CONTROL PAST-PRESENT-FUTURE

Jon Andrews* Stevens Pass Ski Area, Skykomish,

ABSTRACT: Forecasting for and applying the information to and route safety should start at the beginning of the storm cycle and not end until the is gone. The way avalanche control is carried out today has not changed much since it started in the early 1950’s. Techniques have changed, such as new delivery systems, new detonation systems and the way weather and snow pack information is evaluated. But, the way we carry out avalanche control and route safety is basically the same.

INTRODUCTION

Over the past ten to fifteen years we have seen large amounts of worthwhile research and (1) Hand charging- the basic procedure of development of new ideas and techniques, lighting and throwing a hand charge. including, substantial advancements in electronic (2) Ski cutting. This was the method used to technologies such as computer technology and initiate avalanches before artillery or potential electronic detonating systems. These explosives were used. new developments are just a progression in the (3) Artillery. Many programs still use artillery basic ideas and techniques brought into the U.S. including the Avalauncher. in the mid-1940’s through Montgomery Atwater. With good products, good procedures and sound judgment these techniques have maintained There have also been improvements in the way reliability in avalanche control. we look at information and training in relation to avalanche control routes. The basic procedures of Procedures learned over time that should be done route safety have worked for many years, but even and reviewed. the basics need to be reviewed from time to time. - Communication- between you, your - What are some of the basics about partner, and your avalanche control avalanche control route safety that have supervisor. remained the same? - Inform your partner of your intentions and - What should be reviewed from time to make sure you get a response. time? - Stay in sight of your partner - What are some of the things that have - Think about some of the more unique or changed and what are some of the unusual conditions you have seen or problems that occur with change? heard of on your route. Consider the history of avalanche occurrences and So what are some of the basics about avalanche uncommon weather patterns that produce control route safety that have remained the same? large infrequent avalanches. - When handling explosives always have Most of the avalanche control techniques that the operating plan guidelines in mind and were developed by Montgomery Atwater in the ask yourself “Am I doing everything the early 1950’s are still in use today. correct way?” If you are uncomfortable ask for help, it could save your life or someone ______else’s. - Training and guiding- this is especially *Jon Andrews, Stevens Pass Ski Area, P.O. Box important when you bring new people into 98, Skykomish, WA 98288; Phone: 206.812.4510 your program. Put someone in charge of ext. 4346; Fax: 206.812.4517; E-mail: the new group to help thoroughly train and [email protected] guide them through the program.

576 - Documenting your explosives, weather slide. Finding the right equation between and avalanche occurrences. This is very instability and acceptable risk in opening important for studies and referring back for an area to the public can be tricky. case histories. (6) Technology advancing too fast without - When ski cutting know what kind of snow adequate testing. There is new detonation pack is under you. technology on the horizon. Remember that - Travel Techniques- let the weather and we have been using cap and fuse since snow pack dictate your route selection. the early 1950’s- with good product this Accidents have happened from doing a detonation system has proven itself over route the same way over and over without time. Make sure that when trying new considering weather and snow pack methods you are prepared and the conditions. necessary testing with time and conditions - Avalanche Control route review- every has been done. Never change or alter a four to five years. This is something that part of your program that has worked well we have done several times over the for you for a long time until you have years. Get all your route leaders together enough information to back it up. on a route that they all know and go over (7) Security- A lot has changed over recent the route with a fine-toothed comb. This years in the way we manage our method has changed the way some of our explosives programs. Some of the avalanche control routes are conducted changes that come from State or Federal making them safer and more efficient. rules really need to be reviewed by the user to make sure it will make things safer What are some of the things that have changed? and more secure. Group together in your What are some of the problems that occur with states and voice your opinions as a group change? on rules and laws.

(1) Gear- Randonee/skins Your training and avalanche control program The way we approach a route has should include- changed over the years with new types of travel gear. We used to wallow through (1) Written Procedures waist deep snow or snowshoe. Now with (a) Federal randonee gear and skins we tend to (b) State traverse further into uncontrolled slopes. (c) Local operation and procedures (2) Pressure- Let the weather and snow pack plan conditions dictate your route. Trying to (2) Training-taking care of your new people open an area too quickly has caused and seasoned veterans serious accidents. Management should (a) Written understand this and allow plenty of time (b) Application for appropriate control. (c) Documentation (3) Most accidents or close calls happen near (3) Plan Application the end of the route. Many are thinking (a) Communication about getting a run or two in before (1) Make sure all information is returning to work and may consider the available to avalanche control avalanche potential as minimal. At this personnel time partners tend to separate and a lack (2) Morning Briefing of concern for your surroundings may (b) Continual monitoring of weather, leave you in an unsuspected pocket. snow pack and documentation (4) Complacency- doing the same routes the (1) Morning safety and afternoon same way because that was the way they weather observations. were taught. I have seen lots of close calls (2) Snow profiles and review of and accidents in this situation. Everyday current and historical weather conditions are going to be a little different. and avalanche records. (5) The right charge and forecasting (3) Constant review of case avalanche potential. This is a tough one. histories, program and data In some situations such as in a ski area, compiling. you may not necessarily want the snow to

577 (4) Weather and Snow Pack information After 20+ years of working in the avalanche control board industry I started to think that I may be somewhat (a) Avalanche control and mitigation. burned out, like I was near the end of my career. Keeping things as simple as In August 2006 I re-read Monty Atwater’s book, possible. The Avalanche Hunters. Reading this book got me (1) Explosives handling all fired up again. Imagine being the one on the procedures forefront of snow science, avalanche control and (2) Hand control (insert) route the onset of snow recreationalists in the mid- safety plan 1940’s getting paid to figure out how to minimize (3) Artillery. (insert) gunner safety the avalanche hazard to the public and figuring out plan avalanche rescue without the support we have (4) MSDS today. (b) Documentation (1) Shot Records I realized that this job of avalanche control is a (2) Avalanche occurrences never-ending learning experience and after 60 (3) Weather and snow pack years of avalanche control in the U.S. we are all still on the forefront of snow science, avalanche CONCLUSION control, minimizing risk to the public and improving avalanche rescue. Although, we have added Constantly evaluate your explosives and electronics and some fancy terminology. avalanche control program and let others do it- this is important, it is too easy to become set in the We as a community have done a lot of good old ways. Bring a new set of eyeballs from time to research and development. This has helped to time. refine the techniques that Atwater introduced and improved forecasting, snow science, avalanche If you see something in the way explosives are control and avalanche rescue. I recommend being handled or in the way a route is done that reading or re-reading the Avalanche Hunters and you are uncomfortable with- let it be known. reviewing the basics.

Be willing to face facts. Montgomery Atwater, in So in the past part of avalanche control we have his book The Avalanche Hunters, refers to a lot of seen the development of the procedures and people in the U.S. as unwilling to face facts about techniques of hand charges, ski cutting and being in avalanche terrain. Whether it is working at artillery that we still use today. a ski area, building a house in avalanche terrain or working in a highway or backcountry operation, In the present part of avalanche control we have some people are still unwilling to admit that they learned more about the snow pack, devised more are involved in avalanche country- especially if it stable explosives, developed better delivery involves money. systems and improved avalanche and weather forecasting. Training and guiding- Give your crew all the information they need to make good decisions and In the future of avalanche control? I think in follow through. Keep seasoned veterans engaged another 20 years we will be doing hand routes, ski by giving them the responsibility of mentoring the cutting and using artillery, maybe by way of new people. Good mentors teach people to satellite. develop sound judgment. The more you know about the products and WARNING!!! Beware of advancement in procedures you use, the better decisions you technology moving too fast without adequate can make about how to use them safely. testing.

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