Awareness key to avalanche safety

As the snow builds, so does avalanche danger while traveling in the backcountry of the Mat-Su Valley and beyond.

While avalanches are not totally preventable, 95 percent of them are caused by man, according to the Alaska Mountain Safety Center, and that means with a little common sense, lives can be saved. Often, getting caught in an avalanche isn't a "wrong place at the wrong time" thing, but rather a result of unsafe snow conditions and activities that accelerate risks.

The Backcountry Avalanche Awareness & Response Team was formed in the Valley in early 2000 by Aedene Arthur and Chris Noakes after both women lost loved ones in avalanche deaths. Now, the group is working to educate people about avalanche risks, and how to avoid them. Today, the organization holds safety meetings, educational seminars and has a response team on call when avalanches happen. The organization's Web site, www.baart.us, also has one of the most informative forums about avalanches in Alaska.

At the site, you can get snow conditions and avalanche risks, area by area, including separate postings for Petersville, Hatcher Pass, Willow and Eureka, all popular snowmachining and cross-country skiing areas.

The first avalanche injury has already occurred in Southcentral Alaska. On Nov. 11, a 23-year-old man suffered crack ribs when a small avalanche caught him on Triangle Peak in Chugach National Forest, sending him to the hospital. Experts say he was lucky -- many avalanche victims don't live to tell their story.

Tips and hints to avoid avalanche risks

When traveling in the backcountry, here are some suggestions, from the Alaska Mountain Resource Center's Web site, a National Geographic Web site and the BAART Web site:

Allow only one person at a time on the slope, and never travel above your partner.

Avoid slopes with terrain traps at the bottom -- choose slopes with gentle turnouts.

Avoid slopes more than 25 degrees in angle -- they are prone to avalanches. Angles in the 30- to 45-degree range are prime for avalanches.

Always think about consequences, and know which way you are going should the snow break.

Be alert for instability, and know the recent weather conditions that may contribute to the dangers.

Pay attention. Keep your eyes and ears open, and don't get complacent. You may not find avalanche danger until your last run of the day, but you have to be just as attentive.

Always, always travel with a beacon (inside your clothing), a shovel and a probe -- on the rider, not the snowmachine. Don't let your group travel without the equipment -- it could be you they are trying to find. Another good tool to have is a inclinometer, which can be had relatively cheap. It measures the angle of a slope -- if it's too steep, simply avoid it.

Know how and where to search, because you don't have time to go for help. Be aware that most buried snowmachiners are found no more than 200 feet from their snowmachines, and in the same fall line. Most of the time, they are upslope and within 40 feet of their snowmachines.

Use your head -- if a run looks like it could potentially start an avalanche, don't ski it and don't sled it. Just because there are tracks doesn't make it safe. More than 95 percent of avalanches are caused by the actions of people.

Get some training. The Alaska Mountain Safety Center (www.alaskaavalanche.org) and BAART (www.baart.us) hold safety seminars throughout the winter. One day spent in class could save your life.