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On May 31, 1998, with the promise of Mt. Hood's summit only 500 feet above them on a clear beautiful day, a climbing team's adventure took a sudden, frightening turn. A loud crack was heard and a two foot thick slab, 300 feet across swept a roped party of three and one unroped climber 1000 feet down the mountain. One climber died and another suffered severe injuries. The climbers did not think that avalanches would be a problem.

Avalanches on the very brink of summer? Incredible! but avalanches are not "random events" where only luck can save you. You can stay alive and keep coming back to the mountains if you are armed with knowledge and skill. Whether you like to ride, ski, climb, snowshoe, or snowmobile, if there is snow on the ground you should be aware of avalanches.

This year the Cascades had 200% of the "normal" snowfall and avalanche hazards could potentially exist into the summer, especially in the high country. "The structure is there," says Paul Baugher of the Northwest Avalanche Institute, describing the snow pack. The other contributing factor is melt water that percolates down from surface layers. It could destabillize or lubricate the underlying layers "if the weather gets too warm too quick." Any layers in the snowpack may be weaknesses or provide a running surface.

Here are a few tips to get you started in three key safety areas. They are not a substitute for professional training, leadership and advice but should get you thinking.

Traveller

• ALWAYS get the latest information from the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center at (206) 526-6677 or on-line (see below).
• Be trained in avalanche awareness and safety. The best thing is to take a course on avalanche safety but some information is available from books and WorldWideWeb sites (see below).
• Be able to recognize avalanche terrain and plan your route appropriately. Avalanche safety doesn't mean you never get to ski the steepest runs, but it does mean that you have to choose when and where to go. Can you just cross the street anytime you feel like it? No. Wait for the cars. Avalanche slopes are like that too and during rush hour you need to be extra careful! You might need to wait all winter.
• Always travel with others who are aware of avalanche hazards and know how to use rescue equipment. If you are buried, you will rely on them to dig you out.
• Don't ski, ride or travel above your ability. Taking a fall in avalanche terrain can increase the danger of triggering a slide and getting caught in it.
• If you are caught in a slide try to get out of it. Ski, ride or slide to the edge. Use swimming motions to keep yourself near the top. Kick off your skis, poles or snowboard if you can. When the snow is slowing down, try to create an air pocket near your face with your hands.
• Only expose one person at a time to a potential avalanche risk, for example, cross an avalanche run-out path one at a time.
• Make your own decisions about safety. Just because someone else went the same way already does not make it safe. They may or may not have put themselves at risk, and in the meanwhile conditions may have changed .

Terrain

• Avalanches are most likely to occur on moderate slopes from 25-45 degrees, which is often the best terrain for riding or skiing. Climb up on easier terrain to minimize your exposure.
• Avalanches are more likely to occur when there are layers in the snow pack. This could be caused by a crust layer, wet snow due to rain or sun melting, a very cold layer or combinations of these things. This was one of the problems in the 1998 Mt. Hood accident. A snow pit can help you determine this. Professional training is necesary for accurate interpretation of snow pit findings.
• If you see slide activity, avoid these areas and others like it with similar slope and aspect.
• Avoid "terrain traps" where being caught in an avalanche could have dire consequences such as collisions with rocks, cliff run-out zones, etc. Learn how snow changes. For example, in the spring, depending on the weather, the snowpack consolidates, but new snow or sun-melted ("corn") snow on top of the snowpack can be very unstable. Avalanches are more likely to occur where snow has accumulated: on the lee side of a ridge due to wind deposits. Wind direction in storms is commonly from the S and W. If you see large cornices above the slope you are on, wind loading might be a concern.

Tools

• Every party member must carry an avalanche "trans-ceiver" (transmitter/receiver) and know how to use it. Each person should have practiced locating a buried transceiver as a simulation for finding a person. These devices will not save you if you are buried, but may help rescuers locate you.
• Every person must carry a shovel for digging. Modern shovels are light weight and strong.
• Adjustable-probe ski poles or a collapsible probe should be carried by each person to aid in searching for a victim.
• A map and compass should be used in order to monitor the route for potential hazards and determine the aspects of slopes you are considering travelling.

Contacts for further information

Telephone numbers

• Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center (206) 526-6677 (avalanche forecasts for the Washington Cascades and Olympics)
• Northwest Avalanche Institute (360) 825-9261 professional avalanche consultants and trainers
• REI (206) 223-1944 offers various clinics and classes
• Mountain Madness (206) 937-8389 four avalanche seminars per year ~$115 through local stores
• The Mountaineers (206) 284-8484 avalanche info. a part of snowshoe and skiing classes and separate classes
• The Mountain School (206) 949-2401 specializes in avalanche classes
• Washington Alpine Club (206) 467-3042

Web sites

• Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center: THE source of for Washington, Oregon and southern British Columbia. Look here for links to safety information, courses, statistics, background on avalanche fatalities, research, forecasts, web links, and more. http://www.nwac.noaa.gov/contents.htm
• National Avalanche Institute. A local training, research and consulting group http://www.avalanche.org/~nai/
• Details about the May 31 1998 Mt Hood accident: http://www.nwac.noaa.gov/mt_hood_avalanche_accident53198.htm W. Nicholas Beer Sports Etc. Spring Avalanche safety April 1999

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