{"id":130,"date":"2014-05-31T08:59:38","date_gmt":"2014-05-31T07:59:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/home.uia.no\/hayles13\/?page_id=130"},"modified":"2014-05-31T08:59:48","modified_gmt":"2014-05-31T07:59:48","slug":"4-winter-mountaineering-field-trip","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/home.uia.no\/hayles13\/assignments\/4-winter-mountaineering-field-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"4. Winter Mountaineering Field Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0winter\u00a0mountaineering\u00a0trip\u00a0took\u00a0place\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0Berdalsbu\u00a0area.\u00a0It\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0rugged,\u00a0mountainous area\u00a0with\u00a0an\u00a0altitude\u00a0of\u00a0between\u00a0800\u00a0–\u00a01150m.\u00a0The\u00a0lower\u00a0mountains\u00a0were\u00a0covered\u00a0mainly\u00a0in pine\u00a0trees\u00a0which\u00a0became\u00a0pine\u00a0bushes\u00a0as\u00a0you\u00a0moved\u00a0higher\u00a0up\u00a0the\u00a0mountains.\u00a0The\u00a0weather\u00a0was perfect\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0sun\u00a0shining\u00a0everyday\u00a0but\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0temperatures\u00a0dipping\u00a0quite\u00a0low\u00a0at\u00a0night.\u00a0This\u00a0made for\u00a0snow\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0hard,\u00a0icy\u00a0crust\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0morning\u00a0and\u00a0then\u00a0turning\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0melted\u00a0slush\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0afternoons. No\u00a0fauna\u00a0was\u00a0seen\u00a0but\u00a0elk\u00a0tracks\u00a0were\u00a0found\u00a0meaning\u00a0that\u00a0there\u00a0are\u00a0some\u00a0in\u00a0that\u00a0area.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0Did\u00a0you\u00a0achieve\u00a0the\u00a0goals\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0trip,\u00a0if\u00a0not,\u00a0explain\u00a0?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The\u00a0goals\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0trip\u00a0were\u00a0to\u00a0work\u00a0on\u00a0our\u00a0ski\u00a0skills,\u00a0leadership,\u00a0navigation\u00a0and\u00a0trekking\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0mountains and\u00a0living\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0snowhole.\u00a0I\u00a0feel\u00a0that\u00a0our\u00a0goals\u00a0for\u00a0this\u00a0trip\u00a0were\u00a0achieved.\u00a0We\u00a0were\u00a0broken\u00a0up\u00a0into\u00a0two groups\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0skiing\u00a0trips\u00a0and\u00a0within\u00a0these\u00a0groups,\u00a0we\u00a0were\u00a0each\u00a0required\u00a0to\u00a0lead\u00a0a\u00a0particular\u00a0section\u00a0of the\u00a0route.\u00a0This\u00a0meant\u00a0that\u00a0we\u00a0had\u00a0to\u00a0navigate\u00a0correctly\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0spot\u00a0intended\u00a0and\u00a0to\u00a0ensure\u00a0the\u00a0safety,\u00a0fun and\u00a0comfort\u00a0of\u00a0all\u00a0group\u00a0members.\u00a0We\u00a0followed\u00a0a\u00a0trail\u00a0for\u00a0some\u00a0parts\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0skiing\u00a0but\u00a0also\u00a0took\u00a0bearings and\u00a0followed\u00a0them off-trail for some\u00a0parts.\u00a0It\u00a0was\u00a0great\u00a0to\u00a0gain\u00a0some\u00a0experience\u00a0leading\u00a0and\u00a0navigating\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0mountains.\u00a0Unfortunately, due\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0snow\u00a0conditions\u00a0we\u00a0were\u00a0required\u00a0to\u00a0use\u00a0skins\u00a0on\u00a0our\u00a0skis\u00a0which\u00a0meant\u00a0that\u00a0we\u00a0couldn\u2019t\u00a0work on\u00a0our\u00a0ski\u00a0skills\u00a0as\u00a0much\u00a0but\u00a0it\u00a0was\u00a0still\u00a0quite\u00a0good\u00a0to\u00a0experience\u00a0the\u00a0skins\u00a0and\u00a0learn\u00a0about\u00a0mountain\u00a0cross country\u00a0touring.<\/p>\n

