Avalanche Safety

Before ever venturing into the backcountry you should educate yourself. You can learn to be avalanche aware in a number of different ways. Start by reading books and researching web sites; enroll in a quality avalanche workshop with field-oriented training; take note of any avalanche activity; travel with an avalanche-savvy partner and ask questions. Look, listen and feel the snow pack. Use our avalanche advisories along with other snow and weather reports to plan your recreational outing. This data is only a small part of the needed information. Check newspapers, news reports, other websites, talk to friends, and watch for environmental indicators. 

When you leave for a trip into the backcountry, have a plan. Good communication among group members is essential. Leave a trip plan with a responsible friend who is not traveling with you, so they can know approximately where you are going and when to expect you back. Carry the needed backcountry equipment: probe pole, avalanche beacon, and a shovel are mandatory tools. Talk about the best route selection among your group. The best avalanche rescue plan is to not get caught in one, but if one does occur, have a strategy already thought out. 

If an avalanche accident does occur to a fellow traveler, do not leave to get help: YOU ARE THE HELP. Most rescue teams take hours to get to the scene. A victim only has a 50% chance of survival if buried 30 minutes. The first 15 minutes are crucial in recovering an avalanche victim.

Educate yourself to be avalanche aware and you will live to enjoy the mountains for many years.