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SALT LAKE CITY — Fresh snow plus old snow on top of weak snow creates the perfect condition to put a damper on an enjoyable backcountry skiing trip.
A video was posted Jan. 8 by Bruce Tremper of the Utah Avalanche Center in response to an incident on Jan. 4 where a skier triggered an avalanche on Peak 10,420, which is near Guardsman Pass. The skier was safe and now we have an interesting video by Tremper about the causes of the avalanche.
Weak powder on the bottom of the snowpack is often the cause of avalanches. Tremper said that avalanches are a little more prevalent and the snow is more dangerous early in the snow year when there is a thin, weak snowpack beneath denser slabs of snowpack. Since the snow is still coming and the fun in the snow season still has a few months left, it’s a good time to review some basic survival techniques for the snow.
Tremper’s biggest recommendation is to remember that avalanche incidents are triggered by an actual event and don't just happen.
“Almost all avalanches are triggered by the victim or the victim’s party,” Tremper said. “That means we have a choice if we take classes and we follow what is taught in class. Avalanches don’t just strike, they are almost always triggered by the victim.”
The Utah Avalanche Center has a number of classes for anyone interested in learning about the signs of an avalanche before they head out.
“We recommend that if people are going to the backcountry, learn about it, take an avalanche class,” Tremper said. “How to read avalanche terrain, obvious signs in snowpack. There are lots of obvious clues about how to test the snow like in the video.”
Some of the signs to watch out for when doing any sort of backcountry adventure include: recent avalanches in the area, cracking or collapsing snow, wind or heavy snow, a recent thaw and the announced avalanche danger rating.
The UAC offers free classes called “Know Before You Go” that are between an hour-and-a-half and two hours. They also have videos online that anyone can watch. There is a list of classes on the website that range from the shorter two hour classes to two-day courses that cost over $100 and require equipment to travel around the backcountry.
The biggest recommendation that Tremper gave for anyone who was looking to survive an avalanche was simply, “Don’t get caught in an avalanche.”
For more information on classes, other videos and tips for survival visit the website at utahavalancecenter.org.