2. What\u00a0were\u00a0your\u00a0main\u00a0challenges\u00a0working\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0winter\u00a0environment?<\/em><\/strong>
\nFor\u00a0most\u00a0people,\u00a0the\u00a0snow\u00a0hole\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0main\u00a0challenge.\u00a0The\u00a0chosen\u00a0location\u00a0was\u00a0great\u00a0but\u00a0the\u00a0snow proved\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0quite\u00a0solid\u00a0–\u00a0almost\u00a0like\u00a0cement\u00a0–\u00a0and\u00a0this\u00a0meant\u00a0that\u00a0it\u00a0took\u00a0longer\u00a0to\u00a0build.\u00a0It\u00a0also\u00a0meant\u00a0that we\u00a0did\u00a0not\u00a0make\u00a0it\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0as\u00a0comfortable\u00a0as\u00a0we\u00a0would\u00a0have\u00a0liked\u00a0due\u00a0to\u00a0tiredness\u00a0and\u00a0loss\u00a0of\u00a0motivation. Living\u00a0in\u00a0it\u00a0was\u00a0another\u00a0challenge.\u00a0Trying\u00a0to\u00a0change\u00a0without\u00a0getting\u00a0wet\u00a0proved\u00a0very\u00a0difficult\u00a0and\u00a0sleeping was\u00a0very\u00a0tight\u00a0and\u00a0squishy\u00a0which\u00a0definitely\u00a0tested\u00a0any\u00a0claustrophobic\u00a0tendencies.\u00a0Another\u00a0challenge\u00a0that arose\u00a0was\u00a0navigation.\u00a0Navigation\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0snow\u00a0is\u00a0harder\u00a0as\u00a0the\u00a0snow\u00a0makes\u00a0it\u00a0difficult\u00a0to\u00a0see\u00a0particular\u00a0points on\u00a0the\u00a0map\u00a0–\u00a0for\u00a0example\u00a0lakes.\u00a0We\u00a0also\u00a0got\u00a0the\u00a0summer\u00a0and\u00a0winter\u00a0hiking\u00a0trails\u00a0mixed\u00a0up\u00a0from\u00a0time\u00a0to\u00a0time. These\u00a0challenges\u00a0though\u00a0were\u00a0only\u00a0minor\u00a0and\u00a0were\u00a0able\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0overcome.<\/p>\n

3. What\u00a0kind\u00a0of\u00a0shelter\u00a0did\u00a0you\u00a0use,\u00a0how\u00a0did\u00a0it\u00a0function?<\/em><\/strong>The\u00a0shelter\u00a0used\u00a0on\u00a0this\u00a0trip\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0snow\u00a0hole.\u00a0It\u00a0gives\u00a0the\u00a0impression\u00a0of\u00a0being\u00a0a\u00a0very\u00a0cold\u00a0sleeping\u00a0arrangement but\u00a0it\u00a0actually\u00a0proved\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0quite\u00a0warm.<\/p>\n

