Backcountry Avalanche Awareness

by Bruce Jamieson

• ISBN13: 9780969975861
• ISBN10: 0969975864
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-12-01
• Publisher: Canadian Avalanche Association

Summary

This book is based on the Canadian Avalanche Association's introductory avalanche course. It is designed for skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, climbers, and hikers and includes safety measures, search and rescue techniques, methods for recognizing avalanche terrain, and information on what to do if caught by an avalanche.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
Formation and Nature of Avalanches	p. 2
Types of Avalanches	p. 2
Triggers	p. 3
Avalanche Motion and Forces	p. 3
Avalanche Terrain	p. 4
Recognizing Avalanche Terrain	p. 4
Slope Angle of the Start Zone	p. 4
Orientation of Slope to Wind	p. 5
Orientation to Sun	p. 6
Elevation	p. 6
Size of Slope	p. 6
Shape of Slope	p. 6
Gullies and Bowls	p. 7
Terrain Roughness	p. 7
Timber	p. 8
Islands of Safety	p. 8
Terrain Traps	p. 8
Mountain Snowpack	p. 9
The Strength of Storm Snow Layers	p. 9
The Strength of Old Snow Layers	p. 9
Regional Differences in Snowpack	p. 10
Local Differences in Snowpack	p. 11
Recognizing Avalanche Danger	p. 12
Making a Decision	p. 12
Snowpack and Previous Weather	p. 13
Public Avalanche Information and Forecasts	p. 13
Field Observations	p. 13
Field Tests	p. 14
Present Weather	p. 18
Assessing Snow Stability	p. 18
Terrain Alternatives	p. 19
Human Factors	p. 19
Summary	p. 20
Stability Evaluation	p. 21
Stability Evaluation Example 2	p. 22
Stability Evaluation Example 3	p. 23
Winter Backcountry Travel	p. 24
Safety Equipment	p. 24
Trip Preparation	p. 24
Group Compatibility	p. 25
Leadership	p. 25
Group Safety	p. 25
Route Selection	p. 26
Skiing Avalanche Terrain	p. 26
Crossing a Slope that May Be Unstable	p. 26
If You Are Caught in an Avalanche	p. 27
Search and Rescue	p. 28
Reason for Rescue by Accident Party	p. 28
Initial Response	p. 28
Transceiver Search	p. 29
Fine Search Patterns for Transceivers	p. 29
Probe Search	p. 31
Organized Rescue	p. 32
References and Reading List	p. 33
Snow Metamorphism	p. 35
Dry Snow Metamorphism	p. 35
Melt-Freeze Metamorphism	p. 36
Avalanche Danger Scales	p. 37
Canadian Avalanche Danger Scale (1996)	p. 37
United States Avalanche Danger Scale (1996)	p. 38
Avalanche Sizes	p. 39
Equipment Checklist	p. 40
Personal Gear	p. 40
Group Gear	p. 40
Accident Response	p. 41
Avalanche Information	p. 42
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