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 situations are anticipated to persist for the remainder of the season.

“It will be important for any outside fanatic heading into the backcountry to grasp why these situations exist and the way to decrease the chance,” mentioned mountain information Paul Chiddle, supervisor of the College Calgary Outdoor Centre,

Why these situations 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 massive, 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, notably 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 a long time 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 file for avalanche fatalities.” 

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

Handle the chance 

The easiest way to handle the chance of avalanches is thru conservative terrain selection. 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 necessary to be cautious and proceed with this mindset even during times of decreased or no avalanche exercise,” mentioned Chiddle.

Vital 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 in regards to the present situations, together with the avalanche forecast, snowpack and climate, and terrain and group talents and expertise. See the Avalanche Canada forecast map for situation updates. 

2. Make a plan: Primarily based in your threat evaluation, give you a plan for the way to safely journey by the terrain. This would possibly contain selecting a distinct route or altering your plans altogether.

3. Implement secure journey strategies: Use secure journey strategies resembling spacing out, travelling one after the other 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 it is very important repeatedly reassess the chance and modify your plans as wanted.

5. Be ready for emergencies: Carry essential emergency gear, resembling shovels, probes, and transceivers, and know the way 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 the way to carry out a rescue and get assist if wanted.

6. Take into account extra coaching: Whether or not you might be new to or skilled in backcountry journey. This can present useful data and expertise to securely navigate terrain and cut back the chance of an avalanche. Be ready for journey in avalanche terrain by taking essential precautions. Browse avalanche skills training on the Out of doors Centre.