To\u00a0build\u00a0a\u00a0snow\u00a0hole\u00a0you\u00a0need\u00a0to: \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Look\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0suitable\u00a0location\u00a0to\u00a0build\u00a0the\u00a0snowhole.\u00a0The\u00a0best\u00a0places\u00a0for\u00a0these\u00a0are\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0top\u00a0of\u00a0short, steep\u00a0slopes\u00a0that\u00a0are\u00a0covered\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0deep\u00a0enough\u00a0layer\u00a0of\u00a0snow\u00a0(Langmuir\u00a02013).<\/li>\n
  2. To\u00a0begin\u00a0digging\u00a0the\u00a0snowhole,\u00a0you\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0dig\u00a0three\u00a0to\u00a0four\u00a0metres\u00a0into\u00a0the\u00a0hill.\u00a0The\u00a0size\u00a0of\u00a0this\u00a0hole should\u00a0be\u00a0about\u00a0the\u00a0size\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0person\u00a0standing.<\/li>\n
  3. Sleeping\u00a0benches\u00a0are\u00a0then\u00a0dug\u00a0out\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0left\u00a0and\u00a0right\u00a0of\u00a0this\u00a0corridor.\u00a0These\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0deep\u00a0enough\u00a0for someone\u00a0to\u00a0lay\u00a0down\u00a0in,\u00a0wide\u00a0enough\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0amount\u00a0of\u00a0people\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0group\u00a0to\u00a0sleep\u00a0comfortable\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0with\u00a0a ceiling\u00a0height\u00a0that\u00a0allows\u00a0people\u00a0to\u00a0sit\u00a0upright\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0snowhole\u00a0(Approximately\u00a0half\u00a0a\u00a0metre).\u00a0The\u00a0reason\u00a0for\u00a0the sleeping\u00a0benches\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0higher\u00a0than\u00a0the\u00a0corridor\u00a0floor\u00a0is\u00a0so\u00a0the\u00a0cold\u00a0air\u00a0moves\u00a0down\u00a0and\u00a0out,\u00a0leaving\u00a0the\u00a0warm air\u00a0to\u00a0rise\u00a0and\u00a0fill\u00a0the\u00a0sleeping\u00a0bench\u00a0area.<\/li>\n
  4. The\u00a0next\u00a0task\u00a0is\u00a0to\u00a0smooth\u00a0out\u00a0the\u00a0walls\u00a0so\u00a0as\u00a0to\u00a0avoid\u00a0dripping.<\/li>\n
  5. Lastly,\u00a0using\u00a0branches,\u00a0frame\u00a0the\u00a0entrance\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0snow\u00a0hole.\u00a0Using\u00a0blocks\u00a0of\u00a0snow,\u00a0cover\u00a0the branches\u00a0and\u00a0surround\u00a0the\u00a0entrance\u00a0with\u00a0blocks\u00a0of\u00a0snow.\u00a0This\u00a0reduces\u00a0the\u00a0amount\u00a0of\u00a0cold\u00a0wind\u00a0and\u00a0air that\u00a0can\u00a0enter\u00a0the\u00a0snow\u00a0hole.<\/li>\n
  6. A\u00a0spot\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0candle\u00a0can\u00a0also\u00a0be\u00a0added\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0inside\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0snow\u00a0hole.\u00a0This\u00a0is\u00a0neccessary\u00a0as\u00a0it\u00a0alerts the\u00a0group\u00a0to\u00a0how\u00a0much\u00a0oxygen\u00a0is\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0snowhole.\u00a0If\u00a0the\u00a0candle\u00a0extinguishes\u00a0not\u00a0due\u00a0to\u00a0wind,\u00a0then\u00a0there\u00a0is\u00a0a lack\u00a0of\u00a0oxygen\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0snow\u00a0hole\u00a0and\u00a0thus\u00a0the\u00a0door\u00a0should\u00a0be\u00a0opened\u00a0up\u00a0a\u00a0little\u00a0more.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    For\u00a0us\u00a0the\u00a0snow\u00a0hole\u00a0functioned\u00a0well\u00a0but\u00a0definitely\u00a0could\u00a0have\u00a0been\u00a0bigger.\u00a0On\u00a0our\u00a0bench\u00a0was\u00a0three\u00a0people\u00a0and there\u00a0was\u00a0very\u00a0little\u00a0room\u00a0to\u00a0move\u00a0and\u00a0I\u00a0struggled\u00a0with\u00a0this.\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0hapy\u00a0to\u00a0sleep\u00a0in\u00a0small\u00a0spaces\u00a0but\u00a0when\u00a0I\u00a0am\u00a0squished in\u00a0with\u00a0other\u00a0people\u00a0I\u00a0do\u00a0not\u00a0enjoy\u00a0it,\u00a0so\u00a0a\u00a0few\u00a0nights\u00a0of\u00a0rough\u00a0sleep\u00a0were\u00a0had\u00a0by\u00a0me.\u00a0However,\u00a0it\u00a0was\u00a0reasonably\u00a0warm, we\u00a0had\u00a0\u00a0no\u00a0issues\u00a0with\u00a0oxygen\u00a0running\u00a0out\u00a0and\u00a0we\u00a0were\u00a0sheltered\u00a0well\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0cold.<\/p>\n

