Buried Alive

Last week we completed our avalanche theory classroom based session. Now it was time for the field day. This consisted of 3 parts - Evaluation, Testing and Rescue. In the morning we met up with Steve Ruskay, one of the ski patrollers that keeps the hill safe to ski on every day. We went up the mountain and assessed some of the terrain such as the hangfire on the Lizard headwalls and the avalance debris in Cedar bowl. We learnt how to assess the terrain to find the safest way to move around the mountain when exposing yourself to avalanche danger. Whilst doing this an amazing 'sun dog' appeared over one of the ridges:

Looked even more stunning in real life, but the camera couldn't deal with the overexposure

The second period of the day started off by finding a fresh patch of snow and marking it out for the subject of our snowpack tests. The first task was to cut out a snow profile about 165cm wide by 150cm deep, and right down to ground level. Once shovelled out, the layers of snow become apparent and by resistance testing the full depth, you can work out the content of each and identify any potential weak layers. To do a compression test, a column is isolated and manipulated until it fails.

Isolated column with resistance testing visible (finger holes)

After the column failed on a weak layer low down in the snow pack

The final exercise in the second period was to do a Rutschblock test, which gives a better representation of the impact of a skiers movements across avalanche terrain.

Our Rutschblock profile ready for testing

Video to follow.

The final leg of the day was about search and rescue in a burial situation. The group was split up into 2, one searching and one hiding 'bodies'. Using the trace, probe, shovel techniques we have been taught we found each one successfully. Steve then showed us the most efficient way of digging out someone who is buried deep in the snow by using a 'shovel conveyor', provided there is more than one person. The roles were reversed and to make it a bit harder, we partially buried Fiona and Shaun as deterrents. They didn't fall for the trap and searched until the remaining two tranceivers were found. It was an exhausting end to the day and a real eye opener as to how hard it is to dig someone out of avalanche debris and how little we actually know about avalanche safety.

Shaun in the freezer. Its a trap! He can breathe, find the others!

It's been a brilliant day and a massive thanks to Steve who did a great job trying to impart wisdom into us lot!