OCR Text |
Show INTRODUCTION Each winter many snow avalanches fall in the mountains. Some bring destruction to property and terror to those unfortunate enough to be caught in the sliding snow. Reports of some of these reach the Alta Avalanche Study Center on the Wasatch National Forest in Utah. The following summaries are drawn from this master file for avalanche data maintained at Alta by the U. S. Forest Service. The reason for compiling these accident summaries is to analyze both the causes which led to the accidents and the rescue efforts which followed. By studying these, we can learn some of the factors that caused the accidents and, hopefully, prevent similar ones in the future. Each accident summary is followed by our commentary. We point out the mistakes as lessons for us all, not as criticism of the individuals involved. Compliments are bestowed where they are due. We play no favorites; snow rangers as well as novice skiers receive their fair share of recognition for setting examples, both good and bad. The general skier is usually not familiar with the complex circumstances which can lead to snow avalanche formation. But it is hoped that, by reading reports such as this one, the skiing public will be more aware of avalanche hazard and will gain some knowledge of the proper rescue procedures should someone be caught. Public education about the avalanche hazard is difficult because of the number of people involved. This report is part of the Forest Service program in snow safety education which is designed to meet this difficulty. This compilation may give a misleading impression that some areas have a high concentration of avalanche accidents, but our study is necessarily biased by the reporting system. Not all accidents come to our attention. Others are so poorly reported that a summary cannot be prepared. The ones which achieve the status of publication are those for which we received accurate reports. There is also a strong bias toward accidents which led to injury, death or extensive damage. These accidents are the ones for which someone takes the trouble to write and submit a report. The narrow escapes and accidents closely averted often go unmentioned. We request that anyone having information about avalanche accidents send it to the Alta Avalanche Study Center, Alta via Sandy, Utah, 84070. Newspaper stories, first- hand accounts, official reports, no matter when or where the accident happened, are all wanted. We would like to have reports on any avalanches that caused destruction, that someone was caught in, or narrowly escaped, or that were unusual in size, quantity or behavior. From a study of these reports we establish and update our snow safety procedures. In the appendix will be found an explanation of the abbreviations, conversion tables, and an outline of the contents of a complete avalanche accident report. |