Andorra Avalanche Death Sparks Urgent Pyrenees Safety Warnings

**Title:** Andorra Avalanche Death Prompts Urgent Mountain Safety Warnings **Summary:** Six avalanche deaths across Pyrenees this season mark decade-high; experts from Fire Service, Civil Protection, AR+I, and guides stress training, gear amid rising backcountry risks.

**Body:** This winter's avalanche fatalities across the Pyrenees have reached six—the highest in a decade—prompting renewed calls for mountain safety training and awareness in Andorra and beyond. The tally, reported by Andorra Recerca + Innovació (AR+I) researcher Aina Margalef, surpasses last season's five deaths and includes around 30 incidents of people caught in slides early in the campaign.

A fatal avalanche in Freixans, Ordino, outside ski areas has spotlighted risks for backcountry enthusiasts, alongside other recent events: a Catalan sportswoman swept up but unharmed in early January, and a worker at Ordino-Arcalís ski station who died days after hospitalization from a slide within the resort. Margalef, a geologist and nivologist with the Association for Snow and Avalanche Knowledge (ACNA) accident commission, described the accident volume as "a barbarity."

Experts warn that irregular snow conditions, social media hype for powder skiing, and underestimation of dangers fuel avoidable incidents. Mountain guide Julià Joseph Porta of Torb emphasized interpreting full avalanche bulletins beyond risk levels: even low ratings can hide threats in gullies or channels. "Conditions are very irregular in the Pyrenees," he said, urging recognition of terrain instability signs.

Abel Amigó, head of the Fire Service's Mountain Rescue Group (GRM), advised checking not only daily Avalanche Danger Bulletins but historical data for snowpack trends to select safer routes, especially established backcountry circuits avoiding high-exposure areas. On-site, reassess for fog, wind slabs, or changing snow, and turn back if fatigued or unsure.

Civil Protection director Cristian Pons reinforced planning: daily weather and bulletin reviews, activity-group skill matching, no improvisation, and safer alternatives in doubt. Essential gear—DVA transceiver, shovel, probe—must be operable, plus water, food, charged phone, power bank. Go in groups of at least two, ideally three.

Margalef detailed snowpack threats from fresh snow, wind slabs, wet slides, or persistent weak layers that lurk buried for months, triggering large releases. Level 2 risk causes 39% of accidents due to misread bulletins. She stressed three phases: preparation with bulletin literacy, on-site observations over forecasts, and accident response—requiring nivology training like scuba certification. First 15 minutes are critical for group rescue before survival odds plummet.

If caught, swim to stay surfaced; if buried, curl up, then form an air pocket for roughly 20 minutes of oxygen while calling 112. All experts cautioned against social media "false experts," urging official sources.