    \u00a04. What\u00a0are\u00a0the\u00a0most\u00a0important\u00a0learning\u00a0outcomes\u00a0regarding\u00a0the\u00a0equipment\u00a0you used\u00a0on\u00a0this\u00a0trip\u00a0?<\/em><\/strong> The\u00a0important\u00a0learning\u00a0outcomes\u00a0for\u00a0me\u00a0regarding\u00a0the\u00a0equipment\u00a0used\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0trip\u00a0include:<\/em><\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Always\u00a0bring\u00a0a\u00a0shovel\u00a0when\u00a0touring\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0snow\u00a0as\u00a0it\u00a0may\u00a0be\u00a0needed\u00a0in\u00a0emergency\u00a0situations,\u00a0including having\u00a0to\u00a0build\u00a0an\u00a0emergency\u00a0shelter\u00a0or\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0event\u00a0of\u00a0an\u00a0avalanche.<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0A\u00a0map\u00a0and\u00a0compass\u00a0are\u00a0your\u00a0best\u00a0friends\u00a0on\u00a0any\u00a0outdoor\u00a0trip.\u00a0They\u00a0allow\u00a0you\u00a0to\u00a0follow\u00a0where\u00a0you\u00a0are, describe\u00a0what\u00a0the\u00a0terrain\u00a0is\u00a0like\u00a0and\u00a0can\u00a0help\u00a0you\u00a0if\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0lost.\u00a0These\u00a0were\u00a0vital\u00a0on\u00a0our\u00a0trip.<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Avalanche\u00a0probes\u00a0are\u00a0also\u00a0important\u00a0to\u00a0have\u00a0when\u00a0touring\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0mountains\u00a0as\u00a0not\u00a0only\u00a0can\u00a0they\u00a0reduce searching\u00a0time\u00a0for\u00a0someone\u00a0trapped\u00a0under\u00a0an\u00a0avalanche,\u00a0they\u00a0can\u00a0also\u00a0assist\u00a0in\u00a0testing\u00a0the\u00a0deepness\u00a0of\u00a0the snow\u00a0where\u00a0a\u00a0possible\u00a0snow\u00a0hole\u00a0construction\u00a0may\u00a0take\u00a0place.<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Skins\u00a0are\u00a0a\u00a0great\u00a0way\u00a0for\u00a0people\u00a0that\u00a0really\u00a0struggle\u00a0with\u00a0skiing\u00a0to\u00a0tour\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0mountainside.\u00a0It\u00a0allows\u00a0them\u00a0to\u00a0climb up\u00a0mountains\u00a0with\u00a0ease\u00a0and\u00a0slide\u00a0down\u00a0without\u00a0the\u00a0risk\u00a0of\u00a0falling.<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Water\u00a0is\u00a0important.\u00a0Water\u00a0should\u00a0be\u00a0consumed\u00a0regularly\u00a0to\u00a0avoid\u00a0dehydration\u00a0which\u00a0occurs\u00a0regularly\u00a0on\u00a0snow\u00a0trips due\u00a0to\u00a0it\u00a0being\u00a0quite\u00a0cold\u00a0and\u00a0people\u00a0feeling\u00a0they\u00a0need\u00a0not\u00a0drink\u00a0as\u00a0much.<\/p>\n

    \u00a0 \u00a05. Skiing\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0heavy\u00a0pack\u00a0is\u00a0challenging,\u00a0how\u00a0did\u00a0you\u00a0cope?
    \n<\/strong><\/em>I am a very weight – weary\u00a0traveler\u00a0when\u00a0doing\u00a0outdoor\u00a0activities.\u00a0I\u00a0always\u00a0ensure\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0enough\u00a0equipment\u00a0to\u00a0survive\u00a0but try\u00a0to\u00a0keep\u00a0my\u00a0pack\u00a0as\u00a0light\u00a0as\u00a0possible.\u00a0On\u00a0this\u00a0snowhole\u00a0trip\u00a0I\u00a0tried\u00a0to\u00a0keep\u00a0my\u00a0pack\u00a0as\u00a0light\u00a0as\u00a0possible\u00a0but\u00a0when touring\u00a0in\u00a0winter,\u00a0it\u00a0really\u00a0seems\u00a0near\u00a0impossible.\u00a0Skiing\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0heavy\u00a0pack\u00a0was\u00a0fine\u00a0though.\u00a0I\u00a0had\u00a0no\u00a0issues\u00a0with\u00a0it. It\u00a0was\u00a0certainly\u00a0tiring\u00a0and\u00a0did\u00a0test\u00a0the\u00a0balance\u00a0to\u00a0some\u00a0degree\u00a0but\u00a0because\u00a0we\u00a0were\u00a0using\u00a0skins,\u00a0we\u00a0weren\u2019t\u00a0falling over\u00a0a\u00a0lot\u00a0and\u00a0thus\u00a0kept\u00a0a\u00a0nice,\u00a0steady\u00a0pace.\u00a0If\u00a0we\u00a0were\u00a0not\u00a0on\u00a0skins,\u00a0I\u00a0would\u00a0have\u00a0struggled\u00a0more\u00a0as\u00a0I\u00a0would\u00a0be picking\u00a0myself\u00a0up\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0ground\u00a0so\u00a0often.\u00a0But\u00a0overall\u00a0skiing\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0heavy\u00a0pack\u00a0was\u00a0fine.<\/p>\n

