The Red Cross asks people to postpone trips to the summit for the next two days

The Red Cross has been involved in several assignments over Palm Weekend and recalls that the increased danger of avalanches and the unstable weather in several mountainous areas make it important to plan well trips.

Volunteers from the Red Cross Auxiliary Corps have participated in 30 recovery assignments and a search assignment over the palm weekend. There have been most of the pickup tasks on the ski slopes, in the field and from the cabins.

– This number is such a normal entry that it is usually Easter, and fortunately we have not had any major search or rescue operations so far, says Nils Vidar Hopland at the national council of the Red Cross Auxiliary Corps.

He also expects there will be no more demanding assignments in the coming days when bad weather and a high risk of landslides have been reported in various mountain areas.

Avalanche warnings on varsom.no show that in several mountainous areas there will be a significant avalanche risk on Monday and Tuesday. Combined with the danger of changing weather and high winds, there are reasons to think hard before embarking on demanding ski trips, a Red Cross press release says.

– High walks should not be done in such weather and landslide conditions. So it’s best to save those trips for later in Easter and choose local trips the next few days, is Hopland’s advice.

Danger Grade 3 in Rogaland

In the Rogaland and Sirdal Mountains, the avalanche hazard level is set at 3 on Monday and 2 on Tuesday. Hazard level 3 means a significant hazard. The website varsom.no provides the following advice at this level:

“Traffic in avalanche terrain requires solid knowledge, experience in route selection and the ability to identify avalanche problems. In general, it is recommended to avoid terrain with a slope greater than 30 degrees and to maintain a distance to the exit areas “.

Heavy rain was reported in the mountains on Monday. The rain will probably keep people away from hikes to the summit.

– But those who want to go on a trip, they do, says Ludvig Sande, leader of the Stavanger Red Cross Auxiliary Corps and associated with the Red Cross hut in Hunnedalen.

– If you stay away from steep terrain, it is significantly safer. And if you hike trails pruned by the Tourism Association, it should be safe, says Sande.

During Palm Weekend, there has been little for the Rogaland relief corps that has been on duty. They have treated a total of four wounded.

– It has been quiet, with a medium output, says Sande.