Item: Avalanche hazard mapping for snowmobiles and other winter trail users
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Title: Avalanche hazard mapping for snowmobiles and other winter trail users
Proceedings: Proceedings Whistler 2008 International Snow Science Workshop September 21-27, 2008
Authors: Mr. Bob Comey, Mr. Chris McCollister.
Date: 9/22/2008
Abstract: Snowmobilers have become the most likely user group in the United States to become involved in a fatal avalanche (Utah Avalanche Center, 2008). Greater awareness and education is necessary. Wyoming has over 3,000 kilometers of maintained trails that are machine groomed for winter use. These trails are extremely popular, and are frequented by winter travelers with a large variation in avalanche knowledge and experience. The trails avoid most avalanche prone slopes; however, along some portions of the trails avalanches are a threat to trail users and trail grooming/maintenance personnel. To address this problem avalanche specialist used global positioning satellite (GPS) and geographic information system (GIS) technologies to locate and characterize the avalanche hazard impacting a portion of these trails. Avalanche hazard maps and accompanying text were created and posted on the internet at jhavalanche.org/statetrailmaps/. This website is expected to be a useful means to raise avalanche awareness among this important user group.
Presenters: Mr. Bob Comey.
Keywords: avalanche hazard mapping, snowmobile trails, geographic information systems (gis)
Subjects: decision making and human factors
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