    6.Nutrition,\u00a0what\u00a0did\u00a0you\u00a0eat,\u00a0how\u00a0did\u00a0prepare\u00a0your\u00a0food,\u00a0could\u00a0you\u00a0improve\u00a0on\u00a0your\u00a0menu?<\/em><\/strong>Our\u00a0meal\u00a0plan\u00a0was\u00a0as\u00a0follows:<\/em><\/p>\n

    Breakfast:<\/em><\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Day\u00a01:\u00a0Muesli\u00a0with\u00a0chocolate\u00a0powder\u00a0and\u00a0banana<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Day\u00a02:\u00a0Muesli\u00a0with\u00a0chocolate\u00a0powder\u00a0and\u00a0banana<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Day\u00a03:\u00a0Muesli\u00a0with\u00a0chocolate\u00a0powder\u00a0and\u00a0banana<\/p>\n

    Lunch:<\/em><\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Day\u00a01:\u00a0Ham\u00a0and\u00a0cheese\u00a0sandwich<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Day\u00a02:\u00a0Tin\u00a0of\u00a0tuna\u00a0and\u00a0raw\u00a0vegetables<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Day\u00a03:\u00a0Tin\u00a0of\u00a0tuna\u00a0and\u00a0raw\u00a0vegetables<\/p>\n

    Dinner:<\/em><\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Day\u00a01:\u00a0Pesto\u00a0pasta\u00a0with\u00a0mixed\u00a0vegetables\u00a0and\u00a0sausages<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Day\u00a02:\u00a0Rice\u00a0with\u00a0curry\u00a0sauce\u00a0and\u00a0mixed\u00a0vegetables\u00a0and\u00a0sausages<\/p>\n

    Snacks:\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Fruits\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0bananas\u00a0and\u00a0apples<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Vegetables\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0mushrooms\u00a0and\u00a0carrots<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0lollies\u00a0and\u00a0chocolate\u00a0for\u00a0quick\u00a0energy<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0herbal\u00a0teas<\/p>\n

    All\u00a0the\u00a0breakfasts\u00a0and\u00a0dinner\u00a0were\u00a0cooked\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0Trangia\u00a0using\u00a0gas\u00a0while\u00a0the\u00a0lunches\u00a0and\u00a0snacks\u00a0were prepared\u00a0beforehand.\u00a0Overall\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0quite\u00a0satisfied\u00a0with\u00a0this\u00a0menu.\u00a0It\u00a0was\u00a0easy\u00a0to\u00a0prepare,\u00a0practical,\u00a0healthy (apart\u00a0from\u00a0some\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0snacks)\u00a0and\u00a0tasty.\u00a0However\u00a0perhaps\u00a0more\u00a0calories\u00a0were\u00a0needed\u00a0particularly\u00a0due\u00a0to the\u00a0large\u00a0amount\u00a0of\u00a0calories\u00a0expended\u00a0whilst\u00a0skiing.<\/p>\n

