How to Avoid Avalanches

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You can reduce your chances of being caught in an avalanche during winter mountain hikes by keeping the following tips in mind.

Step 1: Avoid hiking after storm
Avoid hiking immediately after a storm. Most avalanches occur at the time of or shortly after a heavy snowfall.

Step 2: Avoid steep slopes
Avoid slopes with pitches greater than 25 degrees.

Tip
If you must traverse a steep slope, cross at the highest point possible, one person at a time.

Step 3: Stay to the windward side of ridges
Stay on the windward side of gently sloping ridges. The snow is usually thinner there.

Step 4: Avoid treeless slopes
Avoid treeless slopes and gullies. The absence of trees may reflect that previous avalanches have occurred in the area.

Step 5: Watch for cracks
Watch for cracks or small slabs that have sheared off.

Step 6: Listen
Listen for hollow or thumping noises as you walk.

Step 7: Dig snow pits
Use a collapsible shovel to dig frequent snow pits. As you check the structure of the snowpack, be on the lookout for weak layers.

Did You Know?
In 1970, an avalanche in Peru killed nearly 20,000 people.