Twin Lakes Avalanche Incident 1/31/2016
|
|
- Susanna Lang
- 6 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 Twin Lakes Avalanche Incident 1/31/2016 Location: Place State Published by: Dave Bingaman (PAC), George Halcom (PAC), and Kent May (PAC) Twin Lakes, Salmon River Mountains Idaho Date 01/31/2016 Time Summary 1:00 PM (approx.) 1 snowmobiler buried and killed Number: Caught 1 Fully Buried 1 Injured 0 Killed 1 Avalanche Details: Type Hard Slab Trigger Subcode Size Weak Layer Aspect Elevation Slope Angle Character AM u D3 Surface Hoar NE 7700 FT 38 Degrees Convex, rocky, sparsely-treed slope funneling into a gully Crown Width 250 Feet Crown Height 2-3 Feet
2 Figure 1. Overview of accident location Accident Summary: Four snowmobilers rode into the Twin Lakes Basin from the Gordon Titus Trailhead, which is located approximately 8 miles north of McCall, Idaho. Twin Lakes is an additional 11 miles north of the trailhead with the final ½ mile being off trail. Two of the riders (Rider 1 and Rider 2) were experienced at riding snowmobiles in mountainous terrain and were very familiar with the area. Both riders regularly read the Payette Avalanche Center (PAC) Avalanche Advisory, and at least one of the riders had received basic avalanche training. After spending the morning sightseeing and looking at steeper terrain to the west of the accident site, Rider 1 decided to climb an untracked gully to a steep headwall. Rider 1 climbed
3 almost to the top and parked his sled perpendicular to the slope so he could look back down at what he had just climbed. Rider 2 then began climbing the lower portion of the slope but was not visible to the uphill rider. Rider 1 could hear Rider 2 s snowmobile engine as it climbed and then described hearing what he thought was the sled out of the snow for an instant. Rider 1 described what sounded like white noise and then the sound of the Rider 2 s engine being muffled. He yelled several times to Rider 2 and did not hear a response. He then rode downhill into fresh avalanche debris. Several other riders, including the other two members of the group (Rider 3 and Rider 4), were on the frozen lake below Twin Lakes. Upon arriving at the avalanche debris, Rider 1 scanned the debris and did not see Rider 2. The only visible clue Rider 1 could see was Rider 2 s partially buried snowmobile in the toe of the debris. Avalanche and Terrain Summary: The hard slab released mid-slope on a NE-facing aspect and ran approximately 500 vertical feet. The slide was triggered on a mostly treeless, degree convexity and debris was funneled down a narrow gully. Several rock outcrops in the open slope created varying crown depths of 2-3 feet. The crown width was estimated at 250 feet. All of the debris was channeled into the gully and the lower angled slope below it. The bed surface was an old snow surface from the late December/early January period of generally clear and fair weather. Decomposing surface hoar was present on the bed surface. The debris was 8-12 feet deep in the deposition zone below the gully. Rescue Summary: Both of the riders were equipped with beacons, shovels, and probes. Each was wearing an avalanche airbag backpack. Both were familiar with the use of their beacons and the other avalanche rescue equipment they were carrying. After recognizing that there had been an avalanche, Rider 1 descended the slope, parked his sled in the debris, and began a beacon signal search. While searching, Rider 1 began yelling for help and calling other nearby riders on a radio. Several others started moving up the debris pile from the bottom and became an active part of the search. Unfortunately, some of these new rescuers still had their beacons in transmit mode; Rider 1 lost the beacon signal of the buried victim due to the additional signals. Rider 1 said that it took him a total of about 20 minutes to find the victim. Rider 2 was found buried approximately 4 feet deep, sitting upright, airbag deployed, and within a few feet of his partially buried sled. When the rescuers found him he was not breathing and did not appear to have sustained serious trauma. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. Valley County Dispatch was notified and an air ambulance was launched out of Ontario, OR. The air crew reached the accident location and evacuated the victim before local SAR personnel arrived.
4 Figure 2. Overview of accident site Snowpack and weather Summary: From December 25 th - January 12 th, a ridge of high pressure dominated the weather in the West Central Idaho Mountains. With little wind, overnight low temperatures hovering around zero F, and high temperatures in the mid-20 s F each afternoon, it was the perfect recipe for surface hoar formation. The high pressure was pushed out of the region on January 12 th by a series of Pacific storms. By the end of January, several cold storms with generally light winds deposited feet of low density snowfall, burying the surface hoar with six inches of snow water equivalent (SWE). The buried surface hoar was responsible for a widespread natural avalanche cycle that began on the Martin Luther King Holiday weekend and continued for several days. PAC forecasters were able to trigger sizable avalanches down to the buried surface hoar layer by releasing relatively small cornices on January 18 th (MLK). During the following week, several skier and snowmobile triggered avalanches were reported to PAC as the slab above the weak layer continued to thicken.
