AVALANCHE AWARENESS
This was considered a
class 3 avalanche luckly
the rider only sustained a
broken femur and was
helicoptered to hospital.
rider says:
"it was like being tossed in the dryer you didn't know which way was up and all I could see was daylight once in a while I was swimming as hard as i could".
LINKS
Please be responsible check avalanche conditions before riding each day.
You could save a life.
United States Avalanche.org
Canada Avalanche.ca
American Avalanche Association
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Avalanche From The Riders Eye
Special Thanks to Don Goetz For helmet can footage
Avalanche Myths:
"Loud noises trigger avalanches"
Although it's a convenient plot device in the movies.
It's just one of those myths that refuse to die.
Noise is simply not enough force unless it's EXTREMELY loud noise such as an explosive going off at close range. Even sonic booms or low flying helicopter trigger avalanches only in extremely unstable conditions in which natural avalanches would likely occur on their own anyway. In 90 percent of avalanche fatalities, the avalanche is triggered by the weight of the victim, or someone in the victim's party.
"An Avalanche is a bunch of loose snow sliding down the mountain" |
Avalanche professionals call these "sluffs." Loose snow avalanches account for only a very small percentage of deaths and property damage. What we normally call avalanches are "slabs" or cohesive plates of snow that shatter like a pane of glass and slide as a unit off the mountainside. Picture a magazine sliding off the table, with the victim standing on the middle of the magazine. This is why avalanches are so deadly. |
"Avalanches "strike without warning" |
We often hear the word "strike" used in the popular media. Stock market crashes, meteor impacts and lost love may strike without warning, but avalanches almost always have obvious signs. Second, avalanches don't "strike". They happen at particular times and in particular places for particular reasons. To repeat again because it's so important: In 90 percent of all avalanche accidents, the avalanche is triggered by the victim, or someone in the victim's party. Natural avalanches occur because new or windblown snow overloads weak-layers or because of rapid warming, but there's almost always obvious signs of instability by the time avalanches come down on their own. |
Keep checking back for avalanche myths.
CARRY THE RIGHT GEAR!
Having the proper gear is essential for safe, responsible back country riding. Used properly it can forecast stability in the snowpack, or rescue those who become victim of an avalanche.
The only reliable rescue is for the riding party to rescue it's own avalanche victim so BE PREPARED!.
Avalanche Transceiver / Beacon:
Avalanche Probe:
Avalanche Shovel:
Backpack:
(Always carry rescue gear in your pack on your back not on your sled)