Outdoors
Learning to travel safely in avalanche terrain
Safe route planning, essential safety gear and advice while traveling in the back country
Equipment all group members must carry
Like any other sport there is special equipment you and all the members of your group need to carry when traveling in avalanche terrain. The first thing everyone needs is to have knowledge. All the special equipment you carry needs to be practiced with before getting into a situation where you need to use it efficiently. Time is of the essence when rescuing a buried victim. Safety equipment includes:
- Rescue Shovel
- Avalanche probe
- Rescue beacon
- First aid kit
- Radio or cell phone
Recognizing signs of avalanches.
Many of the signs that you are in an area where avalanches are possible are easy to spot while others take a more experienced eye. Many of the methods for recognizing potential avalanches are:
- Is there avalanche activity in the area you plan to ski?
- Has there been a lot of precipitation in the last day and a half?
- Has there been any snow loading caused by high winds?
- Is the temperature above freezing or rapidly rising?
Other conditions to look for that could indicate avalanche danger
- Are large cracks forming out from where you are while skiing or snowboarding?
- Can you hear settling sounds in the snow as you move over it? This indicated layers of snow settling.
- Abrupt temperature changes or heavy snow, wind, rain and high winds can all increase avalanche hazards.
How to travel safely in avalanche areas
The more people involved in route selection the better. Everyone in the group should discuss the pros and cons of each route and choose a route together. You must weigh all the conditions mentioned already ad determine which factor are affecting each route. Avoiding terrain traps such as creeks and gully's is important since avalanches typically follow these features and deposit deep snow into them.
Sometimes a group will have to ski across a slope that is suspect. Only one member of the group should cross at a time. This will minimize the risk to the group plus it will allow more group members to be involved in a rescue if a slide should occur. Have a designated safe stop area where group members can ski to after crossing the slope.
Angle of the slope should also be considered shallower slopes are generally safer, below 24º a slope rarely slides. Avalanches are more likely on slopes over 32º or 33º.
Selecting a route up the windward side of a ridge will generally be safer since the snow is scoured off the slope and deposited onto the leeward side. There is also less risk from cornices that build over leeward slopes.
Look for recent avalanche activity on slopes with similar characteristics. If these slopes have recently slid it is likely that other similar slopes can also release.
How are avalanches triggered?
The vast majority of avalanches are natural triggered. Usually the result of overloading of new snow, wind deposited snow or debris falling. Unfortunately most avalanches that involve people are triggered by the victim.
When caught in a slide what do you do?
If you see an avalanche approaching from above try to ski out to the side of the slope and avoid the slide. Ski down and to one side as quickly as possible. Never try to out run a large avalanche.
If the unthinkable happens and you are caught by a slide you need to try and release your skis, pack and poles. These will prevent you from staying on top of the flow and can result in serious injuries. To stay on top of the flow move your arms and legs like you would when treading water. This will keep you need the top of the slide. As you feel the slide start to slow down scramble to get to the surface and as it stops thrust an arm or leg towards the surface. Even the tip of your glove above the surface will greatly increase the chances of being rescued alive.
Whenever there is accumulated snow on a sloped surface the potential for avalanches is present. The key to traveling safely in avalanche terrain is to reduce the risk by examining all the factors that can trigger a slide. By recognizing dangerous conditions you can eliminate routes that are unsafe and have a great day in the backcountry.
