From the category archives:

Avalanche Safety

How Avalanche Terrain is Rated by the Experts

February 25, 2010

The ability to read terrain is the most important skill to develop if you wish to enjoy the winter backcountry safely. Parks Canada has developed a terrain rating system that evaluates the complexity of avalanche terrain and makes recommendations on the suitability of avalanche terrain for various users.

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Digging your Companion out of an Avalanche

January 13, 2010

Check out this excellent video on Strategic Shovelling from Backcountry Access (BAC). It highlights the research done by Dale Atkins and Bruce Edgerly on the most efficient method of digging your buried companion from under an avalanche. Accompanying text from Backcountry Avalanche Safety.

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How to Use the Avalanche Danger Scale to Reduce Your Risk

December 21, 2009

An explanation of each level of the Avalanche Danger Scale, including the transitions between levels, signs of instability at each level and the implications of slope angle, aspect and elevation.

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What are Persistent Weak Layers?

December 1, 2009

Persistent weak layers such as layers of surface hoar, cohesionless facets and old rain or sun crusts are the usual cause of avalanches that release in old snow layers.

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Backcountry Avalanche Safety

October 30, 2009

Avalanche Forecasts are your primary source of information whether skiing, boarding, snowshoeing, or scrambling and climbing in avalanche terrain.

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