| OCR Text |
Show 2. Low intermittent hazard. Indicates occasional exposure to avalanches of dangerous size. Example: a slope not steep enough or big enough to avalanche in dangerous volume except under extreme conditions; a structure close enough to a slidepath to be damaged under climax avalanche conditions. 3. High intermittent hazard. Indicates frequent exposure to avalanches of dangerous size. Example: a high angle slope of sufficient dimensions so that hazard is likely to exist with every major storm or under delayed action avalanche conditions. ( The distinction between low and high intermittent hazard is frequency.) 4. High continuous hazard. Indicates an area hazardous by nature, not under observation and for which the only available protective measure is restriction. Properly speaking, no area is hazardous continuously, but from a snow safety standpoint if observation and protective measures are lacking the observer has no grounds for decision. Example: a cornice area. An area can change from one classification to another, depending upon protective measures. Thus a high continuous hazard area would take a lower classification if it were put under stabilization by use, explosives or barriers. The reverse situation is also possible. Operations Plan The final step in snow safety planning is to set up a plan of operations. Where a number of different activities are involved, such as a ski area and a highway, with several cooperating agencies, the operations plan can be complex. Ordinarily it is a brief and simple outline of procedure so that things get done in the right order. A snow ranger, well trained and thoroughly familiar with his area, would seldom need to look at it. He knows it by heart. The same is not true for his successor or a temporary replacement. Either could easily get into trouble without a systematic plan of action. The operations plan ties in very closely with the hazard classification and the two are frequently combined. Some of the items covered are as follows: 1. Procedure for closing a highway- and reopening it. Notification to the public and to officials; time allowances, responsibility for highway barriers. 2. Procedure for closing a public recreation area. Notifications, supervision. Reopening the same: order in which the various parts of the area are checked for safety. 3. Procedures for explosives operations: assistants, storage and transport of equipment, safety provisions, routes to firing points. - 81 - |
