
a.proof
TOUR PLANNING
Planning a tour involves many factors that need to be taken into account. For this reason you should allow yourself enough time and inform yourself sufficiently. A good preparation not only increases safety but also pleasure.
FACTORS FOR RELIABLE TOUR PLANNING
The avalanche risk for safe tour planning depends on the weather and avalanche conditions, the terrain and your own behaviour. With the basic knowledge of the following factors, even simple tours can be planned and the behaviour during a tour can be adapted to the current avalanche situation
FACTOR CONDITIONS
Security level
The current avalanche danger can be taken daily from the avalanche situation report. The avalanche danger is assigned to one of the five avalanche danger levels and in addition critical parts of the terrain are described in the report. The avalanche situation report serves as a basis for any planning and execution of a tour. In addition to this, your own observations and assessments should also be taken into account when planning.
Alarm signal
The best indication of avalanche danger is fresh avalanches. To form avalanches, breaks in the snowpack are required. The formation of these breaks can sometimes even be heard or seen. These danger warnings are called alarm signals and show if the conditions for avalanches are given. However, despite the absence of alarm signals, there can be a danger of avalanches.
Weather
The weather influences the development of the avalanche danger considerably. Weather conditions such as fresh snow and visibility are important key factors in assessing the avalanche risk.
- Rain and fresh snow always increase the danger of avalanches
- The first beautiful day after snowfall counts as extremely dangerous
- New drift snow deposits are considered to be particularly easy to trigger
- Extreme temperature increases and strong solar radiation increase the danger of avalanches
- Poor visibility (fog) makes assessment difficult
FACTOR TERRAIN
Slope
In principle, an avalanche is possible from a slope inclination of 30 degrees. The steeper the slope, the more dangerous it is. The risk can be estimated by considering the slope steepness in combination with the avalanche danger level.
Exposure & Altitude
Avalanche slopes are often characterized by shade, a lot of drifting snow and proximity to the ridge. Above the forest line, conditions become much more critical due to wind force, decreasing temperature and increasing precipitation. The avalanche situation report lists the current terrain that is particularly affected.
FACTOR HUMAN
In most cases, an avalanche burial is not accidental. Spontaneous avalanches (without human intervention) are only responsible for just under five percent of burials. The own behaviour as well as the behaviour of the accompanying persons have a considerable influence on the risk.
Group size
The more participants, the greater the risk of triggering an avalanche.
- Greater load on the snowpack
- Greater probability of triggering (more tracks on the descent)
- Slower decision-making and implementation of measures
- More difficult communication
- Riskier behaviour due to false sense of security
Competence
Each group member must be included in the route planning. The tour should be specifically tailored to the needs and abilities of the group. So remember: a group is only as good as its weakest member. In addition, a clear allocation of roles should be made in order to speed up decision-making processes.
Equipment
Good equipment alone does not prevent an avalanche accident, but the chances of survival in the event of a burial can be extremely increased. Rescue in an avalanche accident is a race against time, with comrades rescue being of great importance.
The following equipment is part of the
standard emergency equipment:
avalanche transceiver / avalanche shovel / avalanche probe
In addition, an avalanche airbag must never be missing, as it can directly prevent burial in the best case. Depending on the situation, the emergency equipment should be supplemented.
Conduct
The risk of an avalanche detection can be reduced with the following behavioural measures:
- Optimal trace plant
- Utilization of convex (back-shaped) terrain
- Avoidance of very steep slopes and fresh snow accumulation
- Staying in the green zone of CRM
- Maintaining distances on steep slopes and especially at key points
- Stopping and pausing only on "safe islands"
PLANNING OF THE SKI TOUR
As soon as the right tour has been selected with the help of the Internet, maps, literature and experts, the concrete planning begins. In principle, the tour planning takes place the evening before the tour. The preparation phase is largely based on assumptions and external information, so the expected conditions must always be compared with the actual conditions on site and possible adjustments made. The following steps should be taken into account when planning.