h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Avoiding Avalanches - Basic Safety and Survival Tips

I have some limited experience in the mountains Skiing fo 20 Years....

I've been given another technique for evaluating the snow layers :

1, Dig a fairly small slot in the snow vertically down as far as is practical (IE too hard or too deep).

2, Carefully, starting from the top push your fisted gloved hand (Keeps it wark that way) into the snow, continue this untill you can no longer manage it with a fair amount of pressure - No Thumping the snow ! Make a mental note of the position - If the snow is V hard this may not be possible.

3, Now open your hand flat with Palm fasing up or down, and then push your 4 fingers into the snow (if possible), again make a note of position

4, Now try the same with one finger and again note the position

5, Now try again with a Knife / Coin / Screwdriver

Now, if you have not been able to penetrate the snow in one of the above steps, there is an increased risk of Avalanche, If you've missed 2 or more steps then there is a MUCH greater risk of Avalanche

What if I've been able to penetrate the snow in all cases ? Which positions - which I've noted so there should be a point to this - would indicate danger and in what degree ?

Tnx,

JAIB

I'm not quite sure if I've understood this, but I guess the aim is to try and work out if you've got hard layers next to soft layers. In many circumstances this is certainly a good indicator of the stability of the snow slope. The only thing you wouldn't get is whether the snow is well attached to the base rock or grass.

Sprout