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 will be significant for any out of doors fanatic heading into the backcountry to know why these circumstances exist and tips on how to decrease the chance,” 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 are susceptible to triggering giant, harmful avalanches. These weak layers are buried deep sufficient that there are few indicators of instability, making them troublesome 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 totally different from most earlier years,” writes Mike Conlan, an avalanche forecaster, on the Avalanche Canada web site. “Professionals with many years of expertise recommend this weak of a snowpack is just 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 report for avalanche fatalities.” 

“An avalanche triggered on these layers is prone to be giant in measurement and could possibly be deadly for these caught in it,” added Chiddle, a 21-year veteran of backcountry guiding.

Handle the chance 

One of the simplest ways to handle the chance of avalanches is thru conservative terrain alternative. Keep away from high-consequence terrain in any respect prices and, the place doable, 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 essential to be cautious and proceed with this mindset even during times of diminished or no avalanche exercise,” mentioned Chiddle.

Essential tricks to planning for journey within the backcountry

1. Assess the chance: Earlier than heading out to the backcountry, assess the chance and collect as a lot data as doable concerning 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 danger evaluation, provide you with a plan for tips on how to safely journey via the terrain. This would possibly contain selecting a distinct route or altering your plans altogether.

3. Implement secure journey methods: Use secure journey methods resembling spacing out, travelling separately and being conscious of your environment to cut back the chance of being caught in an avalanche.

4. Repeatedly reassess the chance: Situations can change shortly, so you will need to constantly reassess the chance and regulate your plans as wanted.

5. Be ready for emergencies: Carry vital emergency tools, resembling shovels, probes, and transceivers, and know tips on how 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 tips on how to carry out a rescue and get assist if wanted.

6. Contemplate extra coaching: Whether or not you might be new to or skilled in backcountry journey. It will present beneficial information and expertise to securely navigate terrain and cut back the chance of an avalanche. Be ready for journey in avalanche terrain by taking vital precautions. Browse avalanche skills training on the Outside Centre.