5 Figure 2. Brundage SNOTEL site SWE from to Recent Observation: On January 14 th (approximately 2 weeks before the accident), PAC forecasters visited Twin Lakes to gather data and track the layer of buried surface hoar. Figure 3. Magnification of buried surface hoar from January 14 th
6 Figure 4. Pit profile from January 14 th on an adjacent slope to accident site
7 Figure 5. Buried surface hoar from adjacent slope January 14 th Avalanche Advisory for 1/31/2016 On the day of the fatality, the Payette Avalanche Center rated the avalanche danger as MODERATE, with areas of CONSIDERABLE danger identified as wind loaded slopes over 30 degrees and protected slopes where the surface hoar layer was preserved below the new snow. The day s Avalanche Problems were wind slabs (primary problem) and a persistent weak layer (New Year s buried surface hoar, secondary problem). The advisory identified areas that the PAC Avalanche Specialists were most concerned about (wind slabs and buried surface hoar) with orange dots representing CONSIDERABLE danger: W, NW, N, NE, E, and SE aspects at elevations above 7,000 feet. Figure 6. Crown profile from fatal January 31 st avalanche
8 Figure 7. PAC Avalanche Specialist George Halcom performing crown profile. Snowmobile tracks from Rider 1 ascending the slope before avalanche was triggered
9 Figure 8. View of NE facing slope from Twin Lakes day after fatality
10 Analysis: The initial rescue was initiated quickly and advanced life support personnel were on scene rapidly considering the remote location. Twin Lakes is a known Life Flight winter landing zone due to its proximity to a cat skiing operation. Tragically, a life was lost. Some notable points and contributing factors: Persistent weak layer: The group had read the avalanche advisory, knew the avalanche danger was rated MODERATE, but did not read the whole advisory to see that there were areas of CONSIDERABLE danger to due wind slab and persistent slab avalanche problems. Initially, the group did not intend to climb any hills that day. After beginning their day sight-seeing and avoiding avalanche terrain, they decided to climb the slope that resulted in the fatality. No slope assessment was made to check for the presence of a persistent weak layer (buried surface hoar) before committing to the steeper slope. Terrain trap: The relatively wide slab avalanche was funneled into a tight gully that concentrated all of the moving snow. The slope angle decreased rapidly below the gully, causing the debris to pile up deeply in a small area. Companion Rescue: While some individuals possessed basic companion rescue skills, some critical accident scene management details were missed. Having additional rescuers turn beacons off and spot probing near clues (the snowmobile) could have saved valuable time. Burial time: The victim was buried for approximately 22 minutes. According to a 2011 paper by Pascal Haegeli (Comparison of avalanche survival patterns in Canada and Switzerland), individuals unharmed by trauma that are completely buried 21 minutes or more only had a 24.1% survival rate in Canada and a 43.9% survival rate in Switzerland. In complete burials where the individual was extricated between minutes, 36.2% survived in Canada and 71.1% survived in Switzerland. Burials less than 10 minutes resulted in an 89.5% survival rate in Canada and a 93.6% survival rate in Switzerland. These statistics show that rapid extrication is paramount in surviving a complete avalanche burial (assuming trauma is not the cause of death).
Henderson Mountain Avalanche Accident Two riders caught, one partially buried, one fully buried
Henderson Mountain Avalanche Accident Two riders caught, one partially buried, one fully buried Custer-Gallatin National Forest 28 November 2014 Synopsis A group of 6 or 7 snowmobilers (part of a larger
More informationSYNOPSIS WEATHER AND SNOWPACK
Peak 6996 Avalanche Fatality Incident Report Glacier National Park, MT Date of Avalanche: 31 March 2010 Date of Investigation: 2 April 2010 Investigation Team: Erich Peitzsch (USGS), Ted Steiner (Chugach
More information2/16/2014 Idaho Frenchman Creek Published by Scott Savage, SAC
