Avalanches & Avalanche Safety (with a Whistler twist)

Avalanche Safety

I hope you already know this if you’re a Winter enthusiast, but people still get killed/seriously injured by avalanches every year (sadly, everytime it snows heavily).  At least 10 people have died in BC already this Winter and the snowpack is very unstable. All these incidents happened when the Avalanche risk was high (4/5) and the forecasts had sentances such as

“I have heard some avalanche professionals say that conditions are “getting pretty scary” and they are tiptoeing around and avoiding avalanche terrain altogether. This is very good advice” – CAC Bulletin (31st Dec 2008)

Although most/all of this information is available elsewhere I figure it can’t hurt to collate some of it.

First some caveats.

1. I’m still learning all this stuff too, I’m not an avalanche professional I’m just hoping somebody might read this and think twice about what they are planning.
2. This post is fairly Whistler, BC focused since that’s where I ride most. A quick google should find similar information for your favourite location.

Common Sense

Unfortunately common sense seems to be anything but common.

• Whistler (and most/all other resorts) have a team of professionals looking after you. If you see these signs or smilar turn around! (Whistler Signage)

  

• Most resorts will have the avalanche bulletins posted at typical resort exit points. Read them and take the advice! At Whistler look in the following places :-
  • Top of Harmony lift
  • Top of Symphony Lift
  • Top of Peak Lift
• Don’t leave the resort boundary alone, if you’re alone who is going to rescue you?
• Make sure you leave a trip plan with someone so they know where to look for you if you don’t make it home
• Have the resort’s emergency phone numbers in your cell (mobile) phone but be aware coverage may be limited/non-existent
• Read the avalanche & weather forecasts/bulletins daily (if you ride a lot)
• If you’re uncertain don’t do it, live to ride another day
• Practice! A course 5 years ago doesn’t mean you’ll be able to find and dig out your friends quicly and efficiently
• Take a course, read everything you can about snow/backcountry safety

Education

• Avalanche Danger Scale
• Whistler Alpine Guides - Excellent Avalanche Courses
• List of CAC approved Courses
• Whistler Avalanche Awareness tours - A free avalanche awareness tour, the very least you should do

Equipment

Everybody in your party must have at least the following

• Avalanche transceiver/beacon (Recco does not count, you’ll be long dead before the authorities find you but your friends can find you with transceivers)
• Shovel (preferably metal bladed)
• Probe (at least 2m long)
• Food/water
• Basic first aid kit (most if not all of you should carry this)
• Map & Compass (GPS is handy too but don’t rely on it)
• Cell phone is potentially really useful but again you can’t rely on being able to call help

Other useful equipment

• Tent/tarp for shelter
• Good knife (not a pocket/pen knife)
• Simple wood saw
• Head torch (they are so small and light why would you not carry one)
• Repair kit (duct tape, zip ties, jubilee clips, cord etc.)

And last but certainly not least everybody in your party needs the knowledge and experience to use all this equipment

Whistler Weather

• Whistler/Blackcomb Weather Forecast
• Whistler Snow Forecast (mid station)
• Weather Network Ski  Report
• Whistler Webcams

Avalanche Incidents

• South Coast Avalanche Forum
• South Coast Avalanche Incidents (RSS) - Very handy way to keep on top of what’s going on. If you don’t know what RSS is take a look at Google Reader and subscribe to my blog while youre at it! 

Avalanche Forecasts (BC Lower mainland)

• South Coast Avalanche Forecast (includes Duffy Lake Road, Whistler etc.)
• North Shore Avalanche Forecast (Grouse, Cypress, Seymour etc.)
• Whistler Avalanche Forecast - Often similar to the South Coast forecast but more Whistler specific, read them both
• Mountain Condition Report from the ACMG

I strongly advise you to get CAC to email you their reports

Miscellaneous

• North Shore Search and Rescue
• Whistler Search and Rescue (SAR) - This is a good but infrequently updated blog by the Whistler SAR, read everything they have written.