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

[Kevin Renfrow]

Thanks Ned! Keep 'em coming!

-Kevin

On Wed, Mar 16, 2011 at 4:08 PM, <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:

> 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
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>