Sled testing for snowpack instabilities.

[SouthRockiesAvalancheTeam]

Check out our new video sled testing small slopes for snowpack instabilities in the South Rockies by Elkford BC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK16RUVwemU

 

[ren]

Thanks for this!

 

[ferniesnow]

Check out our new video sled testing small slopes for snowpack instabilities in the South Rockies by Elkford BC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK16RUVwemU

Is this something you are expecting novices to experience? With your background and experience, I think you have a great idea but others with lesser experience and no avalanche background may be over their heads................quite litterally!

 

[SouthRockiesAvalancheTeam]

You are correct, we are not necessarily trying to tell people to jump on slopes to try and trigger avalanches. We were more hoping to demonstrate that seeing evidence of previous avalanches and getting shooting cracks in the snowpack while sledding are significant signs of instability to watch out for. That being said, I also feel like a lot of sledders out there have the ability and knowledge to test small rolls safely and recognize when a slope would be too large or dangerous to test in this manner. Just like other tests such as extended column tests, and compression tests, some sledders will be able to perform and interpret them better than others depending on their training and experience. It is our hope that by posting short little videos like this, each viewer will take home some small piece of information which will contribute to their safety riding in the future.

 

[ferniesnow]

Right on.