to the Augstenberg, which provides us with important data. We then copy the situation using a ready-made form and make a decision based on this and our experience.
This decision comes with a great responsibility. Are you afraid of making a “wrong decision”?
You can never rule out an avalanche 100 percent. It is therefore particularly important that we document our decisions in writing. This data only makes a decision comprehensible in hindsight. The most common documentation is not only an aid, but also serves as a safeguard. Incidentally, that was exactly what happened to a member of the Swiss avalanche service in the past: he was convicted because there was no documentation and his decision could not be understood.