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Information, Observations and Decision Making...

There is a lot of information available to winter sports enthusiasts that should be consulted before heading into avalanche terrain.  Valuable planning information is provided by maps, guidebooks, weather and avalanche forecasts (for forecasts see links page).  Other types of information that should be considered include the nature, experience, capability and expectations of the group, and the equipment that will be used or available.  All these types of information form the starting point for planning and decision making.

Having arrived in the mountains it is necessary to observe the current weather and snow conditions and trends, the terrain and the group.  These observations must then feed into a review of the options and the decision making.  Then, having started the trip, it is necessary to keep observing the weather, snow conditions, trends, terrain and group and to modify plans as necessary.

Making the right decisions is the most important aspect for safe travel in avalanche terrain.  Some people promote decision making on rule based risk management (e.g. Munter's '3X3' system), others feel such systems are open to misplaced confidence in a formula.  The challenge for decision making in avalanche terrain is recognising relevant facts (or information) combining this with evaluations (or observations) and using your knowledge and experience to make a correct decision.  Whatever approach is taken, if you enter an increased or high risk situation it is vital to react and adopt appropriate group management to minimise the exposure to the particular hazard.

For a summary of key points about information, observation and decision making for travel in avalanche terrain see Great White Fright published in BMC Summit Magazine and Caution Avalanches published by the Swiss Avalanche Institute.

White Risk

Interactive CD produced by the Swiss Avalanche Institute and 'leisure time safety'.