MindtheAvalanche - homeexperiencesgalleryforumlinkscontact terrain options people risk-management basics decision-making MIND THE AVALANCHE snowpack&weather exercise decisions MIND THE AVALANCHE.com MIND THE AVALANCHE

MindtheAvalanche - homeexperiencesgalleryforumlinkscontact terrain options people risk-management basics decision-making MIND THE AVALANCHE snowpack&weather exercise decisions MIND THE AVALANCHE.com MIND THE AVALANCHE

MindtheAvalanche - homeexperiencesgalleryforumlinkscontact terrain options people risk-management basics decision-making MIND THE AVALANCHE snowpack&weather MIND THE AVALANCHE.com MIND THE AVALANCHE decisions home >> decision-making >> decisions Making decisions in avalanche terrain Making safe decisions in avalanche terrain is no easy task. It requires common sense and a set of tools tailored to making good, consistent decisions. Our internal dialogue is full of questions, and personal experience doesn't necessarily dictate a clear and simple solution. It's not easy to arrive at a "go" or "no go" answer, as our experience essentially offers choices. Where is it safe to ski? Can the slope produce avalanches? Is the snowpack stable or not? Can we ski this terrain without triggering the slope? What are the consequences if an avalanche does occur? Are we skilled enough with the companion rescue equipment to rapidly respond should an avalanche occur?

MindtheAvalanche - homeexperiencesgalleryforumlinkscontact terrain options people risk-management basics decision-making MIND THE AVALANCHE snowpack&weather MIND THE AVALANCHE.com MIND THE AVALANCHE home >> decision-making >> decisions How does one correctly choose the best option? Each backcountry skier or rider needs a basic decision making tool to analyze information and arrive at conclusions. Having a checklist of questions helps backcountry travelers review information and directs them toward a decision. There are no right answers. The questions lead to an awareness of critical factors and a general safer, or safest, method for making decisions. We will use the acronym stop from the previous modules to remind ourselves of questions to consider while we gather information in three stages that occur at different points during the trip. 1. Before the trip  prepstop 2. En route  checkstop 3. In the terrain  pitstop Whether you have team members of different fitness, skills, and ability, make a commitment to gather as a group and review all the information at hand.

MindtheAvalanche - homeexperiencesgalleryforumlinkscontact terrain options people risk-management basics decision-making MIND THE AVALANCHE snowpack&weather MIND THE AVALANCHE.com MIND THE AVALANCHE home >> decision-making >> decisions snowpack&weatherWhat are the trends and critical indications to consider? terrainCan the slope produce an avalanche? Is it likely to slide today? optionsCan we commit to more than one possible route option? peopleWhat is the experience and decision making ability of the group? Let us now follow a fictional group headed to Rogers Pass to ski tour in the Connaught Creek basin for the day. They plan to ski up to the popular Ursus Bowl. We'll track their progress through pre-trip planning to on-slope assessments to evaluate how successful they are at making decisions in avalanche terrain.

MindtheAvalanche - homeexperiencesgalleryforumlinkscontact terrain options people risk-management basics decision-making MIND THE AVALANCHE snowpack&weather MIND THE AVALANCHE.com MIND THE AVALANCHE home >> decision-making >> decisions Click here to start the slideshow: slideshow If you need additional resources for your own trip planning and decision making such as weather or avalanche forecasts, maps of popular routes, and more, you can find some useful links under the links tab.

MindtheAvalanche - homeexperiencesgalleryforumlinkscontact terrain options people risk-management basics decision-making MIND THE AVALANCHE snowpack&weather MIND THE AVALANCHE.com MIND THE AVALANCHE home >> decision-making >> decisions Click here to start the slideshow: slideshow If you need additional resources for your own trip planning and decision making such as weather or avalanche forecasts, maps of popular routes, and more, you can find some useful links under the links tab. Prepstop #1 Before departing, the group gets together and plans the ski trip. They use a notebook to record critical information and trends, or red flags, that when reviewed in the field, may assist the decision making process. Here are some questions for them to consider at this point: snowpack&weather Go to Check the Partner Bulletins for Glacier National Park for weather forecast, snow conditions, and travel advisories. Plan to stop at the Rogers Pass Visitor Centre for up to date information. terrainUse maps, photos, and friends' experience to review the proposed trip up Connaught Creek. Identify any small and large avalanche paths that affect the route. options Choose alternatives in the terrain. Given good conditions the ideal route is Ursus Bowl. A safer route sticks to the trees. The safest route avoids the Connaught Creek drainage and follows Grizzly Shoulder. people Assess the skills of the group. How compatible is the group? What is each skier's ability, experience, and fitness? Do we make group decisions or does one person dominate?

