Training for observation
As promised, to complete the previous post, today I will discuss two points on the resumption of winter activity after a break.
This time I will focus on preparation, not as in physical preparation, but in the sense of "mental" preparation- which is an important component of the “Human Factor”.
The human factor, in the prevention of avalanche accidents, plays a fundamental role, as, in most cases, it is our behaviour or that of other people that determines the triggering of an avalanche.
Mental preparation consists precisely in rediscovering, or developing if we have never thought about it before, the ability to observe what is around us and interpret the signals that presents to us, positive or above all negative. And this skill requires preparation and training as well.
But let's see some examples:
First of all, we must observe the terrain, always, especially if we are following an already made trail! It must be a continuous effort: looking far away to anticipate and choose, and looking close to possibly correct the track. Identifying steep slopes, gullies or bumps, safe stopping points, changes in slope and much more, helps us make a safer trail.
The presence of avalanches that have already detached allows us to reflect about whether there is or there is not an situation of danger. The altitude, the exposure, the type of avalanche, the dimensions and an understanding of how long ago they may have fallen helps us to think about the conditions of the snowpack and the choice of the route.
The presence of frames and the sign of snow transport on the ridges indicates the direction of the wind at altitude, its strength and the type of snow present at that altitude. Instead, the signs of the wind on the ground, on the snow cover that surrounds us, indicate the action of the wind at our altitude, near us; and these do not always coincide.
At altitude, in free air, the wind finds fewer obstacles in its path which is more linear and regular. On the ground, however, obstacles can be numerous and of various types: valleys, bumps, forests, clearings, rocks can cause the direction of the wind and its intensity to locally deviate, consequently causing accumulations in places that are different from those we would have expected.
The observation of the snow cover on the surface is a very useful source of signals: the color of the snow, its distribution on the ground, the signs of the action of the wind, the traces made by other skiers or animals, allow us at least to make some reasoning on the surface layer of the snow cover. It's not everything, but it's still something.
The presence of trees, the type, the density, if and how much snow there is on the branches, if there are clearings, the action of the wind at the edges of the forest or in the clearings themselves, our passage beyond the tree line and therefore in open terrain must make us question about our own choice of route and the management of the group. This may mean, for example, considering whether it would be appropriate to adopt safety distances.
From a meteorological point of view, the temperature and weather conditions compared to forecasts are two aspects that can be easily controlled with careful observation of the environment and the sky. Is there water or ice in the puddles in the parking lot? Is water dripping from the roof of the hut or from the trees? If visibility decreases, fog or low clouds, do I know exactly where I am and where I need to go? Do I know where my travel companions are or is there someone who has stayed behind or gone too far?
And finally we observe our trip companions and the other people present in the area, with the tracks they are making or have made before our passage. We check whether they reflect what was planned in the preparation of the trip or not, and if so, we try to understand the reasons. Let's remember that tiredness makes us think less, the desire to reach the summit makes us close our eyes, and the beautiful powder snow clouds our brains!
If we want to reduce the risk of avalanches a little and enjoy our trips, we must all use our heads and eyes more than our legs and lungs!
But we will talk about this in more detail in a future blog.
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With Bluerando, you can save and share your snow activities with friends, check out reports sent by other users, and use the routes in the shared library.
Above all, you can share your location with your travel companions and record your Snow & Avalanche Observations and contribute to everyone's safety.
Ernesto Bassetti
Ernesto is one of the leading snow and avalanche experts in Italy and beyond.
By passion and by profession, he has been involved in mountain safety for over 40 years, with particular attention to the avalanche issue.
He is co-founder, and until 2020 Vice President, of MND Group; important international player in the field of mountain infrastructure and world leader in controlled avalanche release systems.
He is a ski instructor, National Ski Mountaineering Instructor, former director of the Mario Righini Ski Mountaineering School.
He was promoter, co-founder and soul of the "Servizio Valanghe Italiano" (Italian Avalanche Service), of which he held the Presidency for 18 years.
