Traveling in avalanche terrain

The best thing to do is to avoid avalanche terrains. However, this is not always possible. Sometimes people prefer these terrains in order to show the tourists some places of interest – beautiful views etc. First thing to do is to evaluate the avalanche risk. If the risk is high another route should be selected. The other possibility is to wait for some time in order some of the contributing factors to change.

If traveling in avalanche terrain is planned or expected, the group should have proper equipment. The minimum equipment list includes avalanche transceivers for everybody, avalanche probes and shovels – at least one for two people. The additional equipment might consist of cords, radio transmitters etc.

Mostly avalanche hazardous areas are valleys, steep slopes, ridges and edges with cornices which are to be crossed for some reason.

The rules of traveling in these cases are different. When crossing avalanche hazardous valley the group should stick to the bottom of the valley and as far as possible from avalanche hazardous slope. People should also maintain a distance.

The biggest danger to cause or to be caught in an avalanche is when crossing slopes. Then the following rules should be followed:

The slope should be crossed as high as it is possible in order to lessen the possibility to get caught in an avalanche.
People should pass over one by one maintaining separation in order to reduce the risk of having more group members involved in an avalanche.
Each member of the group when crossing the slope should carry an avalanche cord. This is a red long cord attached to person’s belt. If the person gets buried in an avalanche, the light cord stays on top of the snow and the victim can be found easily.
Avalanche transceivers of the whole group should be turned to receive mode.
All the belts of the backpacks should be unfastened. Hands should be free. This will reduce the risk of injuries in case the equipment is dragged down by an avalanche.
People should follow each other’s tracks. The track should be as short as possible and should cross the slope in direction of traffic.

When crossing an edge or ridge with cornices it is preferable to travel as far as possible from the edge of the cornice. It should be taken into account that when a cornice divides, it does it not from the bottom but from the inside of the slopes in the lee of a ridge. That is why traveling should be as far as possible from the cornice. If the cornice is not visible the traveling should be as far as possible from the edge but not very far since it may trigger an avalanche on the other side. It is advisable for the people to be connected when traveling so in case somebody is sinking the others may keep him/her out.