Avalanche danger: be in the know before you play in the snow!

Big snow is the story of the moment as the Southern Sierra snowpack soars above 280% of average. One of the most concerning aspects of a large snowpack is the potential for avalanche, when unstable layers of snow give way and send snow and ice rapidly down a slope. Avalanches can be triggered unexpectedly, can have enormous destructive power, and can bury people, vehicles and even structures in their path. Visit PCTA’s avalanche danger page for more.

There’s a LOT to know about this lurking danger in the mountains, but here are some quick tips and resources to learn more about reducing your risk in the snow.

skiing on the Pacific Crest Trail

A steep line on the PCT in California.

Check the avalanche forecast

Many popular areas in the US and Canada are monitored by avalanche centers that provide a regular forecast of snow conditions and avalanche danger. It’s good practice to keep tabs on conditions in areas you plan to travel to in the days and weeks before you go. In general, danger tends to go up when snow falls or is blown by wind and go down when calm conditions allow the snowpack to settle; a good rule of thumb is to wait 24 hours to go out after snowfall. Learn how to read the avalanche forecast and adjust travel plans accordingly.

Relevant Avalanche Centers for the PCT

Avoid traveling on or under avalanche terrain

Recognizing and avoiding avalanche terrain means being aware of your surroundings at all times. Careful route planning with tools like GaiaGPS can help keep you out of the danger zone, areas where the slope angle is between 30 and 45 degrees and avalanches are most likely to occur. Travelers can also use inclinometers to measure slope angle in the field and make good decisions when avalanche terrain can’t be avoided entirely.

Bring the right equipment — and know how to use it

The critical tools for avalanche rescue are a probeshovel, and transceiver. If you are unlucky enough to witness a burial, the window for rescue is short — after just 10 minutes, the likelihood of survival drops significantly. Avalanche tools allow a potential rescuer to pinpoint the location of a victim and dig them out before they asphyxiate. Responsible travelers practice their skills regularly to keep them sharp.

Under the colors of a pre-dawn sky, Kristine Fry uses her ice-axe to climb up and over a wall of snow blocking the trail on her final push to Forester Pass. This photo was taken at the top of Forester Pass looking south on the morning of June 23, 2019.Photo by: Eddie O'Leary

Under the colors of a pre-dawn sky, Kristine Fry uses her ice-axe to climb up and over a wall of snow blocking the trail on her final push to Forester Pass. This photo was taken at the top of Forester Pass looking south on the morning of June 23, 2019.
Photo by: Eddie O’Leary

Get educated

If you do plan on getting adventurous in the snow, do some more research online and look into training opportunities. There are many free, publicly available resources for learning more about avalanche safety and rescue. Additionally, avalanche safety courses are valuable for learning in greater detail and with hands-on, expert instruction. Depending on your location, sometimes you can find courses through local organizations or community colleges for reduced cost.

Author: Hazel Platt

Hazel Platt is PCTA's Volunteer Engagement Associate, working to support the PCTA volunteer community and connect prospective volunteers with opportunities to get involved. Hazel is a self-proclaimed nature nerd, and loves long-distance hiking.