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Consumer Concerns and Advice Recent UpdatesJuly 30, 2008 June 18, 2008 June 13, 2008 June 11, 2008 May 27, 2008 Archives
May, 2008 Web ResourcesChalat Hatten & Koupal PC
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Posted by: Linda Chalat
Snow Slope Safety Watch for the leeward pockets. Many mid and low elevation slopes have a lot of sagebrush showing, but every so often there are pockets-sides of gullies, steep short slopes and back sides of ridges-where the wind has deposited snow. Plan your route to avoid these areas. One extremely dangerous time in the mountains occurs when a period of cold weather is followed by a sudden warming trend or rain falling on the snow pack. Free water in the snow pack lubricates weak layers and large avalanches often result. Like intensive storms, it is a very dangerous time to be traveling in the mountains. Heavy trees provide protection from avalanches, but the trees must be spaced within 3 meters of one another. That's close enough to make skiing annoying. Sparse trees do NOT provide any more protection than open slopes. In the spring, big wet, damaging avalanches can occur. The safest time to travel is in the morning after a cold, clear night when the snow is frozen. Get off of steep slopes when the snow begins to soften from melting. Don't camp, eat lunch and rest below obvious avalanche paths. Traveling alone is risky: two is better, three is better yet. Use ridge lines, heavy trees, windward sides or low angle slopes (less than 30 degrees) to minimize your exposure. When crossing suspected avalanche slopes, do so one person at a time. A slope is not safe just because one or more individuals have crossed it, and remember to travel from island of safety (a group of heavy trees, a ridge top, etc) to island of safety. Carry emergency avalanche equipment: transceiver, portable shovels, probe poles-and for a hasty snow pit: hand lens, pencil, knife, and compass with inclinometer. At the beginning of each winter season practice with your transceiver. Know how to use it before you need to use it. If you are moving up or down a suspected slope, stay to the side. If an avalanche occurs, the snow may move slower on the flank and allow escape. Stay out of gullies. They are natural pathways for avalanches and often fill deeply with snow when an avalanche occurs. Know what's out there. Check the avalanche forecast before leaving on a backcountry trip. In Colorado, check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center for up to the minute weather and conditions during the ski season. |
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The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation. | |
Most avalanches start on slopes that are 30 degrees or greater. If you stay off of 30+ degree slopes and avoid traveling beneath them, your risk is greatly minimized. Wind moves snow from windward to leeward slopes and can create the same kinds of unsafe conditions created by an intensive snow fall. Stay off leeward slopes during periods of strong winds.