Good Travel Habits
You should stay spread out when travelling through big terrain like this.
Saul Greenberg When travelling in avalanche terrain, there are several good habits to engage in to reduce your exposure:
- Use good communication and keep everyone involved in decision making. Two-way radios are helpful when you’re spread out in avalanche terrain. If you’re snowmobiling, noise is a factor so radios are even more important since you can’t yell at each other. You should stop for a helmets-off chat at key decision points before you proceed.
- Go one-at-a-time through avalanche terrain so you’re not exposing the whole group at once. In big terrain, spread out as much as possible to reduce the consequences of an avalanche.
- Group up in safe spots outside of avalanche terrain. When moving through avalanche terrain, do your best to go from one safe spot to another.
- Plan an escape route before you commit to a slope.
- Use terrain wisely by travelling on gentle slopes, through dense trees, and along ridges and ribs. Avoid overhead hazards and stay away from terrain traps.
Travelling along a ridgetop is a good idea because it usually keeps you out of avalanche terrain.
Avalanche Canada