BackCountry Travel

 


Avalanche accidents are on the increase. Most are the result of avalanches triggered by the victim. Many could have been avoided had those involved been more knowledgeable and better prepared.

Safety doesn't stop when the snow melts. Please read our Hiking Tips to ensure a safe summer mountain experience.

Avalanche First-Responder Online Training

The Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) is pleased to announce that a new Avalanche First Responder training program is now available online. Avalanche First Responder Online Training.

Safe Travel

Before you go:

  • Leave word with a reliable person regarding your proposed route and expected return time.
  • Research the route and its hazards: known slide paths, cornices, cliffs, crevasses.
  • Check the weather and avalanche danger. Have an alternative trip choice available.
  • Consider group makeup; beacon compatibility, experience, fitness level and group size.
  • You should carry and know how to use: an avalanche rescue beacon, a shovel,a probe or probe ski poles.

Recognizing Avalanche Terrain

Slope Angle - Dangerous avalanches are most common between 30° and 45°, ideal skiing, boarding or snowmobiling slopes.

Orientation to Wind - Lee slopes are a potential hazard because wind deposited snow often creates unstable slabs. Windward slopes generally have less snow, which is compacted and are usually more stable. In the absence of wind, slopes of any aspect may avalanche. Slope profile, orientation to sun and the presence of trees all influence avalanche potential and are topics covered in an avalanche course.

Travel in Avalanche Terrain

Avoid large, steep, lee bowls, gullies and cornices. Choose safer routes: ridge tops, valley floors, dense timber and low angle slopes. If you choose to ski, board or ride an avalanche slope, minimize your risk.

  • Never have more than one person on a slope at any time.
  • Don't stop in the middle of the slope, move to a safe place.
  • Watch each person on the slope. Stay in voice contact.
  • Have a plan: know who is going to go first, where to stop and where is the escape route.

Nature's Billboard

Do not ignore Nature's billboard. It's Nature's way of telling you when conditions are unstable.

Instability Message
Recent avalanches on similar slopes There is no better clue! Avoid slopes of similar angles, aspects and elevation which have not yet released.
Whumping noises Whumps happen when a weak layer collapses within the snowpack. Nature is screaming at you! Avoid avalanche prone slopes and runouts.
Shooting cracks Shooting Cracks in the snow indicate that you can trigger slab avalanches.
Recent wind loading Wind loaded snow forms slabs. Evidence of wind loading includes cornices, smooth pillows of snow and drift patterns.
A sudden warming trend A rapid prolonged rise in temperature, particularly above freezing, may cause avalanches as the snow weakens.
Hollow sounds Drum-like hollow sounds from the snowpack as you travel indicate a potentially weak layer is underneath a denser layer.
New snow Most avalanches occur during or soon after periods of prolonged or heavy snowfall.

Remember, weather is the architect of avalanches. Coastal, Columbia and Rocky Mountain snowpacks and weather conditions vary greatly.

Avalanche Rescue

If caught in an avalanche:

  • Shout so your group knows you need help.
  • Try to discard equipment: skis, poles, board.
  • Swim to stay on the surface. Work your way to the side.

As the avalanche slows:

  • Fight to reach the surface.
  • Try to get a hand above the surface so that it can be seen.
  • Make an air space in front of your face with your other arm.
  • Try to relax to conserve energy.

Searching for a victim -
The most experienced person should:

  • Take a moment to organize the search party.
  • Consider the possibility of another avalanche before attempting a rescue. Set an escape route and post a lookout if necessary.
  • Mark the last seen point of the victim(s).

Search with beacons:

  • Ensure all rescuers' beacons are switched to receive.
  • Spread out at 30 meter intervals to cover the debris.
  • Look for surface clues: a hand, hat, glove, etc.
  • Don't litter the slope with rescuers' belongings.
  • Search around and downhill of any clues.
  • When a signal is picked up, assign one or two to locate it while others continue the search.
  • Pinpoint the signal to a small radius, then probe to find the victim.
  • Without removing the probe, quickly dig out the victim.
  • Turn the victim's beacon to receive if others are still buried.

Search without beacons:

  • Have all rescuers vigorously search for surface clues.
  • Probe the most likely areas: around clues, in line below the last seen point, around trees, rocks, etc.
  • Concentrate on the last few meters of the debris and other areas of deposition.
  • After a thorough search by random probing, set up an organized probe line. Start at the base of the debris and work your way up the most likely trajectory.
  • There is a 60% chance of finding someone with a probe line. If unsuccessful, cover the area again.

Practice your rescue plan before you need it. Over 50% of people completely buried in avalanches do not survive after 20 minutes. You do not have time to go for help. You are the help.