Avalanche! Are You Prepared?

As winter is fast approaching it's time to look at your avalanche skills if you are planning to be in the backcountry skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing. The deaths over the past 5 years have increased with snowmobile and snowboard triggered avalanches due to the increase in the number of people enjoying these backcountry recreation adventures. You must always be aware of your surroundings and look for signs that are apparent in the area you are traveling to. Take a course in avalanche awareness and safety. You can find courses along the Wasatch Front at the Utah Avalanche Center and prepare yourself. Carry the needed equipment for rescue; beacon, shovel, probes or other rescue apparatus that have evolved. Avalanches happen due to wind load and unstable snow structure you must know how to determine if a slope is safe by learning the proper techniques and methods of digging snow pits in the area you are in. Remember that the angle and aspect of the slope play a major role in avalanches and in just a few feet both the angle and aspect of the slope can change dramatically. Digging one pit is not the save all. Other factors that you must consider are those of the mind and being able to make correct decisions and not have clouded judgment when you reach your destination. You must have and work on decision-making skills that will preclude any clouded judgment in these instances.

Remember you can do all the right things and still trigger an avalanche. You must be prepared to care for yourself and others in the backcountry, you could be alone in your efforts for a long period of time and time is crucial in these situations. Please take the time and effort needed to be safe in the backcountry and don't become a statistic of the season or worse yet cause a statistic. Read, study and take courses that will help ensure your safety and the safety of those you are with this winter.