Location: Place Frenchman Creek drainage, Smoky Mountains State Idaho Date 2/16/2014 Time 2:00pm Summary 4 snowmobilers buried, 1 killed, 1 injured Number: Caught 4 Fully Buried 4 Injured 1 Killed 1 Avalanche
More informationAmerican Avalanche Association Forest Service National Avalanche Center Avalanche Incident Report: Long Form
American Avalanche Association Forest Service National Avalanche Center Avalanche Incident Report: Long Form Please send to: CAIC; 325 Broadway WS1; Boulder CO 80305; caic@qwest.net; Fax (303) 499-9618
More informationAvalanche Awareness and Leading a Companion Rescue
Avalanche Awareness and Leading a Companion Rescue Introduction: Traveling in the backcountry is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and friends. It s important that when we travel in the backcountry we
More informationSwede Creek Avalanche Incident Report Swede Creek, Whitefish Range, MT Date of Avalanche: 23 January 2016 Date of Site Visit: 24 January 2016
Swede Creek Avalanche Incident Report Swede Creek, Whitefish Range, MT Date of Avalanche: 23 January 2016 Date of Site Visit: 24 January 2016 INCIDENT SYNOPSIS On Saturday, January 23, 2016, three snowmobilers
More informationExcelsior Pass Avalanche Accident January 1, 2008
Excelsior Pass Avalanche Accident January 1, 2008 Accident Summary Time: 1 January 2008, approximately 13:00 hrs Location: Near Excelsior Pass to east of Church Mt, Northern Washington Cascades WA Activity:
More informationNumber Caught: 2 Partially Buried, Non-Critical: 1 Partially Buried, Critical: 0 Fully Buried: 1 Injured: 1 Killed: 1
South Waldron Creek Avalanche Fatality 2 snowmobilers caught, 1 carried and injured, 1 fully buried and killed. Teton River, MT Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest January 5 th, 2019 Avalanche Details
More informationMorning Star Peak Avalanche Accident
Morning Star Peak Avalanche Accident Saturday, December 4, 2010 Date: 2010-12-13 Submitted by: Oyvind Henningsen Everett Mountain Rescue and Mark Moore NWAC Place: Morning Star Peak, north-central WA Cascades
More informationAvalanche Accident Report
Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center POB 1223 Chickaloon, AK 99674 907-746-4566 info@hatcherpassavalanchecenter.org Avalanche Accident Report January 2, 2016 Avalanche Accident in Grubstake Gulch, Talkeetna Mountains,
More informationSlot Couloir Accident, Snoqualmie Mt
Body Page 1 Slot Couloir Accident, Snoqualmie Mt 4-27-14 Date and Time: estimated 12 pm, Sunday 4/27/14 Location: Slot Couloir, Snoqualmie Mt Number in Party: 2 backcountry skiers Number hurt: 1 backcountry
More informationAvalanche accident case study: Persistent buried weak layer in the Central Idaho Mountains
Avalanche accident case study: Persistent buried weak layer in the Central Idaho Mountains Doug Abromeit* Forest Service National Avalanche Center Bozo Cardozo Sun Valley Helicopter Ski Guides Ketchum,
More informationProceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Breckenridge, Colorado, 2016
AVALANCHE FORECASTING AND MESSAGING FOR UNUSUAL AVALANCHE CONDITIONS IN A MARITIME SNOW CLIMATE-BURIED SURFACE HOAR INTERNATIONAL SNOW SCIENCE WORKSHOP 2016 IN BRECKENRIDGE, CO Steve A. Reynaud Sierra
More informationAvalanche Safety Guidelines
Introduction Avalanche Safety Guidelines Worldwide, avalanches kill more than 150 people annually and thousands more are partly buried or injured. Although highway motorists and others can be involved
More informationTwin Peaks Near Miss Report Turnagain Pass, Kenai Mountains, Alaska
Twin Peaks Near Miss Report Turnagain Pass, Kenai Mountains, Alaska Location: East Face, Twin Peaks Lat/Lon: 60.71343N, -149.38205E Date: February 3, 2018, Time: 3:50 pm Report by: Chugach National Forest
More informationPart 1: Introduction to Decision Making
Part 1: Introduction to Decision Making 1.1 - Anatomy of a Decision ABOUT AIARE Learning Outcomes Identify that backcountry decision making involves five key components: Plan, Observe, Teamwork, Choose
More informationAvalanche Safety Guidelines This guideline is intended as a general introduction to this topic.
