From the category archives:

Avalanche Safety

New Avalanche Danger Scale

by Tony Daffern on March 17, 2010

A new Avalanche Danger Scale was announced today by Environment Minister Jim Prentice. Developed under the leadership of Parks Canada’s Grant Statham, and several years in the making, the new scale will be implemented for next winter, though there’s no reason why you can’t refer to it now.

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How Avalanche Terrain is Rated by the Experts

by Tony Daffern on 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

by Tony Daffern on 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

by Tony Daffern on 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?

by Tony Daffern on 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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