building a warning system the backcountry avalanche advisory grant statham mountain risk specialist
TRANSCRIPT
BUILDING A WARNING SYSTEMThe Backcountry Avalanche Advisory
Grant Statham
Mountain Risk Specialist
A COLLABORATION BETWEEN
and the
Connaught Creek
February 1, 2003
Parks Canada’s Avalanche Risk Review
36 Recommendations
• Focus on communication
• Information more accessible
November 2004
LOW MODERATE CONSIDERABLE HIGH EXTREME
LOW MODERATE CONSIDERABLE HIGH EXTREME
LOW MODERATE CONSIDERABLE HIGH EXTREME
ALPINE
TREELINE
BELOW
TREELINE
Avalanche Danger Scale
15 OPTIONS
SOCIETY UNDERSTANDS
This kind of comprehension was needed for avalanche danger
Frequency of highest danger rating for the CAA Public Avalanche Bulletin, all regions (Data 1994-2004, n=2035)
Low6%
Moderate33%
Considerable44%
High16%
Extreme1%
Canadian and Swiss recreational fatalities vs. Avalanche Danger rating
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Low Moderate Considerable High Extreme
Danger Scale rating
Per
cen
t o
f fa
tali
ties
Canadian fatalities
Swiss fatalities
n= 86 for Canadan= 248 for Switzerland
Version 1
• Mountain/Avalanche
• Action
• International symbols
• Warning colors
• Effective in B&W
Version 5
Spring Icon
Final Edition – Version 7
Text
Version 1
Headers and Footers
Unsuitable
PoorSuitable
Significant
Deteriorating
Moderate
Changing
Good
DifficultUnfavorable
Favorable
Challenging
Variable
Serious
Spring
Considerable
Amateur
UntrainedImportant
Acute
Crucial
Dangerous
Grave
Stable
Fair
SIGNAL WORDSMarginal
Public Focus Testing – 2 Rounds
• Calgary
• Golden
• Revelstoke
• Bow Valley
• Students
• Backcountry skiers
• Shop owners
• Ice Climbers
• Parents
• Snowmobilers
• People off the street
After a total of 15 versions . . .
Avalanche
ConditionsTravel Advice Guidance for Amateur Recreation
GoodNormal Caution
Avalanches are infrequent but possible. Appropriate conditions for informed backcountry travel.
Serious
Extra CautionAvalanches will occur with human and other triggers. Avalanche training and experience are essential for safe backcountry travel.
Poor
Not RecommendedAvalanches are occurring frequently. Inappropriate conditions for backcountry travel without extensive avalanche training and experience.
Variable
Extra CautionConditions change from good with frozen snow to poor with melted snow. Avalanche training and experience are essential to monitor conditions for safe travel.
For more details: www.avalanche.ca or 1 800 667 1105
Users of this information assume their own risk
Backcountry Avalanche Advisory
LOW
MODERATE
CONSIDERABLE
HIGH
EXTREME
TRANSLATION FROM DANGER SCALE
GOOD
Normal Caution
Avalanches are infrequent but possible. Appropriate conditions for informed backcountry travel.
SERIOUS
Extra Caution
Avalanches will occur with human and other triggers. Avalanche training and experience are essential for safe backcountry travel.
POOR
Not Recommended
Avalanches are occurring frequently. Inappropriate conditions for backcountry travel without extensive avalanche training and
experience.
VARIABLE
Extra Caution
Conditions change from Good with frozen snow to Poor with melted snow. Avalanche training and experience are essential to monitor
conditions for safe travel.
media portal
www.avalanche.ca
television
newspaper
THANKYOU•Bruce Jamieson
•Karl Klassen
•William Leiss
•Chris Stethem
•Albi Sole
•David Jones
•Pascal Haegeli
•Gisele Danis
•Alan Jones
•Clair Israelson
•Mary Clayton
•Eugene Thomlinson
•John Kelly
•Lise Gautron
•Sylvain Hebert
•Marc Deschenes
•Dominique Boucher
•Stephane Gagnon
•Marc Ledwidge
•Kathy Rettie
•Rob Storeshaw
•CAA Technical Committee
•Bruce Tremper