Introduction Worldwide, avalanches kill more than 150 people annually and thousands more are partly buried or injured. Although highway motorists and others can be involved in an avalanche, climbers, backcountry
More informationTypical avalanche problems
Typical avalanche problems The European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS) describes five typical avalanche problems or situations as they occur in avalanche terrain. The Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) has
More informationTwin Wildcat Lakes Avalanche Wednesday, February 1, 2012 Incident Report
Twin Wildcat Lakes Avalanche Wednesday, February 1, 2012 Incident Report February 17, 2012 Location: (See Appendix A-1 Maps) Hungry Horse Ranger District Flathead National Forest -Region One Flathead County
More informationPark Butte Avalanche Fatality March 10 th, 2018
Park Butte Avalanche Fatality March 10 th, 2018 Report by Lee Lazzara and Dennis D Amico, Northwest Avalanche Center Recovery details provided by Whatcom County Sheriff s Office Incident snapshot Occurrence
More informationCrystal Mountain Snow Safety Union Creek Avalanche Accident Report December 2, 2007
Crystal Mountain Snow Safety Union Creek Avalanche Accident Report December 2, 2007 Prepared by Paul Baugher, Chris Morin, Crystal Mt Ski Patrol/ Snow Safety and Mark Moore, NWAC Accident Summary Time:
More informationCorona Bowl Avalanche Incident, December 6th, 2015
Corona Bowl Avalanche Incident, December 6th, 2015 Report prepared by NWAC and Stevens Pass Pro Patrol Incident snapshot Time and Date: 11:48 AM, December 6 th, 2015 Location: Corona Bowl, Chief Mountain,
More informationAvalanche Safety Basics By Sandy K. Ott
Avalanche Safety Basics By Sandy K. Ott For Mountain Riders, or Those Going Into the Mountains to Ride There is one common theme when the avalanche experts go investigate avy incidents. The responses they
More informationProceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Breckenridge, Colorado, 2016 ANALYSIS OF UTAH AVALANCHE FATALITIES IN THE MODERN ERA
ANALYSIS OF UTAH AVALANCHE FATALITIES IN THE MODERN ERA Drew Hardesty 1 * 1 Utah Avalanche Center ABSTRACT: The Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) has records of Utah avalanche fatalities for the modern era,
More informationWashington Explorer Search and Rescue Pierce County Unit February 2013
Washington Explorer Search and Rescue Pierce County Unit February 2013 Part I Winter Training Logistics Gear for Winter Training Building Snow Caves & Other Snow Shelters Winter Training Logistics - 2013
More informationCottonwood Lake Avalanche Fatality February, 25th 2018
Cottonwood Lake Avalanche Fatality February, 25th 2018 Report by Josh Hirshberg and Dennis D Amico, Northwest Avalanche Center Incident snapshot Occurrence Time and Date: Approximately 12:00pm Feb 25,
More informationNWAC Blog. Cornices - don't walk the line! Written by Robert Hahn on March 14, Last update on May 15, 2017.
NWAC Blog Cornices - don't walk the line! Written by Robert Hahn on March 14, 2017. Last update on May 15, 2017. Human-triggered cornice fall avalanche from March 10th, 2017. The crown release exposed
More informationSnow Lake Divide Avalanche Fatality February 25th, 2018
Snow Lake Divide Avalanche Fatality February 25th, 2018 Report by Jeremy Allyn and Dennis D Amico, Northwest Avalanche Center Incident snapshot: Occurrence Time and Date: February 25, 2018 (estimated time:
More informationInternational Snow Science Workshop
A PRACTICAL USE OF HISTORIC DATA TO MITIGATE WORKER EXPOSURE TO AVALANCHE HAZARD Jake Elkins Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Teton Village, Wyoming Bob Comey* Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Teton Village,
More informationGranite Mountain Avalanche Fatality, December 31st, 2015 Report prepared by NWAC
Granite Mountain Avalanche Fatality, December 31st, 2015 Report prepared by NWAC Incident snapshot (All avalanche fields estimated from interview with Seattle Mountain Rescue) Time and Date: Mid-day or
More informationAvalanche Mountain Incident March 4 th, 2017
Avalanche Mountain Incident March 4 th, 2017 Report by Dennis D Amico, Robert Hahn and Jeremy Allyn Incident snapshot Occurrence Time and Date: Approximately 3 pm on March 4th, 2017 Time First Reported
More informationAvalanche Incident on Twin Peaks Flint Creek Range December 24, 2013
Avalanche Incident on Twin Peaks Flint Creek Range December 24, 2013 On December 24, 2013, a group of snowmobilers were riding in familiar terrain in the Flint Creek Range 8 miles southeast of Phillipsburg,
More informationNew Motorized Level I Avalanche Class!
New Motorized Level I Avalanche Class! New guidelines by American Avalanche Association. Fast paced 24 hour class with minimum of 60% of hours on snow. This is a snowmobile/snow bike specific class and
More informationAVALANCHE FLOTATION DEVICES
AVALANCHE FLOTATION DEVICES 1. ISSUE In the Coroner s Report into the deaths of Ms. Kimberly Anne Manchip and Mr. Daisuke Matsui, both of whom were caught in an avalanche and died from asphyxiation, the
More informationElevation Bands Description of terrain characteristics to which the avalanche danger ratings apply.
1 Definition of Terms used in Daily Trip Forms This document is part of Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain: a fieldbook for winter backcountry users by Pascal Haegeli, Roger Atkins and Karl Klassen and
More informationSki / Sled tracks as an expression of avalanche risk Jordy Hendrikx 1 & Jerry Johnson 2,1 1.
