Crossing Safely:

If crossing an area that has any possibility of sliding cannot be avoided, listen to the sound your boots make while walking into the area. If the snow sounds hollow, particularly on a leeward slope, you can be sure conditions are right for an avalanche. Cross the potentially lethal slope by staying high and near the top, and cross one person at a time. This way in the event that a slide occurs someone can hopefully observe where you land. Ascend and descend in a straight line, as traversing or cutting switchbacks up a slope can trigger an avalanche. Remove ski pole straps, ski safety straps, and loosen all equipment so that they can be quickly discarded. Take advantage of any areas that offer cover, such as dense timber, ridges, or rocky outcrops, and use them as an “island of safety”. Most importantly, travel fast; the more time you spend exposed on an open, avalanche prone slope, the less time you have to live.

Avalanche Hazard Scale:

• Low Avalanche Hazard: mostly stable snow exists, and avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets on steep, snow-covered, open slopes and gullies. Backcountry travel is generally safe.
• Moderate Avalanche Hazard: areas of unstable snow exist, and avalanches are possible on steep snow-covered, open slopes and gullies. Backcountry travelers should use caution.
• High Avalanche Hazard: mostly unstable snow exists, and avalanches are likely on steep snow-covered slopes and gullies. Backcountry travel is not advised.
• Extreme Avalanche Hazard: Widespread areas of unstable snow exist, and avalanches are certain on steep, snow-covered, open slopes and gullies. Large and destructive avalanches are possible. Backcountry travel should be avoided.

Getting Caught:

Actually being caught in an avalanche is an experience many people do not survive, so prevention should be the foremost thing on your mind. In the case that you have followed all the guidelines, but still are caught in a slide, hopefully someone is watching as it overtakes you. Discard all of your equipment immediately and making swimming motions to try and keep yourself on top of the slide. As it begins to slow, get your hands in front of your face and try to make an air space in the snow. If you know you are near the surface try to reach a hand or foot up out of the snow. This will increase you chances of being found once the slide comes to a stop.

If it happens that you are the one watching a victim being swept away, mark the location where you last saw them. You should begin searching down slope from this point, using a probe if there are no obvious signs of the victim on the surface. Wearing an avalanche beacon can considerably increase you chances of being found if caught, but will only help if the others in you party use them as well. You are now the victim’s best chance for survival, so do not abandon the victim to get help as time is of the utmost importance. After just 30 minutes of being trapped in an avalanche the victim will only have a 50 percent chance of surviving. So, be prepared and make sure that you do not let you guard down, especially on suspect slopes.

Conclusion:

With the growing numbers of people today picking up winter outdoor activities, more accidents involving avalanches are occurring in the backwoods. In most cases, poor judgment was the foremost contributing factor in the cause of the accident. New and continuing research has helped define the causes of avalanches so that understanding how to avoid them is now commonplace. Constantly and consistently applying this understanding is the only weapon we have in the battle against one of Mother Nature’s most feared events. By just understanding a few basic principals, and by exercising caution along with good judgment, it is possible to be safe while playing in the outdoors during winter.