Three variables interact to determine the possibility or likelihood that an avalanche might occur, they are represented by the "Avalanche Triangle" at right and they are:
Terrain: the slope must be steep enough to avalanche.
Snowpack: the snow must be unstable enough to avalanche.
Weather: Weather is another important variable. Changing weather can quickly increase instability.
There are shortcuts to a lot of things BUT there are NO shortcuts to avalanche awareness!
Read, learn, study, & practice avalanche awareness
Check out these Avalanche Myths, from the Utah Avalanche Center
CLICK HERE for a list of books and videos on the subject.
Avalanche Classes and Resources Several sources for avalanche education exist in the Northwest. The following offer either avalanche awareness training or advanced avalanche education courses. Whatever your outdoor activity is in the winter, education and awareness never hurts.
Mtn. Recreation Mgt, Kenneth E. White .....425.888.3303*
Trails & Tales, Roland V. Emetaz..................360.694.4680*
*These two lecturers, retired from the US Forest Service, are sponsored by the Friends of the Northwest Weather & Avalanche Center and offer free Avalanche Awareness Lectures. To schedule a talk by either lecturer, e-mail Ken White.