Ski / Sled tracks as an expression of avalanche risk Jordy Hendrikx 1 & Jerry Johnson 2,1 1 Snow and Avalanche Laboratory, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA 2 Political Science, Montana State
More informationAvalanche danger high in parts of NCW
3/23/2017 Avalanche danger high in parts of NCW THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 Avalanche danger high in parts of NCW by Christine Pratt Public Safety Feb. 9, 2017, 4:52 p.m. Photo provided An avalanche hit the
More informationScottish Mountain Rescue Avalanche Burial Organised Rescue Response SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE AVALANCHE BURIAL - ORGANISED RESCUE RESPONSE
Scottish Mountain Rescue Avalanche Burial Organised Rescue Response SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE AVALANCHE BURIAL - ORGANISED RESCUE RESPONSE The International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR) recommends
More informationENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS OF AVALANCHES: PRELIMINARY RESEARCH IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS OF AVALANCHES: PRELIMINARY RESEARCH IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Site Focus: Balu Pass, Glacier National Park, B.C. Avalanche path near Balu Pass. (Photo Courtesy of: www.leelau.net/2007/rogerspass/day1/1)
More informationSelf-Guided Group Organization - Recommendations
Self-Guided Group Organization - Recommendations Introduction The purpose of this document is to offer a template to self-guided groups with respect to pre-trip and on-trip planning. The ultimate goal
More informationAmerican Avalanche Association Forest Service National Avalanche Center Avalanche Incident Report: Short Form
American Avalanche Association Forest Service National Avalanche Center Avalanche Incident Report: Short Form Occurrence Date (YYYYMMDD): 20170205 and Time (HHMM): 1100 Comments: Most avalanche characterists
More informationOregon Region Report from the Oregon Mountain Rescue Council
Oregon Region Report from the Oregon Mountain Rescue Council More current information can be found on each team s web site or at the Oregon Mountain Rescue Council s web site at http://corvallismountainrescue.org/omrc/
More informationSkyland Avalanche Saturday, February 25, 2012 Incident Report
Skyland Avalanche Saturday, February 25, 2012 Incident Report April 12, 2012 Location: (See Appendix A-1 Maps) Hungry Horse Ranger District Flathead National Forest - Region One Flathead County, Montana
More informationTrail Phasing Plan. Note: Trails in the Clear Creek Canyon area (Segments will be finalized in the future to minimize wildlife impacts
Note: Trails in the Clear Creek Canyon area (Segments 2 5 and a future JCOS connection) will be finalized in the future to minimize wildlife impacts Trail Phasing Plan P Parking 3 Easy Trail Intermediate
More information2010 International Snow Science Workshop
200 International Snow Science Workshop TEN YEARS OF AVALANCHE DEATHS IN THE UNITED STATES, 999/00 TO 2008/09 Dale Atkins* RECCO AB ABSTRACT: After reaching a twenty-year low in the late 980s avalanche
More informationAwalanche awareness days in Slovenia
Dear readers. At the invitation of President Alpenverain Villach, Mr. Dr. Karl Pallasmann I prepared a short article. I described Awalanche awareness days in Slovenia, which performed for years in January.
More informationTUPPER DESIGNATED ACCESS ROUTE
TUPPER DESIGNATED ACCESS ROUTE 1 FOR ACCESS/EGRESS TO CONNAUGHT, LOOKOUT, STONE ARCH, PORTAL PATHS AND TUPPER TRAVERSE EGRESS Length: 2.6km Vertical Gain: +162m / -83m (Values are for access. For egress,
More informationThe Kendall Trap. Charlie Hagedorn
This photo-essay is neither a route-description nor a guide; it is intended to raise, among skiers already familiar with the area, awareness of hazards, to suggest not doing something. Take accredited
More informationInternational Snow Science Workshop
KEEPING THE TOOLS SHARP Case study of four avalanche fatalities during the snow season 05-06 in Alaska Eeva Latosuo* Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, Alaska Paul Brusseau Alaska Search and Rescue
More informationAVALANCHE TERRAIN. Bill Glude Alaska Avalanche Specialists All photos and graphics Bill Glude unless otherwise noted.
