[pct-l] Snow Safety "Tip of the Day," #1

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

This weekend Mountain Education will be hosting another Snow Skills Training Course in Desolation Wilderness for hikers and thru-hiking enthusiasts to learn what it takes to travel safely over snow. 

Last week Flying Tortoise posted a link to his pictures from his Course two weeks ago:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60341210@N03/5507080229/in/set-72157626093827029/ 
and Brice from 2/18 http://www.constantradius.com/photography.aspx?dir=20110226_Sierras

During these trips, we try to teach the skills thru hikers and early-season backpackers will need to be proficient at to get about on snow to accomplish the following:

- navigation, topo translation, route-selection ,and why
- balance techniques for every step on snow and ice
- Self-Arrest with ice axe or Whippet
- how to maintain "warm and dry" while living in the snow
- how to get water from the creek or lake without falling in
- hidden snow dangers, above and below the snow's surface
- avalanche awareness and avoidance
- the critical on-snow importance or hypothermia, dehydration, and exposure
- the reality of daily walking on snow--mornings, afternoons, and nights: Life in the White Lane


The Mountain Education Snow Safety Tip of the Day:

#1: Pay Attention

Sounds too simple; Ned can't be making a big deal of this! Seriously?

Hikers like to talk while they walk. They typically watch the trail so they don't trip over roots and rocks along the way and look up every so often to see where they're going or to enjoy the scenery. If they see something that has to be avoided, they simply pivot on a securely grounded foot and step over or around the object. Not so on snow.

Snow, whether crusty or wet (Springtime mornings or afternoons), is slippery and not usually level. It is crucial to make sure that every footfall has a good "hold" of firmer snow beneath. As "Calorie" describes from his fall on Kearsarge last year, it only takes a "hasty step" to ensure that you're flown out of the mountains in a Rescue Helicopter. (Video may be shown at the Kickoff!)

Good, predictable balance begins with the connection between shoe and snow and leg. Know the condition of the soles of your shoes. Do you have deep enough tread to get a good "bite?" Do your soles have a forward-facing vertical heel surface with which to use as a "brake" on descents? Do your soles have firm 90-degree corners at their sides for cutting and kicking steps in hard, morning snow while traversing up any climb? Can you toe-up a climb without killing your toes? Are your shoes torsionally stiff enough to give you the "balance platform" needed on which to stand while side-kicking the next foot-hold on a traverse without rolling or twisting downhill? Do your shoes give you enough ankle support to allow you to "ankle-in" while kicking those foot-holds? 

Paying attention means that you're aware of what's happening at foot-level as well as 10 to 40 feet ahead. If you can't see that far because someone's in front of you, spread out. You don't have assured, summertime traction on snow for most quick avoidance maneuvers. Slow, steady, and predictable is the key. No fast movements (like driving a car on snow!) Then, once you can see ahead a little ways, look for obvious surface hazards, like if that shiny surface ahead is an icy crust, maybe I should stop and put on my traction devices. Or am I too busy walking and talking to notice or in too much of a hurry? Pay attention and use your senses!

#2: "Look Up!" is next...

(If you like these "Snow Safety Tips of the Day," let us know so we'll share more!)



"Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
1106A Ski Run Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org