Avalanches can happen anywhere, even here on the east coast and on small slopes. It’s always good to know all the risks before you head out in winter 👍🏻
There is no field which has more dead experts than so called "snow science" .The most shocking example was about 30 years ago when an avalanche killed 4 members of the La Sal Mountain Rescue back of Moab while they were actually digging pits. More recently a few years ago a client was killed in a slide above Telluride led by an expert. If I recall some 75% of avalanche deaths are of expert skiiers who have actually taken a formal avalanche training course. Stupid? Sloppy? Ignorant? I think the lesson is that knowledge and experience MAY reduce the risk to avoid obvious problems but it may also lead to over confidence if you choose to ski or cross a potentially dangerous area. Its a tough call...back in the day I did a lot of back country skiing and snow climbing so I took some risks and lived to tell the story. Its scary to think that there were risks that I was totally unaware of.
Great point and I have pretty strong feelings on this, which is why I placed that statement at the end of the video. I think its natural for those with more experience and knowledge to feel more confident in the mountains (or frankly with anything in life). However, there seems to be far too many people who have a very deep and strong knowledge about the science behind avalanches and this is their "shield" from being affected by one. I feel as though so many come across as arrogant to those with less experience, like "duh" you didn't know that? Nature does not care about what you know and unfortunately, there are just so many uncontrolled variables regardless of your experience and knowledge that risk is always present, we just have to weigh out how much our tolerance is when we head out the door.
Usually by the end of April the snowpack has consolidated meaning the risk of a non-wet slab avalanche is fairly low. Wet slab avis are typically a lot easier to predict by hitting your objectives early and then getting off the snow by 11AM/12PM. However, if you are looking for purely no more avi risk, end of May/beginning of June is usually when CAIC stops putting out their avalanche forecasts and they become significantly more unlikely. However, that timing changes slightly every year depending on snowpack.
you are an expert bro, dont let anyone tell you different. Argument of authority is a poor defense if people are saying that to you. You have put in the time and effort.
Nah, he's right to qualify what he says. This is a useful overview and everything he says is correct, but snow science is extraordinarily complex and there's a lot more to avalanche safety than what's presented here. An expert outdoorsman is not necessarily an expert in avalanche awareness, safety and forecasting.
@@David-ph3ce is there such thing as an avalanche expert? I feel like it would be extremely hard to judge future forecasts and snow sitting on top of a mountain but I know what you are getting at.
@@Shanemo007 There are! Avalanche Information Centers employ professional forecasters, and the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) develops the standard curriculum for avalanche courses. All of these are great resources for learning more.
@david is correct and like I refer to at the end of the video, my risk tolerance for avalanches is very low so I tend to avoid risky terrain until the spring rolls around and snowpack consolidates. Biggest point I wanted to make is that hikers are affected by Avis just like other sports who venture out during the winter.
Dude you rock! Keep pushing that safe agenda!
Avalanches can happen anywhere, even here on the east coast and on small slopes. It’s always good to know all the risks before you head out in winter 👍🏻
10000% - think a lot of people assume big mountain = avalanche risk but we all know that's not necessarily the case.
@@TheVirtualsherpa an avalanche took out part of the base lodge a few years back at Bellayre (pretty sure it was there) right before Christmas.
Appreciate the information!! Good stuff
you gotta ski / board all the fourteeners!!!
There is no field which has more dead experts than so called "snow science" .The most shocking example was about 30 years ago when an avalanche killed 4 members of the La Sal Mountain Rescue back of Moab while they were actually digging pits. More recently a few years ago a client was killed in a slide above Telluride led by an expert. If I recall some 75% of avalanche deaths are of expert skiiers who have actually taken a formal avalanche training course. Stupid? Sloppy? Ignorant? I think the lesson is that knowledge and experience MAY reduce the risk to avoid obvious problems but it may also lead to over confidence if you choose to ski or cross a potentially dangerous area. Its a tough call...back in the day I did a lot of back country skiing and snow climbing so I took some risks and lived to tell the story. Its scary to think that there were risks that I was totally unaware of.
Great point and I have pretty strong feelings on this, which is why I placed that statement at the end of the video. I think its natural for those with more experience and knowledge to feel more confident in the mountains (or frankly with anything in life). However, there seems to be far too many people who have a very deep and strong knowledge about the science behind avalanches and this is their "shield" from being affected by one. I feel as though so many come across as arrogant to those with less experience, like "duh" you didn't know that? Nature does not care about what you know and unfortunately, there are just so many uncontrolled variables regardless of your experience and knowledge that risk is always present, we just have to weigh out how much our tolerance is when we head out the door.
And carry your dead. Body finder .
Just a quick question!! If i’m climbing a 14er is it safe to ascend and descend the same day? I’m from Miami, so I’m not used to the altitude
Hi Sherpa, Is there a date, such as, for example, June 1st, when avalanche risk is minimal in the high Colorado mountains?
Usually by the end of April the snowpack has consolidated meaning the risk of a non-wet slab avalanche is fairly low. Wet slab avis are typically a lot easier to predict by hitting your objectives early and then getting off the snow by 11AM/12PM. However, if you are looking for purely no more avi risk, end of May/beginning of June is usually when CAIC stops putting out their avalanche forecasts and they become significantly more unlikely. However, that timing changes slightly every year depending on snowpack.
you are an expert bro, dont let anyone tell you different. Argument of authority is a poor defense if people are saying that to you. You have put in the time and effort.
Nah, he's right to qualify what he says. This is a useful overview and everything he says is correct, but snow science is extraordinarily complex and there's a lot more to avalanche safety than what's presented here. An expert outdoorsman is not necessarily an expert in avalanche awareness, safety and forecasting.
@@David-ph3ce is there such thing as an avalanche expert? I feel like it would be extremely hard to judge future forecasts and snow sitting on top of a mountain but I know what you are getting at.
@@Shanemo007 There are! Avalanche Information Centers employ professional forecasters, and the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) develops the standard curriculum for avalanche courses. All of these are great resources for learning more.
@david is correct and like I refer to at the end of the video, my risk tolerance for avalanches is very low so I tend to avoid risky terrain until the spring rolls around and snowpack consolidates. Biggest point I wanted to make is that hikers are affected by Avis just like other sports who venture out during the winter.
@@David-ph3ce thanks for the intel