Washington Explorer Search and Rescue Pierce County UnitFebruary 2010

AgendaGearBuilding Snow CavesOther Snow SheltersAvalanche AwarenessWinter Training Logistics

Objective: Provide ESAR members with knowledge to successfully participate in Winter Training

Gear to BringSnow shoesSki PolesShovelSnow SawCandle Lantern and CandlesBlanket or sleeping bag linerExtra Ground InsulationHand WarmersDo not use stoves in your caveExtra clothes/rain gearExtra gloves

Building a Snow CaveMake a Wall, preferably on a hill

Building a Snow CaveDig a TKeep T about as wide as a person

Building a Snow CaveDome the CeilingUse a tarp to remove snow from entrance

Building a Snow CaveWall over the TWall can be constructed with snow blocksSki pole can be used to support wall

Lower Entrance In order to enter cave without crawling consider adding steps

Snow Cave TipsDigging on a hill will make it easier to excavate your cave.Try and keep your entrance as narrow as possible to make closing the T easier.When you start expanding your dome you can dump snow on a tarp and then pull it out to remove the snow.In order to trap heat the sleeping platform must be higher than the top of the door. Use a pole to poke at least one air vent in the roof of the snow cave.Be sure to smooth out your walls to prevent dripsAlways keep a shovel in the cave with you.Sleep with your head towards the back of the cave.Stand up any tools/gear left outside at night.Keep gear like boots and clothing warm and dry at night in a garbage bag with hand warmers or under your sleeping pad

View from Inside

Tree Pit ShelterEasy and quick to buildExcavate snow around an evergreen tree wellIf possible dig down to bare groundProvides good protection from windCan be a sink that traps cold

Trench ShelterDig out a large pit/trench long enough for you to lay down inIf you have a tarp or other large piece of material, place it over the topWeigh down the edges with branches and cover with snowTunnel in to one end of the shelter for access and then cover once inside to keep you warm Easy to build and fast to get out of windCan be a sink that traps the cold

Avalanche Awareness90% of avalanche victims die in slides triggered by themselves or a member of their groupAfter 35 minutes a buried victim has only a 27% chance of survivalwww.nwac.us

Recognize Red FlagsRecent avalanchesSigns of unstable snow as you travelCracks or collapsing snowpackwhumping sound when you walkHeavy snow or rain in the last 24 hoursWind drifted snowSignificant warmingwww.nwac.us

Identify Avalanche TerrainSlopeAvalanche potential on slopes steeper than 30 degreesMost frequent on slopes 35 50 degreesTerrain TrapsValleys that funnel snowFlat areas with steep terrain or avalanche chutes aboveAspect: Which way does the slope faceWhich way is the wind blowing?Wind loaded slopes can create greater dangerWhich slopes get more sun?Freeze/thaw cycles can create greater dangerwww.nwac.us

Travel in Avalanche AreasIf you have to cross a suspect area never expose more than one person at a timeOthers should watch the person and the slope around them for signs of troubleStay alert to changing snow stability due to changes in aspect, elevation, or weatherHeavy rain/snowWindWarmingBe prepared to perform a rescuewww.nwac.us

If you are CaughtIf you are caught attempt to get out of the slideRemove your packAngle to the sideGrab trees or other featuresAttempt to roll on your back with your feet down hillSwim hard moving your limbs may keep you on top of the slideAs the avalanche slows try and thrust part of your body above the surface so it can be seenTry and create an airspace around your mouthwww.nwac.us

If Your Partner is CaughtYell and alert others to the avalancheEnsure someone keeps their eye on the victimEstablish a point last seenEnsure you have a leader and a planCheck the surface and look for clothes such as clothing and equipmentListen for yellingConduct a beacon search If no beacon probe down the fall line from PLSPrepare for first aid and subject evacuationwww.nwac.us

Additional Resourceswww.nwac.uswww.avalanche.org

Look for avalanche awareness classes at local ski areas and through outdoor storeswww.nwac.us

Winter Training LogisticsRendezvous at 0700 Saturday March 6th at the South Hill Park and RidePrepare to carpool as much as possibleTraveling to Paradise Mount Rainier National ParkBring a few dollars to help out with gate fee: $15.00 per carWe should return around 1600 on Sunday March 7thwww.nwac.us

By James Gulart

*By James Gulart

*By James Gulart

*By James Gulart

*By James Gulart

*By James Gulart

*By James Gulart

*By James Gulart

*By James Gulart

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