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Safety Tips For Travel in Avalanche Terrain

The safety equipment, knowledge and skills you will need for safe adventures 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.

Recognizing signs of avalanches.

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?
• Have there been high winds?
• Are the temperatures rising or above zero?

Other Signs indicating avalanche danger

• While skiing can you see cracks forming in the snow surface around you?
• Can you hear settling sounds in the snow as you move over it? This indicated layers of snow settling.
• 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.

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.

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.

How are avalanches triggered?

In nature almost all avalanches are triggered by natural forces. Snow loading, winds, warming and debris falling are common triggers of natural avalanches. Unfortunately most avalanche victims are buried by avalanches that were human triggered. Either someone in the immediate group or a group nearby released the slide.

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 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.

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.