Riding sleds is not conducive to sensing what the mountains might be trying to tells us about the state of avalanche danger. Helmets, engine noise and vibration essentially prevent us from ever hearing the tell-tale "whoomphing" of a collapsing slab, and moving under power pretty much guarantees we're unlikely to ever feel it.
As riders, moving at speed, our decision making process cycles much faster (or needs to) and often we end up committed to a line without fully weighing the potential danger signs. By then it's too late.
My point is we need to do a better job of recognizing dangerous slopes at a glance and staying off of them.
To that purpose I offer the following based on my reading, education and experience in the hills.
The 7 Deadly Avalanche Signs
1) Slope has a known avy history (Here in AK we have a slope nicknamed "Repeat Offender")
2) Avalanches actively releasing on other slopes in the area you're riding
3) South or Southwest facing slope
4) Riding within 24 hours of last storm (or during a storm)
5) After 1 pm on a sunny or warming day
6) Exposed rocks or cliffs on the slope
7) Wind loading (snow looks wavy)
This is by no means the complete list but these 7 things are easily observable/knowable by the average rider, and I hope would cause someone to stop and do a more careful evaluation before committing.
As riders, moving at speed, our decision making process cycles much faster (or needs to) and often we end up committed to a line without fully weighing the potential danger signs. By then it's too late.
My point is we need to do a better job of recognizing dangerous slopes at a glance and staying off of them.
To that purpose I offer the following based on my reading, education and experience in the hills.
The 7 Deadly Avalanche Signs
1) Slope has a known avy history (Here in AK we have a slope nicknamed "Repeat Offender")
2) Avalanches actively releasing on other slopes in the area you're riding
3) South or Southwest facing slope
4) Riding within 24 hours of last storm (or during a storm)
5) After 1 pm on a sunny or warming day
6) Exposed rocks or cliffs on the slope
7) Wind loading (snow looks wavy)
This is by no means the complete list but these 7 things are easily observable/knowable by the average rider, and I hope would cause someone to stop and do a more careful evaluation before committing.
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