Backcountry Skiing 101: Avalanche Safety

Author: Ryan Stuart
Rating: ****
June 3rd 2014

In this article, I learned about avalanche safety and prevention.  Avalanches are nothing to joke around about.  The best piece of safety gear in an avalanche is knowledge.  There are many courses that you can take to help save your life in case of an avalanche.  There are 3 quick slope tests that you can preform.  

1. Hand Pit
With your hand, dig out a vertical column of snow about 30 centimeters square and deep. Pull from the back of the column with increasing force until the column slides or crumbles.
2. Pole Test
Handle first, push a ski pole as deep into the snow as possible. Feel for the different densities of snow, especially a hard layer followed by a soft one — a sign of instability.
3. Ski Cut
Skin or ski across a small slope and then have a second person ski a metre above your track. Watch for snow sliding between the tracks.
 
These tests will show how stable the snow is.  These is very important for back country skiers. There are also 5 signs that the snow could be unstable. These signs include, evidence of recent avalanches, cracks in the snow, whoomffing sounds or settling in the snowpack, temperatures climbing above zero, crust conditions (when a hard layer overlies a soft layer).  Some safety gear that you should have on you are, a beacon, probe, shovel, and backpack.  A beacon is probably the most important item out of this list.  A beacon is a device that is worn on a person that will send out a signal when in distress.  This will help the avalanche rescue team help find where you are buried.

After reading this article it really showed me how dangerous avalanches are.  You must react quickly and respond to the situation accordingly, if you want to survive.  Some of the tests I learned will be very helpful and I will remember to perform them if I am outback skiing.  I also learned what safety gear to bring.  This article was very helpful and interesting to read.    


                   
Cited:

• Url: http://www.explore-mag.com/Backcountry_Skiing_101_Avalanche_Safety
• Title: Backcountry Skiing 101: Avalanche Safety
• Website title: Explore Magazine
• Accessed on: 2014-06-03

By: Eric Boehling