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Avalanche Rating Scale
Danger Level
Avalanche Probability and Avalanche Trigger
Degree and Distribution of Avalanche Danger
Recommended Action in the back country
WHAT
WHY
WHERE
WHAT TO DO
LOW Natural avalanches very unlikely. Human triggered avalanches unlikely. Generally stable snow. Isolated areas of instability. Travel is generally safe. Normal caution advised.
MODERATE Natural avalanches unlikely. Human triggered avalanches possible. Unstable slabs possible on steep terrain. Use caution in steeper terrain on certain aspects (defined in accompanying statement).
CONSIDERABLE Natural avalanches possible. Human triggered avalanches probable. Unstable slabs probable on steep terrain. Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain.
HIGH Natural and human triggered avalanches likely. Unstable slabs likely on a variety of aspects and slope angles. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Safest travel on windward ridges of lower angle slopes without steeper terrain above.
EXTREME Widespread natural or human triggered avalanches certain. Extremely unstable slabs certain on most aspects and slope angles. Large destructive avalanches possible.

Travel in avalanche terrain should be avoided and travel confined to low angle terrain well away from avalanche path run-outs.

 

 

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