Can I get some basic advice?

[rmkMatt]

My wife and I ride meadows 99% of the time but I would like to know some of the basics to look out for so I don't wander underneath something I shouldn't. There aren't any classes nearby, though I would like to go to one if the opportunity arises.

I guess what I'm asking here is, can you guys give some tips to be aware of besides the usual "You must go to a class, have beacons, have airbags, yada yada".

Like I said, we really don't ride any where near hills, but I would like to at least know some basics to look out for until I can get in to a class.

Thanks!

 

[907riders.com]

Check out some of the avalanche websites.. many have online tutorials or webinars.

Avalanche.org has good content and links to most avalanche reports sites.

http://www.avalanche.org

Basic rule are stay away from the mountains until 24hrs after a storm. Just this one fact will reduce the odds by over 50%

 

[James T Kirk]

read "Snow Sense" or "Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain".

 

[EagleRiverDee]

+1 on reading the book "Snow Sense" as a starter.

 

[ndmeathead]

Not sure where you are in Wyo. but I believe Billings has a avy clinic coming up in the near future. I think this next weekend

 

[WyoRMK]

We have a free class in Laramie as well on Jan 13th. http://www.srscwy.com/AvyClassJan2012.htm

 

[rmkMatt]

Thanks for the ideas guys, I really do appreciate it. I saw the billings class ads, unfortunately I'm 2.5 hours away from there so night classes for two days isn't very practical for me. Laramie is a 5 hour drive in good weather, so that's kind of out of it for me as well.

Talking to some locals around here, no one has ever heard of an avalanche happening but I sure as heck don't want to be the first to get caught in one. I also know that as I get more into riding, we will no doubt travel to areas where it is more prevalent and I want to be prepared before it's too late.

 

[The Fourth Wolf]

If you ride meadows at the base of hills or mountains you are potentially in the run-out zone of an avy. The taller the hill, the farther out into the flat the run-out will go, generally.

You need an inclinometer--a simple gadget that measures slope angle. 25* is the magic number. If you're riding on a flat and the angle from your position to the top of the snow pack (could be the top of the ridge or lower) is less than 25* you're safe but if it's steeper than 25* you could be in the danger zone--it depends on the terrain and avy history of the area.

Reading terrain and snow conditions is the main reason for taking the classes. There are a lot of variables. There's no "one size fits all" answer.

 

[rmkMatt]

After some brief reading, I can see how dangerous one of the areas that friends of mine go to frequently. I know I won't go there until I can go to a class as well as get some hands on practice with a beacon. As for where my wife and I ride, there is one hill I will pay much closer attention to though even if it might not be quite 30 degrees. I REALLY don't want to get caught or see someone get caught in one. I can't imagine the feeling of seeing a friend get buried.

Thanks again for the help guys, I will get the book "snow sense" right away and will hold off from going to some of the higher risk places until I can get through a class. Honestly though, I think the more I learn, the more I don't want to go to those kinds of places in the first place. I like my wide open flat meadows just fine.