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Danger Level | Avalanche Probability and Avalanche Trigger | Degree and Distribution of Avalanche Danger | Recommended Action in Back Country |
What | Why | Where | What To Do |
LOW | Natural avalanches very unlikely. Human triggered avalanches unlikely. | Generally stable snow. Isolated areas of instability. | Travel is generally safe. Normal caution advised. |
MODERATE | Natural avalanches unlikely. Human triggered avalanches possible. | Unstable slabs possible on steep terrain. | Use caution in steeper terrain on certain aspects |
MODERATE TO HIGH |
Natural avalanches possible. Human triggered avalanches probable. | Unstable slabs probable on steep terrain. | Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain. |
HIGH | Natural and human triggered avalanches likely. | Unstable slabs likely on a variety of aspects and slope angles. | Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Safest travel on windward ridges or lower angle slopes without steeper terrain above. |
Widespread natural or human triggered avalanches certain. | Extremely unstable slabs certain on most aspects and slope angles. Large destructive avalanches possible. | Travel in avalanche terrain should be avoided and confined to low angle terrain, well away from avalanche path runouts. |
The New US Avalanche Danger Scale & Contact Telephone Numbers (19k) can now be downloded as a .pdf file. It requires the free version of Adobe® Acrobat® Reader in order to print it. Here are several quick links to follow for more US and Canadian bulletins:
Avalanches don't happen by accident, and most human involvement is a matter of choice, not chance. Most avalanche accidents are caused by slab avalanches which are triggered by the victim or a member of the victim's party. However, any avalanche may cause injury or death and even small slides may be dangerous. Hence, always practice safe route finding skills, be aware of changing conditions, and carry avalanche rescue gear. Learn and apply avalanche terrain analysis and snow stability evaluation techniques to help minimize your risk. Remember that avalanche danger rating levels are only general guidelines. Distinctions between geographic areas, elevations, slope aspects and slope angles are approximate and transition zones between dangers exist. No matter what the current avalanche danger there are avalanche-safe areas in the mountains.
Rescue Dynamics Copyright © 1997 Cyril Shokoples
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