Werner Munter


Werner Munter is a mountain guide, author and safety-expert for Alpine climbing.

Life

Munter, who lives in Vernamiège near Sion, Switzerland, introduced the 'Halbmastwurf' as a belay hitch for climbing. English-speaking climbers know this knot as the Munter hitch.
Munter became especially well known during the 1990s by his books on avalanches. These led to a shift of paradigm in the practical assessment of avalanches.
The so-called '3 × 3 Filter- und Reduktionsmethode' is a probabilistic strategy of decision for winter mountaineers for the assessment of avalanche risks in unprotected alpine areas.
Munter's works triggered intensive discussions among mountaineers and mountain guides. Meanwhile, his 'Reduktionsmethode' or similar decision strategies are now routinely taught by the Alpine Clubs.
, Munter is employed at the 'Eidgenössisches Institut für Schnee- und Lawinenforschung' in Davos'.
In 1995, he was proclaimed 'Ehrenbergführer' by the Swiss association of mountain guides for his merits.
In 1997, he received the 'Eybl-Sicherheitspreis'.

Published works (in German)