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Introduction to Winter Training

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

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  1. Introduction to Winter Training Washington Explorer Search and Rescue Pierce County Unit February 2010

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Building a Snow Cave • Make a Wall, preferably on a hill

  5. Building a Snow Cave • Dig a T • Keep T about as wide as a person

  6. Building a Snow Cave • Dome the Ceiling • Use a tarp to remove snow from entrance

  7. Building a Snow Cave • Wall over the T • Wall can be constructed with snow blocks • Ski pole can be used to support wall

  8. Lower Entrance • In order to enter cave without crawling consider adding steps

  9. 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

  10. View from Inside

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. Additional Resources • www.nwac.us • www.avalanche.org • Look for avalanche awareness classes at local ski areas and through outdoor stores www.nwac.us

  20. 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

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