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Introduction to Winter Training. Washington Explorer Search and Rescue Pierce County Unit February 2010. Agenda. Gear Building Snow Caves Other Snow Shelters Avalanche Awareness Winter Training Logistics
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Introduction to Winter Training Washington Explorer Search and Rescue Pierce County Unit February 2010
Agenda • Gear • Building Snow Caves • Other Snow Shelters • Avalanche Awareness • Winter Training Logistics Objective: Provide ESAR members with knowledge to successfully participate in Winter Training
Gear to Bring • Snow shoes • Ski Poles • Shovel • Snow Saw • Candle Lantern and Candles • Blanket or sleeping bag liner • Extra Ground Insulation • Hand Warmers • Do not use stoves in your cave • Extra clothes/rain gear • Extra gloves
Building a Snow Cave • Make a Wall, preferably on a hill
Building a Snow Cave • Dig a T • Keep T about as wide as a person
Building a Snow Cave • Dome the Ceiling • Use a tarp to remove snow from entrance
Building a Snow Cave • Wall over the T • Wall can be constructed with snow blocks • Ski pole can be used to support wall
Lower Entrance • In order to enter cave without crawling consider adding steps
Snow Cave Tips • Digging on a hill will make it easier to excavate your cave. • Try and keep your entrance as narrow as possible to make closing the “T” easier. • When you start expanding your dome you can dump snow on a tarp and then pull it out to remove the snow. • In order to trap heat the sleeping platform must be higher than the top of the door. • Use a pole to poke at least one air vent in the roof of the snow cave. • Be sure to smooth out your walls to prevent drips • Always keep a shovel in the cave with you. • Sleep with your head towards the back of the cave. • Stand up any tools/gear left outside at night. • Keep gear like boots and clothing warm and dry at night in a garbage bag with hand warmers or under your sleeping pad
Tree Pit Shelter • Easy and quick to build • Excavate snow around an evergreen tree well • If possible dig down to bare ground • Provides good protection from wind • Can be a “sink” that traps cold
Trench Shelter • Dig out a large pit/trench long enough for you to lay down in • If you have a tarp or other large piece of material, place it over the top • Weigh down the edges with branches and cover with snow • Tunnel in to one end of the shelter for access and then cover once inside to keep you warm • Easy to build and fast to get out of wind • Can be a sink that traps the cold
Avalanche Awareness • 90% of avalanche victims die in slides triggered by themselves or a member of their group • After 35 minutes a buried victim has only a 27% chance of survival www.nwac.us
Recognize Red Flags • Recent avalanches • Signs of unstable snow as you travel • Cracks or collapsing snowpack • “whumping” sound when you walk • Heavy snow or rain in the last 24 hours • Wind drifted snow • Significant warming www.nwac.us
Identify Avalanche Terrain • Slope • Avalanche potential on slopes steeper than 30 degrees • Most frequent on slopes 35 – 50 degrees • Terrain Traps • Valleys that funnel snow • Flat areas with steep terrain or avalanche chutes above • Aspect: Which way does the slope face • Which way is the wind blowing? • Wind loaded slopes can create greater danger • Which slopes get more sun? • Freeze/thaw cycles can create greater danger www.nwac.us
Travel in Avalanche Areas • If you have to cross a suspect area never expose more than one person at a time • Others should watch the person and the slope around them for signs of trouble • Stay alert to changing snow stability due to changes in aspect, elevation, or weather • Heavy rain/snow • Wind • Warming • Be prepared to perform a rescue www.nwac.us
If you are Caught • If you are caught attempt to get out of the slide • Remove your pack • Angle to the side • Grab trees or other features • Attempt to roll on your back with your feet down hill • Swim hard – moving your limbs may keep you on top of the slide • As the avalanche slows try and thrust part of your body above the surface so it can be seen • Try and create an airspace around your mouth www.nwac.us
If Your Partner is Caught • Yell and alert others to the avalanche • Ensure someone keeps their eye on the victim • Establish a point last seen • Ensure you have a leader and a plan • Check the surface and look for clothes such as clothing and equipment • Listen for yelling • Conduct a beacon search • If no beacon probe down the fall line from PLS • Prepare for first aid and subject evacuation www.nwac.us
Additional Resources • www.nwac.us • www.avalanche.org • Look for avalanche awareness classes at local ski areas and through outdoor stores www.nwac.us
Winter Training Logistics • Rendezvous at 0700 Saturday March 6th at the South Hill Park and Ride • Prepare to carpool as much as possible • Traveling to Paradise – Mount Rainier National Park • Bring a few dollars to help out with gate fee: $15.00 per car • We should return around 1600 on Sunday March 7th www.nwac.us