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With the recent snowfall this winter, outdoor enthusiasts flock to the backcountry on skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles and many of them don’t have knowledge of their surroundings or of avalanche threats.
Members of the University of Idaho Outdoor Program offered an avalanche awareness clinic Friday to educate students on the science and dangers of the winter threat to backcountry recreationists.
Trevor Fulton, a senior at Idaho and an assistant to the Outdoor Program taught the class.
“With classes like this, I just want to peak interest,” he said.
Fulton has a Level 2 certification in avalanche knowledge and is a backcountry telemark skier and alpine climber.
According to the American Avalanche Association, North America has seen 38 fatalities already — just two months into the avalanche season. Last season, there were 26 fatalities from December to March.
“Most people think of avalanches happening in big alpine slopes but that’s not always the case,” Fulton said. “Even simple terrain can cause deaths.”
He compared snowpack on a slope to the layers of a cake. The bonding of these snow layers is what determines if an avalanche has the potential of happening.
“Size doesn’t matter,” Fulton said.
He showed pictures of what looked to be simple snow slides, but they resulted in fatalities.
Avalanches are rated on a scale of one to six. From knocking you off your feet to destroying entire villages, avalanches vary in magnitude.
Fulton said even the most experienced people have a difficult time predicting what will trigger an avalanche or how threatening it could be. Being aware of situations and possible threats is the most important.
When it comes to avalanche threat, there is no smoking gun.
“If there’s one thing you need to be aware of, it’s change,” he said.
A change in weather, snowpack, terrain, and human triggers should always be on a person’s mind when travelling in avalanche country, Fulton said.
A change in wind or temperature is a key factor in determining avalanche danger. Sustained winds shift snow and make it hard for snow layers to bond while a constant cold temperature or a drastic rise or fall in temperature can increase the threat.
Backcountry enthusiasts should pay attention to the degree of a slope. Between 30 and 60 degree slopes have potential to slide. Major slides fracture between 30 and 45 degrees.
Fulton said a rapid rate in snowfall increases danger, but also attracts more people to the backcountry.
“I’ve said this earlier and I’m going to beat it to death — changes,” Fulton said. “Pay attention to your surroundings and any change that happens.”
Idaho has three avalanche forecast stations. There is one for the panhandle, the McCall region and for southern Idaho.
Similar to a fire threat, these forecasts project the dangers of avalanches based on changes in weather, terrain and snowpack.
Fulton brought a backpacking shovel, a probe and a beacon to the clinic. He demonstrated how to use all three in the event of a rescue.
“If you’re serious about the backcountry, you bring these items with you every time,” he said.
The Outdoor Program at Idaho rents the necessary equipment for backcountry safety.
Fulton took the class through an avalanche situation as both the victim and the rescuer.
If a person is unable to get out of the avalanche path, the most important thing to do, as the victim, is form an air pocket and stay calm. As the rescuer, a person should spot the victim, take charge and make sure it’s safe to search. When an avalanche happens Fulton said the first priority is yourself.
“You don’t want to make anymore victims,” he said.
If the situation is safe, the rescuer needs to act quickly and use the probe and beacon to find the victim and shovel them out.
Most rescues need to happen within 15 minutes.
Ben Birch, the public relations chair of the UI Clean Snowmobile Team, said when he goes sledding in the backcountry, he always carries the equipment. A person needs to be conscious of the dangers and needs to always think about them, he said.
“It’s not like you have a flat tire on the side of the road,” Birch said. “There isn’t anyone around you in the backcountry to help or see you if something were to go wrong.”
Fulton said the best thing a person can do is be prepared for every situation. Backcountry enthusiasts should practice rescues and beacon work before going out.
The university offers field sessions in beacon work and snow tests.
Fulton said the classroom information helps, but being in the field and putting the knowledge to use is the best way of educating someone in avalanche safety.
Fulton said it doesn’t matter if a person if familiar with the area or if they’re an expert skier or snowmobiler, people have to be aware of everything.
“Even experienced people can make mistakes,” Fulton said.
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