Avalanche Safety

Skills and equipment for safe travel in avalanche areas

Safety equipment

To travel safely in avalanche areas there is special equipment the needs to be used. This equipment will help you evaluate safe routes and perform rescues if a slide should occur. All members of your group need to carry the following.

• Shovel
• 3 meter long rescue probe
• Radio Transceiver
• First aid kit
• Radio or cell phone

Recognizing avalanche terrain

There are many signs that might indicate you may be in danger. Ask yourself these questions.

• Are there signs of other avalanche activity?
• Precipitation: Is it snowing, raining? Has there been a heavy snow event in the last 36 hours?
• Has the wind been blowing and depositing snow?
• Have the temperatures been rising?

Other conditions to look for that could indicate avalanche danger

• Cracks radiating out from you as you ski
• Can you hear settling sounds in the snow as you move over it? This indicated layers of snow settling.
• Any abrupt temperature changes can cause a change in the snow pack

How do I plan a safe route through avalanche areas?

When planning a safe route through avalanche terrain it is important the all members of the group be involved with route planning. The more experienced members should relay what effects the current conditions and the group should decide together which route to take.

Sometimes there is no choice but to ski across a suspect slope. When faced with this it is important that only one group member cross at a time. You should remove pole and ski straps an undo any straps on your pack. While crossing all group members should watch the person crossing. Cross the slope stopping in a pre designated safe zone.

The angle of the slope can be a good indicator of the stability. Slopes less then 25º are unlikely to slide and can be considered a safer choice then a slop over 30º.

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.

If you see recent avalanche activity on a slope with similar characteristics to the one you plan on skiing it is likely that avalanches are occurring. It is best to avoid this slope until it stabilizes.

What triggers an avalanche to start?

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.

What do you do if you are caught in an avalanche?

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 in a slide try to remove you pack and skis and get rid of your poles. All these can serve as anchors and actually hinder your chance of survival. Move your arms and legs as you would treading water. This will work the same way in snow and actually keep you near the top of the flow. As you feel the snow start to slow down start to struggle for the surface. Make one last push to get any part of your body above the surface of the snow as you feel the snow stop. Even a glove above the surface of the snow will dramatically speed up rescue.

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.