32-year-old Catalan dies in avalanche while ski touring at Pas de la Casa
A man was buried by an avalanche near Pic Blanc and could not be revived after rescue teams located him; he was not carrying an avalanche transceiver.
Key Points
- 32-year-old from Catalonia buried by avalanche on Isards slopes at Pas de la Casa; died despite rescue attempts.
- Partner raised the alarm; victim found in cardiopulmonary arrest and later died of asphyxia per autopsy.
- He was not carrying an avalanche transceiver, which delayed locating him.
- Civil protection warns of unstable snowpack and urges carrying and knowing how to use transceiver, shovel and probe; probe ongoing.
A 32‑year‑old man from Catalonia died Saturday after being buried by an avalanche on the Isards slopes at Pas de la Casa, near Pic Blanc. He was ski touring off‑piste with his partner, who was unharmed and raised the alarm shortly before 14:00.
Rescue teams mounted an aerial and ground operation and found the man in cardiopulmonary arrest. Resuscitation was attempted on site and after transfer to hospital, but he could not be saved. An autopsy later attributed the cause of death to asphyxia.
Authorities reported the victim had not been carrying an avalanche transceiver, which delayed locating him. Local reports say the avalanche was accidental and was triggered around the Pic Blanc area while the couple were touring.
The deceased was born in Castelldefels and lived in Sant Feliu de Pallerols, in the Garrotxa. He and his partner both had mountain experience and sports qualifications. His wake was held in Olot after the completion of forensic procedures and repatriation of the remains.
Investigations into the slide are under way. Civil protection and rescue services reiterated warnings about unstable snowpack in the high mountains and urged anyone planning off‑piste activity to check conditions and carry—and know how to use—an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources:
- Altaveu•
Olot acomiada el jove excursionista mort dissabte en quedar atrapat per una allau al Pas
- ARA•
El jove que va morir al Pas per una allau no portava localitzador i era de la Garrotxa
- Altaveu•
Estudi tècnic de primer nivell per determinar el 'funcionament' de l'allau mortal del Pas de la Casa
- Altaveu•
L'excursionista atrapat per l'allau va quedar colgat sota un metre de neu molt compactada i densa
- Diari d'Andorra•
Un home de 32 anys mor en una allau
- ARA•
Una allau mata un excursionista al Pas de la Casa
- Diari d'Andorra•
Activades dues rotacions del grup de rescat de muntanya per una allau al pic Blanc
- Altaveu•
Localitzat un excursionista amb una aturada cardiorespiratòria colgat per una allau al Pas