Avalanche Safety: Spotting The Danger And Surviving The Slide

Following the deadliest avalanche in California’s history with nine presumed dead, experts are sharing how to spot signs of unstable snow and tips for survival.

Rebecca Hodgetts, Acting Director and National Avalanche Specialist for the USDA Forest Service National Avalanche Center, warned that dangerous conditions can form rapidly.

"Heavy snowfall and strong winds form dense layers of snow called slabs," she told Patch. "Intense storms, like the recent storms in the Sierras, can form slabs that are several feet thick in a matter of hours."

SEE ALSO: Bay Area Mother Among Skiers Killed In CA's Deadliest Avalanche: Report

When these dense slabs form over weak, older layers of snow — often created by extended periods of dry, sunny weather — it creates the perfect recipe for an avalanche on steep slopes, particularly those steeper than 30 degrees, Hodgetts said.

Deciphering The Danger Scale

Recreationists must be able to accurately interpret the daily avalanche forecast. A "HIGH" or "CONSIDERABLE" danger rating should not be taken lightly, but experts say the danger scale is often misinterpreted.

"When the avalanche danger is HIGH, avalanches can impact areas that are usually safe: large slides can run into flat areas in valley bottoms and into heavily treed terrain," Hodgetts said.

Even more alarming, natural avalanches are common, and people can trigger them remotely — from gentle terrain above, below, and to the sides of steep slopes, she told Patch.

Misinterpreting a "MODERATE" rating is another common mistake.

Hodgetts emphasized that the North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale is geometric, not linear. Moving from MODERATE to CONSIDERABLE danger means the amount of dangerous terrain can increase tenfold. Even on a MODERATE day, large avalanches can and will occur.

The Psychology of Risk: Why We Go Out Anyway

Despite clear warnings, people still venture into dangerous terrain. Hodgetts points to a complex mix of psychological factors that drive this behavior.

"Skiing or riding in deep powder on steep slopes is exhilarating," she told Patch. "Because of the 'reward,' people take more risks and find ways to justify their risk."

This reward-seeking stands in stark contrast to other natural threats.

"Contrast that with a hurricane warning or playing golf during a lightning storm; there is little or no reward for being in a hurricane or getting struck by lightning," Hodgetts said.

Other patterns include the expert halo, where less experienced members of a group are reluctant to question a confident group leader. Confidence can be confused for competence, she added.

"Confidence is a personality trait, and some people are more confident about their avalanche expertise, and everything they do, than they should be," Hodgetts told Patch, stressing that being an excellent skier does not directly translate to avalanche expertise.

The intense decision-making environment of the backcountry also plays a role. Someone might make a bad decision to ride a slope teetering on the edge of avalanching, fail to trigger a slide, and assume the slope is stable. The next time they are in a similar situation, they may not be so lucky.

How To Stay Safe And Survive

For those determined to venture out on high-risk days, Hodgetts encourages them to get out and play in the powder, but do it in the right places. The keys to safety are increasing your safety margins and mastering terrain identification, she said.

1. Accurately Identify Terrain: You must be able to spot starting zones where avalanches release, the tracks where they travel at speeds over 50 mph, and the runout zones where debris piles up. This skill, though taught in courses, usually takes many days traveling near or in avalanche terrain to gain a high level of competence.
2. Increase Your Safety Margins: Stay far away from what you think is avalanche terrain.

The tragic nature of avalanche incidents underscores three core messages that Hodgetts wants all recreationists to remember:

• Get the Forecast: Read the daily forecast from your local avalanche center, found at avalanche.org.
• Get the Education: Take an avalanche class, and commit to continuous learning, preferably with mentors or experienced partners.
• Get the Gear: Carry avalanche rescue gear (transceiver, shovel, and probe), know how to use it, and practice regularly.