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Essential Avalanche Safety Tips

Safe route planning, essential safety gear and advice while traveling in the back country

Equipment all group members must carry

Traveling in avalanche areas require special equipment. All group members need to be prepared for the worst and be able to act accordingly. The basic equipment the needs to be carried by everyone is; a transceiver, avalanche probe, shovel and first aid kit. Transceivers allow a buried victim to be found using a radio signal to pin point the locations. The transceiver will allow rescuers to get a close approximation of the buried victim but to get the exact location a steel probe is used. Shovels, of course, are used to dig out the victim once found. It is important to have the knowledge to use this equipment effectively since time is of the essence when rescuing buried victims.

How to recognize avalanche areas

Signs to look for when in avalanche terrain

• 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?
• Whumpf sounds are layers in the snow pack collapsing. This is an indication of high avalanche hazard.
• Any abrupt change in weather conditions can cause a shift in the stability of the snow pack and should be viewed as such.

Safe route planning

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.

If you must cross a suspect slope cross one at a time. Each group member should watch the person crossing. Remove pole straps and unbuckle all pack straps. These will serve as anchors and pull you down into the snow.

The angle of the slope is one factor that should be considered. Low angle slopes under 25º are unlikely to slide while slopes 30º + are ore likely. Choosing a low angle route when possible is often a better choice.

If possible choose a route on the windward side of the ridge since there will be far less wind deposited snow. You also avoid overhanging cornices that build over leeward slopes.

A sure sign of avalanche activity is slides that have occurred. If slopes similar to the one you plan on skiing have slid then it is likely the one you are looking at can slide as well.

Natural vs. human triggered

Avalanches are either triggered by natural conditions such as changes in weather, snow loading or other conditions that naturally occur. Most avalanches are triggered naturally. Alternatively human triggered avalanches are responsible for most people being buried. The weight of a skier, snow boarder or snowmobiler can cause a failure between the layers of snow and result in an avalanche.

When caught in a slide what do you do?

When an avalanche approaches from above try to avoid it by skiing down and to the side; trying to get out of its path. Large avalanches can travel at hundreds of kilometers per hour so do not try to out run it. It is always best to get out of its way.

When caught in a slide try to release your skis, poles and pack. These can prevent you from rising up in the slide. Skis can get caught up in trees and brush and break the victims’ legs. While the slide is moving tread like you are in water and as the snow slows down scramble to get to the surface with an arm or leg. This will help the rescuers immensely. If you are buried try too create an air space in front of your face to preserve oxygen.

Avalanches are deadly and failure to respect the areas you venture into can literally cost you your life. Even the most experienced guide can only evaluate the snow pack They can never say definitively whether or not an avalanche will occur. Plan your routes carefully, carry all safety equipment and know how to use it, travel with more experienced people and learn, learn, learn.