Winter Field Sessions: Western Avy Bulletin Assignment

In advance of the Winter Field Sessions, select a two-day period and a western avalanche forecast center from either the western U.S. or Canada.

The two-day period can be historical (from archived bulletins) or as it actually plays out in real time. The avalanche center can be for a region you have been to previously, plan to visit in the future, hope to visit in your dreams, or just totally random. (If you have no preference, then Utah has an interesting mix of weather and snow conditions, with an outstandingly clear presentation.)  The more knowledge though you have of the terrain details, the better ... and for reasons that should be obvious given much of the course's focus!

Pretend you are going on two backcountry (or “sidecountry”) daytrips, i.e., back-to-back, staying overnight in town. (Alternatively you can plan an overnight hut or yurt trip, but this will add some complications.)  Prepare a written and oral presentation that addresses the following questions:

1. What are your goals (generally speaking) for these two daytrips?
2. What are your safety concerns (once again, generally speaking)?
3. In a typical season at this time of year, what are some general characterizations of the region’s snowpack?
4. What has the snowpack been like so far this season for the region? Include snowfall amounts, snowpack levels, data from recent weather events, notable avalanche cycles and incidents.
5. For the first day of the two-day period you selected, before you read the avalanche bulletin for that morning, what are you expectations?
6. Now read the avalanche bulletin: how did the forecast match up with your expectations?
7. What are your specific travel plans and associated concerns for backcountry (or “sidecountry”) skiing that day? Who are your partners? How familiar are all of you with the terrain? Do you have appealing and accessible alternatives?
8. Repeat the preceding steps for the following day.

Send in your write-up along with the referenced avalanche bulletins (in accordance with the deadline noted in the student checklist), preferably in the format of a single pdf file.  If the avalanche bulletin does not already do so, create a simplified avalanche danger rose, showing the rating by aspect and elevation.  Also identify the relevant avalanche "Problems" for which you can use this spreadsheet version of the new AIARE Avalanches and Observations Reference.  For each "Problem" separate out on a five-point scale the Probability (with "Likely" and "Unlikely" at opposite ends of the scale) and "Size" (with "Large" and "Small" at opposite ends of the scale).  And identify the Trend over the next 24 hours (either Increasing Danger, Same, or Decreasing Danger).

For your touring plan, utilize the Decision-Making Framework and "STOP" series of questions as referenced in the assigned Volken backcountry skiing book.  Complete a section of either your own field book or these sample pages from the 2012 AIARE field book.  For maps, you can use whatever on-line, paper, or computer software variations you want, but USGS quad pdf files can be downloaded for free (and modified with the free TerraGo Toolbar), and you can also try this new internet application that integrates Google Earth with avalanche trip planning concerns, or this more limited tool for slope angle estimation.

Be prepared to deliver a very brief oral presentation to your fellow students at the Winter Field Sessions during Saturday night dinner and also bring a dozen sets of printouts to distribute (as the PNVC dinner scene is unfortunately very loud).