Bill Glude Alaska Avalanche Specialists 20111202 All photos and graphics Bill Glude unless otherwise noted. AVALANCHE TERRAIN The Key Questions 1.) Could the terrain produce an avalanche?! a.) Where you
More informationA study of 4 avalanche accidents in Japan during '99-'00 season. Shinji Ikeda, Toru Maehara, Ryuzo Nitta*, David Enright**
A study of 4 accidents in Japan during '99-'00 season Shinji Ikeda, Toru Maehara, Ryuzo Nitta*, David Enright** ABSTRACT: During the '99-00 season, 4 fatal accidents occurred in Japan. 7 people were killed
More informationNivoTest : a personal assistant for avalanche risk assessment
NivoTest : a personal assistant for avalanche risk assessment R.Bolognesi METEISK, CP 993, CH-1951 SION. www.meteorisk.com Introduction About avalanche risk Every mountaineer knows that avalanche hazard
More informationDECISION MAKING IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN. AVA L A N CHE RESC UE Student Handbook
DECISION MAKING IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN AVA L A N CHE RESC UE Student Handbook The Student Handbook for The AIARE Risk Management Framework Copyright 2018 by AIARE No part of this publication can be reproduced,
More informationIntroduction to Safety on Glaciers in Svalbard
Introduction to Safety on Glaciers in Svalbard Content Basic info on Svalbard glaciers Risk aspects when travelling on glaciers Safe travel on glaciers UNIS safety & rescue equipment Companion rescue in
More information10 YEARS OF AVALANCHE DEATHS IN THE UNITED STATES. 2003/04 to 2012/13. Part I. Dale Atkins RECCO AB Avon, Colorado USA
LEARNING OBJECTIVES 2003/04 to 2012/13 Part I Dale Atkins RECCO AB Avon, Colorado USA Lecture At the conclusion of this lecture students will be able to: I. Describe recent trends in US avalanche accidents
More informationAlaska Avalanche Information Center (AAIC) Season Summary Statewide AAIC Outreach Stats: ANCHORAGE (AAC)
Alaska Avalanche Information Center (AAIC) 2015-16 Season Summary Alaska experienced another unseasonably warm winter with heightened avalanche activity across many parts of the state in late November
More informationGoing-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, MT, USA Avalanche Path Atlas
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, MT, USA Avalanche Path Atlas Erich H. Peitzsch Daniel B. Fagre USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center West Glacier, MT, USA Introduction... 2 Overview
More informationTHE AVALANCHE VICTIM. K. Williams
- 232 - THE AVALANCHE VICTIM K. Williams Introduction "The victim is a male, 27 years old, has had several years of skiing or mountaineering experience, and didn't know an avalanche from a snowball." Thus
More informationMP : the top of the bottom switchback
MP 237 238: the top of the bottom switchback For reference this section of U S Highway 40 has been called the top of the bottom switchback on the Grand County side of the Pass. It is here that the proposed
More informationAVALANCHE SKILLS TRAINING 1 MOUNT CAIN
Thank you for choosing Island Alpine Guides for your Avalanche Skills Training. This package contains some background information to help you prepare, including meeting times and places, and a complete
More informationExample of the layout of a Fieldwork Atlas
Example of the layout of a Fieldwork Atlas Example of a Worksite with multiple facilities and work goals in one area: Map Center 49 3 46 N 117 3 11 W Noname Area with typical travel route marked. Avalanche
More informationTHE SME AVALANCHE TRAGEDY OF JANUARY 20, 2003: A SUMMARY OF THE DATA. Dick Penniman* Snowbridge Associates Frank Baumann Baumann Engineering
THE SME AVALANCHE TRAGEDY OF JANUARY 20, 2003: A SUMMARY OF THE DATA Dick Penniman* Snowbridge Associates Frank Baumann Baumann Engineering ABSTRACT: On January 20, 2003 guided skiers and snowboarders
More informationFLATHEAD AVALANCHE CENTER ANNUAL REPORT
FLATHEAD AVALANCHE CENTER 2013-2014 ANNUAL REPORT Erich Peitzsch, Interim Director and Avalanche Specialist, Flathead National Forest 1 Table of Contents Background... 4 Website... 5 Media... 9 Weather,
More informationChasing Skylines in Kyrgyzstan BMC Reference: 15/ 02
Chasing Skylines in Kyrgyzstan 2015 BMC Reference: 15/ 02 21/02/2015 to 15/03/2015 Contact: Sophie Nunn Email: Sophienunn@gmail.com, Phone: 07540454054 Address: 7 Richmond Lodge, 6 Victoria Avenue, Swanage,
More informationIn southern Upper Valais a very high avalanche danger will be encountered in some regions Edition: , 08:00 / Next update: 9.1.
Page 1/6 In southern Upper Valais a very high avalanche danger will be encountered in some regions Edition: 9.1.2018, 08:00 / Next update: 9.1.2018, 17:00 Avalanche danger updated on 9.1.2018, 08:00 region
More information2.08 AVALANCHE SEARCH AND RESCUE. Q: What is the process to provide feedback on the Interim Policy and Avalanche Safety Plan?
