UCalgary Outdoor Centre offers tips to minimize travel risk in wake of backcountry avalanche warnings

The snowpack in western Canada is extraordinarily weak this 12 months and these harmful circumstances are anticipated to persist for the remainder of the season.

“It is necessary for any out of doors fanatic heading into the backcountry to grasp why these circumstances exist and easy methods to reduce the danger,” mentioned mountain information Paul Chiddle, supervisor of the College Calgary Outdoor Centre,

Why these circumstances exist

The snowpack in western Canada has been affected by an absence of snow and chilly climate, resulting in the formation of weak layers which can be liable to triggering massive, harmful avalanches. These weak layers are buried deep sufficient that there are few indicators of instability, making them tough to detect.  

Many avalanches this winter have been triggered from a distance, indicating that the weak layers within the snowpack are widespread, interconnected, and unstable. These layers, significantly in wind-affected areas and rocky terrain, usually tend to be triggered when they’re shallowly buried.

“This 12 months’s snowpack is completely different from most earlier years,” writes Mike Conlan, an avalanche forecaster, on the Avalanche Canada web site. “Professionals with many years of expertise counsel this weak of a snowpack is barely seen as soon as each 10 to twenty years for a lot of western Canada. Some professionals are evaluating this snowpack to 2003, which was one of many worst years on document for avalanche fatalities.” 

“An avalanche triggered on these layers is more likely to be massive in dimension and might be deadly for these caught in it,” added Chiddle, a 21-year veteran of backcountry guiding.

Handle the danger 

One of the simplest ways to handle the danger of avalanches is thru conservative terrain alternative. Keep away from high-consequence terrain in any respect prices and, the place attainable, journey on slopes with a slope angle of lower than 30 levels whereas remaining vigilant of the terrain above and under you. 

“This can be very necessary to be cautious and proceed with this mindset even in periods of lowered or no avalanche exercise,” mentioned Chiddle.

Necessary tricks to planning for journey within the backcountry

1. Assess the danger: Earlier than heading out to the backcountry, assess the danger and collect as a lot data as attainable in regards to the present circumstances, together with the avalanche forecast, snowpack and climate, and terrain and group skills and expertise. See the Avalanche Canada forecast map for situation updates. 

2. Make a plan: Primarily based in your threat evaluation, give you a plan for easy methods to safely journey via the terrain. This may contain selecting a special route or altering your plans altogether.

3. Implement secure journey methods: Use secure journey methods similar to spacing out, travelling one by one and being conscious of your environment to cut back the danger of being caught in an avalanche.

4. Constantly reassess the danger: Situations can change rapidly, so you will need to constantly reassess the danger and alter your plans as wanted.

5. Be ready for emergencies: Carry essential emergency gear, similar to shovels, probes, and transceivers, and know easy methods to use them in case of an avalanche. Have a plan in place for what to do within the occasion of an avalanche, together with easy methods to carry out a rescue and get assist if wanted.

6. Take into account extra coaching: Whether or not you might be new to or skilled in backcountry journey. This can present beneficial information and abilities to securely navigate terrain and cut back the danger of an avalanche. Be ready for journey in avalanche terrain by taking essential precautions. Browse avalanche skills training on the Out of doors Centre.