Item: What Do Ski Mountaineers Know About Snow Cover and Avalanche Formation? - Results of an Inquiry
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Title: What Do Ski Mountaineers Know About Snow Cover and Avalanche Formation? - Results of an Inquiry
Proceedings: Proceedings of the 1992 International Snow Science Workshop, Breckenridge, Colorado, USA
Authors:
- Peter Holler
Date: 1992
Abstract: Extended Abstract: As a result of overcrowded skiing areas we can observe an increasing of ski mountaineers in the last ten years. But avalanche education of these ski mountaineers is not SUfficient, so that avalanche accidents increased in this period, too. Fig. 1 shows the number of persons killed by avalanches; most of the avalanche accidents occur on tour (especially in the middle of the last decade). More than a half of persons killed will be found in the category "ski mountaineers" and "touring skiers" (see fig. 2). To find some more details about avalanche education of ski mountaineers our institute started an inquiry in 1990. 500 questionnaires were distributed by the two Austrian alpine clubs; about 50 questions have to be answered. Some aspects of this study are given in the following summary: avalanche education: only 19 % of the ski mountaineers have ever completed an adequate avalanche education. Avalanche beacon: handling with the avalanche beacon is trained only from 60 % of the ski mountaineers regulary (fig. 3). snow and avalanche formation: about one third of the ski mountaineers don't know that formation of depth hoar is favoured if snow cover ist low (fig. 4). The very high avalanche danger on north facing slopes is realized not yet by most of the ski mountaineers. About 30 % of the ski mountaineers suppose, that there is an increasing of snow stability if air temperature is low (fig. 5). conclusion: avalanche education of many ski mountaineers is very poor in fact. To provide avalanche accidents in future it is necessary to give more and detailed informations in TV and radio and to encourage ski mountaineers to improve their knowledge about snow and avalanches.
Language of Article: English
Presenters: Unknown
Keywords: ski mountaineers, snow cover, avalanche education, accidents, depth hoar
Page Number(s): 270-275
Subjects: avalanche education avalanche formation avalanche accidents
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Digital Abstract Not Available
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