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 well

If possible dig down to bare ground

Provides good protection from wind

Can be a “sink” that traps cold

Trench Shelter• Dig out a large pit/trench Dig out a large pit/trench

long enough for you to lay long enough for you to lay down indown in

• If you have a tarp or other If you have a tarp or other large piece of material, large piece of material, place it over the topplace it over the top

• Weigh down the edges with Weigh down the edges with branches and cover with branches and cover with snowsnow

• Tunnel in to one end of the Tunnel in to one end of the shelter for access and then shelter for access and then cover once inside to keep cover once inside to keep you warm you warm

• Easy to build and fast to Easy to build and fast to get out of windget out of wind

• Can be a sink that traps Can be a sink that traps the coldthe cold

Avalanche Awareness• 90% of avalanche victims die in slides 90% of avalanche victims die in slides

triggered by themselves or a member of their triggered by themselves or a member of their groupgroup

• After 35 minutes a buried victim has only a After 35 minutes a buried victim has only a 27% chance of survival27% chance of survival

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Recognize Red Flags• Recent avalanchesRecent avalanches• Signs of unstable snow as you travelSigns of unstable snow as you travel

• Cracks or collapsing snowpackCracks or collapsing snowpack• ““whumping” sound when you walkwhumping” sound when you walk

• Heavy snow or rain in the last 24 hoursHeavy snow or rain in the last 24 hours• Wind drifted snowWind drifted snow• Significant warmingSignificant warming

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Identify Avalanche Terrain• SlopeSlope

• Avalanche potential on slopes steeper than 30 Avalanche potential on slopes steeper than 30 degreesdegrees

• Most frequent on slopes 35 – 50 degreesMost frequent on slopes 35 – 50 degrees• Terrain TrapsTerrain Traps

• Valleys that funnel snowValleys that funnel snow• Flat areas with steep terrain or avalanche chutes Flat areas with steep terrain or avalanche chutes

aboveabove• Aspect: Which way does the slope faceAspect: Which way does the slope face

• Which way is the wind blowing?Which way is the wind blowing?• Wind loaded slopes can create greater dangerWind loaded slopes can create greater danger

• Which slopes get more sun?Which slopes get more sun?• Freeze/thaw cycles can create greater dangerFreeze/thaw cycles can create greater danger

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Travel in Avalanche Areas• If you have to cross a suspect area never If you have to cross a suspect area never

expose more than one person at a timeexpose more than one person at a time• Others should watch the person and the slope Others should watch the person and the slope

around them for signs of troublearound them for signs of trouble

• Stay alert to changing snow stability due to Stay alert to changing snow stability due to changes in aspect, elevation, or weatherchanges in aspect, elevation, or weather• Heavy rain/snowHeavy rain/snow• WindWind• WarmingWarming

• Be prepared to perform a rescueBe prepared to perform a rescue

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If you are Caught• If you are caught attempt to get out of the slideIf you are caught attempt to get out of the slide

• Remove your packRemove your pack• Angle to the sideAngle to the side• Grab trees or other featuresGrab trees or other features

• Attempt to roll on your back with your feet Attempt to roll on your back with your feet down hilldown hill

• Swim hard – moving your limbs may keep you Swim hard – moving your limbs may keep you on top of the slideon top of the slide

• As the avalanche slows try and thrust part of As the avalanche slows try and thrust part of your body above the surface so it can be seenyour body above the surface so it can be seen

• Try and create an airspace around your mouthTry and create an airspace around your mouth

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If Your Partner is Caught• Yell and alert others to the avalancheYell and alert others to the avalanche• Ensure someone keeps their eye on the victimEnsure someone keeps their eye on the victim• Establish a point last seenEstablish a point last seen• Ensure you have a leader and a planEnsure you have a leader and a plan• Check the surface and look for clothes such as Check the surface and look for clothes such as

clothing and equipmentclothing and equipment• Listen for yellingListen for yelling• Conduct a beacon search Conduct a beacon search • If no beacon probe down the fall line from PLSIf no beacon probe down the fall line from PLS• Prepare for first aid and subject evacuationPrepare for first aid and subject evacuation

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Additional Resources• www.nwac.uswww.nwac.us• www.avalanche.orgwww.avalanche.org

• Look for avalanche awareness classes at local Look for avalanche awareness classes at local ski areas and through outdoor storesski areas and through outdoor stores

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Winter Training Logistics• Rendezvous at 0700 Saturday March 6Rendezvous at 0700 Saturday March 6thth at the at the

South Hill Park and RideSouth Hill Park and Ride• Prepare to carpool as much as possiblePrepare to carpool as much as possible• Traveling to Paradise – Mount Rainier National Traveling to Paradise – Mount Rainier National

ParkPark• Bring a few dollars to help out with gate fee: Bring a few dollars to help out with gate fee:

$15.00 per car$15.00 per car

• We should return around 1600 on Sunday We should return around 1600 on Sunday March 7thMarch 7th

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