    7. How many calories did you expect to use per day and did your menu cover this requirement?<\/em><\/strong> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 I\u00a0expected\u00a0to\u00a0use\u00a0quite\u00a0a\u00a0large\u00a0number\u00a0of\u00a0calories\u00a0per\u00a0day\u00a0but\u00a0I\u00a0certainly\u00a0feel\u00a0as\u00a0though\u00a0we\u00a0used\u00a0a\u00a0lot\u00a0more than\u00a0expected.\u00a0After\u00a0looking\u00a0into\u00a0it,\u00a0most\u00a0sites\u00a0say\u00a0cross\u00a0country\u00a0skiing\u00a0burns\u00a0between\u00a0(at\u00a0least)\u00a0500\u00a0and 900\u00a0calories\u00a0per\u00a0hour\u00a0depending\u00a0on\u00a0body\u00a0weight,\u00a0the\u00a0terrain\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0speed.\u00a0I\u00a0think\u00a0the\u00a0food\u00a0menu\u00a0we\u00a0created covered\u00a0this\u00a0requirement.\u00a0There\u00a0was\u00a0enough\u00a0protein\u00a0to\u00a0generate\u00a0muscle\u00a0repair\u00a0and\u00a0carbohydrates\u00a0to\u00a0increase the\u00a0amount\u00a0of\u00a0glycogen\u00a0stored\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0muscles.\u00a0More\u00a0snacks\u00a0perhaps\u00a0needed\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0taken\u00a0to\u00a0keep\u00a0energy\u00a0levels up\u00a0throughout\u00a0the\u00a0day\u00a0but\u00a0overall\u00a0the\u00a0menu\u00a0was\u00a0sufficient.<\/p>\n

    \u00a0 8. Avalanches
    \n<\/strong><\/em>Avalanches\u00a0occur\u00a0when\u00a0a\u00a0large\u00a0mass\u00a0of\u00a0snow\u00a0and\u00a0ice\u00a0rapidly\u00a0descend\u00a0down\u00a0a\u00a0sloping\u00a0mountain\u00a0surface. Some\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0triggers\u00a0of\u00a0avalanches\u00a0include:<\/em><\/p>\n

    Overloading:\u00a0<\/em>The\u00a0weight\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0snow\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0mountain\u00a0top\u00a0increases\u00a0so\u00a0much\u00a0that\u00a0there\u00a0is\u00a0no\u00a0longer cohesion\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0packed\u00a0snow\u00a0underneath.\u00a0(Natural\u00a0Disasters\u00a0Association,\u00a0N.D)<\/p>\n

    Temperature:<\/em>\u00a0Higher\u00a0temperatures\u00a0create\u00a0softer\u00a0snow\u00a0that\u00a0weakens\u00a0the\u00a0snows\u00a0cohesion\u00a0and\u00a0lower\u00a0temperatures increase\u00a0the\u00a0tension\u00a0and\u00a0brittleness\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0slab\u00a0of\u00a0snow\u00a0(Natural\u00a0Disasters\u00a0Association,\u00a0N.D).\u00a0Winds\u00a0can\u00a0also\u00a0create convex\u00a0slopes\u00a0which\u00a0are\u00a0the\u00a0most\u00a0common\u00a0places\u00a0for\u00a0avalanches\u00a0to\u00a0begin.<\/p>\n

    Slope\u00a0Angle:<\/em>\u00a0From\u00a0approximately\u00a025\u00a0degrees\u00a0of\u00a0slope\u00a0angle,\u00a0an\u00a0avalanche\u00a0can\u00a0occur. Your ski poles can be used to test slope angles. (See picture below)<\/p>\n

    Convex\u00a0slopes:<\/em>\u00a0This\u00a0is\u00a0when\u00a0wind\u00a0blows\u00a0much\u00a0snow\u00a0over\u00a0the\u00a0top\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0mountain\u00a0and\u00a0creates\u00a0a\u00a0slope that\u00a0is\u00a0more\u00a0convex.\u00a0With\u00a0a\u00a0mixture\u00a0of\u00a0temperature\u00a0rise\u00a0and\u00a0gravity,\u00a0the\u00a0snow\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0slope\u00a0can\u00a0detach\u00a0and begin\u00a0an\u00a0avalanche.\u00a0(Canadian\u00a0Avalanche\u00a0Centre\u00a02014).<\/p>\n

