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Avalanches are a part of the normal cycle of events in the mountains and are not a hazard in general, as they occur away from inhabited areas. It is only when people coming into these environments unprepared or unaware of the risks do avalanches become life threatening. With 95% of avalanche accidents caused by the people who get caught up in them, it is more a case of awareness and knowledge of the mountains then about the avalanches themselves.
Not all mountains are at risk of avalanches. Certain types of environments and conditions are required before an avalanche will form.
But the best advice that can be given for avoiding avalanches is that KNOWLEDGE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOL.
DoC ( Department of Conservation) cannot stop you going out into the mountains, but they can advise you. Take notice of their advice as they are familiar with the conditions and the dangers.
Below are some summarised points and useful links to help you on your way.
General tips for avoiding Avalanches
- Previous Avalanche Activity in the area
- Stay on slopes less than 30 degrees
- Carry and know how to use avalanche rescue gear
- Travel down the edge of the slope rather than the center
- Be aware of the temperature and snow wetness
- Hoar frosts and long frosty mornings creates unstable snow layers
- Avoid travelling under cornices when the snow turns wet
- Mornings are safer than afternoons. When the day has heated up and the sun has changed the snow, the danger rises
- Talk to the patrollers. They are out there all of the time and they know the snow
- Look at the weather charts and look for the Avalanche Advisory board www.avalanche.net
- Shady slopes versus sunny
- No other tracks on the slope
- Ridges and gentle slopes are safer than bowls and gullies. Roll overs stretch the snow while hollows compact the snow and creates pressure points. These are dangerous places to be.
Surface instability Clues
- Previous Avalanche Activity in the area
- Collapsing or a sudden drop of the height of the snow pack
- Shooting cracks visible on the surface of snow pack
- A hollow sound when walking on hard snow pack
- Snow still in tree tops 24 hours after storm
- Recently deposited snow
- Avalanches are more likely below a cornice than on the edges of a ridge
Rescue Tips
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Localization with an Avalanche Transceiver. A transceiver covers an area the size of a football field.
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Know avalanche search and rescue grid patterns and search procedures
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Visible Clues and Avalanche Rescue. Look for gloves, hats, poles a,d skis or snowboards and mark the site. The victim will be below that point.
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Burial Depth. Each cubic metre weighs a tonne. 4 metres = 4 tonnes of snow on the body. Its heavy stuff!
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Tip for self rescue. PRACICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Know your gear so you can search with speed. Make sure your mates are better than you are. You will want them to be champions if you get caught.
Attitudes Not To Have
- LATE FOR WORK and not taking time to do the essential checks
- The lion , I am the leader and I know everything.
- The horse, heading home and thinking of a shower and a warm meal, not thinking about whats happening right now.
- Putting your life in someone elses hands. They might be dreaming of something else and not about the job in hand. Always keep looking out.
Other Resources
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