Avalanche Awareness Education Month
Contributed by Debra McGhan
Now with the snow here and more in the forecast comes the potential for avalanches. November is Avalanche Awareness Education month in Alaska. If you drive through the mountains, hike, ski, sled, snowboard, snowmachine, ride any off-road vehicle and find yourself in, or even near the mountains, this is the right time to learn at least some basics about avalanches.
On November 22, 2015, Dr. Liam Walsh paid the ultimate price to learn this lesson. The 33-year old doctor had moved to Alaska from Saratoga, New York the year before to practice medicine and live out his dream of skiing and exploring the backcountry. A massive November snowstorm lured him to the mountains where he planned to make first tracks in Hatcher Pass. He tried to find a partner for the day but when no one could go with him he made the fatal mistake to go alone.
Being new to Alaska, maybe he didn’t know that fresh snow needs time to bond and stabilize. Avalanche professionals like Sarah Carter from the Valdez Avalanche Center, teach that it’s always important to give the snowpack at least 24 to 48 hours after the snow stops falling so it has time to bond. She teaches you to carry avalanche safety equipment, (avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel) and know how to use it. And always go with a partner.
Walsh headed out alone in the middle of a three-day storm that dumped several feet of fresh snow. He carried no avalanche safety gear. The unstable snow pack avalanched, burying Walsh in more than 15 feet of snow. His body was not recovered until the following summer.
His family and friends will never recover from the pain of losing him.
On November 10th dozens of avalanche professionals from around the state gathered at Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage for the 11th annual Southcentral Alaska Avalanche Workshop. This event provides a day of learning, presentations, discussions, and networking for those practicing in the field. Their work helps all Alaskans who live, travel and recreate in potential avalanche terrain.
“I think November is the perfect month to catch your breath before what we hope will be a busy, safe winter season,” said Chris Olds, five-time Iron Dog champion and President of Alaska Safe Riders. “It’s also the time I usually either tune up my old sled or take delivery of a new one.”
Carter recommends getting in the habit of watching the weather and snow forecast so you’ll have historical data.
“It’s good to get familiar with the weather and avalanche forecast websites. Then you can think about places where you might be able to safely enjoy some early season tours or identify places where you’ll need more snow to explore. And it gives you a good idea about the layers of snow we get when we have cold, rain, wind or snowy days.”
Finally, both Olds and Carter recommend you get your safety gear out and checked.
“You can always host a beacon search party,” suggests Carter. “Invite your friends to bring their beacons, shovels and probes for some practice (games) like hide and seek.
“We always hope that your avalanche skills will keep you out of a slide, but if you ever get called on to search for someone else, you don’t want to be trying to figure out how to do it at that point,” said Carter. “Practicing during the early-season is a sure way to make sure you’ll be confident and ready to go when it’s time to get out in the mountains.”
Beware that the excitement of getting out to carve fresh tracks in the early season snow doesn’t expose you to avalanche hazards.
November is the month there are many historic and tragic avalanche fatalities because people are so anxious to get out and play in the snow.
Avalanche and snowmachine training season typically begins on November 1st. You’ll find a variety of courses that range from short fireside chats provided by organizations including the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center, Alaska Avalanche Information Center (AAIC,) and Alaska Safe Riders. For more in-depth, certification courses, check out those offered by the AAIC and ASR from the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE,) and the Alaska Avalanche School offering custom courses including recognition through the American Avalanche Association.
Additionally, the Alaska Department of Public Safety, Division of Alaska State Troopers funds a host of courses offered in schools and communities around Alaska. To sign up, learn more, get more safety tips, education opportunities and more check out https://alaskasaferiders.org and https://alaskasnow.org
Starting the end of November, check out many local radio stations who will be airing trail updates and safety tips from Alaska Safe Riders all season long.
“This season, make sure you have taken the right steps to ensure every ride is a safe one so everyone talks about how fun the day was down in the parking lot,” said Carter.
SIDEBAR: Free public programs presented by Alaska Safe Riders and the Avalanche Alliance
December 4, 2023 – Eagle River Polaris Arctic Cat – Eagle River
December 5, 2023 – Hatcher Pass Polaris – Wasilla
December 6, 2023 – Delta PowerSports – Fairbanks
December 8, 2023 – Alaska Motosports and Equipment – Anchorage
Learn more or reserve your spot at https://alaskasaferiders.org
AAIC will also have a series of Level 1 courses starting in January. Check out their website at https://alaskasnow.org for updates.