The avalanche escape. (Copa part 3 of 3)

After packing away the tents and equipment each rope group descended back to the gulley. Attempting to retrace our steps from the day before (now totally snow covered) we saw the loose snow avalanche that had taken place on our ascent route. It was a typical overloading of snow on a slope of about 40 degrees (the slopes we would have had to cross if ascending Copa) that saw a thin (about 35cm) snow layer fail but with a 400-500m length of avalanche. The debris field at the top of the gulley was extensive – returning to safer ground was definitely the safe choice. With the gulley now full of snow we carefully move back to base camp. There was time to see the normal route ascent option – up the right hand part of the gulley, which had also been avalanched.  Further proof of what was likely to be happening higher up the mountain, especially with 12 bodies adding weight to the snow pack.

The team at high camp before extraction.

Slope avalanced - about 50m width at the bottom but extending over 400m from front to back.

Left to Right: LCpl Bayliss, Spr Roslyn and Cpl A'Hara sheltering from snow and loose rock on route back to base camp.

The entire team nearly back at base camp.

Full concentration required crossing the boulder field.

Spr Sheldon enjoying more snow!



The town of Vicos (pick up point on return from Copa).