Camp Avi advise

[Rick M]

del

[Bob Gross]

"My question for experienced mountaineers is does this area look safe from avalanche given the recent blizzard?"

Without knowing the angle of the slope, it is impossible to predict anything. Then you need to study the snow layers to determine if there is a weak layer that will contribute to a fracture.

–B.G.–

[Jim W.]

The "free flowing river" valley shown in the third photo may be deep enough to deflect most, or typical avalanches, but possibly not enough to deflect a very large avalanche.

Most avalanche forecasts are based on familiarity with past event history, visual reads of the terrain, and snowpack analysis. The likely runout limits of an avalanche is usually a guess.

Jim

[Eric Blumensaadt]

1st take a good avy course
2nd read several good avy books.

Then consider the variables:

1. slope angle
2. slope aspect (N, E, S or W?)
3. snowpack profile (Dig several snow pits)
4. avy history in that area
5. ground "anchors" like boulders & trees
6. most recent snowfall depth and type of snow

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