Vibe-Winter-2425 - Flipbook - Page 56
Avalanche Education
Before venturing into technical terrain, taking an avalanche
education course, such as Avalanche Rec 1, is a great start.
However, simply taking a course is not enough to head directly
into avalanche terrain. It’s necessary to gradually learn how to
apply this knowledge with a careful approach. Developing the
ability to read snow conditions, manage avalanche risk, and put
this knowledge into practice is foundational for safely stepping
into simple avalanche terrain.
Further education, such as the Avalanche Rec 2 course,
expands understanding and refines decision making. Avalanche
education is a continual process: practice evaluating the snowpack, conduct regular beacon drills, and share insights with
others to build collective knowledge. Mentorship is valuable
for honing these skills and maintaining proficiency. Since skills
can fade quickly, ongoing practice and refresher courses help
ensure readiness.
Reading and Applying Avalanche Forecasts
Resources like the Mount Washington Avalanche Center provide
avalanche hazard information and travel advice, helping you
choose terrain that aligns with the current avalanche danger
level. However, using a forecast effectively means not only
understanding the hazards but also anticipating how conditions
may change throughout the day. Build flexibility into your plan
with multiple objectives, so you have options if avalanche hazards are greater than expected. Be prepared to step back from
your primary goal and shift to a safer alternative if conditions
require it. Stay alert for red flags and changes that indicate
increased avalanche risk; be ready to adapt and pivot.
Topping out Yale Gully in Huntington Ravine before skiing down
Damnation Gully on a beautiful spring day. Jordan Cargill photo.
Carrying and Using Avalanche Rescue Tools
Group Dynamics and Decision Making
The ultimate goal in avalanche terrain is to never get caught in
an avalanche. Like seatbelts in a car, rescue tools—avalanche
transceiver, shovel, and probe—are safety measures that can save
lives in the worst-case scenario. However, carrying these tools isn’t
enough; they are only effective if you’re proficient in using them.
The importance of speed and skill with your avalanche
transceiver, probe, and shovel cannot be overstated. Numerous
studies on avalanche burial fatalities show that the majority
(over 75%) are due to asphyxiation. Trauma accounts for
5-25% of avalanche fatalities. Survival in cases of asphyxiation
is highly time-dependent: the longer someone is buried, the
lower their chance of survival. According to the American
Avalanche Association, survival rates are around 92% if a
person is rescued within 15 minutes. This drops to 37% after
35 minutes of burial, with the likelihood of death increasing by
approximately 3% for each minute after 15 minutes. Speed is
critical: practice, practice, practice!
Unlike at a ski area, backcountry skiing is often a group endeavor, where everyone’s safety depends on open communication.
Each member should feel comfortable voicing concerns, and
no one should feel pressured to ski something they find unsafe.
Drawing on the group’s collective knowledge supports sound
decision making and safer backcountry travel.
Choosing the right partners can make all the difference.
Group members should share similar skills, risk tolerance,
and respect for the mountains. Complementary skills, such as
navigation, avalanche training, and first aid, create a stronger,
safer team. Skiing with experienced partners is one of the best
ways to continue learning and build backcountry skills.
Managing group dynamics can be one of the biggest challenges in backcountry travel. It’s valuable to foster an environment
where everyone feels empowered to speak up. Developing a
mindset where turning back is respected—not seen as a failure—
promotes long-term safety and success in the backcountry.
Mountaineering Skills and Equipment
Technical terrain often involves steep, icy conditions that
require mountaineering skills, including the use of crampons
and ice axes. Self-arrest techniques, using crampons for secure
footing on steep slopes, and careful travel on exposed terrain
are needed to prevent a dangerous fall. In New England, unpredictable weather often transforms snow conditions rapidly. A
soft snowpack in the morning can harden into an unforgiving
icy surface by afternoon, so skiers need to adjust their plans,
gear, and expectations to match the evolving conditions.
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Backcountry Ethics
The backcountry is a shared space that calls for a respectful and
mindful approach. Practicing good ethics preserves the natural
beauty of these areas while ensuring that everyone can enjoy
them safely.
Begin with responsible trash management: pack out
everything you bring, from wrappers to food scraps and even
small bits of gear. Keeping the landscape free from litter helps
maintain its pristine quality. Noise control is also essential:
refrain from playing music through speakers, as it can disturb
the tranquility that many seek in these remote areas, and may
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