Item: AUTOMATIC CRUX DETECTION FOR PLANNING BACKCOUNTRY TOURS IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN
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Title: AUTOMATIC CRUX DETECTION FOR PLANNING BACKCOUNTRY TOURS IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2023, Bend, Oregon
Authors:
- Stephan Harvey [ WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland ]
- Cyrill Hänni [ WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland ]
- Noel Boos [ WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland ]
- Jorim Urner [ WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland ]
Date: 2023-10-08
Abstract: For travelling in the backcountry, good planning is crucial. Besides the current weather and avalanche forecast, terrain characteristics must be assessed to identify cruxes in terms of avalanche risk. Nowadays, support is given by slope angle layers and Geographic Information System (GIS) based avalanche terrain maps. When planning a backcountry tour, it is important to draw the route yourself on a detailed map, consider relevant terrain characteristics and define cruxes. To assist in this task, we developed an automatic crux detector. The method automatically identifies potential cruxes from digital avalanche terrain maps and assesses the terrain at these locations in terms of avalanche triggering and the consequences of being caught. In addition, the various associated terrain characteristics are presented. With this information, an initial risk assessment can already be made during the planning phase. Further, this function improves map reading skills in terms of avalanche risk when drawing routes, and it can analyze downloaded GPS tracks to verify the quality of the route and possibly improve it. The automatic crux detection is implemented in the White Risk application. This streamlines the planning process, which finally contributes to safer backcountry tours. In the future, we plan to link the detected potential cruxes to current snow cover conditions.
Object ID: ISSW2023_O8.02.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Stephan Harvey
Keywords: avalanche terrain, crux detection, avalanche hazard mapping, white risk, backcountry tour planning, decision making
Page Number(s): 606 - 611
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