MindtheAvalanche - homeexperiencesgalleryforumlinkscontact terrain options people risk-management basics decision-making MIND THE AVALANCHE snowpack&weather MIND THE AVALANCHE.com MIND THE AVALANCHE home >> decision-making >> decisions Click here to start the slideshow: slideshow If you need additional resources for your own trip planning and decision making such as weather or avalanche forecasts, maps of popular routes, and more, you can find some useful links under the links tab. Prepstop #2 At Rogers Pass Visitor Center, the group stops to get information on avalanche closures, recent snow profiles, weather and avalanche forecasts. Additionally, they can buy maps and guidebooks, or view terrain photos. They will be looking for answers to the following questions: snowpack&weather Record in notebook current weather and snowpack conditions. Temperature: What is the trend over the past few days? Wind speed and direction: Has the snow been blowing at ridge top? Precipitation: Is the snowfall or rainfall a critical factor? Is there enough new snow to create avalanche conditions? Are there strong layers over weak layers? terrainIs Connaught Creek the best choice? What are the safest routes in this valley? Are there slopes that could produce avalanches in these conditions? What angle, aspect, and elevations are recommended to avoid? options Check the guidebook for viable alternatives What would make these routes safer? people Now that we have up to date information are we prepared for the proposed trip? Have we all agreed to our proposed options in the terrain? Have we agreed to stop along the route (checkpoints) to review our decisions?

MindtheAvalanche - homeexperiencesgalleryforumlinkscontact terrain options people risk-management basics decision-making MIND THE AVALANCHE snowpack&weather MIND THE AVALANCHE.com MIND THE AVALANCHE home >> decision-making >> decisions Click here to start the slideshow: slideshow If you need additional resources for your own trip planning and decision making such as weather or avalanche forecasts, maps of popular routes, and more, you can find some useful links under the links tab. checkstop Once at the Grizzly Slide Path, the group stops to think about the situation ahead. They will have to cross the large avalanche path and the infamous Frequent Flyer Slide Path. Here are some questions for them to consider: snowpack&weatherHow much fresh snow is beside the trail? Can we see wind blowing snow off the top of Mt. Cheops? Can we see up into Balu Pass, will it be a whiteout? Is it warming up? terrainHas the Grizzly Slide Path already slid? Can we see debris? Did the bulletin warn of large avalanches that could run to the toe of the path and valley floor? Is it safe to cross this slide path? optionsIf it is safe enough to cross, we should spread out when crossing the slide path. We should leave a spotter in a safe zone. What will we do if the spotter yells "avalanche!" Is it safer to follow the summer trail on the other side of the valley? If the slopes of Mt. Cheops have already slid, it may be safer to return to the bridge and cross to the other side. peopleDoes each person agree and understand what our plan is?

MindtheAvalanche - homeexperiencesgalleryforumlinkscontact terrain options people risk-management basics decision-making MIND THE AVALANCHE snowpack&weather MIND THE AVALANCHE.com MIND THE AVALANCHE home >> decision-making >> decisions Click here to start the slideshow: slideshow If you need additional resources for your own trip planning and decision making such as weather or avalanche forecasts, maps of popular routes, and more, you can find some useful links under the links tab. pitstop The best time to gather additional snowpack information is during the uphill climb. The group gathers snow and terrain information on or near slopes they plan to ski. snowpack&weatherHas the temperature changed during the 3-hour climb? Has the wind increased or is it moving snow at higher elevations? Can we see any recent or past avalanche activity? Does our snow profile reveal any obvious weaker layers? Does the snow crack or fracture under our skis? terrainDid we gather snowpit information at a similar elevation and aspect to the slope we wish to ski? optionsAre there steep rocky areas and lee slopes that are likely to trigger avalanches? Are there cornices above or evidence of recent cornice fall? peopleIs our group keen on gathering snowpack information or do they just want to ski? (When people are getting cold they are less likely to pay attention to the available info. Keep your investigation brief and relevant.) Does anyone in the group have the experience to interpret the snowpack information? (Remember, the snowpit is just one bit of information. Don't let this be the deciding factor when deciding to ski a steeper slope.)

MindtheAvalanche - homeexperiencesgalleryforumlinkscontact terrain options people risk-management basics decision-making MIND THE AVALANCHE snowpack&weather MIND THE AVALANCHE.com MIND THE AVALANCHE home >> decision-making >> decisions Click here to start the slideshow: slideshow If you need additional resources for your own trip planning and decision making such as weather or avalanche forecasts, maps of popular routes, and more, you can find some useful links under the links tab.