2.08.1 RELATED DOCUMENTS 2.08 Avalanche Search and Rescue Policy 2.08 AVALANCHE SEARCH AND RESCUE 2.08.2 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AVALANCHE SAFETY PLANNING Q: Are SAR Groups required to develop their
More informationProceedings, 2012 International Snow Science Workshop, Anchorage, Alaska
HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF AVALANCHE FATALITIES IN DENALI NATIONAL PARK Kevin Wright 1,2 and Tucker Chenoweth 1,3 1 Denali National Park Mountaineering Program, Talkeetna, AK, USA 2 Chugach National Forest
More informationProceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Breckenridge, Colorado, 2016
THE WHITE PASS AND YUKON ROUTE AVALANCHE PROGRAM, FORECASTING AND RISK MAN- AGEMENT FOR A HISTORICAL RAILROAD Bill Glude Alaska Avalanche Specialists, Juneau, AK The White Pass and Yukon Route (WPYR) is
More informationTHRESHOLD GUIDELINES FOR AVALANCHE SAFETY MEASURES
BRITISH COLUMBIA MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE AVALANCHE & WEATHER PROGRAMS THRESHOLD GUIDELINES FOR AVALANCHE SAFETY MEASURES British Columbia Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure
More informationAVALANCHE SAFETY PLAN
AVALANCHE SAFETY PLAN MUNICIPALITY OF VALTOURNENCHE Valtournenche is a town located at the foot of the Mount Cervin, whose beauty attracts a large number of tourists. The morphology of the territory, characterized
More informationAvalanches and the Mount Whitney Basin
Avalanches and the Mount Whitney Basin 10 April 2006 by Bob Rockwell Prelude Avalanches are a fact of life in high mountains in winter, and we take courses to find out about them. We learn how to assess
More informationIKAR Kommission Lawinenrettung ICAR Avalanche Rescue Commission CISA Commission Sauvetage Avalanche
IKAR Kommission Lawinenrettung ICAR Avalanche Rescue Commission CISA Commission Sauvetage Avalanche Minutes of the Commission Meeting held on September 24, 2009, at the ICAR Conference in Zermatt Commission
More informationFLATHEAD NATIONAL FOREST FLATHEAD AVALANCHE CENTER ANNUAL REPORT
FLATHEAD NATIONAL FOREST FLATHEAD AVALANCHE CENTER 2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT 1 Table of Contents Background... 4 Media... 5 Weather, Snowpack, and Avalanche Summary... 6 Incidents... 14 Education... 14 Finances...
More informationResource Typing Template
Resource Typing Template Resource: Mountain Search and Rescue Categories: Transportation (ESF 1) Communication (ESF 2) Public Works and Engineering (ESF 3) Firefighting (ESF 4) Information & Planning (ESF
More informationInternational Snow Science Workshop
IMPROVING K-9 AVALANCHE TEAM PERFORMANCE AND COMMUNICATION IN BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE MISSIONS: A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH BETWEEN SKI PATROL AND K-9 SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR) TEAMS Susan Purvis *1 Patti Burnett
More informationRisk Assessment in Winter Backcountry Travel
Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, 20, 269 274 (2009) ORIGINAL RESEARCH Risk Assessment in Winter Backcountry Travel Natalie A. Silverton, MD; Scott E. McIntosh, MD; Han S. Kim, PhD, MSPH From the
More informationEXPERIENCE WITH AVALANCHE RESCUE TRANSCEIVERS. J.G. Lawton. Introduction
- 275 - EXPERIENCE WITH AVALANCHE RESCUE TRANSCEIVERS J.G. Lawton Introduction The practicality of avalanche rescue transceivers has been established beyond any doubt by the successful rescues which have
More informationAvalanche Observations
Avalanche Observations Avalanche Observations 3.1 Introduction Observations of past and present avalanche activity are of the utmost importance for any avalanche forecasting operation. These data should
More informationPIEPS WINTER 2016/17 ENGLISH
WINTER 2016/17 ENGLISH smallest lightest most intuitive Beacon with automatic switchover to the search mode Register now @ APP to get warranty extension DSP PRO DSP PRO ICE ICE EDITION DSP SPORT BEACONS
More informationProceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Banff, 2014
TRAVEL ADVICE FOR THE AVALANCHE PROBLEMS: A PUBLIC FORECASTING TOOL Wendy Wagner 1 * and Drew Hardesty 2 1 Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center, Girdwood, Alaska 2 Utah Avalanche Center, Salt Lake
More informationAlaska Heli Skiing. Leadership & Guide Training Course Information 12 days. Course Location
Alaska Heli Skiing Leadership & Guide Training Course Information 12 days Course Location The town of Skagway, Alaska at the northern end of Alaska s inside passage is surrounded by an extremely jagged,
More informationSnow and Avalanches. Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center. Annual Report
Annual Report 2003-04 Snow and Avalanches Annual Report 2003-2004 In partnership with: Utah State Parks and Recreation Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center National Weather Service Utah Division of Comprehensive
More informationProceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Breckenridge, Colorado, 2016
THE LONGYEARBYEN FATAL AVALANCHE ACCIDENT 19TH DECEMBER 2015, SVALBARD - LESSONS LEARNED FROM AVALANCHE RESCUE INSIDE A SETTLEMENT Martin Indreiten 1,2,3* and Christian Svarstad 3,4 1 The University Centre
More informationReport from Marcel Meier Dog-handler sub-commission regarding the dog-handler gathering that be held by Marcel last winter.
