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PartnerNews | SLF: The observers are the eyes and ears of the avalanche warning

Who are the SLF observers?

by PowderGuide 12/12/2020
A reliable avalanche bulletin requires up-to-date information from the terrain. To this end, the SLF maintains its own network of around 200 observers in the Swiss Alps and the Jura. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the avalanche bulletin, the SLF presents some of them in short portraits.

The observers are trained by the SLF (PG was also allowed to take part in an observer workshop), report regularly and are compensated for their reports. They record data such as snow depth or amount of new snow, observed alarm signs and avalanches and often also make an assessment of the current avalanche danger. Some report from a specific location, usually their place of residence or work, which can be a ski resort, for example. Other SLF observers - for example those who work full-time as mountain guides - also move freely around the Swiss Alps. They report whenever they have interesting information from their respective locations.

In order to put faces to the observation data and the reported snow depths, we have teamed up with the SLF to present some of the observers in short interviews. In the first part, Raphy Troillet and Paul-André (called Paulon) have their say. Raphy is a carpenter, mountain guide and patroller in Verbier. He has been an SLF observer since 2014. Paulon has been there since 1973. He is retired and used to work in the piste and rescue service, as well as being a land registry holder for the municipality of Anniviers.

What exactly do you report as an observer?

Raphy: I take the snow measurements in the morning. I observe the weather and send the data to the SLF. During the day, I make observations on site (snow profiles, avalanches) and also transmit this data.

Paulon: Every day, I make observations and measurements on the snow field that is right in front of my house. I take snow measurements (height of fresh snow, snow depth, water equivalent of fresh snow if more than 10 cm falls, penetration depth of the pile driver) and observations (snow line, rain-snow line, avalanches, etc.).

How did you become an SLF observer?

Raphy: My predecessor also worked in the Verbier piste and rescue service, and I was his deputy. When he left his job in 2014, I took over his work as an observer.

Paulon: My father had been an observer since 1956. I took over when he died in 1973. I don't know how he became an observer, but I remember that back then, the coded notes were telegraphed to the SLF number 110 every morning.

What do you like about the job?

Raphy: I like understanding the snow and avalanches. It's fascinating to understand why and where avalanches happen and why sometimes nothing happens.

Paulon: I'm definitely obsessed with taking notes. So I would also take notes if I wasn't an observer for the SLF. That's why I really like the work.

What don't you like/what's tedious?

Raphy: When I have to dig a lot for a snow profile.

Paulon: Nothing really. It's a bit of a shame that we are now being replaced more and more by automatic stations. So we have to report on fewer and fewer parameters.

What does it mean to you to be an observer?

Raphy: It allows me to follow the development of the snowpack throughout the winter.

How well can you reconcile the job with your other activities?

Raphy: My work means I'm out in the field all day. This makes it easier for me to assess the avalanche danger on my ski tours.

Paulon: The observation work only takes me 10 minutes every morning. So I have no problem balancing this with my life. I think that any volunteer could do this job well.

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What was your most impressive experience with snow and avalanches?

Raphy: In February 1999, five huge avalanches fell on my village in the Lourtier torrent in just three days. The diversion dams were filled and overflowed. Fortunately, there were no victims, but the damage was considerable. That's the only time I've ever seen five very large avalanches fall in the same place in such a short space of time.

Paulon: I was buried once myself during a blast while working as a patroller in 1984. Fortunately, I was rescued by my colleague who was on site with me. I was injured, but thankfully the accident didn't have any serious consequences.

What connects you to snow as a material?

Raphy: Skiing.

Paulon: When you live in the mountains, you have no choice. You see the snow almost every month of the year, so it really is a part of our lives.

What do you like to do after work/in your free time?

Raphy: I like hiking and riding my motorcycle (enduro).

Paulon: I love skiing and ski a lot. But when there are lots of people, like at Christmas, for example, I don't go skiing. I go to Ticino at Christmas. I no longer go on ski tours because I have problems with my knees and I find it difficult to ski off-piste. As well as skiing, I also play curling. We have a small curling club here in Grimentz, but no curling rink. That's why we play all week in Sierre.

What's your favorite place in the world and why?

Raphy: Valais and its mountains, especially the Grand-Combin, which is the most beautiful mountain for me.

Paulon: I was born in Grimentz and have always lived here. Switzerland is still my favorite place. Here you have peace, serenity at work, security. I also like Italy and I often spend my vacations in Ticino, where my wife's family lives.

Your favorite season?

Raphy: Winter, it's too hot for me in summer.

Paulon: I like all seasons.

What can't you live without?

Raphy: Chocolate and dried meat.

Paulon: My wife!

This year, the SLF is celebrating "75 years of the avalanche bulletin". What does that mean to you?

Raphy: It's a good opportunity to thank our alumni, the pioneers who have done research to better understand the snow and protect our villages. The snow is the same as it was 75 years ago, but today we understand avalanches better, and we have them to thank for that.

Paulon: The SLF is a very good institution that has done a lot of good for the world of amateur sport. They have developed an efficient system that creates security. It's good to have an institution like that that you can trust.

This article has been automatically translated by DeepL with subsequent editing. If you notice any spelling or grammatical errors or if the translation has lost its meaning, please write an e-mail to the editors.

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