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Avalanche Awareness
With
the increased popularity of winter activities such as ice climbing,
winter mountaineering, and backcountry skiing many more people are traveling
into avalanche terrain. Many of the avalanche accidents we have had
here in the Northeast could have been easily prevented if the victims
had possessed just a little knowledge about avalanches. In past years
a few people have been caught in avalanches on Mount Washington on days
where the forecast avalanche hazard was posted as "extreme." Something
as simple as knowing where to find the current avalanche forecast and
what the ratings in that forecast mean could have made a difference.
The first two things you must understand is that avalanches don't "just happen" and if you're not careful you could wind up in one. By accepting these two facts you're already well on your way to making sure you don't become caught in an avalanche. Anyone who travels in avalanche terrain, which can be almost any slope that has snow on it, can begin to stack the odds in their favor by studying one of the excellent books on avalanches available at any climbing store and watching a video on the subject. Then, if possible, follow this introductory study up with some hands on experience in the snow by taking an avalanche course from a guide who is a trained avalanche professional.To really become an expert in the science of snow study and avalanches can take a lifetime and these are subjects about which you can never know too much. But, with just a little effort you should know enough about snow conditions to keep you out of trouble. Initially, be very conservative and never be afraid to change your plans if you don't feel good about the conditions.
What follows in these pages is just a very brief introduction to some concepts you should become more familiar with if you are planning any kind of travel on steep snow this winter or spring. If you are unfamiliar with the techniques required for safe travel in avalanche terrain these pages will give you a glimpse of the kind of information available. Follow this up with more reading, study, and training.