Avalanche commission report Killarney Ireland 2015 Oct. Practical day : Presence of the President of the avalanche commission. Assembly of Delegates of the Avalanche Rescue Commission: Welcome / Meeting
More informationGRAPHIC AVALANCHE INFORMATION FOR THE NEW MEDIA. Bruce Tremper and Jim Conway * Utah Avalanche Center
GRAPHIC AVALANCHE INFORMATION FOR THE NEW MEDIA Bruce Tremper and Jim Conway * Utah Avalanche Center ABSTRACT: As recently as ten years ago, the only way to deliver avalanche information to the public
More informationAVALANCHE INSTRUCTOR S MANUAL TAB: TEST BANK CHAPTER 9. UPDATED VERSION AVALANCHE TEST BANK (without answers) January 1999
AVALANCHE INSTRUCTOR S MANUAL TAB: TEST BANK CHAPTER 9 UPDATED VERSION AVALANCHE TEST BANK (without answers) January 1999 This document replaces the October 1995 version in Chapter 9 of your Avalanche
More informationWHITE DRAGONS: THE KILLER AVALANCHES Introduction
Introduction Focus This News in Review story examines the deadly winter of 2008-09 in Western Canada. The presence of an increasing number of thrill-seekers in the backcountry means that people need to
More informationLEVEL 1 - AVALANCHE OVERVIEW HANDOUT
Bill Glude Alaska Avalanche Specialists 20111202 All photos and graphics Bill Glude unless otherwise noted. LEVEL 1 - AVALANCHE OVERVIEW HANDOUT Summary of Key Points Statistics 1 2 3 Urban Avalanches
More informationTHE DANGERATOR: A METHOD FOR ESTIMATING AVALANCHE DANGER IN AREAS WITH NO PUBLIC AVALANCHE FORECAST
THE DANGERATOR: A METHOD FOR ESTIMATING AVALANCHE DANGER IN AREAS WITH NO PUBLIC AVALANCHE FORECAST James A. Floyer 1,2 *, Mark A. Bender 1 1 Avalanche Canada, Revelstoke, BC, Canada 2 Simon Fraser University,
More informationRisk Management Plan
Risk Management Plan Revised June 14, 2011 by Bela G. Vadasz Technical Director Alpine Skills International 11400 Donner Pass Rd. Truckee, CA 96161 (530) 582-9170 w w w. a l p i n e s k i l l s. c o m
More informationLane Peak, Fly Couloir Avalanche 2/25/2017
Lane Peak, Fly Couloir Avalanche 2/25/2017 NWAC Report by Jeremy Allyn and Dennis D Amico Incident snapshot: Occurrence Time and Date: 1234 pm, February 25, 2017 Lat/Lon: 46.7581, -121.7531 (estimated,
More information2010 International Snow Science Workshop
AVALANCHE RESCUE: THE UNITED STATES EXPERIENCE, 1999/00 TO 2008/09 Dale Atkins* RECCO AB ABSTRACT: Avalanche accidents and fatalities have been increasing over the years, and experience continues to show
More informationAnnual Report
Sawtooth Avalanche Center Annual Report 2014-2015 Photo: Jennifer Hulme PO Box 2356-206 Sun Valley Rd Ketchum, ID 83340 208.622.0095 - info@sawtoothavalanche.com Table of Contents Acknowledgements...ii
More informationRotor vs Rock A Main Rotor Strike During a Live Slinging Operation
Rotor vs Rock A Main Rotor Strike During a Live Slinging Operation Presentation Goals Share the story & the outcomes Work with peers to find solutions to operational limitations An opportunity for other
More informationFLATHEAD NATIONAL FOREST FLATHEAD AVALANCHE CENTER ANNUAL REPORT
FLATHEAD NATIONAL FOREST FLATHEAD AVALANCHE CENTER 2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT 1 Table of Contents Background... 4 Media... 5 Weather, Snowpack, and Avalanche Summary... 6 Incidents... 13 Education... 14 Finances...
More informationRoute #1) Mt. of the Holy Cross - North Ridge
Climbing 14ers can be very dangerous, please read the Mountaineering Safety Page and make sure you have a map+compass and can use them effectively, without the help of electronic devices. Route #1) Mt.
More information(west) onto Charleston Boulevard. Drive 16 miles on Charleston and turn right into Red Rock
Hike: North Peak and Ice Box Overlook up and back Trailhead: 2.5 miles up the Rocky Gap Road not mark Distance: 5 miles round trip Elevation gain: 2,694 feet Elevation Peak: 7,094 feet Time: 3 to 5 hours
More informationAvalanche Agencies in the Tyrol
Avalanche Agencies in the Tyrol Prevention in highly frequented public Spaces 38 Victims Galtür/Valzur 1999 Harald Riedl und Walter Wuertl, Zivil- und Katastrophenschutz, Lawinenkommissionen Land Tirol
More informationChapter 12. Travel Skills: Foot Travel for SAR Personnel
Chapter 12 Travel Skills: Foot Travel for SAR Personnel Objectives Describe traveling skills used in varying environments during SAR operations. Describe the preparation and conditioning needed to perform
More informationMountain Goats and Winter Recreation November 17, 2011
Mountain Goats and Winter Recreation November 17, 2011 Summary Mountain goats need protection from disruption and displacement in their winter feeding areas by motorized and non-motorized recreationists
More information