An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a hill or mountainside. Although avalanches can occur on any steep slope given the right conditions, certain times of the year and types of locations are naturally more dangerous. While avalanches are sudden, there are typically a number of warning signs you can look for or feel before one occurs. In 90 percent of avalanche incidents, the snow slides are triggered by the victim or someone in the victim's party. Avalanches kill more than 150 people worldwide each year.
+How to Stay Safe
Get Training.
- Know the three factors required for an avalanche:
- Slope - Avalanche generally occur on slopes steeper than 30 degrees
- Snowpack - Recent avalanches, shooting cracks, and “whumpfing” are signs of unstable snow.
- Trigger - Sometimes it doesn’t take much to tip the balance; people, new snow, and wind are common triggers.
- Determine if you are on or below slopes that can avalanche
- Find out if the snow is stable
- Get the Advisory: Refer to your local avalanche center for current snowpack conditions!
- Get the Gear...and learn how to use it! Have these three avalanche safety essentials in your pack. :
- Transceiver: so you can be found if covered by the snow
- Shovel: so you can dig out your partner
- Probe: so you can locate someone who has been covered by the snow
Avalanche survival rates plummet after about 15 minutes for victims who do not die from trauma. Saving your partner is up to you! Practicing realistic scenarios beforehand is essential.
+Avalanche Warning Signs
The following are a few of the warning signs of unstable snow and possible avalanches:
- You see an avalanche happen or see evidence of previous slides.
- Cracks form in the snow around your feet or skis.
- The ground feels hollow underfoot.
- You hear a "whumping" sound as you walk, which indicates that the snow is settling and a slab might release.
- Heavy snowfall or rain in the past 24 hours
- Significant warming or rapidly increasing temperatures
- You see surface patterns on the snow made by the force of strong winds. This could indicate that snow has been transported and deposited in dangerous drifts that could release.
Avalanche Size - Relative to Path:
D1 Very small, relative to the path
D2 Small, relative to the path
D3 Medium, relative to the path
D4 Large, relativie to the path
D5 Major or maximium, relative to the path
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[The metaphors here are tremendous!]