    Avalanches\u00a0safety\u00a0tips:
    \n<\/em>–\u00a0Evaluate\u00a0constantly,\u00a0the\u00a0avalanche\u00a0hazards\u00a0and\u00a0risks<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Avoid\u00a0areas\u00a0with\u00a0fresh\u00a0accumulations\u00a0of\u00a0win-driven\u00a0snow<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Very\u00a0steep\u00a0slopes\u00a0near\u00a0ridges\u00a0in\u00a0shady\u00a0areas\u00a0should\u00a0also\u00a0be\u00a0avoided<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Always\u00a0travel\u00a0with\u00a0someone\u00a0else\u00a0and\u00a0alert\u00a0others\u00a0to\u00a0your\u00a0route\u00a0plan<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Always\u00a0carry\u00a0a\u00a0shovel\u00a0and\u00a0avalanche\u00a0probe<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Learn\u00a0to\u00a0use\u00a0the\u00a0rescue\u00a0equipment<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0If\u00a0caught\u00a0in\u00a0an\u00a0avalanche,\u00a0try\u00a0to\u00a0cup\u00a0your\u00a0face\u00a0so\u00a0as\u00a0to\u00a0allow\u00a0some\u00a0space\u00a0for\u00a0breathing\u00a0when the\u00a0avalanche\u00a0has\u00a0ceased.\u00a0This\u00a0will\u00a0lengthen\u00a0your\u00a0liveability\u00a0time.<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0When\u00a0an\u00a0avalanche\u00a0occurs,\u00a0time\u00a0is\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0essence.\u00a0Call\u00a0a\u00a0rescue\u00a0team\u00a0and\u00a0begin\u00a0probing\u00a0the\u00a0area\u00a0immediately\u00a0to find\u00a0any\u00a0lost\u00a0and\u00a0trapped\u00a0people.<\/p>\n

    –\u00a0Do\u00a0evaluate\u00a0the\u00a0avalanche\u00a0risk\u00a0before\u00a0attempting\u00a0a\u00a0rescue<\/p>\n

    At\u00a0the\u00a0end\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0trip\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0exhausted.\u00a0It\u00a0was\u00a0certainly\u00a0a\u00a0challenging\u00a0trip\u00a0but\u00a0also\u00a0a\u00a0very\u00a0educational\u00a0one. I\u00a0learnt\u00a0a\u00a0great\u00a0deal\u00a0about\u00a0navigation\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0snowy\u00a0mountainside,\u00a0avalanches,\u00a0weather,\u00a0how\u00a0to\u00a0build\u00a0snow\u00a0holes and\u00a0cross\u00a0country\u00a0skiing.\u00a0Overall\u00a0it\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0great\u00a0trip!<\/p>\n

    Reference:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Canadian\u00a0Avalanche\u00a0Centre\u00a02014,\u00a0\u2018Online\u00a0Avalanche\u00a0Course\u2019,\u00a0<http:\/\/www.avalanche.ca\/cac\/training\/online-course\/terrain\/slope-angle> Viewed\u00a030\/5\/2014<\/p>\n

    Fsavalanche.org N.D, ‘Convex Slopes’, <http:\/\/www.fsavalanche.org\/encyclopedia\/convex_slope.htm> viewed 30\/5\/2014<\/p>\n

    Langmuir,\u00a0E.\u00a0(2013).\u00a0Mountaincraft\u00a0and\u00a0Leadership.\u00a0British\u00a0Library.<\/p>\n

    Natural\u00a0Disasters\u00a0Association\u00a0N.D,\u00a0\u2018Avalanches\u2019,\u00a0<http:\/\/www.n-d-a.org\/avalanche.php>\u00a0viewed\u00a030\/5\/2014<\/p>\n

    National\u00a0Geographic\u00a02014,\u00a0\u2018Avalanche\u00a0Safety\u00a0Tips\u2019,\u00a0<http:\/\/environment.nationalgeographic.com\/environment\/natural-disasters\/avalanche-safety-tips\/>\u00a0viewed\u00a030\/5\/2014<\/p>\n

    Roberts, Barry 2010, ‘Guide to Avalanche Survival’, Planet Fear, <http:\/\/www.planetfear.com\/articles\/The_PlanetFear_Guide_To_Avalanche_Survival_351.html> viewed 30\/5\/2014<\/p>\n\n\t\n\t\t

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