Originally published in the Mazama Bulletin—view the full January 2020 issue.
Winter is a wonderful time to get out and explore. The landscape transforms from the noisy commotion of summer into pristine slopes, solitude, and unparalleled natural beauty. But with this beauty come inherent risks. Avalanches, harsh weather, and challenging navigation and/or travel are just a few of the factors that can turn a joyous snowshoe or ski tour into a snowy nightmare.
Following are some key things to keep in mind when you head out to the mountains or backcountry wilderness this winter.
Avalanches
Avalanches are perhaps the largest threat in the winter, depending on where you are. The nuances of traveling safely in avalanche terrain, recognizing unstable snow, performing a search and rescue, and mitigating human factors are beyond the scope of this essay, but here are some broad ideas to get you thinking.
Any slope can technically slide, but slopes over 25 degrees have a much higher risk—slopes similar in steepness to an easy blue square run at a ski resort. Slopes that are most sought-after for skiing and snowboarding (think few trees, wide-open bowls, and moderately to fairly steep terrain) are the most prone to avalanche—38 degrees is the avalanche sweet spot. Avalanches can also travel far into valley floors or across flat terrain, so even if you’re not traveling on a steep slope make sure to pay attention to the slopes above you.
It’s important to pay close attention to your surroundings when traveling in the mountains or foothills in the winter. Not only is the slope angle (steepness) important, so are other terrain features such as gullies, cliffs, and trees. Even a small slide can build up snow in a gully or creek bed and bury you, or carry you off a cliff. Avoiding these terrain traps is a good way to mitigate your risk—travel along ridgelines, don’t cross above cliffs, and avoid the center of a bowl or other large clearing in the trees. Generally (but not always!), tight trees are also safe to travel in since they can hold the snow in place.
Paying attention to sounds the snow makes and what it looks like is a great way to mitigate avalanche risk. If the snow starts collapsing or sliding, if it sounds hollow or makes a “wumphing” sound, or if you see shooting cracks, make a 180 and get out of there! Avoiding areas with wind-affected snow (look for drifts or ripples on the snow surface) is also a good idea. Avoid areas and similar terrain if you see signs of recent avalanche activity.
Reading this short piece is no substitute for real avalanche training, including carrying a beacon, shovel, and probe and knowing how to use them. Here are some resources to help get you started:
- Avalanche Awareness talks: For those new to learning about avalanches or those wanting to brush up on their knowledge, attending an Avalanche Awareness talk is a great place to start. These are regular events held at local outdoor retailers throughout the winter through organizations such as the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) or REI. Check nwac.us or rei.com for more info.
- Avalanche 1 course: If you want to travel in avalanche terrain in the winter, I can’t stress enough taking an Avalanche 1 course or equivalent.
- Check the AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) website at aiare.info for local or regional courses throughout the winter.
- The Mazamas offers a yearly Backcountry Ski Touring course for those interested in skiing or splitboarding in the backcountry. The course provides training roughly equivalent to AIARE Avalanche 1. The 2020 course is now full, but registration will open for 2021 in October 2020!
- Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC): NWAC is the go-to resource for avalanche information in the Pacific Northwest. They provide daily avalanche and weather forecasts throughout the winter, with advice on where and how to travel safely in the winter backcountry. Checking their website at nwac.us before you head out should be a mandatory step in your winter adventures.
Plan for any weather
“Blink your eyes and the weather changes” is a statement those of us who spend time in the mountains know well. This is especially true in winter. Being on a snowy slope in the blazing sun can have you shedding layers faster than you can apply enough sunscreen to prevent scorching your skin. A sunny day can turn into a freezing whiteout in a matter of hours or minutes, leaving you exposed or possibly lost in the snow.
Pack plenty of layers (no cotton!) and pay attention to the weather and your surroundings. A rapid drop in temperature can mean a storm is approaching, and clouds looming below you can engulf a mountain faster than you might think. Bring a GPS to help navigate through a whiteout, and remember you can use things like chairlifts, rows of trees, or ridges as a sort of “hand-rail”—let these features guide you back to where you can see or to a known point.
If all else fails, try to get out of the wind, dig a hole or cave in the snow if you can, put on all your layers, and sit on your pack. A warm thermos goes a long way, and an emergency bivy sack is never a bad thing to bring. Know the signs of hypothermia and frostbite, and what to do if they begin to show.
Be prepared for the unexpected
Unexpected things can happen in the wilderness any time of year, but in the winter even a small issue can get amplified into a much larger problem. Lost gloves or torn pants can expose you to the wet and cold, and a snowshoe, ski, or snowboard gear malfunction can turn a quick jaunt over the snow into a grueling, post-holing slog through snow up to your waist. And don’t forget cold fingers don’t work like warm fingers, and being cold can make you lethargic and feel mentally drained.
Bring extras of the absolute necessities (gloves, socks, hat) and put together a small repair kit for your clothing and gear. I keep a knife with pliers, duct tape, ski/Voile straps (these are truly amazing), needle and thread, and a pole basket in my pack all winter, alongside extra batteries and lighter/matches.
Always tell someone not on the trip where you’re going and when you plan to be back (make sure to update them if the plan changes). Carrying a GPS tracker such as a Garmin InReach or Spot device as a last resort for a rescue can and does save lives.
Winter driving
Getting to your destination is an often-overlooked aspect of winter recreation. Not only are many roads permanently closed in the winter, mountain roads regularly close unexpectedly due to a large storm or avalanche. Check ODOT or another state’s transportation website for updated closures before you head out.
Another driving consideration is traction—make sure to carry chains if your car doesn’t have snow or studded tires, and put them on before you get into trouble. Front-wheel drive or 4/all wheel-drive vehicles are a better option than their rear-wheel counterparts in the snow. Adding some weight to the back of rear-wheel vehicles can help.
Most important is the driving itself. Think slow and steady on snow and ice (watch for black ice, too). Gunning the accelerator will only cause you to slide more if you’ve already started, and make sure to turn the wheel and apply the brakes slowly and gently. Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front so you have time to brake if needed.
Now get out and have fun!
Winter recreation is for everyone. Whether you’re out ski touring or splitboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, ice climbing or mountaineering, snowmobiling, or sledding, snowy pursuits can bring great joy to our lives. Knowing how to take care of yourself and manage risk in avalanche terrain or around other winter hazards is highly important, but that shouldn’t deter you from getting out there and making fantastic memories with your friends and family.
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